Monday, June 25, 2012
Become a citizen co-sponsor
Become a citizen co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act of 2012 to end secret election spending.
The U.S. Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United v. FEC ruling has unleashed a torrent of anonymous campaign spending into our political system. Corporations have been able to exert a massive influence on our electoral process without being subject to any accountability for that influence.
Progressive champion Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is fighting back by pushing Congress to pass the DISCLOSE Act. And he has asked the public to join him as citizen co-sponsors.
Become a citizen co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act of 2012 to end secret election spending.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/disclose_citizen_cosponsor/?r_by=42314-3451380-30XNMQx&rc=confemail
Thursday, June 14, 2012
South Dakota Peace and Justice hosts Occupy Rapid City panel
By Greg Olson with editorial and
memory help by Clay Uptain
Tuesday night the monthly meeting
of the Rapid City
chapter of the South Dakota Peace and Justice organization hosted a panel of
Occupy Rapid City members. The focus of
this meeting was ‘The Significance of the “Occupy” Movement in Contemporary
America: A Discussion.’ The panelists
were volunteers and each of them spoke from their own point of view regarding
the Occupy Movement. The panel was
comprised of three noteworthy members of our Occupy Rapid City community and
yours truly. Each panelist spoke from the heart about the Movement with
emphasis on particular aspects that spoke specifically to them. While these panelists generally share similar
views they did not speak as representatives of the diverse membership of the
Occupy Movement.
Clay Uptain spoke of his
background as a criminal justice system professional and how the Occupy
Movement’s worldwide significance and his interest in the spiritual and social
aspects of what that means, not just for Rapid City, but for all of humanity.
Jim Petersen shared that he is a
Veteran pilot and feels that the Defense budget is way out of proportion and
that it needs a significant reduction. He also listed other issues that he felt
continued to be of specific relevance to the Movement. He elaborated on each of the items that he
referred to and how they related to the essential central issues of the Movement’s
Occupy Wall Street
beginnings. One of the key issues he mentioned was that our country has slowly
degenerated into a plutocracy. We are no longer a democracy. He also discussed
the National Defense Appropriations Act that eviscerated the Bill of Rights and
has put our nation under indefinite martial law.
Peggy Detmers related how her
background made many of Occupy’s central causes important to her. She has a background in biology and is
currently working with a biochemist identifying toxins in our environment. She
issued several challenges to the listeners to join in the activism of the
Occupy Movement. This call to action was
well understood and has been historically shared by most if not all of those in
attendance of this gathering of the local South Dakota Peace and Justice group.
For my part, I tried to express
how the Occupy Movement provides a venue or outlet for the “frustrated”
majority or for the percentage of the population that should be able to
associate with the movement, “the 99%.”
At the same time the Movement has avoided the partisanships of political
parties. The Occupy Movement provides
the bridge between many groups on issues that are important to all of us,
regardless of political, religious, or other divisive group definition.
All of the panelists seemed to
agree that the Occupy Movement was a continuing catalyst for activism as well
as for civic and social responsibility. Evidence
of this belief can be observed in action; two Occupy Rapid City members are
serving on a task force formed by the Rapid City Council that was successful in
getting the City of Rapid City
to formalize and update its procedures for where it keeps its money. The effort deemphasized the reliance on big
banks and financial institutions and focused on the city including more small
and locally owned banks and credit unions.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Help Restore Our Civil Liberties
Friends-
We can put an end to a shocking assault on our civil
liberties: Last year's National Defense Authorization Act included language
that could allow the military to detain civilian suspects INDEFINITELY without
charge or trial.
This year's NDAA could come up for a vote as soon as next
week and we have a prime opportunity to reverse this travesty of justice.
Click here to fight back: Email your member of Congress
right away:
Congressmen Adam Smith and Justin Amash will put forth an
amendment to make it clear that the military does not have the power to arrest
and indefinitely detain civilians without charging or trying them. Please urge
your lawmakers to support their efforts and help us spread word far and wide.
Just click here to email your member of Congress right away.
Thanks!
Public announcement from Occupy Rapid City
Event Schedule:
The demonstration on Saturday
May 12 will focus on the income disparity and corporate malfeasance that
initially sparked Occupy. These issues have not gone away. From banks
foreclosing on families by using fraudulent documents to Wall Street
speculators creating a bubble in oil futures to the one percenters continue to
lie, cheat, and steal in order to further enrich themselves. Meanwhile more and
more Americans are struggling just to survive. There really is “too much month
at the end of the money.”
Come on out this Saturday and stand with us. You will be glad that you did.
http://occupyrapidcity.org/
Come on out this Saturday and stand with us. You will be glad that you did.
http://occupyrapidcity.org/
Monday, April 23, 2012
WOMEN UNITE – MARCH IN SOLIDARITY
WOMEN UNITE – MARCH IN SOLIDARITY
What: A call to action to defend Women’s Rights with a March in Solidarity
Why: A nation-wide event to focus attention on current legislation and efforts that challenge rights of women and families.
When: 2:00 PM - Saturday, April 28, 2012
Where: Meet at Memorial Park Band Shell and march through downtown Rapid City.
Who: Local citizens who wish to join with Americans from across the United States to tell members of Congress and legislators in all 50 states “Enough is Enough!” should attend. If you are troubled by the prevailing trend of laws, especially in South Dakota, that threaten women’s right, you are encouraged to participate. If you dislike negative campaign language and the anti-women rhetoric in the media, please plan to ‘march in solidarity’ with others that feel as you do.
Miscellaneous: Participants are asked to bring relevant signs that are appropriate for a family-friendly event.
More information can be found at www.unitewomen.org, on Facebook at Women Unite! (what is your link)? March in Solidarity or contact us.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Occupy Rapid City to highlight Miss Representation
Guest post from Occupy Rapid City:
This Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm Occupy Rapid City will walk from Main Street Square to KOTA in order to shine a light on the role of the media in disempowering women. KOTA continues to broadcast Rush Limbaugh in spite of his documented attacks on women. He has repeatedly and infamously referred to any women who are politically active on equality issues as “femi-nazis.” He seems to think that the only appropriate role for women in the 21st Century is to remain barefoot and pregnant.
Not only does KOTA continue to broadcast Rush Limbaugh, but it also aligns itself with the one percent corporate interests in this country, rather than the ninety-nine percent of the rest of the population. The more general role of the corporate owned and controlled media locally and nationally in marginalizing and disempowering women was exposed in a recent showing in Rapid City of Miss Representation. This film highlighted the many ways that women are sexualized and distorted on a daily basis in our media culture. It is a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and features interviews with Condaleezza Rice, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Geena Davis, Rachel Maddow, Margeret Cho, and Rosario Dawson. It documents how the media only wants to focus on trivial and sexualized aspects of women, instead of having an honest discourse on the issues that women are raising. One example in the film was the media’s focus on Sarah Palin’s legs and physical appearance instead of the substance of her political stances on the issues.
The recent local showing of this film was sponsored by PROJECT RESPECT.ORG, an organization that “works to combat sexual and gender based violence amongst South Dakota’s Native American youth by promoting healthy, responsible and respectful relationships.”
Proceeds from the event went to WAVI-Working Against Violence, Inc., an organization that “works to create a community free of domestic abuse and sexual assault through advocacy, education and support services.”
The following statement is by Jim Peterson of Occupy Rapid City:
As you may or may not be aware, the Occupy Rapid City group has weekly demonstrations every Saturday, beginning at noon at Main Street Square. The overarching theme is always corporate control of every facet of our lives, but a weekly emphasis is chosen based on a timely issue currently in the limelight. This Saturday, April 21, we will try to bring to the attention of the public/media the concerns depicted in the recently shown movie Miss Representation. More specifically we will try and connect the dots between the media and the objectification and degradation of women. We will meet as usual at the Square, at noon, with appropriate signs and then around 12:45 walk the two blocks to the KOTA studio to once again shine a light on Rush Limbaugh’s disgusting behavior, vis-à-vis women. The previous demonstration at KOTA was an appropriate response to a specific episode, but the bigger issues pointed out by Miss Representation need to be addressed also.
We would encourage every woman you know (and men !!) to join us for an hour or so this Saturday. The reality is that one short demonstration is not going to affect significant change, which is why Occupy groups step up continuously…. PLEASE take the time to join us and encourage all your friends and group members to do likewise. Signage which speaks to the points raised in the Miss Representation film would be most helpful and appropriate. If anyone has any questions have them call me at (605) 342-6245. Thanks for all that you do to make our community a better place……..Jim Petersen
###
For More Information:
Mary Ellen Uptain 605.341.0724
Jim Peterson 605.342.6245
Occupy Rapid City occupyrapidcity.org
This Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm Occupy Rapid City will walk from Main Street Square to KOTA in order to shine a light on the role of the media in disempowering women. KOTA continues to broadcast Rush Limbaugh in spite of his documented attacks on women. He has repeatedly and infamously referred to any women who are politically active on equality issues as “femi-nazis.” He seems to think that the only appropriate role for women in the 21st Century is to remain barefoot and pregnant.
Not only does KOTA continue to broadcast Rush Limbaugh, but it also aligns itself with the one percent corporate interests in this country, rather than the ninety-nine percent of the rest of the population. The more general role of the corporate owned and controlled media locally and nationally in marginalizing and disempowering women was exposed in a recent showing in Rapid City of Miss Representation. This film highlighted the many ways that women are sexualized and distorted on a daily basis in our media culture. It is a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and features interviews with Condaleezza Rice, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Geena Davis, Rachel Maddow, Margeret Cho, and Rosario Dawson. It documents how the media only wants to focus on trivial and sexualized aspects of women, instead of having an honest discourse on the issues that women are raising. One example in the film was the media’s focus on Sarah Palin’s legs and physical appearance instead of the substance of her political stances on the issues.
The recent local showing of this film was sponsored by PROJECT RESPECT.ORG, an organization that “works to combat sexual and gender based violence amongst South Dakota’s Native American youth by promoting healthy, responsible and respectful relationships.”
Proceeds from the event went to WAVI-Working Against Violence, Inc., an organization that “works to create a community free of domestic abuse and sexual assault through advocacy, education and support services.”
The following statement is by Jim Peterson of Occupy Rapid City:
As you may or may not be aware, the Occupy Rapid City group has weekly demonstrations every Saturday, beginning at noon at Main Street Square. The overarching theme is always corporate control of every facet of our lives, but a weekly emphasis is chosen based on a timely issue currently in the limelight. This Saturday, April 21, we will try to bring to the attention of the public/media the concerns depicted in the recently shown movie Miss Representation. More specifically we will try and connect the dots between the media and the objectification and degradation of women. We will meet as usual at the Square, at noon, with appropriate signs and then around 12:45 walk the two blocks to the KOTA studio to once again shine a light on Rush Limbaugh’s disgusting behavior, vis-à-vis women. The previous demonstration at KOTA was an appropriate response to a specific episode, but the bigger issues pointed out by Miss Representation need to be addressed also.
We would encourage every woman you know (and men !!) to join us for an hour or so this Saturday. The reality is that one short demonstration is not going to affect significant change, which is why Occupy groups step up continuously…. PLEASE take the time to join us and encourage all your friends and group members to do likewise. Signage which speaks to the points raised in the Miss Representation film would be most helpful and appropriate. If anyone has any questions have them call me at (605) 342-6245. Thanks for all that you do to make our community a better place……..Jim Petersen
###
For More Information:
Mary Ellen Uptain 605.341.0724
Jim Peterson 605.342.6245
Occupy Rapid City occupyrapidcity.org
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Check out what's coming to the Elks Theatre in Rapid City
Elks Theatre, 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 26. All seats $5.00.
Directed by Kristin Canty. Starring Linda Faillace, Mark McAfee and Joel Salatin.
Farmageddon is the story of a mom whose son healed from all allergies and asthma after consuming raw milk, and real food from farms. It depicts people all over the country who formed food co-ops and private clubs to get these foods, and how they were raided by state and local governments. Source: IMDb.com
A movie whose claims, if accurate, should give us all food for thought. – Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Kristin Canty’s Farmageddon is a plucky, grassroots, urban mulch pile of info-tainment. – Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
89 minutes. 2011 release.
Additional note from Clay Upton:
Hello friends,
This Monday, March 26 we will be showing the film "Farmageddon." There will be a discussion panel afterwards. Jessica Miller, representing Dakota Rural Action, Dawn Habeck, representing Black Hills Milk, Shirley Frederick, representing Dakota Local Food Network, and Nisa Schwiesow, representing Breadroot Food Cooperative, will be the panel members. Nisa also has a CSA farm and is a permaculture certified organic gardener. She has been involved with sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Dawn and her husband John have a dairy farm in Bell Fourche, and now have retail stores in Rapid City and Spearfish. Shirley is also a member of Dakota Rural Action and is actively involved in other local community organizations. This promises to be a very informative evening. Please come out and join us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Additional note from Clay Upton:
Hello friends,
This Monday, March 26 we will be showing the film "Farmageddon." There will be a discussion panel afterwards. Jessica Miller, representing Dakota Rural Action, Dawn Habeck, representing Black Hills Milk, Shirley Frederick, representing Dakota Local Food Network, and Nisa Schwiesow, representing Breadroot Food Cooperative, will be the panel members. Nisa also has a CSA farm and is a permaculture certified organic gardener. She has been involved with sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Dawn and her husband John have a dairy farm in Bell Fourche, and now have retail stores in Rapid City and Spearfish. Shirley is also a member of Dakota Rural Action and is actively involved in other local community organizations. This promises to be a very informative evening. Please come out and join us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)