The Continuing Devestation of Agent Orange

We still have unfinished business with the people of Vietnam who continue to suffer the effects of Agent Orange. Children born to children of the war have birth defects and no one knows how long the chemicals will infect future generations. THIS WAS/IS GENOCIDE. Helping Americans to understand their problems will also shed light on our Vietnam Veterans, also burdened by the sickness of the deadly dioxins and other chemicals they inhaled while strafing the country. The only redemption is our determination to help the victims. Please visit this site to learn more from Vietnamese Women who are touring the USA to educate us:

Delegation of Vietnamese Women
Agent Orange Victims Visit
10 US Cities, Sept 28–Oct 31, 2008

Co-sponsors: Veterans For Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, National Lawyers Guild & United For Peace & Justice
Organizing groups for the delegation have formed & are planning events in 9/28 - 10/5: New York City, New Jersey & New Haven, see below 10/6 - 10/8: Washington DC, press conference at the Supreme Court, meetings with Congress representatives, contact us 10/9 - 10/12: Birmingham AL, meetings with lawyers, contact us 10/12 - 10/14: Pittsburgh PA, Reconciliation & Healing: Remembering Vietnam, La Roche College, contact us 10/15 - 10/18: Detroit MI, National Lawyers Guild, Law for the People Convention, Friday 10/17 10/19 - 10/21: Chicago IL, NPR Worldview, Roosevelt University, Hull House, U of Illinois at Chicago 10/22 - 10/25: Portland & Eugene OR, 10/22 Knight Law School, 7pm (Eugene). contact us 10/26 - 10/28: Los Angeles CA, Reception by CHEER, UCLA Labor Center, Strategy Center & SoCA for Youth, contact us 10/28 - 10/31: Bay Area CA, events in Laney College (10/28, 4pm, Oakland), Eastside Arts Alliance (10/28, 7pm 2277 International Blvd at 23d Ave, Oakland), Glaser Center (10/29, 7pm 547 Mendocino Ave. at 10th St, Santa Rosa), and at Veterans Bldg (10/30, 7pm, Rm 223, 401 Van Ness at Golden Gate, San Francisco), contact us
http://www.vn-agentorange.org/

The 1st Amendment IS My Permit!

Assemble for Rights NYC
New Yorkers dedicated to keeping freedom of assembly and speech alive and well in our city

Support The First Amendment Assembly Act!
Support the Bill To Restore Civil Rights:

City Council Member Rosie Mendez, with Members Alan Gerson and Gale Brewer, has introduced a bill, based on the legislation drafted by Assemble For Rights NYC, which would overturn the NYPD's parade permit rules and guarantee our right to assemble. Call your City Councilor and tell them to support The First Amendment Assembly Act. You can find your City Councilor HERE
United Opposition:
There have been outcries against the NYPD rules from broad sectors of the community. More than 22 groups have joined Asssemble For Rights to oppose these rules, including religious organizations, peace activists including UFPJ, the National Lawyers Guild, health advocates, bicycling groups, etc. Nearly a dozen city councilors have spoken out against these rules. And the rules have been blasted by the New York Bar Association, which has called on City Council to overrule the NYPD
NYPD Rules:
Ray Kelly and the New York Police Department, with the blessing of Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, have pushed ahead with new parade permit rules which severely limit our ability to exercise our free speech rights. More than a year ago, on Friday January 28th 2007 the NYPD promulgated new rules that require groups of 50 or more to obtain a permit if they want to gather on a sidewalk, in the road, or in the parks. The rules effect pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists alike. The NYPD began enforcing these rules February 25th 2007.

Help Spread The Word!

Please join us and help spread the word. On the side panel is a list of things you can do. You can become a member of the Assemble For Rights coalition by signing up here. You can keep up to date by reading news below. You can also get news on Assemble For Rights affiliated websites - just look for our yellow and red graphic. If you run a site and want to support A4RNYC, grab a copy of the graphic and post it.
http://assembleforrightsnyc.org/

COINTELPRO, The Millenium Edition

Alert to all forward thinking citizens who "think outside the box," (which is growing tighter every day). You might be visited (perhaps without your knowledge) by bullies pretending to be patriots. I'm forwarding advice provided by NYMAA (New York Metro Anarchist Alliance) in response to the March 6 Times Square bombing:
Responses to FBI targeting of Nonviolent Activists
Many of you know that over the last week, the FBI has been calling and visiting members of the War Resisters League, Students for a Democratic Society and Movement for a Democratic Society in and around New York City.
So far, we know of at least 10 people who have had visits and/or phone calls. These visits are ostensibly to gather information about the March 6th incident in Times Square.
The conservative group Move America Forward has tried to implicate the WRL, which may or may not have contributed to these inquiries. (see http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/DailyFile/behind_the_scenes_anti_war_activists_exposed/ [or < http://tinyurl.com/3bm5as/s//3bm5as/>] -- about half way down the page).
Some members of these clearly nonviolent groups have consulted with lawyers and wanted to keep everyone informed. It is important that folks know their rights in relation to these inquiries. We activists are providing this information to help demystify FBI investigative techniques and make all concerned aware of the rights of those who are approached by agents.
Take a minute to read the Center for Constitutional Rights publication, "If an Agent Knocks: Federal Investigators and Your Rights," which you can find here:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/COINTELPRO/agent.knocks.htmlappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/COINTELPRO/agent.knocks.html
[or < http://tinyurl.com/2j7rg8/>]
According to the publication: "It is important, if agents try to question you, not to answer or make any statements, at least not until after you have consulted a lawyer. Announce your desire to consult a lawyer, and make every reasonable effort to contact one as quickly as possible."
In short, if you are contacted:
- Aside from providing your name and address, you do not have to speak to law enforcement agents, nor do you have to let them in your home or workplace without a warrant
- Experience shows that the more information you give, the more questions, visits, etc will come
- On being contacted by any law enforcement agent seeking an "interview" the safest thing to say is, "Excuse me, but I'd like to talk to my lawyer before I say anything to you" or, "I have nothing to say to you. I will talk to my lawyer and have her [or him] contact you."
- Ask for business cards and/or note the agents' names, badge numbers, and agency affiliation (FBI, NYPD, etc.)
In addition:
If you receive voicemail asking you to call the FBI, forward the information to your attorney. Do not return the call prior to discussing it with your lawyer.
Avoid talking to the press about an ongoing investigation - talking to the press is another means of opening a channel of communication with law enforcement. The press, the Internet and email are all inherently insecure.
Attorneys associated with the Mass Defense Commiittee of the New York City chapter of the National Lawyers Guild volunteered to provide consultations to people who receive calls or visits. Please contact Susan Howard, NYC Chapter Coordinator at 212-679-6018 - nlgnyc at igc.org .