As this is a shortened version this week, we apologize for the many items which we were not able to include. All activities are in Chicago, unless otherwise noted.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FEATURED ITEM:

GET ON THE BUS
TO THE HUGE ANTI-WAR PROTEST IN WASHINGTON!!

NOW is the time to buy your bus ticket!

More than 130,000 people have died for nothing – fictitious WMD's, fictitious ties of the Saddam Hussein regime to Al Quaida, a fictitious "democracy" in which the U.S. funnelled millions to the candidates it favored. Some 30,000 to 60,000 Iraqi troops died in the invasion, according to U.S. generals. Another 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died since the beginning of the occupation. And, of course, another 1,800+ U.S. and allied soldiers have also died. The 130,000 dead are the victims of the U.S. effort to control Iraq.

On September 24th, the two main anti-war coalitions in the country, A.N.S.W.E.R. and United For Peace & Justice, will hold a joint rally and march in Washington to demand, among other things, that the troops be brought home from Iraq now. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition will also be demanding self-determination for the peoples of Palestine and Haiti. The march will be the first one in many years to go down Pennsylvania Avenue, right in front of the White House. At a time when the people of New Orleans and other areas hit by Hurricane Katrina suffer in part due to National Guard forces being drawn off to fight a senseless war in Iraq, the demand to END this war is as urgent as ever.

If you don't already have transportation to Washington, NOW is the time to buy your bus ticket! A.N.S.W.E.R. Chicago is organizing buses to DC that will leave Chicago on Friday night and return on Sunday morning. Boarding starts at 5 pm, Friday, Sept. 23rd on Columbus Drive in Grant Park, just behind the Art Institute, and will leave at 6 pm. Buses will return on Sunday, Sept. 25th at about 10 am. There will be no need for a hotel or any overnight accommodations because the bus drops you off at the demonstration and you get back on the bus shortly after the demonstration is over. Round trip tickets are currently $90, but may go up due to rising fuel prices, so get yours now!

To purchase a ticket, make your $90 check or money order payable to "8th Day Center for Justice" and write "Sept 24 bus" in the memo section of your check or money order. Please make sure you include your name, your phone number and your email address (if you have one) with your check or money order. Mail it to A.N.S.W.E.R. Chicago, 27 N Wacker Drive, Box #199, Chicago, IL 60606. All tickets are "will call." You will receive either a call or email within 10 days of mailing your check or money order letting you know your ticket number/s. For more information please call 773 920-7545 or email answerchicago (at) gmail.com.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Friday, September 9 - With the help of Fr. Chuck Dahm of St. Pius V Church, the Committee Against the Militarization of Youth is organizing a Stop the War! rally for all youth. It is their back to school kickoff event which aims to raise awareness about military recruitment in the schools, the war in Iraq and the diversion of monies from our communities and schools to senseless war and destruction abroad. 19th Street & Ashland Avenue. At 6:30 pm watch the exclusive preview showing of the movie, "Battle Ground: Dispatches from the Edge of Empire," which won't be released until November. This provactive and powerful film shows the war on Iraq from the perspective of the Iraqi people (to view a clip of the film go to gnn.tv/videos/ and click on "BATTLEGROUND"). Beginning at 9 pm, enjoy Spanish rock, punk, folk and poetry, including Kumba Llynx, Tras de Nada, and Grupo TARIMA, outside in school parking lot on Cullerton and Ashland, until midnight.

Saturday, September 10 – Oak Park Peace Fair -- “What does Peace look like?” Noon – 5 pm, Scoville Park, corner of Lake Street & Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL. The Peace Fair offers a cultural experience of performance and art and a showcase for Chicagoland area peace groups to display and discuss their visions of “What Peace Looks Like”. This event is based on the proposition that peace is more than just the absence of war. Participating groups are asked to talk about/sing about/act out, etc. their alternative ideas for the dollars and human resources now being spent on war and destruction. Sponsors: Oak Park Coalition for Truth & Justice (OPCTJ), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Chicagoans Against War & Injustice (CAWI), Community Renewal Society (CRS), others in formation. Info: Kevin McDermott, 708.615.1603, Bill Barclay, 708.386.1371, and Estelle Carol, 708.386.7197

Saturday, September 10 - Conference on "A Christian Response to War: What options do people of faith have?" Explore pacifism, military service, conscientious objection, and more. 9 am - 2:30 pm, 1401 W. Granville. (St. Gertrude Parish social center) Info: e-grapevine.org/peace/

Tuesday, September 13 – Bring the Troops Home NOW rally and march. 5 pm at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington. Over 100,000 Iraqis and over 1800 U.S. troops have died in the U.S. war against the people of Iraq. This summer, many individuals and peace groups have been petitioning in Chicago to urge the City Council to pass a resolution to demand immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The City Council will vote on the resolution on September 14. Show your opposition to the war! Show the City Council that Chicago wants this unjust war to end NOW! Download the flyer: peacepledgechicago.org/files/sept13_rally.pdf Poster and handbill versions of the flyer are available at the Indymedia website: chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/62023/index.php. Sponsors include: Peace Pledge Chicago, American Friends Service Committee-Chicago, Chicago Area CodePINK, Chicago Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights, Chicagoans Against the War and Injustice, Chicagoland Anarchist Network, Gay Liberation Network, 8th Day Center For Justice, International Socialist Organization, International Solidarity Movement, Palestine Solidarity Group, Prairie Fire Organizing Committee, and Students for Social Justice.

Sunday, September 18 – Help one of Chicago's most steadfast and principled peace and justice organizations celebrate their 30th anniversary! Support the 8th Day Center for Justice at their big fundraiser, 2 pm - 5 pm at Teamster's Auditorium, Van Buren just west of Ashland Avenue (parking available). Keynote speaker is Cheri Honkala, Director, Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign. Program with music by Voices, life time achievement award presentation, great food, soft drinks and cash bar. $50 per person. Please call 312.641.5151 for reservations or check out their web page at www.8thdaycenter.org

Monday, September 19 - Stand Up and Be Counted: No to War and Occupation, The George Galloway US Tour. 7 pm, Thorne Auditorium, Northwestern Law School, 375 E. Chicago Ave., east of the "Chicago" Red Line El Stop George Galloway is Respect party MP for Bethnal Green and Bow in East London. He recently electrified the United States with his appearance at a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on May 17, when he turned the proceedings into a condemnation of the war in Iraq. CNN's Wolf Blitzer described Galloway's speech in the Senate as "a blistering attack on US senators rarely heard" in Washington. Tickets are $10 at the door or at mrgallowaygoestowashington.tix.com National Tour sponsored by: The New Press, International Socialist Review, Center for Economic Research and Social Change, the National Council of Arab Americans Info: 773.551.5780. Also Appearing in Chicago: Brian Roa, teacher at Senn High School and union activist in the Save Senn Coalition; Ahmed Shawki, board of directors, National Council of Arab Americans; editor, International Socialist Review

Tuesday, September 20 - Join the National Lawyers Guild Chicago chapter for a reception with Chicago journalist Steve Bogira, author of "Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse." 5:30 pm, at DePaul University College of Law's Rare Book Room, 25 East Jackson Boulevard. Bogira takes a hard look at "justice" at 26th & California – the Cook County Circuit Court. Refreshments. Info: 312.913.0039, nlgchicago.org, or contact (at) nlgchicago.org

Tuesday, September 20 – See "Rachel: An American Conscience," a powerful documentary film about a 23 year American college student who gave her life defending human rights and freedom two years ago. With her death, Rachel Corrie's work and message became a beacon of hope in a sadly dark world. Rachel was not the first person killed as a result of the Israeli policy of house demolitions. Nuha Makadma Sweidan and her unborn child were also killed in Gaza when Israeli Occupation Forces "accidently" demolished their home when they blew up another nearby home. A few weeks before that, an elderly woman and a disabled man died under the ruble of their Gaza home when soldiers "failed to notice" them. These are no mere accidents. Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian houses on top of all the families possessions and in their haste do not follow prosaic rules of "safety." Acme Art Works, 1741 N. Western Avenue, $5 suggested donation. Sponsored by the International Solidarity Movement. Info: ISMinChicago (at) aol.com or 773.489.3505

Saturday, September 24 – HUGE anti-war protest in Washington at the White House! See "featured item" above for details.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Emergency Response Plan to War & Racism

1. If the U.S. starts another war, such as on Iran or Syria, a protest will take place at 5 pm+ at the Federal Plaza, Adams & Dearborn Streets, Chicago, the day the bombing begins. There will be a larger follow up protest at the same time & place the day after.

2. In the event of a provocative attack on community leaders or organizations in the Chicago area, CCAWR has constructed a phone tree to mobilize the community to quickly protest the attack, whether at a police station, federal government office, or other appropriate place. To get on the Emergency Response phone tree / e-mail list and receive regular calendar updates such as this one, send your contact information to CCAWR (at) aol.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Subscribe/Un-subscribe/Feedback: CCAWR (at) aol.com