Monday, March 30, 2009

"What Are Human Rights?" Presentation by Sandra Alvarez



What Are Human Rights?

Who has them and where did they come from? What can YOU do about human rights? What are WE doing across borders to protect and guarantee peoples' human rights?

Come head Sandra Alvarez speak about the international human rights system and how communities caught in the crossfire of violence in Columbia are fighting for their rights. The Peace Community of San José de Apartado and the U'wa people of Columbia are two communities working to stay on their land and avoid joining the four million people who have been forced out of their homes. Despite millions of dollars in military aid from the US and a half century of conflict, these communities, with the support and solidarity of activists around the world, are building peaceful alternatives.
Wednesday April 1, 2009
12:45 PM to 2:45 PM

Cañada College Main Theatre
4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Sandra Alvarez, the daughter of Columbian immigrants, has worked on Columbia peace and justice organizing and activism for over ten years. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics from the University of California at Santa Cruz and remains active as a volunteer with Mujer U'wa and the U'wa Defense Project in addition to her advisory work with the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Columbia Program.


For more information contact Yolanda Valenzuela, 306-3206, valenzuelay@smccd.edu


Here are a few videos to get you thinking about the issues
that will be discussed at this presentaiton:
7 August 2001
The U'wa have a unique relationship with their surroundings -- one which environmentalists hold up as an ideal of man's interaction with nature.

U'wa - The last guardians of the world
A small indigenous population in Columbia, fighting for their survival against the oil industry as they are caught in the crossfire of war being waged between army, paramilitary, and guerillas.

The Truth About The San José Apartado's Massacre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu-To4tD570

Friday, March 27, 2009

The White House Blog

This is the official White House blog, launched January 2009 at the start of the Barack Obama administration. It includes video and text of the "Weekly Address," and announces events, proclamations, executive orders, and other White House activities. RSS feed is available. This week there's any entry on the new White House garden.

URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/

The White House Blog

This is the official White House blog, launched January 2009 at the start of the Barack Obama administration. It includes video and text of the "Weekly Address," and announces events, proclamations, executive orders, and other White House activities. RSS feed is available. This week there's any entry on the new White House garden.URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/

Friday, March 20, 2009

Gay Straight Alliance - First Meeting - Mon 3/23!


Gay Straight Alliance
of Cañada College

First Meeting this year
is this Monday!


Monday, March 23

12:30-1:30



in the Library
(in the back on right)


Free pizza and drinks!!

Questions? Contact Dave Patterson pattersond@smccd.edu or (650) 306-3476 or Professor Elizabeth Terzakis terzakise@smccd.edu (650) 306-3327.





Hey,

If anyone (you or someone you know) is feeling shy about coming to this, just send me or Elizabeth a quick e-mail and we will figure out a way to make it more comfortable. I remember going to my very first GSA meeting (25 years ago!) and it wasn't easy. In fact, I didn't go for a while because I was too shy. One way to make it easier for people to attend is to remind everyone that this is an alliance of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, transexual, queer, and questioning students AND THEIR ALLIES. So whatever your orientation, you are welcome. We will assume nothing about participants' orientations, and no one is going to ask participants about their orientation. Hope that that helps! But do e-mail Elizabeth or me if you'd like to get support to attend this because we are going to fill that Silent Study Room with a friendly, supportive spirit and we want you to be there! If you can't come because of a class schedule conflict, I would be happy to e-mail the instructor and ask that you be excused from your class. The instructor might say no, but it never hurts to ask. If you prefer, I could ask the instructor without using your name. (How? I don't know, but I'll figure something out!)

All the best, Dave Patterson, Librarian (and Gay Activist!)