Lancaster SDS

To raise funds for Students for a Free Tibet

SATURDAY MAY 10TH, 3pm to 11pm
At Simple Gifts Farm
(Take 999 West to the Susquehanna River. Take a left and you’ll see the farm)

Tibet Scholar Thomas C. Laird, author of “The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama”, will speak about the current situation in Tibet and show his slides from his years of living in the Himalayas

Music by:
John Protopapas, Sitar
Lonesome Stragglers
Jordan Rast
The Cultivators
Living Fables
Root and Wing

Silent Auction with contributions from many local businesses including Dosie Dough, Sunrise Healing Arts, Radiance, Evolution Yoga Studio, Massage/Reiki practitioner, Snippers, Himalayan Photographer, Creekside Studio and others

Wraps, Soup, Bread, and Desserts for sale
Free Beverages!!

$10 Suggested Donation/ $5 Students/ 12 and under free

RAIN or SHINE
SUNDAY MAY 11TH AT 1PM
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF LANCASTER
538 West Chestnut St, Lancaster

Thomas C. Laird will speak about the historical events leading up to the current situation in Tibet as well as frankly discuss his experience writing a book with the Dalai Lama

The Story of Tibet, Conversations with the Dalai Lama http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=4wh6vlcab.0.0.96gny8bab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestoryoftibet.com&id=preview

http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/

Come listen as Thomas Laird, the internationally-recognized authority on Tibet and longtime confidante of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, shares his unique insights into the plight of the Tibetan people and the conflict at the heart of one of the world’s most pressing struggles for human rights. Celebrate the springtime and our own freedom here in Lancaster with an eclectic parade of some of the finest musicians the Pennsylvania countryside has ever produced.

China’s domination of the state of Tibet is at the forefront of the international media cycle as the summer Olympics approach. The world is listening. Join your friends and neighbors for a weekend of peaceful protest, music and fun as we join together to raise our voices as one against the Chinese occupation of the peaceful and autonomous nation of Tibet.

The oppressed people of Tibet have never had a more promising moment in the global spotlight. The world is watching and listening. The opening ceremonies of the Olympics are facing boycotts from European leaders. Pressure is on our president and our elected officials to take a stand, and the degree to which they do so is going to depend on people like us. Speak up and let them hear your voices. Nothing is so blessed as freedom. Few are more deserving than the people of Tibet. Don’t let this precious opportunity pass us by.

May 3rd – 12:00 to 2:00
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 W Orange)

As more soldiers are diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, and more civilians are displaced throughout the Middle East, we, as Students for a Democratic Society, feel that supporting all those affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan is necessary

Visit www.newsds.org/lancaster for information on how to help out
If you cannot attend the day your donations of items or money (for shipping) would still be greatly appreciated – Call 717.519.1940 or email LancasterSDS@gmail.com

For US Soldiers: (please check the expiration dates!)
- individual packets of crystal light, iced tea or similar drink mix that can be mixed with a canteen of water
- beef jerky
-magazines
- tasty cakes
- Swedish fish
- paper back books
- cd’s
- dvd’s
- hard candies
- chips
- pretzels
- any type of packaged cracker
- packaged gummies

For Afghani & Iraqi Civilians:
School Kits:
- spiral or perforated notebooks (about 21.5cm x 27cm / 8.5″ x 10.5″ and 70-80 sheets U.S. / 140-160 pages in Canada, more info)
- unsharpened pencils
- ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12″)
- 12 colored pencil pack (in packaging)
- large pencil eraser

Heath Kits
- 1 toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper)
- 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box)
- 1 bar soap (110-140g / 4-5oz, in wrapper)
- 1 fingernail clipper
- 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color)

April 19th-Earth Day Trash Clean Up and Picnic
County Park at the Five Sense Garden, 1pm.
Come celebrate Earth Day with Lancaster SDS! We’ll be cleaning up County Park and having a picnic afterwards.

April 20th-Earth Day Forum
Community Mennonite Church, 1:30pm-3:00.
Ben Weiss will be speaking on Urban Agriculture and Christina Miller will share about her Radical Jewelry Makeover project. Come learn about how you can help protect our environment in creative and sustainable ways!

April 5th – 12:00 to 2:00
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 W Orange)
If you cannot attend the day your donations of items or money (for shipping) would still be greatly appreciated – Call Becca at 717.519.9140 or email LancasterSDS@gmail.com

For US Soldiers: (please make sure the expiration dates are good!)
- individual packets of crystal light, iced tea or similar drink mix that can be mixed with a canteen of water
- beef jerky
-magazines
- tasty cakes
- Swedish fish
- paper back books
- cd’s
- dvd’s
- hard candies
- chips
- pretzels
- any type of packaged cracker
- packaged gummies

For Iraqi and Afghani Civilians:

Heath Kits:
- 1 toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper)
- 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box)
- 1 bar soap (110-140g / 4-5oz, in wrapper)
- 1 fingernail clipper
- 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color)

School Kits:
- spiral or perforated notebooks (about 21.5cm x 27cm / 8.5″ x 10.5″ and 70-80 sheets U.S. / 140-160 pages in Canada, more info)
- unsharpened pencils
- ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12″)
- 12 colored pencil pack (in packaging)
- large pencil eraser

STUDENTS ORGANIZE EVENT IN SUPPORT OF U.S. SOLDIERS, IRAQI AND AGHANI CIVILIANS

Lancaster Citizens Send Aid Packages to U.S. Soldiers and Civilians

LANCASTER, PA- No matter what position one has on the war, the toll on those involved cannot be denied. On April 5th from Noon to 2pm, concerned citizens will come together at the Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 W Orange) to pack and mail relief kits for Iraqi and Afghani civilians, individualized kits for civilian school children meaning, and care packages for U.S. soldiers. Sponsored by the Lancaster Students for a Democratic Society, this event aims to send aid to those in need while also bringing the community together in a united cause.

The Lancaster Chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has participated in numerous events calling for support of the troops in bringing them home from Iraq and now seeks to support the troops in another way. With the death toll of U.S. soldiers in Iraq now above 4,000, concern for the troops in Iraq and the civilians in war-torn areas is rising. The recent rally in downtown Lancaster marking the 5th year anniversary of the Iraq war demonstrated such concern, drawing out approximately 700 people. For this event, however, people from all sides of this issue are encouraged to participate and help out those most affected by the conflict. Besides hands to pack and mail the kits, donations of specific items or simply money for shipping is encouraged. For more information, visit www.newsds.org/lancaster.

April 5th- Care Packages Day
Community Mennonite Church, 12-3pm.
We will be maing care packages for US soldiers in Iraq and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. Details above on items to collect and how you can help!

April 19th-Earth Day Trash Clean Up and Picnic
County Park at the Five Sense Garden, 1pm.
Come celebrate Earth Day with Lancaster SDS! We’ll be cleaning up County Park and having a picnic afterwards.

April 20th-Earth Day Forum
Community Mennonite Church, 1:30pm-3:00.
Ben Weiss will be speaking on Urban Agriculture and Christina Miller will share about her Radical Jewelry Makeover project. Come learn about how you can help protect our environment in creative and sustainable ways!

May 3 – Youth For Change!
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster – 12 to 2 pm
Gathering of all local youth social change groups to share organizing skills and discuss future coordination between Lancaster youth and students.
Contact LancasterSDS@gmail.com for more info.

Lancaster Anti-War Film Festival

January 30 to February 2

Every evening the of Jan. 30 - Feb. 2 church youth groups in Lancaster will host films that deal with issues of war and peace.The Peace Film Festival is part of an initiative called “Lancaster Supports Iraq Veterans Against the War.” This initiative is sponsored by the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness, the Lancaster Coalition for Peace & Justice, the Lancaster Chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, and the participating church youth groups.Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is a very important organization that is perhaps better positioned than anyone to help pressure an end the war in Iraq. IVAW is crossing a critical threshold in building its capacity to organize dissent within the military. Donations will be collected at the event for IVAW, and a short presentation and discussion about the organization will follow each film. Snacks will be provided.

Turtles Can Fly - January 30, 7 pm, Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 West Orange St) Click for flyer.
The lives of the Kurdish people living in Iraq right before the US invasion is seen through the eyes of a group of refugee children, led by a thirteen-year-old boy, Kak Satellite. Satellite organizes the clearing of the minefields and trades the unexploded mines for other goods the children need. The cast of children consists of non-actor locals, adding to the reality of this eye-opening and inspiring film.

Why We Fight - January 31st, 7 pm, Lancaster Friends Meeting (110 Tulane Ter)
The film presents how Dwight D. Eisenhower’s warning of an impeding “military industrial complex” is strikingly similar to the state of the world in 2004. Featuring various responses to the question “Why We Fight?” and interviews with those involved the contemporary US military industrial complex, this film seeks to understand how a nation for the people and by the people came to be dependent on a state of constant war.
The Ground Truth - February 1, 7pm, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster (538 W Chestnut St)
The experiences of young American soldiers are disclosed in this documentary, from their recruitment, training, and service in Iraq, to their difficult return home. The calamity the soldiers face in Iraq is mirrored in their return home to an uncomprehending public and an indifferent government. The film works to reveal the truths of Iraq and military life that are so often muddled by the bias of those not directly involved.

Sir, No Sir - February 2, 7 pm, East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church (434 E Chestnut Street) Click for flyer.
A groundbreaking work, this film details the largely untold stories of the American soldiers who resisted the Vietnam War. From demonstrations at military bases, to over 500,000 desertions, to the refusals of whole units to fight, the GI anti-war movement of the 60’s has had lasting effects on the military and war itself. The poem by Bertolt Brecht that became an anthem of the GI Movement perhaps summarizes it best,
“General, man is very useful.
He can fly and he can kill.
But he has one defect: He can think.”

for more information visit: Lancaster Supports IVAW

The Lancaster Students for a Democratic Society will be hosting a community forum on ‘The Impacts of US Wars” on December 15th. There will be three presentations with discussions.

Oskar Castro from the American Friends Service Committee will discuss the truth behind military recruitment and its impact on United States citizens.
Natalia Cardona will discuss the effect of United States military involvement and guidance in Columbia on the people of Columbia
Conrad Moore will be speaking on the effect of United States military involvement and spending on social services for the citizens of the United States.

Afterwards there will be a time for facilitated and informal discussion on the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other, less prominent, US military involvements throughout the world.

This will be held at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 West Orange St. Lancaster, PA)
It will begin around Noon and continue until four – feel free to drop in at anytime during the forum. There will be an informal space for children to hang out in and Spanish translation available. If there are questions feel free to email lancastersd@gmail.com

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Also, we continue to have weekly meetings at Noon at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (328 West Orange St)

Please feel free to come!

 The Lancaster Chapter of Students for a Democratic Society was in the media multiple times in the last few days.  Our members gave TV interviews, and were quoted in area newspapers at two seperate Bush protests.

A particularly awesome article:

Pre-emptive protest
Demonstrators pack Penn Square on eve of President Bush’s visit

By SUSAN E. LINDT, Staff
Intelligencer Journal

Published: Oct 03, 2007 1:40 AM EST

LANCASTER, Pa. - It was almost the smell of revolution in the air Tuesday night.

About 400 protesters jammed into every crevice of Penn Square’s three available corners to protest today’s visit President Bush.

The square’s hub, the austere Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was draped with banner-waving protesters yelling anti-Bush and anti-war cries to responsive protesters across the street.

“Tell me what democracy looks like!” one group shouted.

“This is what democracy looks like!” another responded.

The protest was called by the Lancaster Coalition for Peace & Justice, but members of several other groups protested, as well as a fair number of individuals. Their issues were as varied as their protest signs.

“What’s ironic is George Bush coming to town to give an award to a wonderful little girl for raising money that will go into health care, while he’s threatening to cut health care to children in the same week,” said Lancaster protester Matt Chambers, who distributed “WISDUMB” bumper stickers to the crowd. “Is that what (Bush) expects? Children to raise money for health care?”

Over by a giant banner that read “How many lives per gallon?” another issue came up.

“I’m worried about my son’s future,” protester R.B. Payne of Lancaster said. “We’ve spent so much of our children’s future already in Iraq. (The administration) is making millions through the contractors for this war, and they’re all connected to the contractors. They don’t want this war to end. They’re making millions.”

Protester Johanna Gosse recently moved to Lancaster. She said she was attracted to the area’s “vibrant anti-war movement.”

So on Tuesday night she was in her glory.

“I’m here to show my resistance to the Bush administration and my anger that he’s expecting a warm welcome here,” Gosse said. “People in Lancaster County do not support the war. People are fed up. Just look at the group here.”

It was an impressive showing for Lancaster, where anti-war protests are often smaller, silent candlelight vigils. But Bush’s visit — paired with a rousing downtown protest just a week and a half ago by the newly formed Lancaster chapter of the revived ’60s movement Students for a Democratic Society — might have fueled Tuesday’s crowd.

Protesters’ signs, lining the entire square save for the darkened corner occupied by the former Watt & Shand facade, fueled those in traffic to honk horns for peace. The protest could be heard inside nearby office buildings, from which workers peered down onto the scene.

“This administration is totally out of control,” said Kip Adams of York, who also protested the Vietnam War in its day. “Congress needs to cut funding to this war now. There’s a saying, ‘Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam.’ Defund the war, bring the troops home.”

Flag-draped coffins lined the square’s corners, drummers kept a beat and a giant banner showing a big fist and reading “Take the power back” billowed in the wind.

There was no shortage of originality in signs Tuesday night: “Pitts and Bush vs. Kids and Troops,” “George W. Bush: al-Qaida Recruiter of the Year” and “George Bush Go to Health.”

Bill Teodecki said he was pleased to see the protest drew people of all ages, types and backgrounds.

“I like LCPJ events because it’s not just people who like to protest,” Teodecki said. “It’s people who really believe in a cause.”

Matt Smucker, a peace activist who now lives in New York City but long protested in Lancaster with LCPJ before he moved, also was impressed with Tuesday’s turnout.

“This is possibly the most spirited protest in Lancaster’s history,” Smucker said. “Lancaster is rejecting this war and this president.”

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/210286

Demonstration Planned Against Bush’s Visit
George Bush Coming to Lancaster

This coming Tuesday, October 2nd, concerned citizens are asked to meet at Penn Square at 7 pm (corner of King & Queen) to demonstrate with the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice (LCPJ) against President Bush’s visit to Lancaster County.  This event will mark a massive opposition to Bush’s continued failed policies, both domestic and international. Bush is expected to arrive in the county Wednesday October 3^rd in the morning or early afternoon. This demonstration will also be used to announce actions for the following day.

President Bush’s record of illegal war, irrational foreign policy, detrimental environmental policy, as well as domestic incompetence, and human rights violations, will be the focus of this demonstration. Time and time again throughout his tenure, this President has ignored the will of Americans, both minority and majority opinions. Because this President oversteps checks and balances afforded in our constitution, we need to come together in mass to deliver a message that George W. Bush, his record, and his presence are not welcome in our town!

The demonstration will be hosted by the LCPJ, and will be a peaceful, community event. We encourage peace groups, religious organizations, student groups, our elders, children, and everyone who rejects this President’s agenda to join us in this protest. Participants should bring their own signs, banners, and any other form of non-violent communication to make their voices heard.

Please forward this release to everyone you know.

CONTACT: Sherry Wolfe
PHONE: 717.341.3056
EMAIL: Apr585@aol.com