Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Cultures of Resistance: Iara Lee Film Screening : Boston IFF April 30



Cultures of Resistance: A Film For Peace and Justice
at Boston International Film Festival
The Brattle Theatre

Take Action!  

 

Cultures of Resistance is filmmaker Iara Lee's (Modulations, Synthetic Pleasures) travelogue as she filmed in the most dangerous places in the world.  Lee searched for creativity to be used as ammunition in the battle for peace and justice.  Iara documented Resistance and Resistance Movements through art, culture and music.


Iara Lee, Director, presenting her filming on the Mavi Marmara to the United Nations HERE


Cultures of Resistance features Medellin Poets for Peace, Capoeira Masters from Brazil, Niger Delta Militants, Iranian Graffiti Artists, Women's Movement, Leaders in Rwanda, Lebanon's Refugee Filmmakers, US Political Pranksters, Indigenous Kayapo Activists from the Xingu River, Israeli Dissidents, Hip Hop Artists from Palestine, Saffron Revolution Burmese Monks.



Iara Lee and Cultures of Resistance:



Iara Lee states, "The message of Cultures of Resistance is that people throughout the world need to rise up to create positive change. That is something I have always felt. But I never expected to see this spirit being put into action so dramatically as it is now in so many countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Hopefully that spirit of change will continue to inspire people in many more countries to come. Cultures of Resistance is a celebration of people's power and creativity. It promotes the notion that, if we all work together, we can--as Gandhi said--be the change we want to see!"


Log in to Boston Independent Film Festival with Facebook to Purchase tickets HERE

SEE Event in Boston, The Brattle Theatre HERE 

BOSTON Facebook Event HERE 




A screening coming soon to you!




# # #



 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Goo Goo Dolls Tour Dates 2011 w/Michelle Branch: Warner Bros Records



 


For Immediate Release:

Goo Goo Dolls Confirm Tour Dates Summer 2011

Michelle Branch and Parachute to Support


GOO GOO DOLLS have extended their American tour with dates that will take the band across the U.S. through late August including cities that they have not played in some time.  The band’s current album, SOMETHING FOR THE REST OF US, continues to garner global critical praise: 

“’Something For The Rest of Us’ flows with emotional rock anthems" - USA Today

“Anthemic rock really doesn’t come much better than that of the Goo Goo Dolls.  Twelve soaring radio anthems to make you smile” - KERRANG! (U.K.)

“’Something For The Rest of Us’ displays both emotional and musical heft and dynamic ebbs and flows” – Billboard






"More than ever, the songs of John Rzeznik seem to resonate deeply into the common consciousness of us all reflecting the universal emotional fallout of our times in song.  It’s no wonder the GOOS have broken the record for The Most Top 10 or higher Hits in Radio History", per Billboard Magazine.

Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer Mike Malinin are on the road now. Don’t miss GOO GOO DOLLS live this summer with Special Guests Michelle Branch and Parachute. Confirmed dates are as follows: 

  • Fri            April 8              Gerhard Fieldhouse                     Lewisburg, PA 
  • Sun         April 10            Thomas Fieldhouse                   
  • Lock Haven, PA                       
  • Tue        April 12             Covelli Centre                                  Youngstown, OH
  • Thur      April 14             Diamond Jo Casino                        Dubuque, IA
  • Fri         April 15             Lamkin Activity Center                  Maryville, MO
  • Sun        April 17             SUNY Brockport Arena                   Brockport, NY
  • Thur     May 26             Chumash Casino                                   Santa Ynez, CA                     
  • Fri         May 27             Pechanga Resort and Casino              Temecula, CA  
  • Sat        May 28             Pechanga Resort and Casino               Temecula, CA                        
  • Fri         June 3              Red Rock Resort                                     
  • Las Vegas, NV                 

                 

    Newly confirmed tour dates - Michelle Branch and Parachute support on all dates unless otherwise noted:


    • Wed     July 13              PNC Pavilion at Riverbend                     Cincinnati, OH
    • Fri        July 15              Harrah's Council Bluffs                          Council Bluffs, IA
    • Sat       July 16              Charter One                                           Chicago, IL
    • Sun      July 17              Meadowbrook                                       Rochester (Detroit), MI
    • Tue       July 19              Bank Of America Pavilion                      Boston, MA
    • Wed     July 20              Oakdale Theatre                                    Wallingford, CT
    • Fri        July 22              PNC Bank Arts Center                            Holmdel, NJ
    • Sat       July 23              Tropicana Casino Resort/The Quarter  Atlantic City, NJ
    •  

      (Parachute not appearing)


    • Sun      July 24              Nikon at Jones Beach Theater                Wantagh, NY
    • Tue       July 26              The Filene Center                                   Vienna, VA
    • Wed     July 27              The LC Pavilion Outdoor Amphitheatre   Columbus, OH
    • Fri        July 29              Darien Lake Performing Arts Center        Darien Center, NY
    • Sat       July 30              Bethel Woods Center for the Arts           Bethel, NY
    • Sun      July 31              Saratoga Performing Arts Center            Saratoga Springs, NY
    • Tue       Aug 2               Stage AE                                              Pittsburgh, PA
    • Wed     Aug 3               nTelos Wireless Pavilion                        Portsmouth, NH
    • Fri        Aug 5               Pompano Beach Amphitheater               Pompano Beach, FL
    • Sat       Aug 6               Tropicana Field                                     St. Petersburg, FL

    (Michelle Branch and Parachute not appearing)

    • Sun      Aug 7               Verizon Wireless Amph at Encore Park   Alpharetta, GA
    • Tue       Aug 9               Uptown Amphitheatre                            Charlotte, NC
    • Wed     Aug 10              Raleigh Amphitheater                             Raleigh, NC
    • Fri        Aug 12              Live at the Garden                                 Memphis, TN
    • Sat       Aug 13              Hard Rock Hotel/Hard Rock Live            Biloxi, MS

    (Parachute not appearing)

    • Wed     Aug 17              1st Bank Amphitheater                           Denver, CO
    • Thur      Aug 18              Deer Valley Ski Resort                           Park City, UT
    • Sat       Aug 20              Mammoth Mountain Ski Area                  Mammoth Lakes, CA
    • Sun      Aug 21              The Mountain Winery                             Saratoga, CA
    • Tue       Aug 23              Fox Theater                                           Oakland, CA
    • Wed     Aug 24              Antelope Valley Fairgrounds                  Lancaster, CA
    • Thur      Aug 25              Grand Sierra Casino/Summit Pavilion     Reno, NV 



    Additional dates TBC shortly. Go to www.googoodolls.com for ticket information.   



    © Goo Goo Dolls 

    For further information contact Warner Bros. Records Publicity:

    Regional/Tour Press:  TJ Tauriello  (818) 953-3311 / tj.tauriello@wbr.com

    ###






    Saturday, April 9, 2011

    Unity of Buffalo: Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery





    is honored to be hosting   

    Tibetan Buddhist Monks 




    Saturday, April 9 at 1:00 PM


    A Buddhist Approach to Working with the Emotions    

    Our emotions bring tone and color to our experiences, and predispose us to dealing with challenges and problem situations in specific ways.  When the emotional body is strong and healthy,  we are predisposed to meet life most effectively and creatively.             



    Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 PM:  


    Dug-Sher-Seng-Sum puja    


    An ancient Buddhist prayer ceremony performed by monks for centuries.   It is known for its immensely powerful and swift energy towards removal of obstacles and negative energies that may be affecting an individual, family or community.  The ceremony entails chanting of sutra texts through meditation, recitation of mantra and synchronized clapping by the monks to symbolize sending away of the negative energies. It is recommended for the very purpose of clearing away negative forces and establishing a calm mental and emotional well-being.






    No one is ever turned away due to inability to donate the suggested amount.


    Event Passes on sale at Unity of Buffalo office and online:


    Unity of Buffalo, 1243 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209

    (716) 882-0391  |  Website Email Facebook  |  Twitter
     





    Drepung Loseling is dedicated to the study and preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of wisdom and compassion. A center for the cultivation of both heart and intellect, it provides a sanctuary for the nurturance of inner peace and kindness, community understanding, and global healing.
     

    Unity of Buffalo is committed to living from that place of knowing that our prayers have already been answered.  They believe in the innate goodness of all people ("original virtue") and that we all have a great untapped potential within us waiting to be called upon.  They believe in the power of prayer and the power of our positive thoughts, words and deeds to make a profound difference in the world.



    Wednesday, April 6, 2011

    Defending Education: Here and Abroad: HEC

    Message from Dr. Atta ur Rahman

     

    Dear Colleagues

    In a shocking move, the present government approved the shredding of the Higher Education Commission into pieces handing the functions to the provinces. The Cabinet formally approved this last week.

    This was illegal as HEC was a Federal Regulatory Authority and protected under the 18th amendment of the Constitution like other Federal Regulatory Authorities.

    6 easy steps, two event pages, petition, protest, website, group, you tube 

     

    Join hands and shoulders under one slogan. "Save HEC, save our future"  Help us spread the word that all universities (students, faculty, administration) in Islamabad peacefully gather outside HEC building to show solidarity with the Commission until the government takes back its decision and agrees to release all promised funds to it.

    It's time to give back.  Time to stand up for upcoming young talent in Pakistan and their education.

    The organization has done so much.  Now is time to see what we can do for it.

    Everyone abroad, gather signed petitions. 


    In PakistanTake your class fellows and protest before Pakistani High commissions. Gather local media's attention, make videos, send them to us. We will send them to local News Channels.

    Contact: 


    Atif  0300-5575303 
    Farhan 0312-5343821 
    Umer 0333-5247827


    Islamabad Chapter
     
    Atif Abdul Majeed
    Ph:+92-300-5575303
    Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/atifabdulmajeed



    Lahore Chapter   visit website
    Karachi Chapter  visit website 


    United Kingdom Chapter
    Farhan Manzoor
    Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/thefifthquadrant



    Italy Chapter
    Raheel Maqsood Hashmi
    Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/raheel.maqsood

    Sweden Chapter
    UAE Chapter
    Naeem Akhtar 




     Are you with us or will you just sit back and wait for others?


    © Defending HEC, Galib Khalil




    My profiles: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube


    Monday, April 4, 2011

    Khalil Karbani: Idi Amin: Uganda to Canada



    Idi Amin were president of Uganda, as well as head of military from 1971 to 1979 ruling with a politically repressive regime.  Extreme human rights abuses, corruption, killings without trial, and ethnic persecution occurred under his dictatorship. The number of people killed while Idi Amin were in power estimates between 1 to 500,000 including members of other ethnic groups, religious leaders, journalists, artists, bureaucrats, judges, lawyers, homosexuals, students, intellectuals, criminal suspects, and foreign nationals. 


    Many were killed for criminal motives or simply at will.  In 1972, Amin declared what he called an "economic war" seizing all property owned by Asians and Europeans issuing a decree ordering the expulsion of 80,000 Asians. Amin took all property, finance and business. Families fled to the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, India, Kenya, Sweden and Tanzania.     




    Khalil Karbani, born in 1965 in Uganda, along with his family, fled to the United Kingdom with a mere 40 pounds.


    As refugees in another nation, Khalil's family were placed in housing estates enduring racial abuse. Khalil learned through his Father the merits of sacrifice and hard work and came to learn of world cultures, religions and people.  With a degree in Business Marketing, he and his brother Nash launched a business in the UK, with a second branch to follow.  Eleven years later, they were the largest independent French car parts specialist in all of the United Kingdom. 

    In an attempt to give back to society, a charity were formed in honor of Nash's [Khalil's brother] two children who were struck and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the street. This charity now helps over 375 orphans, widows and poor people in Uganda, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan. The charity feeds and clothes people, as well as providing an education to learn a trade to become self sufficient. 








    In 2000, Khalil visited India to witness the progression of this charity and witnessed a number of young girls society had cast aside. Affirming his commitment to the equality of women, Khalil opened a trade school for them with the aim of equipping the girls with training and education to become successful for themselves. 


    Ten years ago, Khalil moved to Canada with his wife and four children. Once in Calgary, he began working as a realtor and in 2005, became the top realtor in the city of Calgary. With this success, he ventured into residential land development and started a home building company. Two years later, Khalil moved to commercial land development and has been overseeing projects in the Calgary Northeast for the past four years. 





    Presently, Khalil Karbani has been nominated for the Calgary McCall WildRose MLA. The Wild Rose Alliance is a grassroots legislative body.  MLA stands for Member of Legislative Alliance. With this behind him, Khalil will then able to make positive progressive changes for the community and people of not only Calgary, but globally through all he is affilated with. In order to see this to fruition, anyone residing in Canada please go HERE to become a member. Khalil will personally speak and meet with you to talk about his platform for positive global change starting in his own community.



    Some of Khalil's achievements are:

    1. Bowden Penitentiary Coordinator [inmate education]
    2. TaraDale Community Association of Calgary President
    3. Al- Hedaya Islamic Centre President 
    4. NE Centre of Community Society VP
    5. FDC Committee Co-Chair
    6. Public Art Committee Chairman
    7. Airport Trail Access Committee Chairman
    8. Tournament Committee Chairman
    9. MCC Stampede Parade Float Committee Chairman
    10. Mutli Cultural Faith Builders Group 
    11. Canadian Winter Olympics 2010 






    Khalil's passion in his community is apparent ranging from organizing community events, raising funds for causes and volunteering his time and skills. His platform focuses on  "HEFTY" prioritizing:  H for health care, E for education, F for foreign accreditation, T for tourism and Y for YOU. Khalil Karbani wishes to see a more progressed Alberta. He knows Albertans deserve more than what is currently in place. They deserve the best. Khalil Karbani will make positive changes on various levels.





    Currently, what is needed is a leader who is active and in touch with the people. Khalil listens to people in order to have a better understanding of what the community wants and needs. This is what is inspiring about Khalil. He truly believes in putting people first. He cares about his community and its people. He wants to know what everyone wants to see in Alberta and Calgary McCall, as well as the world.





    Join me in welcoming Khalil Karbani as an MLA candidate by becoming a member of Alberta Wildrose Alliance Party if you are a resident of Canada.  The deadline to become a member is April 20th, 2011. Becoming a member will enable you to vote for Khalil.  Globally, connect with Khalil on FaceBook, Twitter, and his Website.

     



      

    It is YOUR time to make a difference for yourself, 
    your community and OUR world. 






    © Khalil Karbani, Sana Khan

    Sunday, April 3, 2011

    Ben Gardane Ras El Jedire: Libyan Refugees Need Our Help


     


    Ben Gardane Ras El Jedire: Libya Needs Our Help© William Murphy Dublin Ireland


    Ben Gardane is a town in southeast Tunisia, close to the Libyan border, Ras El Jedire.  In 2011, during The Libyan Uprising, two entities became government of Libya. Muammar Gaddafi controlling Tripoli and Western Libya and Mustafa Abdul Jalail in Benghazi, controlling Eastern Libya.  Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa and 17th largest in the world.  Libya is one of the world's 10 richest oil-producing countries.

    In 1959, oil reserves and income from petroleum were discovered raising Libya, one of the world’s poorest nations, to an extremely wealthy state. Americans, Italians and British in Libya aided in wealth and tourism following WWII. Britain was a supplier of arms and The United States kept Wheelus Air Force Base in Libya. This discontent mounted with the rise of Nationalism in Africa and the Middle East.


    In 1969, military officers led by a 27-year-old army officer Muammar Gaddafi, staged a coup d’état against then King Idris, beginning The Libyan Revolution. In 1973, Gaddafi delivered his famous "Five-Point Address."  Gaddafi set up surveillance, had 10 to 20% of Libyans work in Revolutionary committees, executed dissidents publicly, rebroadcast on state television, and employed diplomats to assassinate dozens of refugees around the world.  Amnesty International listed 25 assassinations between 1980 and 1987.  Libyans died due to war while Gaddafi financed Libya's income from oil on arms and sponsoring paramilitaries and terrorist groups around the world.  From 1969 to 2011, the Eastern parts of Libya became beyond impoverished under Gaddafi's theories.


    In 2011, Libya began a full scale revolt spreading to Tripoli. Saif al-Islam, son of Gaddafi, on Libyan television feared that the country would break apart and be replaced by Islamic fundamentalist emirates. Economic wealth was at risk.  Shortly after Saif's speech, Libyan Ambassador to India [on BBC Radio 5] resigned in protest of the massacre of Libyan protesters under orders of Gaddafi, who threatened to destroy the movement. 


    Al Jazeera, front runner in reporting The Libyan Revolution, conveyed that Gaddafi's government armed pro - Gaddafi militia to kill protesters and defectors against the regime in Tripoli.  In March 2011, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1973, a no-fly zone, with use of "all means necessary" to protect civilians in Libya. The first began with French military jets into Libyan airspace followed by The United States and United Kingdom as Operations Odyssey Dawn and Ellamy. 


    Human rights were nonexistent under the authoritarian regime of Gaddafi. Abuses included poor prison conditions, arbitrary arrest, and prisoners held incommunicado, political prisoners held for years without charge or trial, no right to fair public trial, no right to change government, no freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, or religion.  All were restricted. Independent human rights organizations were prohibited. Libya was suspended from the Human Rights Council, March, 2011.


    Hind Houas, of the Revolution in Tunisia under the former regime of Ben Ali, a human rights advocate, freelance journalist and university student, visited the Ben Gardane Ras El Jedire Refugee Camp on her own.  This is her firsthand account: 


    "The whole view was beyond overwhelming. For me, seeing a huge number of people, those tents everywhere were scary and relieving at the same time. The moment I entered the refugee camps located in the Southern Part of Tunisia in a place called “Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire”, I knew that so many people needed and still need help.  In the very beginning, I did not know where to go, whom to ask and how to introduce myself. I saw different faces, different people from different places all united by the same thing.  They were refugees in Tunisia. They all witnessed the hardships and austerities of the Libyan President Qaddafi.


    The first people I met were members of the International Organization of Immigration “IOM.”  I entered their tent and told them that I came to write an article about the situation in the Refugee Camps. They asked me to take a seat in a small white tent and in front there were a blue flag of the organization with three letters, IOM.


    The two young volunteers, a man and woman, came to the refugee camps to work in groups of two from 8am to 6pm. Their job consisted in taking a last look at the refugees’ health condition before sending them to the next zone. They took their temperature and checked that the photo in their passports matched each person.  After doing this, the man ushered them to the entry of the zone every refugee wishes to enter. This last zone consisted of a large area in which there were many people all holding their passports waiting for the buses to come and take them to the airport.  Those who entered to this tent were sure they will be transported home to their families. They were happy and they smiled when I asked them if I can take some photos.


    My second stop was at the TélécomsSans Frontières (TSF) corner.  


    The first thing I noticed were massive numbers of people waiting in a long row. I spoke to two men:  Allan Sebastian and Florian Vichot. Volunteers for the Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), a French NGO founded in 1988.  Sebastian and Vichot are there to help the refugees by giving them the chance to call their families to relay that they are safe in Tunisia. Sebastian said that each phone call lasts 3 minutes. The total numbers of refugees in this camp are only allowed to make 17 thousand phone calls globally. Sebastian and Florian stated that the simple act of allowing refugees to call their families and loved ones brings them hope.  Exactly what they need in order to begin to escape the horrendous time spent, as well as the memories, of their journey within and out of Libya to Tunisia.


    The volunteers stated that for the moment, the situation is more or less stable, yet they are worried about the future. The number of refugees coming from Libya has declined, not a good sign.  This means the refugees may all arrive at once adding strain to recovering Tunisia, as well as a scarcity of volunteers at Ben Guirdan.


    Before I left, there were an area in the camp I visited where refugees gather to hear their names called to get their passports to be taken back home. I spoke to Nixson, a 26 year old Nigerian, a former mechanical engineer in Libya. Nixson came to Tunisia one week ago.  He fled Libya after witnessing horrific torture. He were unable to describe to me in detail.  He stated that it hurt him to think about it. All any of the refugees wish is to go home. Nixson said he had gotten to call his Mother.  All she had kept saying to him were “come back home son.” 


    While speaking to Nixson, people behind me were waiting to hear their names announced. They stood in interminable lines, passport in hand, heading to the next stage, medical check.  Then onto the last waiting zone until buses arrive to take them to the airport. The approximate number of refugees were 6,000. 


    This initial short journey at Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire Refugee Camp will remain inside of me forever. The world needs to know that Tunisia and the Tunisian people are helping as much as they can. I have learned valuable lessons from my people:  Humanity does not have a religion or color, help the ones who are in need as much as you can and wait for nothing in return.


    It is a wish in my heart that all the refugees get back safe to home and family. The volunteers at Ras El Jedir Benguirdan receive a special thank you. They are helping the people. This is their choice just as it were my choice to visit one refugee camp quickly set in place due to the Libyan revolt.


    I understand how the people at Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire felt, having just survived the 2011 revolution in Tunisia. As a result being free for the first time in 23 years, it is my duty as a human being to give to the refugees. What I witnessed was abject boredom. Already exhausted people waiting in long lines, talk of utter terror, pain, war, bombing, long journeys or no talk at all. Nothing positive to focus on but the last tent where one may board a bus home. 


    My parents encouraged my wish to travel to Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire to help as much as I were able. While the entire world focuses on Libya, the refugees are forgotten. My will is to bring the refugees a new hope. My wish is to focus on the children.  For this, I require your help.


    My name is Hind Houas. I am a university student in Tatouine Tunisia. I am free for the first time in my life. The children have nothing to occupy their time at Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire.  Assist me in helping humanity and join me in my conception:  A Toy for Every Refugee Girl and Boy.


    I am making an honest plea to the international community to help the children until and if they are able to go home. My mission is to collect books, toys, games, puzzles, balls, dolls, anything at all that you feel a child will benefit from while standing in long lines daily with nothing to do but wish to go home. My home address is below. My Father will assist me in collecting all packages sent. I entrust this world with my address because the children at Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire need our help. This is a simple way to help even if you are not on the ground. The UN is there but they are there for emergent purposes only: food, water, and medical care.  


    Please send a small item to: Houas Hind/Houas Othman Lycée Cité 7 November Tataouine 3263, Tunisia. It is legitimate, safe and Susan Marie Public Relations of New York, United States, is endorsing my initiative 100%.


    I spoke with one young boy in the camp and he said to me, "All I want is to go home." - Hind Houas 2011 



    * Note from Susan Marie: Hind is visiting the camp regularly; this is an account of her visit. She had asked me how can we help the people in the camp? They are so bored, sad and tired and only focus on what they went through with no hope or future to look forward to. She emailed me her account with her idea. It caused me to think of times when I am bored and feel I have nothing to do.  I thought then of the people of Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire.  They just went through a full scale revolt. The adults are barely able to comprehend the current situation, let alone the children, left to occupy themselves.


    I met Hind 5 days after The Jasmine Revolt in Tunisia. Please take my hand in lending a hand to Hind, then all of us can lend a global hand to the children of Ben Guirdan Ras El Jedire Refugee Camp.

    Youth are our future.


     Hind Houas speaking of no fly zone 
     Waiting lines for phone, food, medical 
     Waiting lines for phone, food, medical 
     Hind Houas of Tunisia speaking to Refugees 
     Refugees of Ben Gardane Ras El Jedire 
     "All I want is to go home." 
     Refugees Upon Arrival 
     Refugees of Ben Gardane Ras El Jedire