The NOI Education Fund has really helped me out here. They’ve put together a list titled “Ten things organizers can learn from Harry Potter.”

On the list are a number of great suggestions for organizers and activists. They include: Have Feelings, Rely on Your Community, Use Alternative Media Sources and You Don’t Fight Voldemort Everyday. Although modeled after events in the Harry Potter series, they’re practical advice for anyone looking to make positive change, whether it be to defeat environmental polluters, corporations treating people unfairly, or Voldemort.

Don’t forget to check over at PeaceJam.org as well where others are weighing in with their thoughts on organizing.

peace, Jasmin

Although the Audacity of Hope is giving up its course for Gaza, the passengers have no intentions of ending their humanitarian work for the Palestinian people, including St. Louis passenger and 2011 Slam speaker, Hedy Epstein. A Canadian ship has also managed to evade Greek authorities to set sail for Gaza.

To learn more about the United States involvement in the Freedom Flotilla, check out their website, USTOGAZA.

This 86-year-old woman is just one of many Jewish passengers aboard the Audacity of Hope, their numbers being a quarter of the passengers. They are also joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker.

For those who were able to join us at the 2011 Slam, we were able to hear of the conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied territory. I encourage everyone to listen to what she had to say here. This journey is just another chapter in Epstein’s courageous activist work to bring awareness and support to the Palestinian people. You can also follow her blog for updates on her journey.

The United Nations has been asked to support the Flotilla in its aims by Nobel Peace laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, and Rigoberta Menchú Tum. Last year, nine people were killed aboard the Turkish boat, Mavi Marmara, by Israeli commandos.

They have chosen this voyage for a year later in hopes of successfully reaching Gaza with humanitarian aid. May we all send them hope for a peaceful passage.

peace, Jasmin

The Facebook event poses:

When malls such as the Galleria have restrictions against teenagers, they begin to flock elsewhere. We invite you to come share your ideas about how to create a space where young people can be together. What is more, this space will be created by the young.

What activities would you and your friends go to in a big park?
What do young people in St. Louis most need?

As areas like the Loop begin extending curfews on teens and the Galleria demands youth under 16 be accompanied by an adult after 3 p.m., spaces for teenagers to hang out begin to dwindle. This forum hopes to bring together youth to find a solution and create a space that can be accommodating to teens.

Anyone interested in attending the forum is welcome. For more details, check out the Facebook event page.

peace, Jasmin

Since reading yesterday’s post, one point has really stuck with me, and that is of the verbal sexual assault female political prisoners are suffering.
Keshavarz writes:

On may 28, on the occasion of Iranian Mothers Day, a number of women political prisoners were given an opportunity to meet with their families. They managed to send out a letter which was written on behalf of 32 of them. The letter described horrendous prison conditions, ranging from solitary confinement, deprivation from family visits, and being beaten up. The harshest condition these women speak of is verbal sexual assault with the aim of breaking their resistance and obtaining false confessions from them. In the letter, the women compare the interrogation sessions to being repeatedly raped.

This window features other strong female activists who are putting their lives on the line to stand up for social justice, including Shirin Ebadi, who is working with other human rights groups to help the imprisoned women mentioned above. It saddens me to hear of these conditions that they must go through. Luckily, Keshavarz includes good news, as well. For instance, she includes Nasrin Sotoudeh, who may still be under arrest, but has a spirit that appears to be far from broken.

I encourage anyone who wants a picture of Iran to take a look at Windows on Iran. I’ve learned a few things looking through it, and have been touched by what I have read. Hopefully the same will be true for you.

peace, Jasmin

[Insert pictures of a messy desk. I know your imaginations can handle this.]

Anyway, while I’m playing around with this thing, if any suggestions come to mind feel free to shout them out in the comments below. It’d be a huge help to me so I can use this to serve the region better.

peace, Jasmin

peace, Jasmin

There is a huge need for help right now in Joplin. Between Sunday night and Monday, AmeriCorps St. Louis Emergency Response Team deployed members to set up a Volunteer Reception Center with Washington Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps NCCC. 2-1-1 is fielding calls from those wishing to volunteer. At the moment it is very important that no one self deploys to the area, and instead calls 2-1-1 (800-427-4626) to help. Donating blood is another great way to help out. To keep on top of updates on response efforts, be sure to “like” Joplin, MO Tornado Response of Facebook.

If I hear anything from Jill about ways that PeaceJam can help her, I will be sure to pass it along. May we all send her and the community of Joplin, as well as all of those there coordinating response efforts our thoughts, prayers, and well wishes.

peace, Jasmin

A website appeared, Coalcares.org, purporting itself as a new initiative by Peabody. The aim was to make childhood asthma cool, offering free inhalers featuring My Little Pony or Justin Beiber to kids within a 200 mile radius of a coal plant, and providing resources against clean energy and asthma bullying.

The entire website turned out to be a hoax created by Coal is Killing Kids, and effectively brings attention to the fact that coal fired power plants produce more hazardous air pollution than any other source (according to the American Lung Association).

Some think this website helped bring supporters of clean energy to yesterday’s rally against Peabody. In any case, it has really drawn attention to what the coal company is really doing, proving that a little creativity can go a long way.

peace, Jasmin

It’s an excellent resource for anyone for anyone working towards high quality projects, with examples from some of the best service-learning programs here in Missouri, including PeaceJam groups! Check out the Missouri Service-Learning Standards book on-line here.

peace, Jasmin