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Press Release: CALC Receives RESIST Grant

Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC), located in Eugene, OR, has just been awarded $2,500 by RESIST, Inc., a national progressive foundation located in Somerville, Massachusetts...Read the rest of the press release here.

CALC Responds to the Anti-Immigrant Legislation in Arizona

Community Alliance of Lane County, in concert with local, regional and national allies, completely opposes and condemns the Arizona law SB 1070. This law requires state and local law enforcement to inquire into any individual’s citizenship status during stops, detention or arrest, and authorizes public safety to arrest and detain, without warrant, any person they believe is “removable from the United States” that cannot produce valid documents. The bill contains no safeguards against racial profiling and clearly increases the likelihood of arbitrary arrest and detention. The constitutionally of the law is in question and additionally violates many provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which the United States is a signer. The lack of political leadership on immigration, at almost every level, is contributing to the deterioration of our nation’s social fabric, perpetuating a political environment that discriminates against people of almost every color, based on class, sexual orientation, race, religion, and ethnicity. We call for comprehensive immigration reform that is fair, humane, and economically sound! Now!   

"The divide of race has been America's constant curse. Each new wave of immigrants gives new targets to old prejudices. Prejudice and contempt, cloaked in the pretense of religious or political conviction, are no different. They have nearly destroyed us in the past. They plague us still. They fuel the fanaticism of terror. They torment the lives of millions in fractured nations around the world. These obsessions cripple both those who are hated and, of course, those who hate, robbing both of what they might become." --William Jefferson Clinton

PR's Tax Day Penny Poll Results

Peace Activists gathered at the Eugene downtown post offices on Tax Day, April 15th, to call for the re-ordering of federal spending priorities from supporting war to meeting human and environmental needs. 

116 people were provided the opportunity to voice how they would spend their tax dollars when they took part in the 'Penny Poll’. Participants were handed 10 pennies, which they deposited in jars representing a 6-category breakdown of the federal budget.  The categories

and how people voted are as follows:

                                                  2009         2010

Human resources                       45 %         50%

Physical resources                      31 %        25.5%

General government                   12%         12%

Military                                          3.5%         2%

Iraq and Afghan wars                   3%         1.5%

Interest on National Debt             5.5%          9%

"58% of the budget appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year will go to fund the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and other military programs (www.wand.org/wand_hottopics.htm),” said Michael Carrigan of CALC. “The penny poll results clearly indicate that if Eugene residents ran the Federal Government things would be significantly different-their tax dollars would be funding social and environmental programs and not war."

 

CALC Hires New Co-Directors

The Board of Directors of CALC is pleased to announce the hiring of Co-Director of Administration and Development, Kori Rodley Irons and Co-Director of Programs and Development, Jorge Navarro. Kori brings more than 20 years of experience working in non-profit management and grant writing and Jorge brings more than 35 years of experience in community activism. Both Kori and Jorge have long histories of commitment to social, racial and economic justice.

Joint Statement:

Greetings to the Community,

It is clear that as a society we are on the brink of profound change. Partnering with allies to create a society built on the recognition of human rights, to organize against hate and discrimination is at the heart of CALC’s mission.  We are honored to have this opportunity to work with Marion Malcom, Michael Carrigan, Carol Van Houten, Russell Melia, Julianne Collaco, Elaine Hayes, the Board of Directors and the whole community. Together we will grow CALC and increase its impact to the benefit of all. We look forward to a future built on trust, justice and hope.

Sincerely,

Kori Rodley Irons and Jorge Navarro

SASS Presents Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues"

In April, as a kick off event to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Eugene/Springfield community will again step up to participate in this movement with a V-Day production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, "The Vagina Monologues," on April 9, 10 and 11 at the Very Little Theatre in Eugene. The event will be a benefit to raise community awareness and critically needed funds to help SASS continue our mission to provide assistance to local Lane County survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

The April 9 and 10 performances are at 7:30pm, and the April 11 performance is at 2:00pm. Doors will open one hour prior to the performance. All seats are general admission. There will be informational tables and event sales in the theatre lobby before the performances.

Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com, by calling SASS at 541-484-9791 Monday – Friday between 9:00am – 4:00pm or at the Very Little Theatre Box office one hour prior to each performance.

SASS LGBTQI Support Group Upcoming

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) is starting a new, free, LGBTQI
support group in the spring of 2010. This 6-10 week group is open to all
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, or intersexed
survivors of either past or present sexual assault. To get more
information, or to sign up to be a part of this closed group, please
contact Shanta Kamath at (541)-484-9791 ext # 312 or email
supportgroup@sass-lane.org

In The News

CALC's Back to Back's newest photo exhibit, Shared Community/Mixed Identities, has been in the news. See Jennifer Meyer's editorial and Letters to Editor.

Sign the National Peace Action Petition

Click here to go to sign the petition

President Obama announced his 10-year plan for Afghanistan. It includes an additional 21,000 U.S. military forces deployed in Afghanistan and diplomatic engagement of Pakistan. He is still trying to force political and social change through the Pentagon. We have a better plan: focus on diplomatic cooperation and humanitarian aid, mitigate civilian causalities by scaling back military force. The United Nations, U.S. and British generals, peace groups, and 19 members of Congress agree: the war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily and success is only possible through political means including dialogue between all relevant parties.

We need to build public support. Join a media campaign by writing a letter to the editor. You can use Peace Action pre-written letters by clicking here.

Contact Rep. DeFazio and Senators Wyden (wyden.senate.gov) and Merkley (merkley.senate.gov). You can use peace action fact sheets to help drive your point home (www.peace-action.org).