Category: Press Center

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Korea Peace Day to feature film by North Korean refugee youth

Korea Peace Day 2009

Click here to download a pdf of the Korea Peace Day 2009 poster.

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Joon Park (808) 382-5452

Soo Sun Choe soosunc@gmail.com

Korea Peace Day Event to Premiere Film by North Korean Refugee Youth

(Honolulu) A group of University of Hawaii students and faculty will be hosting a Korea Peace Day event on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 5:30 PM at the Center for Korean Studies located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This event is part of a larger movement across the U.S. to promote greater mutual understanding between the U.S. and the two Koreas.

The event will feature the U.S. premiere of the film, “The Longest Journey,” filmed and produced by North Korean refugee youth living in Seoul, South Korea. The documentary follows the North Korean born youths in revisiting their former places of refuge in China. The event will also feature a photo exhibition, “The Forgotten Faces of North Korea”, from the National Lawyers Guild’s Korea Peace Project, depicting the human side of North Korea.

Second and third generation Korean Americans, including some featured in the PBS documentary film “Homes Apart”, and writers Gary Pak and Brenda Kwon, will share family stories and poetry of how the divisions of war have impacted their families. There will also be a cultural performance by the Korean drumming ensemble Tuh Ool Lim.

Korea Peace Day was conceived by the Association of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK) in 2003, in response to the high levels of tension between the U.S. and North Korea. Since then, annual educational forums have been held on campuses across the country to facilitate dialogue and awareness of the unresolved conflict on the Korean peninsula. “Without the commitment of the involved parties to a formal peace process, we recognize that the situation on the Korean peninsula remains an unstable and volatile one,” said Soo Sun Choe, one of the coordinators of the local group.

The reception and photo exhibit will open at 5:30 PM with the program and film following at 6 PM. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Sponsoring organizations include the Korea Peace Day Working Group and the American Friends Service Committee. For more information, please contact: Soo Sun Choe at soosunc@gmail.com or call Joon Park at (808) 382-5452.

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Celebrate Malcolm X and International Workers’ Day

Event: Stir it up!: Celebrating Malcolm X & International Workers’ Day

“Ho`okū`ē hui!”

What: Jam Session
Host: UHM Political Discussion Group
Start Time: Monday, May 4 at 11:00am
End Time: Monday, May 4 at 2:00pm
Where: UHM CAMPUS CENTER COURTYARD

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=70957108156&mid=6075fbG4184e208G688284G7

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Good Friday: Modern Day Crucifixion — Launching the Drone Wars from Hawaii to Pakistan

GOOD FRIDAY

Modern Day Crucifixion — Launching the Drone Wars from Hawaii to Pakistan

Today is Good Friday in the Christian calendar, the day Jesus was executed by the Roman Empire for the crime of sedition (stirring up the people) in occupied Palestine. One’s standpoint determines one’s viewpoint. From Jesus’ standpoint, and all those nailed to the cross of empire, there was nothing good about “Good Friday.” For the Roman Empire and their local collaborators, it was “Good Friday” indeed. They got rid of another troublemaker, or so they thought.

The Romans, like all empires, believed in a myth — that violence was a solution to problems. Jesus knew otherwise — that being willing to die, but not to kill, is the way to new life, justice and peace. His witness proved that the blood of martyrs is the seed of a new movement of non-violent resistance, what others call — the church. For over 200 years to be a member of this new church meant you refused to participate in the wars of empire. Thousands were crucified for their refusal and the church grew by leaps and bounds.

What of us today in the American Empire, after six years of war and occupation in Iraq, eight years of war and occupation in Afghanistan, and ll6 years of occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii? The silence of “the church” today in Hawaii is deafening? Where are the voices of conscience in our local churches today speaking out for justice and peace and against war and occupation? How many Christians are refusing to participate in the wars of empire? How many churches are actively supporting the empire’s wars?

In 2 days of testimony this week about the militarization and desecration of the sacred temple of Mauna Kea, there wasn’t one church leader (Christian, Buddhist, or otherwise) who spoke in solidarity with Hawaii’s host people, the Kanaka Maoli calling out for justice and respect, and a halt to development on the mountain. The military has plans for a Pan Stars telescope on Mauna Kea for tracking “enemy” satellites to be destroyed in U.S. pre-emptive wars. A new billion dollar 30-meter telescope is also in the works. Kihei Soli Niheu says that the desecration on Mauna Kea is part of the ongoing illegal occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii that must end.

The sacred mountains of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are being militarized by expanded military live-fire training at Pohakuloa, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as drone airplanes. U.S. hunter-killer drones (MQ-1 Predators and more advanced MQ-9 Reapers) are now being used widely as surveillance and missile-firing aircraft in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. U.S. Centcom commander General David Petraeus calls this drone form of modern crucifixion “the right of last resort” to take out “threats” (as well as innocent people who just happen to be in the vicinity). Large numbers of innocent people are now fleeing their homes due to U.S. drone attacks in Central Asia.

Good Friday is a good day to break the silence and be stirred into action

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April l0, 2009 – 395th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

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Statement by National Campaign for Eradication of Crime by U.S.Troops in Korea on Osan Stabbing

Statement 11 March 2009

The US soldier in Korea suspected for attempted murder must be in custody by Korean Police in Pyeongtaek

At dawn on Friday, 6th of March 2009, a US soldier in Korea stabbed a Filipino woman 18 times almost causing her to death.

According to the press, the US soldier from Camp Humphrey, Pyeontaek attacked the woman with a knife at the club street near Osan air base, who was on her way home. He also caused damages to two Korean men who rushed to her aid after hearing her screams. The Korean police arrested the U.S soldier at the scene but after checking his identification they handed him over to the U.S military police.

On Thursday, 12th of March 2009 after 6 days of the incident the Pyeongtaek Police will investigate the U.S soldier answer the summons. This is the first investigation of the incident. On the day of the attack the U.S soldier also hurt his finger through scuffle with the men who were trying to stop him. Hence, the explanation for late investigation was because the U.S soldier had to go under treatment. However setting up the investigation 6 days later is over the boundaries of humanitarian concern. Generally Korean polices investigate in 48 hours when they arrest the criminal in the very act. The reason why initial investigation must be done in 48 hours after arresting the suspect is to prevent destruction of evidence and fabricating testimony. 6 days have passed since the incident meaning that the Korean police have opened possibilities of damaging the evidence and fabricating statement.

Humanitarian concern is only applied to the U.S soldier.

The initial investigation was delayed to give treatment to the U.S soldier. The authority of U.S. forces in Pyeongtaek paid for his treatment fee which was around 1,900,000 won and checked him out of the hospital. Then what kind of humanitarian concern is given to the woman? The woman was repeatedly stabbed and had serious internal wounds. She was in critical condition and luckily after the surgery she has been stabilized. However, now she is faced with medical bills amounting to 5,000,000won and more for her further treatment.

The commander of Army’s 2nd Infantry Division where the U.S soldier belongs issued a news release saying “We regret this incident took place and our sympathies are with the victims involved.” “We will work closely with the Korean authorities to investigate this matter and bring the perpetrator to justice.” However there was no apology to the woman and any mentioning of taking care of the victims treatment.

Pyeongtaek Police must request arrest warrant for the U.S Soldier.

If this kind of incident happened between Koreans or any other foreigners living in Korea they would be properly arrested without question. Korea has jurisdiction over this case so following right procedures the U.S soldier must be arrested and sentenced in the Korean court. The U.S must comply with Korean authorities and hand over the U.S soldier. They should also pay the entire cost for the woman’s treatment.

Recently, the Korean police and prosecutor’s office have been stressing for stricter laws to be applied to illegality and violence. We will be watching closely to see if these tough measures are applied to this case involving a U.S soldier.

– National Campaign for Eradication of Crime by U.S.Troops in Korea –

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Iraq War resister Aidan Delgado to speak

delgado-leaflet

Download a pdf version of the announcement

Friday, March 13, 7:30pm

A Talk by Aidan Delgado, Conscientious Objector


Church of the Crossroads

Activist with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF) Aidan Delgado served in Iraq from April 1st, 2003 through April 1st, 2004. After spending six months in Nasiriyah in Southern Iraq, he spent six months helping to run the now-infamous Abu Ghraib prison outside of Baghdad where he was a witness to widespread, almost daily, U.S. war crimes in Iraq.  He is the author of “Sutras of Abu Ghraib” and will sign copies of his book after his talk. Info: 534-2255

Sponsored by World Can’t Wait, AFSC Hawai’i CHOICES Project, and others.

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David Krieger to speak on Nuclear Weapons and the Human Future

NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND THE HUMAN FUTURE

David Krieger, PhD
President, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
Santa Barbara, California

Thursday, February 12, 2009
6pm to 8pm
Honolulu Friends Meeting House
2426 O`ahu Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai`i
Free and open to the public

David Krieger is a founder and President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, which has initiated many innovative and important projects for building peace, strengthening international law and abolishing nuclear weapons. Dr. Krieger will speak about the challenges and prospects of abolishing nuclear weapons under the Obama administration.

He has lectured widely on issues of peace, security, international law, and the abolition of nuclear weapons and is the author of many studies of peace in the Nuclear Age, including The Challenge of Abolishing Nuclear Weapons (based on a recent conference organized by Hawai’i’s Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research). He serves on the Boards of the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, the International Institute for Peace, the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence and Mayors for Peace. He also served as panel chair of the Citizens’ Hearing on the Legality of U.S. Actions in Iraq and as a member of the Jury of Conscience of the World Tribunal on Iraq.

Co-sponsors: American Friends Service Committee – Hawai’i, DMZ-Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina, Pacific Justice and Reconcilliation Center, Matsunaga Institute for Peace-UH Manoa, ‘Ohana Koa/ Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific.

For more information, please contact: Richard at (808) 956-3712 or Terri at (808) 988-6266

Download the leaflet to the event and Krieger’s biography here.

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Protest and healing ceremony at Pohakuloa

Here’s a report from Jim Albertini, one of the organizers on Hawai’i island resisting further militarization.    They recently organized an action up at Pohakuloa.  You can also view a video covering both the Pro-Hawai’i/Pro-Peace protest and the Pro-war protest here.

POHAKULOA HEALING CEREMONY AND PROTEST

Aloha Kakou,

Approximately 50 Big Island residents gathered on Saturday, Jan. 3lst from l0AM till lPM at Mauna Kea Park, adjacent to the l33,000-acre military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). Troops were present at PTA but no live-fire was observed. The purpose of the gathering was twofold. First to conduct a healing ceremony for the ‘aina and second, to protest the ongoing military bombing, radiation contamination, desecration and occupation of the Hawai’i Kingdom. People brought ho’okupu (offerings) for the healing ceremony. Ali’i ai Moku, Paul Neves, of the Royal order of Kamehameha, brought his Halau who offered oli and hula as part of the ceremony. Kaliko Kanaele, a member of the Royal order and a long-time activist taught chants to those gathered about the importance of pulling together and bringing things to light. A number of people shared personal stories and thoughts on resistance. Protest signs at the gathering read: “Aloha ‘Aina –A Call to Action,” “Stop the Bombing,” “End U.S. Occupation,” “Make Peace–Work for Justice.” “The Kingdom Lives – Return Ceded Lands.” Throughout the gathering there was obvious military/police surveillance from vehicles in the park and adjacent military areas.

Throughout the ceremony and protest strong trade winds were blowing from Hilo so our gathering was fortunately upwind of the PTA base impact area. No above background readings were noted on several radiation monitors present unlike May 29, 2007 when winds were blowing directly off the PTA impact area toward Mauna Kea Park and citizen monitors recorded several spikes 4 times background levels.

People who came from Kona noted there was an American flag waving pro-war group of about 20 people at the PTA main gate area, located about l mile from Mauna Kea Park. Among those present was Andrew Walden, editor of the right wing now defunct Hawaii Free Press newspaper.

Following the healing ceremony, speakers, and a pani of shared food at Mauna Kea Park, several people carried the protest to the PTA main gate area. Protest signs were set up directly in front of the PTA main gate, across Saddle Road from the Pro-war demonstration. Ho’okupu from the healing ceremony were left on the triangle piece of land fronting the PTA main gate. Some exchange of thoughts took place across Saddle Rd, but all went peacefully.

The West Hawaii Today, Jan. 3lst newspaper ran an article saying that Army Col. Howard Killian will be giving a presentation to the Hawaii County Council Intergovernmental Relations Committee at l0:30AM on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. on depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area. The article said, “the military recently completed tests to determine whether any of the material poses a threat to army personnel at PTA or residents. Although the tests won’t be made public until spring, military officials recently reported the tests determined no danger exists.”

This kind of statement about “no danger exists” is a military medical judgment. The military keeps repeating “no danger” with no data available for examination. We demand data on the radiation contamination, control data, etc. We want to know the extent of the radiation contamination and if DU penetrators have been used at PTA which we highly suspect. The military is trying to focus ONLY on DU Davy Crockett spotting rounds from the l960s. The military has a proven track record that it cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

JOIN IN A PROTEST AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL BUILDING 9:30 AM ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD TO CHALLENGE COL. KILLIAN ON HIS STATEMENTS OF ‘NO DANGER.’

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O.Box AB
Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760
phone: 808-966-7622
email: JA@interpac.net
Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

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NATIVE HAWAIIANS & CHAMORRO (GUAM) WARN AUSTRALIA OVER TALISMAN SABRE 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2007

NATIVE HAWAIIANS & CHAMORRO (GUAM) WARN AUSTRALIA OVER TALISMAN SABRE 2007

Two indigenous Native Hawaiian activists and a Chamorro (GUAM) activist visiting Central Queensland expressed their shock and outrage at the destruction being inflicted on the local environment by the Talisman Sabre US/Australian joint military exercises.

” We are appalled that there will be live firing, bombing and sonar testing on the Great Barrier reef and in the habitat of endangered dugong, whales and green turtles,” said Terri Keko’olani of DMZ Hawai’i Aloha ‘Aina.

Terri Keko’olani & Leimaile Quitevis from DMZ Hawaii Aloha ‘Aina and Fanai Castro from Guam (GUÅHAN) are in Australia to support the protest against the 30,000 strong US/Australia war games.

“We are also appalled at the complete indifference of the Australian Department of Defense in asserting that the war games will not be interrupted simply because 7 peace activists are occupying the military danger zone,” said Leimaile Quitevis

“The demands of the peace protestors include: stop the war games, no more military exercises, close the Shoalwater Bay base, and return the land to the indigenous people,” said Denis Doherty, national co-ordinator of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, one of the peace protest organizers.

” In 1976 I occupied the island of Kaho’olawe to stop live bombing by the US military, said Terri Keko’olani. ” My heart goes out to June Norman, a 66 year old grandmother who is presently occupying the Shoalwater Bay training area to stop live bombing of an environment considered to be a world heritage treasure. ”

Fanai Castro of the Organization of People for Indigenous Rights (OPI-R) added, “There is no justification for the toxic contamination of our lands and waters, therefore we uphold the actions demonstrated here to protect these precious resources.” She continued, ” This Peace action is significant in that it brings together a diversity of people who believe that, beyond war, another world is possible.”

For further information, please contact:
Denis Doherty on 0418 290 663 or Dr Hannah Middleton on 0418 668 098.
Terri Kekoolani, Leimaile Quitevis and Fanai Castro can be contacted on either of these numbers.

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GUAM AND HAWAII BRING WARNING ABOUT MILITARY EXERCISES

PEACE CONVERGENCE – MEDIA RELEASE – 20 JUNE 2007
GUAM AND HAWAII BRING WARNING ABOUT MILITARY EXERCISES

Three international guests arrived in Yeppoon – Rockhampton on Wednesday to add their voices to the protest of over 500 Australians concerned about the Australian-US Talisman Sabre 2007 military exercises at Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Yeppoon, central Queensland.

Coming from Guam and Hawaii, the three women carry warnings about the social, political, Indigenous rights, health and environmental price paid by small communities when their homelands become militarised.

A Welcome Ceremony was held at the Rockhampton Airport by the Fitzroy Basin Elders. They were also welcomed by the Peace Convergence which is protesting the military exercises. The Guam and Hawaiian visitors responded with chanting and the giving of gifts.

The guest from Guam is Fanai Castro from the Organisation of Peoples for Indigenous Rights. OPIR campaigns for the Indigenous right to an act of self-determination and opposes the expansion of US militarisation of their small island.

>From Hawaii, Terri Keko’olani and Leimaile Quitevis represent the Demilitarize Zone Hawaii Aloha ‘Aina, a pan-Hawai’ian movement for demilitarisation and Indigenous rights.

All three women are Indigenous rights activists in their respective countries and identify militarisation as one of the manifestations of ongoing colonialism.

“Our guests have firsthand experience of the impact of militarisation on people’s lives. They bring a timely warning about the real price paid by local people when their home communities become militarised,” Dr Zohl de Ishtar from the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Queensland. Dr de Ishtar is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

“It is an honour to receive such a welcoming from the Indigenous elders, since it is with us Indigenous peoples that the atrocities of colonialism first made its mark. In these days it seems that militarisation is the new colonialism,” said Fanai Castro a Chamoru (Indigenous) social justice activist from Guam.

“Shoalwater Bay Training Area is the only facility in the north-western Pacific which provides such extensive air-land-sea live-fire training capacity to the US military. Many of the planes, ships and submarines participating in the exercises come are homebased in or transit through Guam. Hawaii is the headquarters of the Pacific Command under whose jurisdiction the Talisman Sabre exercises fall,” said Dr Zohl de Ishtar.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr Zohl de Ishtar, Phone: 0429 422 645
Australia Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Queensland

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