Thursday, April 19, 2007

People's Hurricane Relief Fund Update: April Actions

People’s Hurricane Relief Fund (PHRF)

April 2007 Action and Update Bulletin

Keeping you abreast of some of the latest developments in the struggle for the right to return, self-determination, and a just reconstruction in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For regular updates and more detailed information visit http://www.peopleshurricane.org and read “Second Lines” the bi-monthly newsletter of the People’s Hurricane Relief Fund and Oversight Committee (PHRF/OC). For more information contact 504.301.0215 or email phrfoc@gmail.com.

The struggle needs your support! Make a donation to the People’s Hurricane Relief Fund and support the fight for the right to return. Make checks out to PHRF. Mail checks to: Vanguard Public Foundation 383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 301 San Francisco, CA 94103.

Atlanta Tribunal Hearing

1st Step on the Road to Restitution and Justice for Hurricane Survivors

The first Hearing of the International Tribunal (or People’s Court) on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was held Saturday, April 14th, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia at Clark Atlanta University. More than fifty, mainly New Orleans Survivors or Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), participated and attended the Hearing. The Atlanta Hearing was the first of several preliminary Tribunal Hearings being organized in several cities throughout the US with substantial IDP populations. The Atlanta Tribunal Hearing represents the first step on what will undoubtedly be a long and hard fought struggle to expose the crimes committed by the US government and attain restitution for the Survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through the application of international law.

At the Hearing eight Katrina Survivors and several expert witnesses shared their testimony to a panel of esteemed Judges about the numerous crimes committed against them and countless other Survivors by the US government and it agents during and after Hurricane Katrina and Great Flood in New Orleans. The findings of the Hearing will be presented first at the US Social Forum in Atlanta, Georgia June 27th – July 1st, 2007. The findings will also form a core body of evidence to be submitted at the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that will be held in New Orleans August 29th – September 2nd, 2007.

The Hearing was organized by the Atlanta Survivors Council and Solidarity Committee and supported by the People’s Hurricane Relief Fund, US Human Rights Network, NCOBRA, WACP.TV, Pure Love Heals Ministries, New Afrikan People’s Organization, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Black Male Community Empowerment Forum, Louisiana Committee Against Apartheid, Disabled in Action, UNIA, and the Millions More Movement. Video clips of the Hearing can be viewed at http://www.wacp.tv .

For more information about the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita visit www.peopleshurricane.org, email phrfoc@gmail.com, or call 504.301.0215.

Katrina Solidarity Tour hits California
April 21st – 28th, 2007

From Saturday, April 21st through Saturday, April 28th, 2007 People’s Hurricane Relief Fund (PHRF) organizers Darrel “Sess 4-5” Warren and Kojo Livingston will be touring through California to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of Hurricane Katrina Survivors and the struggle for a just reconstruction and self-determination in the Gulf Coast.

This tour comes at a very critical time in the struggle for a just reconstruction in the Gulf Coast. It is preparation in many respects for a major summer offensive being launched to expose the ongoing injustices being committed against Internally Displaced Persons by the US government and to advance their just claims for restitution and human rights. PHRF strongly encourages all of its allies, supporters and justice loving people in California to support and build tour by attending the events and spreading the word.

The main objectives of the tour are to:
1. Build the National Solidarity Network.
2. Promote the Affordable Housing Campaign.
3. Promote the Mutual Aid and International Solidarity Conference-- see http://www.mutualaidsolidarity.com .
4. Promote the US Social Forum.
5. Promote the Second Survivors Assembly.
6. Promote the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Tour outline is as follows:

San Diego Saturday April 21st, 6pm
Coffee House On Broadway
2991 Broadway (@ 30th)
Featuring New Orleans rappers and grassroots organizers Sess 4-5 and Kojo Livingstone from the Peoples' Hurricane Relief Fund

Tchaiko Kwayana from California Cares for Katrina's Kids
Down But Not Out short film showing with filmmaker Arthur Saenz
Hear Katrina survivors speak about the hurricane
Update on Mumia's case from IAC. Come learn about the current situation in New Orleans, and find out how we can support the Gulf Coast Self-Determination and Reconstruction Movement.
For more info, or to help publicize this event, call (619) 557-0156

Santa Barbara Tuesday April 24th, 6 pm
McCune Conference Room
HSSB building on the UCSB campus
Contact darwin@umail.ucsb.edu

Santa Cruz Thursday April 26th, 7pm

- UCSC students who have volunteered in New Orleans,
- Paul Ortiz (UCSC African American Studies professor)
- Curtis Reliford (Santa Cruz resident who brings convoys of relief supplies to New Orleans), and
- Don Williams (Rainbow Theater)
- Down but not Out (a 30-minute documentary filmed this summer by UCSC alumni David Zlutnick and Arthur Saenz)
- Kinetic Poetics

Venue TBA
UCSC Campus contact: 831.682.0287

San Jose Friday April 27th
San Jose State University
Time and place TBA
Contact: Scott Myers-Lipton, Ph.D.: (510) 508-5382

Oakland Saturday April 28th, 6pm
1433 Webster St. (Close to 12th St. BART)
Local Spoken Word Artists TBA
Contact: 831.331.7611 or 510.544.9045

You can also contact PHRF main offices directly at 504.301.0215 or email phrfoc@gmail.com. For regular tour updates visit http://www.peopleshurricane.org

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