THE NEW PEOPLE VOL. 48 No. 10 PITTSBURGH’S PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWSPAPER OF THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER December 2018 PAGE 4 Odignimil eniet et PAGE 4 Um cones simus, et PAGE 4 Cabor aut pedicto UPDATE ON COUNTY CITIZENS POLICE REVIEW BOARD BY CHERYL BAUER Photo by Steve Capri Michael John Voss, co-founder, and Blake Strode, executive director of the Voting 8-6 on July 10, the Allegheny County Council narrowly ArchCity Defenders, with the 2018 Thomas Merton Award. Photo by Steve Capri approved an initiative sponsored by Councilmen Paul Klein and DeWitt Walton to explore the possibility of establishing a countywide ARCHCITY DEFENDERS PROVE citizens police review board. Approval of this measure resulted in a series of public hearings to evaluate the feasibility and need for such WORTHY OF MERTON AWARD a review board, held from August-October throughout the county. BY NEIL COSGROVE Over 100 municipal police departments currently exist in Alleghe- When Blake Strode, Executive Director of 2018 Merton Award winner ArchCity Defenders (ACD), saw the list of the 45 previous awardees, he felt something like ny County. Only the City of Pittsburgh police are subject to citizen “impostor syndrome.” Did his organization belong on a roster with the likes of Dick review, authorized by referendum in 1997 in response to the killings Gregory or Angela Davis or last year’s winner, the Center For Constitutional Rights? of Jerry Jackson in April of 1995 by Pittsburgh police and Jonny The way he and ACD co-founder Michael John Voss were received by those gathered for Gammage in October that same year by Brentwood officers. With the Award Dinner on November 28th suggested that “impostor” was the word furthest Continued on page 5 from attendees’ thoughts. That the two ACD representatives spent much of the day leading up to the dinner ensconced in their hotel room, working on various cases and campaigns, only reinforced the unanimity of support for what ArchCity does. JOHN BOLTON AND THE “TROIKA OF Strode and Voss told the NewPeople that, for one thing, they were waiting on a decision from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court on whether Ferguson, like the city of Jennings BY MICHAEL DROHAN beforehand, must accept that the city has been operating a debtors’ prison and make TYRANNY” whole the multitudes who have been jailed there primarily because they are poor. ACD is leading a campaign, based on the 14th and 8th amendments of the U.S. constitution, In his 2002 State of the Union Address on January 29, George W. to close down St. Louis’ notorious Workhouse jail, and has filed a dozen lawsuits on Bush called North Korea “A regime arming with missiles and weap- behalf of campaign protestors badly treated by that city’s police. ons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.” He also stated Iran “aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people’s hope for freedom.” Of the three nations Bush cited, however, he gave the most criticism to Iraq. He stated “Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror.” These were the fighting words of George W. Bush and gave an insight on how his presidency would unfold as he under- took the invasion of Iraq and the virtual destruction of that country. The evil genius behind this proclamation was John Bolton, who has spent a lifetime in conjuring up demons around the world who sup- posedly endanger the US and civilization. Now in the age of Trump, John Bolton is in the saddle again as National Security Advisor to the President. He was appointed to this position in April 2018, an appointment which does not demand Congressional approval. And so on November 1, 2018 John Bolton

Michael John Voss, co-founder, and Blake Strode, executive director of the ArchCity Defenders, with identified a new threat to the civilized world, what he called a ‘Troika the 2018 Thomas Merton Award. Photo by Steve Capri. of Tyranny’. The countries that he has now focused his sights on are Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. On the day he announced the new Continued on page 12 ‘troika of tyranny’, he also announced economic sanctions that would be imposed on Venezuela. The sanctions were specifically imposed on Venezuela’s export of gold, a lifeline of the embattled economy of

that country. It has to be kept in mind that such sanctions on a coun-

PERMIT NO. 458 NO. PERMIT Continued on page 6

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Page 1 THE NEW PEOPLE TMC PROJECTS IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER Human Rights Pittsburghers for Public Transit Environmental Justice 5129 PENN AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15224 412-216-9659 [email protected] Thomas Merton Center Hours: Book‘Em: Books to Prisoners Project Marcellus Shale Protest Group [email protected] [email protected] 412-243-4545 Monday - Friday: 10AM - 4PM www.bookempgh.org Steel Smiling marcellusprotest.org East End Community Thrift Store Hours: [email protected] Tuesday - Friday: 10AM - 4PM Cities for CEDAW www.steelsmilingpgh.org Pittsburgh 350 412-251-7793 Saturday: Noon to 4PM [email protected] [email protected] World.350.org/Pittsburgh Office Phone: 412-361-3022 Fight for Lifers West Stop Sexual Assault in the Military Fax: 412-361-0540 [email protected] 412-361-3022 Shalefield Stories Website: www.thomasmertoncenter.org 412-607-1804 [email protected] (Friends of the Harmed) Fightforliferswest.org 412-422-0272 Anti-War/Anti-Imperialism [email protected] The NewPeople Editorial Collective Greater Pittsburgh Interfaith Coalition Cheryl Bauer, Neil Cosgrove, Michael Drohan, Russ Fedorka, Anne Wirth 412-716-9750 Anti-War Committee Westmoreland Marcellus Citizens Group Bette McDevitt, Marianne Novy, Joyce Rothermel, Molly [email protected] 724-837-0540 Rush, Jo Tavener, and Maggie Weaver. Human Rights Coalition / Fed Up [email protected] Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition TMC Staff & Volunteers (prisoner support and advocacy) 412-802-8575, [email protected] [email protected]; www.pittsburgh- darfur.org Economic Justice Executive Director: Gabriel McMorland www.prisonerstories.blogspot.com Finance Director / Project Liaison: Roslyn Maholland Harambee Ujima/Diversity Footprint Support Staff: Sr. Mary Clare Donnelly, RSM Twitter @HomewoodNation Activist & Office Volunteers: Nancy Gippert, Lois Goldstein, Judy Starr NewPeople Coordinator: Kim Dinh TMC PARTNERS Community Organizer: Krystle Knight Technology & Operations Coordinator: Kim Dinh (Partners are independent CeaseFire PA Pittsburgh Cuba Coalition Workers of America (UE) organizations who support East End Community Thrift Store Managers: Shirley Gled- the nonviolent peace and www.ceasefirepa.org—info@ 412-303-1247 lisacubasi@ 412-471-8919 www.ueunion. itsch, Shawna Hammond, & Sr. Mary Clare Donnelly justice mission of TMC. ceasefirepa.org aol.com org - Articles may not necessar- 2018 TMC Board of Directors ily represent the views of Partners) Citizens for Social Respon- Pittsburgh BDS Coalition Veterans for Peace Darnika Reed, Peggy Ward, Daniel Sun, Symone Saul, Mark sibility [email protected] Paul Dordal 412-999-6913 Dixon, M. 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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1 PAGE 7 PAGE 12 Archcity Defenders Prove Worthy of Merton Award Pittsburgh Area Resource: PublicSource Housing Summit Confronts Market Failures Update on County Citzens Police Review Board John Bolton and the “Troika of Tyranny” PAGE 8 ArchCity Defenders Cont’d PAGE 3 The Tree of Life Tragedy and It’s Countours PAGE 13 December Staff Updates If not Now, When? ‘The Fifth Risk’ by John Lewis The New Sanctuary Movement and Others Help PAGE 4 PAGE 9 Immigrants 50th Anniversary of the Passing of Thomas Merton Collegiate Food Insecurity Fighting for 15 at Pitt PAGE 14 PAGE 5 PWSC Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Cooperative County Citizen’s Police Review Board Cont’d PAGE 10 The Plot to Control the World PAGE 15 The People vs. the Pennsylvania Prison System Not Stronger than Hate SOA Watch Photos PAGE 6 PAGE 11 PAGE 16 Brazil in the Grip of Fascism Climate Activists Learn from the Anti-war Movement December Events Calendar John Bolton and the “Troika of Tyranny” cont’d In It for the Long-term

Page 2 DECEMBER STAFF UPDATES

WELCOME TO NEW AND RETURNING BOARD MEMBERS!

After the Thomas Merton Center members voted in the 2018 election for our board of directors, we’re honored to welcome new and returning board members. Newly joining the board: Darnika Reed Peggy Ward Daniel Sun Symone Saul Re-elected to the board: Mark Dixon

M. Shernell Smith TMC Fundraising Dinner with Pittsburgh actor Wali Jamal on October 30, 2018 Neil Cosgrove hosted and prepared by TMC member Howard Aikens and Christine Wolfe. Dinners continue in December and January with Jules Lobel and Tony Norman respectively. Jordan Malloy To find out more about future TMC dinner fundraisers, contact the Merton Center. Seating for each dinner is limited.

Thousands of marchers proceeded up Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill on October 30th, to mourn the victims of Members of Bend the Arc led the October 30th march as it proceeded down Shady Avenue. Photographer, the October 27th mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue and to protest President Trump’s anti-immigrant Neil Cosgrove. policies and inflammatory rhetoric. Trump was visiting the site of the shooting at approximately the same time as the march, organized by the activist group Bend the Arc. Photographer, Neil Cosgrove.

Rally held on Armistice Day, November 11, 2018 by the Anti-War Committee of Pittsburgh, a project of the Thomas Merton Center, marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice ending World War Have you seen this billboard on Washington Boulevard? The Women’s International League for Peace and One. Leaflets were distributed to churchgoers and passersby protesting the recent US withdrawal by Donald Freedom in Pittsburgh raised the funds for this billboard. A second billboard is going up on Sawmill Run Trump of the nuclear weapons treaty of 1987 made with the former Soviet Union increasing the danger of Road , but more contributions are needed. If you can help , send check to WILPF/PITTSBURGH, 311 Field nuclear war. Cub Ridge, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Page 3 AN ENORMOUS LOSS, BUT A GREAT LEGACY THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF THOMAS MERTON

Jan. 31, 1915: born in Prades, France to Owen Merton and Ruth Jenkins 1916: Moved to USA, lived in Douglaston, Long Island 1921: His mother dies from cancer 1928: Moves to Oakham, England 1931: His father dies of a brain tumor 1933: He enters Cambridge in the fall - study of modern languages (French and Italian) 1934: He leaves Cambridge and returns to USA 1935: He enters Columbia University

It was December 10, 1968 when Thomas making between them and Christianity 1938: He graduates from Columbia, began work on M.A. Merton was found dead in his lodgings in his spiritual journey, a journey that at a conference center in Bangkok, many who were following him were also November 16, 1938: He is received into the Catholic Church at Corpus Thailand. Fr. Louis, his religious pursuing. Christi Church name, had just completed a talk on When Pope Francis I made his visit to 1940: He teaches English at St. Bonaventure College “Christianity and Marxism” and had the United States in 2015 and addressed gone to his room for a break. He was a joint session of Congress, he noted four December 10, 1941: He enters the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane, only 53 years of age, already a world- great Americans who have left great Trappist, Kentucky. read author and contemplative voice legacies to the United States and the for many spiritual seekers around the March 19. 1944: He makes simple vows, publishes first work, Thirty world: Abraham Lincoln, Dorothy Day, globe. Poems Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thomas In addition to many spiritual articles Merton. 1946: He publishes A Man in the Divided Sea and books, Thomas Merton had written Merton accompanied two other historic on many social topics, including racism, 1947: He makes solemn vows, publishes Exile Ends in Glory leaders who were taken from us or lost nuclear weapons and non-violence. He to us in 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr. had become an outspoken critic of the 1948: Publication of his best-selling autobiography, The Seven Storey and Robert F. Kennedy. How fortunate US war in Vietnam. It was ironic that Mountain many of us have been in our lifetimes to his body came home to the Abbey in be inspired by the lives of these three May 26, 1949: He is ordained a priest Gethsemane in a US Army plane along self-sacrificing American leaders! with those of soldiers killed in that war. 1953: He publishes The Sign of Jonas; Bread in the Wilderness Thank you, Thomas Merton, for a life It was not hard to understand why well lived and that continues to reach 1955: He is named Master of Scholastics (students for priesthood) Molly Rush and the others who founded beyond the grave! the Thomas Merton Center in 1972 1956: He publishes The Living Bread chose Thomas Merton for the name The Merton Center has a very rich of the newly formed Pittsburgh-based library of the writings of Thomas 1958: He publishes Thoughts in Solitude peace and justice center. The Center’s Merton, along with two DVD’s on his life 1961: He publishes Emblems of a Season of Fury; Life and Holiness origin flowed out of its first members’ that are available on loan. I invite you opposition to the Vietnam War (CEASE to get to know Thomas Merton, his life 1964: He publishes Seeds of Destruction – Citizens to End Asian Slaughter and and his writings. His wisdom endures, Exploitation). and his life continues to inspire. 1965: He begins to live as a hermit on the grounds of the monastery While the circumstances of Thomas “You do not need to know precisely what He is named Master of Novices Merton’s death remain somewhat is happening, or exactly where it is all 1967: He publishes Mystics and Zen Masters mysterious (there was no autopsy going. What you need is to recognize performed), all will agree that his life the possibilities and challenges offered December 10, 1968: He dies in Bangkok, Thailand was far too short! From his book, The by the present moment, and to embrace Asian Journal, telling of his travels them with courage, faith and hope.” (Many books by and about Thomas Merton have been published since to southeast Asia, one can witness his death. Documentaries have also been made about his life.) Merton’s exploration into the eastern -- Thomas Merton religions and the connections he was

Page 4 UPDATE ON COUNTY CITIZENS POLICE REVIEW BOARD CONT’D BY CHERYL BAUER renewed fervor following the June 19, abeth Pittinger, Executive Director of any specifics to date, but have dis- and establish statewide standards for 2018 murder of Antwon Rose by part- the city of Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police cussed a seven to nine member panel police conduct. Councilmen Klein and time officer Michael Rosfeld in East Review Board, has noted that some and acknowledged that the perspective Walton are presently drafting legisla- Pittsburgh, citizens and activists urged elected officials in other municipalities of law enforcement would be welcome tion to create the board, hoping to sub- the county council to take firm action have already reached out to her for on the board. mit it to the council for a vote by the to increase accountability of police guidance establishing similar citizen Community organizers continue to end of the year. If the measure passes departments across the county. review entities in their localities. encourage the council to endow the council vote, County Executive Rich Since the public hearings concluded, During a press conference held No- county citizens review board with Fitzgerald will be charged with final the response has been mixed as local vember 15, 2018, community advo- authority to investigate with subpoena approval. governing bodies consider the prop- cates proposed a general structure for power, essential in order to provide *Now is the time to encourage our osition. A number of municipalities the county review board, modeled effective oversight of police activities. county council members to vote in remain undecided about their partic- after the City board. The City’s review The power of subpoena would legiti- favor the initiative to establish the ipation while others, such as Harmar board includes two retired city officers, mize the accountability of the police county citizens review board. County and Springdale, have emphatically opt- ensuring representation of the law to the communities and help to ensure Executive Fitzgerald’s office can be ed-out, citing an unnecessary bureau- enforcement perspective. The advo- dispensation of the law fairly – to all contacted at 412-350-6500. Calls can cratic burden on an ostensibly func- cates’ proposal comprised 15 mem- citizens including law enforcement be placed to county council at 412- tioning system. Concerns have also bers: one representative from each of officers. Councilman Walton has -ex 350-6490. centered around funding and function, the 13 districts within the county and pressed intent to work with state legis- specifically interference in local police two retired law enforcement officers. lators to propose legislation that would Cheryl Bauer is a member of the New operations. On the other hand, Eliz- Council members have not confirmed reform hiring and training practices People editorial collective.

THE PEOPLE VS THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SYSTEM BY JO TAVERNER In early September the Pennsylvania the policies rescinded. She asked them sickening their prison guards. In a three privacy rights. Department of Corrections (DOC) to write back with thoughts about the month period, however, few who were Jodi Lincoln believes that the calls to announced a number of initiatives new policies. “Let us know your story..., tested showed the presence of synthetic Gov. Wolf, the letters and the stories to eliminate drug smuggling into why free books are important to you, cannabinoids. Some critics of the new shared on social media were central to state prisons. The DOC prohibited what your library is like; and what you security measures, along with medical the DOC’s recent rescinding of the free inmate access to mail-order books and think about Ebooks...” She ended her toxicologist experts, thought it unlikely book ban on November 1st. All donated publications as well as free volunteer letter sending Book ’Em’s “support,” that guards fell ill from incidental books will now be processed at a security book donation programs, among them with the encouragement that prisoners exposure. They advanced the notion processing center. Concerns abound. the long-standing TMC project known as “stay strong,” as she promised to stay in that the symptoms experienced by How will the DOC insure that inmates Book ’Em. In their place, tablets for the touch. guards more often than not arose from a receive their packages of books with all exorbitant price of $149 would be made “mass psychogenic illness -- a contagious One prisoner wrote, “I have been the supplemental material? What about available -- an option beyond the means anxiety response.” receiving books for 4 years...and I’ve the non-bound materials sent like zines of most inmates, who make as little as greatly appreciated it...Now in solitary Jodi Lincoln believes that the calls to Gov. and resource guides or, etc. $.19 an hour. we are only allowed one book a week Wolf, the letters and the stories shared Aside from the $15 million worth of Ensconced in the basement of TMC, a from the prison library, which has a on social media were central to the DOC’s security measures enacted, funds will number of volunteers organized by Jodi small selection of books mainly donated recent rescinding of the free book ban on need to be found for distributing the Lincoln have come together twice a by other inmates. We have no access to November 1st. All donated books will packages once they are checked at the month to fulfill inmates book requests. the institutional library at all....Now I’m now be processed at a centralized secure Florida-based center. As a state budget Individual prisoners can request around screwed. No family to look out for me and processing location. Concerns abound. line items, it is more easily cut when the three pounds of books every 3 months. because of solitary I can’t work so I can’t How will the DOC insure that inmates legislature needs to balance its budget. Annually, around 2700 packages of afford ebooks or the tablet...Free book receive their packages of books with What choice might you make if it came books are sent. Unfortunately, Book donations like Book ’Em kept me sane...I all the supplemental material? What down to funding either prisoner mail or ’Em has neither the funds nor a donated foresee my mental health slipping in about the non-bound materials sent like anti-global warming protections? book collection great enough to fulfill the future...I look forward to hearing magazines and resource guides? multiple monthly individual requests. from you...I haven’t had correspondence Editor’s Note: If you would like to help The ACLU also got involved. It has sued Still, as more books enter the prison, an with anyone for years…”And another by donating books or subscriptions, you the DOC for its new legal mail policy ad-hoc circulation system enables each said that he “was blessed to get donated can find the Book ‘Em Amazon Wish List -- to open and digitally copy all inmate requested book to be read by numerous books.” “I can’t afford to buy any and I at bookempa/books-we-need. You can mail, including that coming from their inmates, showing their preference for don’t have anyone sending me money also find categories of suggested books lawyers, thereby violating the attorney- donated books over the small prison to do so...Below is my information...I and other information. client privilege. Smart Communications, libraries that have neither the range nor would truly love to keep correspondence which recently received a $4 million type of books requested by inmates. A with you if you are willing....please write contract to scan and digitally forward late return of a library book can also lead back.” Jo Tavener is a member of the New- inmate mail, notes on its website that to punishment. Prisoners in restrictive People collective with concentration Clearly many prisoners need the “converting inmate postal mail to housing have no access to such libraries. donated books; they also need the human electronic media allows for a searchable on the relationship between culture Soon after the policies were announced, connection created by their interaction database of all inmate mail and opens a and political economy. Jodi Lincoln wrote to inmates, expressing with organizations that supported and whole new field of intelligence” for law her dismay. Calling the policies cared for them. enforcement agencies. Some wonder if “extremely dehumanizing and a violation the drug scare was little more than a It is still not entirely clear why such of prisoner rights,” Jodi wanted inmates cover to introduce more stringent, and policies were put in place. DOC advanced to know that Book ’Em, along with other perhaps unconstitutional, surveillance the notion that drug smuggling was donation programs, were fighting to get measures, removing the last of inmate

Page 5 BRAZIL IN THE GRIP OF FASCISM BY MICHAEL DROHAN The new president elect of Brazil is a man named Jair The new President elect of Brazil is a kind of Trump trast by the United States. If we describe a fascist as Bolsonaro, a frightening prospect for all who believe on steroids. Ample statements confirm his misog- one who is wedded to dictatorial authoritarian rule in democracy. In the first ballot for the Presidency yny, racism, homophobia, xenophobia and Islam- and seeks scapegoats such as immigrants, minorities, of Brazil on October 7 he received 46% of the votes ophobia. He has called people from Haiti and the poor workers and Muslims as the cause of society’s and in the runoff on October 28, 2018 he received Middle East the “scum of humanity.” He described ills, then Bolsonaro fits the bill. 56%, making him the new President of Brazil begin- a woman who opposed and criticized him as “too Brazil has not been known for being a country ning January 1, 2019. He is the candidate of a small ugly to care to rape.” On the economic front, he with fascist tendencies, so why the victory to the ultra-right party in Brazil called the Social Liberal favors the total privatization of all public assets such Presidency of a man who to all appearances seems Party (PSL) which has few representatives in the as airlines, railroads and infrastructure, with the a full-blown fascist? Some commentators, such as Brazilian Congress. He defeated the candidate of the consequent decreasing of regulation of corporations Glenn Greenwald, suggest that the Bolsonaro and Workers Party (PT), Fernando Haddad, who had and private enterprise. He despises welfare programs Trump phenomena are a result of the ineptitude of been the Mayor of Sao Paolo. to help poor and underprivileged sectors. Above all, the political elite in the US, Brazil and elsewhere. Bolsonaro’s ascendency to the Presidency of Brazil and this seems to set him apart from Donald Trump, These elites are inattentive to the plight of the great is an amazing story. He succeeds Michel Temer, he has a great detestation of communism/socialism majority of their populations. Why did 56% of the who essentially came to power by a series of coups and the threat that it supposedly presents to the Brazilian voting population vote for a character such in which the former President, Dilma Rouseff, of Brazilian society and economy. He was a member as Bolsonaro? Only about 7% of Brazilians are what the Workers Party of Brazil, was ousted. The Work- of the Brazilian military from 1977 to 1998, some we might call affluent, so Bolsonaro got elected from ers Party (PT) had come to power in Brazil in 2002 of the years of the the military’s reign of terror in the votes of disaffected women, blacks, indigenous after a few decades of organizing at the grassroots Brazil. The years of the Brazilian military dictator- and other minorities. Their vote was saying “A pox level with an agenda of progressive reform in Brazil. ship went from 1964 to 1985. They imprisoned and on both your houses!” to the traditional parties, I have fond memories of visiting a city in the State tortured millions of Brazilians, including the former including PT, but the voters did not understand the of Rio de Janeiro named Angra dos Reis in 1991-- President Dilma Rouseff. Bolsonaro’s comment full malevolence of the ogre to whom they were the leadership of the city had been taken over by a on the military reign of terror is that they were too giving power. Similarly in the US, Trump was not dentist with a platform of universal health care and lenient:“they should have killed the protestors and elected by the powerful corporate tycoons although free education. Their organizing and democratic opponents” he asserts. He is absolutely against all they cheered his election. He was elected by a large guidelines would be the envy of any democracy. women’s rights such as abortion, contraception and swathe of the so-called middle classes, searching for The leader of the Workers Party at that time, Luis equality with men. a scapegoat for their perceived lack of wellbeing. Ignacio Lula de Silva, a man of humble and poor Taken together with the victory of Trump in the Bolsonaro provided them scapegoats-- immigrants, origins, was elected to the Presidency of Brazil in United States and the Conservative Brexiteers in minorities, welfare recipients, and Muslims. In the 2002 and brought a level of economic and social Britain, the coming to power of Bolsonaro in Brazil US, many people are pushing back against Trump. justice to Brazil that it had never seen before. He was is extremely dangerous. Bolsonaro looks to be even Will Brazil do the same to Bolsonaro? succeeded by Dilma Rouseff, who had fought the more extreme than Trump in his unabashed hateful Brazilian military dictatorship in the 1970s. A series views although his xenophobic outlook is made less Member of the Editorial Collective and the Board of of trumped up charges of corruption and a corrupt dangerous by the relative lack of influence and con- TMC. judiciary ended with her impeachment in 2014. trol that Brazil exerts on the rest of the world by con-

JOHN BOLTON AND THE “TROIKA OF TYRANNY” CONT’D BY MICHAEL DROHAN try which has in no way injured or of the world where the better off help the high principles that guided the around the world. This is the bo- attacked the US is an act of war, war the poor and the needy. Not that Cuba Sandanista movement have largely geyman he uses to frighten people. by economic strangulation. is a rich country. Largely because of evaporated and been undermined by In practice, what socialism in these Bolton has been explicit in his reasons the total economic embargo imposed corrupt bureaucrats but US enmity countries means is increasing equality for targeting the countries of Cuba, by the US on Cuba, it is barely surviv- remains. and providing universal healthcare Venezuela and Nicaragua. In the case ing. But that does not prevent it from Venezuela is a more tragic exam- and free education. In Bolton’s book of Cuba, he accuses it of sending helping the worse off. The rhetoric ple of a revolution upended. Hugo these policies are crimes. Bolton’s medical personnel to Venezuela. In that Bolton uses is that Cuba is sup- Chavez came to power in that country worldview is perhaps best described fact, Cuba has supplied doctors to posedly exporting “terror” to coun- through a democratic transition in in the statement he made in 1994 tens of poor countries throughout tries such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, 1999 without any guerilla or civil war. on the United Nations: “There is no the world dating back to the 1960s. Haiti and a host of others. He instituted massive social programs United Nations. There is an interna- It is one of the most extraordinary Nicaragua and Venezuela are very dif- to uplift the poor and redistribute tional community that occasionally acts of solidarity with poor countries, ferent from Cuba, but what they have wealth. He spoke vehemently against can be led by the only real power left unparalleled by any other nation. In in common is that they overthrew a US influence and interference in his in the world, and that’s the United addition, Cuba has opened a medical very corrupt ruling class which was country. The wealthy elite in Vene- States, when it suits our interests and University to train doctors from all supported by the US, especially with zuela, however, never accepted these when we can get others to go along.” over the poorer parts of the world military assistance. In the case of progressive reforms and have largely This is the person who is defining US called Escuela Latino Americano de Nicaragua, the Sandanistas overthrew succeeded in undermining Chavez’s foreign policy today for the Trump Medicina (ELAM). This University the dictator Anastasio Somoza on July successor, Nicolas Maduro. US of- regime. His guiding maxim is all for has also trained hundreds of medical 17, 1979. The US opposed the new ficial policy has been to undermine ourselves and to hell with others. doctors from the minority and poorer regime and organized a war against and destroy the Chavez Revolution What a specter. communities in the US. I attended the them by arming and funding a group by economic embargoes and other graduation of many of these young that became known as the “Contras”. means. Michael Drohan is a member of the professionals several years ago in Ha- For their efforts at liberation from John Bolton demonizes these three Editorial Collective and of the Board vana. What John Bolton finds repug- tyranny, the US has never forgiven countries with the accusation of being of the Thomas Merton Center. nant is solidarity between the nations the Nicaraguan Sandanistas. Today ‘socialist’ and spreading socialism

Page 6 A PITTSBURGH-AREA RESOURCE AND THE WOMAN LEADING IT: AN INTERVIEW WITH MILA SANINA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLICSOURCE BY JOYCE ROTHERMEL Do you care about facts and find it hard to know when assignment editor at CNN International, then I became be? Do we, as a city, have a unified vision for urban the media is presenting the truth? Well, you are very a desk assistant at PBS NewsHour and shortly after design, transportation and economic opportunities fortunate if you know about and are a current subscriber came back to Pittsburgh where I joined the Pittsburgh that Pittsburgh would like to sustain and maybe to PublicSource, the Pittsburgh-investigative reporting Post-Gazette. I was there for 5 years. My last job at the attract? These are difficult questions. We have a lot of website. PG deputy managing editor. stakeholders and somehow as a city and, specifically, we as journalists need to do a better job in informing I recently had the privilege of witnessing the award Question: When did PublicSource begin? people how development is happening, what models presentation by the Johnston Leadership Institute at Mila: PublicSource began in 2011 as a program have been working elsewhere. the Graduate School for Public and International Affairs of Pittsburgh Filmmakers. It was defined as at the University of Pittsburgh for an Emerging Leader Infrastructure and climate change: I know these are an investigative news organization to provide to Mila Sanina, the Executive Director of PublicSource. two but these are interlinked, just think about seismic Pennsylvania citizens with in-depth information. At Both her story and her work inspire. She agreed to an shifts that are happening in this country right now... the end of 2015, PublicSource became an independent interview for The New People. fires, floods, hurricanes.... nonprofit. I joined PublicSource in 2016 and together Question: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. with my supportive board, at the time a small but Question: What are your plans for the growth of mighty team, we refocused our mission and expanded PublicSource in terms of readership? Mila: I came to Pittsburgh in 2008 to pursue a our programming. In this short period of time, we master’s degree at the Graduate School of Public and Mila:We hope to reach more people and become a tripled our audience.There are now hundreds of people International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. destination for serious local reporting and analysis in supporting PublicSource with donations and our team I had a few jobs outside of Pittsburgh, lived in the Pittsburgh region. We are also hoping to become includes ten people who work hard, who have an Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Ga., and then settled a financially sustainable newsroom that is 100 % incredible drive, and keep meaningful local journalism in Pittsburgh. community supported. Trust should be the number one alive here in the Pittsburgh region. priority in journalism, and membership is a great way Question: What is your background in journalism? We are lucky to be working in a community that has to sustain trust. It’s important to differentiate between It’s to my grandmother that I, in a way, owe my passion a lot of media outlets, some of which still manage to subscription and membership. Subscribers pay money for journalism. She never finished high school, but she produce good work under dwindling resources, so we to get a product (i.e. access to a website or getting a loved reading and was phenomenal at Morse code. She have a luxury of not duplicating stories but rather paper for example). Members join our (journalistic) interpreted and transcribed messages coming from doing the type of journalism that is unique. When cause. Good content is still the key, with experienced the battlefields of World War II. She wasn’t really a you read PublicSource, hopefully you see the value and hard-working journalists who cover stories that reporter, but she knew the value of knowledge and of it and the direct impact on your life. We focus on no one else touches. with passion, context and rigor so information and she instilled that in me. I was born in local journalism that drives change, sometimes makes they make you care. PublicSource always welcomes the Soviet Union, in the time of Gorbachev,known as people uncomfortable and invites them to understand contribution from readers, stories, their tips, their “perestroika.” Many great writers lived in the Soviet their neighbors better. We approach local journalism expertise. Union back then, but not many journalists survived as a public service. Please tell our readers how they can subscribe to in the world built on propaganda. After the collapse Question: What do you believe are the three main issues PublicSource. of the Soviet Union, a lot of things have changed. In facing the Pittsburgh community? the independent country of Kazakhstan, my home, just We are an online only publication, although we have being a journalist remains a dangerous profession. It is Mila: Education is number one. It’s a question about more than a dozen print partners across Pennsylvania remarkable that there are still people with courage who how we, as a community, ensure that we are preparing who are welcome to republish our content. The best way continue doing good work, they know what’s important our kids for the future that will be hotter, more complex to follow our work is to sign up for our newsletter at - it’s facts, not what you think about them. and more diverse. We write about how we are supporting https://www.publicsource.org/newsletter-signup/ and parents, especially mothers in making sure they have develop a habit of visiting our website at publicsource. I worked in Central Asia as a freelance journalist resources to realize their own potential and equip their org. We now publish a new story every day. If you for a short period of time, but the stakes of reporting kids, independent of their race or background. have a story to share, you should pitch it to us. If you were way too high there, so I decided to go into policy believe in local journalism and would like to support and that’s how I ended up at Pitt. While at Pitt, I co- Development: The how and why of economic PublicSource’s mission, now is the time to do it. founded a graduate student journal and my passion for development is definitely the biggest issue we have writing, editing, discovering through interviews and been grappling with as a community and it will be a learning somehow refused to be stifled. I ended up, first, hot topic for many years to come. This big question Joyce Rothermel is on the Advisory Board of the interning and then, freelancing as an international is what kind of a community does Pittsburgh want to Johnson Leadership Institute.

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Page 7 THE TREE OF LIFE TRAGEDY AND ITS CONTOURS BY MICHAEL DROHAN On Saturday October 27 a great tragedy were under attack in Czarist Russia, One of the ironies of this situation is Miller, who is the advisor of President took place in Pittsburgh when a gunman and it helped to resettle many Jewish that the people who are attempting to Trump on many of his hateful policies entered the Tree of Life Synagogue and refugees in the United States. emigrate are all from countries where the in regard to immigrants. Nathaniel’s massacred 11 religious worshippers with US has intervened for several decades, uncle is Dr. David Glosser, a retired The massacre in Squirrel Hill did not an AR-15 rifle. It was the greatest act of upending attempts at democracy, civil neuropsychologist, who now lives in take place in a vacuum so to speak. It anti-Semitism to occur in all US history. rights and a more equitable distribution Philadelphia. capped a week in which many hated- A great shroud of sadness envelopes our of wealth and income. Most of them filled acts of violence and threats of Dr Glosser has gone on record on the entire community as our hearts go out are coming from Honduras, where the violence took place. On Wednesday Tree of Life killings, stating, “Mr. to the families of those slain, to all the US helped to overthrow a progressive of the same week as the Tree of Life Trump has made it his policy to vilify members of the Tree of Life synagogue, democratic President, Manuel Zelaya, in shooting a white man in Kentucky shot and dehumanize Hispanics, Muslims, and to all the Jewish community in 2009, replacing him with a conservative two African Americans in a grocery and nonwhites, calling them subhuman Pittsburgh and all over the country. At neoliberal who has further advanced store after he had attempted to enter animals that are infesting our country the Merton Center we join the throngs of inequality, violence and repression. and shoot up an African-American like so many insects or rats. Make mourners and grievers, especially given Guatemalan and Salvadoran refugees Church. On Friday, the day prior to the no mistake about it: This is the same the long history of connection between constitute the other participants in the Pittsburgh attack, a man named Cesar kind of propaganda that is identical to the Center and the Jewish community. caravan, both countries having suffered Sayoc, an apparently hate-filled Trump the racist rants at Nazi Party rallies from decades of US intervention on The man who committed this heinous supporter; was arrested in Florida and in Germany in the 1930s. Now Trump behalf of United Fruit Company and crime, Robert Bowers from Brentwood, accused of mailing bombs to George spews the same poisonous messages to other US interests. The message is: gave us some insight into what Soros, a Jewish philanthropist and his supporters and claims innocence we destroy your country, but it is up to motivated him to commit this crime. entrepreneur, former President Obama, when this inflammatory vitriol is sprayed you to pick up the pieces as we declare Just before entering the Synagogue the Clintons, CNN, Senators Kamala over society. He claims innocence now innocence of any crime. he put a message up on the internet Harris and Corey Booker (both African- that this political gasoline catches fire platform called “Gab,” a site visited by Americans) and Tom Steyer, who has It would appear that Robert Bowers and people get hurt and killed.” Dr. white nationalists and neo-Nazis. On been trying to organize the impeachment drank the Kool-Aid of President Glosser decries the complicity of his this site he wrote “HIAS likes to bring of President Trump. Trump’s xenophobia and took action. nephew Stephen Miller in being the invaders in who kill our people. I can’t Trump’s rhetoric of disparagement and architect of many of the hateful policies The bigger context of the Tree of Life sit by and let my people be slaughtered. belittlement of the poor of the earth of Mr. Trump. The irony here is that massacre is the hysteria built around Screw your optics; I’m going in”. As he struggling to survive has consequences the Glossers, Stephen Miller’s family, the caravan of several thousands of opened fire in the Synagogue, Bowers and the fruit of this is the tragedy of The escaped as refugees from Antopol, poor, oppressed and impoverished is reported to have said “All Jews must Tree of Life Synagogue. Belarus in the early 1900s, as refugees Central Americans who are marching die.” from Czarist anti-Semitism and cruelty. towards the US. President Trump has There is an interesting connection HIAS is an acronym for Hebrew labeled these unfortunate human beings between the Merton Center and the Immigrant Aid Society, an organization as invaders, criminals and rapists. He tragedy of The Tree of Life. A man Michael Drohan is a member of the which has worked with poor immigrants claims that they are infiltrated with named Nathaniel Glosser, a member Editorial Collective and the Board of to the US from all backgrounds. It was dangerous Muslims from the Middle of the Center, recently and tragically the Merton Center. formed in the early 1880s when Jews East. deceased, was a cousin of Stephen

BY NEIL COSGROVE am only for myself, who am IF NOT NOW, WHEN? ‘I’? If not now, when?” The anti-Semitism made manifest in drew hundreds of participants. (See “We are asked to check our Pittsburgh on October 27th was, like accompanying photo.) Jewish values at the door all hate crimes, a denial of both the “We … recognize that Jewish trauma when it comes to Palestine,” humanity and the uniqueness of each is regularly used as justification for says Ms. Mason. “As a person under attack, a reduction of each the Occupation. But the Occupation result, young Jews have individual to some twisted perception is not making us safer. Demolishing been pushed out of our own of that person’s religion, or ethnicity, Palestinian homes and shooting heritage.” Like all great or national origin, or some other protestors in Gaza is not making us moral teaching, however, “threatening” identity marker. safer. We need to … confront the real Hillel’s packs a powerfully IfNotNow is a national movement purveyors of anti-Semitism in the U.S.— universal punch. When a of young American Jews seeking to white nationalists and the politicians Gentile asked Hillel if he counter the hateful tendencies found who have brought their beliefs back into could explain the Torah militarized policing practices to the within their own religious communities the mainstream,” says Ms. Mason. to him while he stood on one foot , the city’s police force. In addition to these and directed toward the Palestinians. teacher offered this formulation of the ongoing activities, the Pittsburgh IfNotNow members are troubled by IfNotNow regards the long-term “golden rule.” “What is hateful to you, do “hive” plans to offer “trainings about Jewish organizations that have failed occupation of Palestinian lands by the not do to your fellow. This is the whole anti-Semitism and white nationalism” to criticize Trump’s encouragement state of Israel as a “moral disaster” for Torah; the rest is the explanation; go during the coming year. of white nationalism because of the Jews everywhere; the movement first and learn.” President’s support of “Israeli militant IfNotNow now reports it has over 1,800 gained a clear identity during the 2014 segregation,” Ms. Mason adds. “This is IfNotNow seeks to provide “a deep members nationwide, and chapters in Gaza War. Across the country IfNotNow an unacceptable political partnership need for community and ritual” that 13 American cities, plus Toronto. Its “hives” have been forming, including and it’s dangerous for American Jews Ms. Mason says many young Jews are web site (ifnotnowmovement.org) is one in Pittsburgh about a year-and-a- and for people of color, Muslims, and not finding in “our institutions.” The quite informative and its local chapter half ago. (IfNotNow adheres to a theory other marginalized groups. Ultimately Pittsburgh “hive” organizes “regular can be contacted via Facebook or e-mail of organizing social movements through our safety lies in solidarity.” Shabbat dinners to build community ([email protected]). “swarms,” Pittsburgh “hive” member and educate our growing hive about Moriah Ella Mason tells us, “based on Just as Merton Center members are the Occupation and ways we can take flexibility and decentralization.”) still motivated to struggle for peace and Neil Cosgrove is a member of The action. We’ve held protests and actions social justice by the writings of Thomas Three days after the Tree of Life in opposition to speakers and events NewPeople editorial collective and Merton, IfNotNow members are guided shootings, IfNotNow helped organize that support the occupation.” the Merton Center board. by the moral and religious teachings a Jewish ritual of mourning, a teach- of Hillel the Elder, a rabbi who lived The local movement has also joined in about anti-Semitism, and a protest during the last century before the the Pittsburgh Coalition to End the against President Trump’s visit to Common Era. The movement’s name Deadly Exchange, a campaign seeking the city at the corner of Darlington derives from Hillel’s three questions: “If to halt exchanges with units of the and Murray in Squirrel Hill that I am not for myself, who am I? But if I Israeli military designed to introduce

Page 8 COLLEGIATE FOOD INSECURITY BY ELISA OGOT

When most people think of food by the University of California found formation of the Basic Needs Committee website says that “All members of the insecurity, their minds may conjure up that across the system, almost half of at Berkeley, visited Pittsburgh and was Pitt community are welcome to use the images of either younger children who undergraduate students and a quarter of the keynote speaker at the University pantry.” rely on school food programs or older graduate students were food insecure,” of Pittsburgh’s Collegiate Basic Needs As someone who recently graduated individuals living in shelters or relying reports Sara Harrison of KALW in San Dialogue. During the conference, from college and had financial assistance on the SNAP program to be fed. Francisco. To add some perspective, workshops included student panels only when it came to paying my tuition, consider that “in-state tuition at the and action clusters, each focused on A 2018 survey conducted by researchers there have definitely been some times UCs has tripled since 1998.” Combine specific aspects of basic needs security, at Temple University and the Wisconsin when I didn’t feel like I had enough that fact with rising housing costs including Collegiate Food Pantries, Food HOPE Lab indicated that 36 percent money to pay for food as well as my across California, and it begins to make Insecurity and Food Rescue/Recovery on of college students say they are food other living expenses. If I had learned a lot more sense why it’s getting harder Campus, Collegiate Housing Insecurity, insecure. While the assumption often about the Pitt Pantry while I still and harder for low-income students to Attacking Financial Wellness, and is that the majority of college students attended the University of Pittsburgh, afford all that they need. Mental and Emotional Health. have meal plans at their colleges or I think that knowing their services universities, there are a great many So how to combat this problem? “In These conversations represent plans were accessible to me would have eased students who are supporting themselves 2014, the University of California that institutions of higher education my financial burden, and I could have and can’t afford meal plans as well as started the Basic Needs Committee. The in Pittsburgh are making to help their focused on other things like schoolwork tuition, lodging, and textbooks. Committee works with students to help students meet basic needs, so they can or extracurricular activities, instead of them figure out solutions to housing, focus on doing well in school. Both the where my next meal was coming from. Unfortunately, the renowned California mental health, and food security. If a University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie university system has become student is coming to the pantry every Mellon University now house food something of a poster child for collegiate month, the Basic Needs Committee pantries on their respective campuses. Elisa Ogot is a NewPeople fellow. food insecurity: “Over 100 thousand will reach out to see if they need extra CMU’s pantry specifically lists that it of students in the UC system … are support,” writes Harrison of efforts at is a resource for undergraduate and considered food insecure - meaning UC Berkeley. graduate students only, while Pitt’s they can’t afford nutritious food or description of whom has access to its have to skip meals. A 2016 survey In 2017, Ruben Canedo, who lead the pantry services are a bit broader--their

FIGHTING FOR 15 AT PITT BY ISABELLE OUYONG The cost of being a student increases current wage is excessive. The cost of per semester for board, since there’s no residents to take part in the national year by year, but student wages haven’t living in Pittsburgh does fall short of kitchen. Off campus, South Oakland dialogue to raise wages. As one of the kept up with expenses at the University $15--that is, without the invisible costs. buildings are often run-down, with largest employers in Pittsburgh, and as of Pittsburgh. Workers across the According to the MIT (Massachusetts unmonitored damage. an institution of higher learning, the nation have pressured institutions Institute of Technology)Living Wage University of Pittsburgh should be a Instead of building overpriced housing, (the Democratic National Committee), Calculator, at least $10.32/hr is enough leader in social responsibility. Since PA Pitt could expand accessibility by governments (the city of Seattle) and to support yourself, given you have a law prevents the city from legislating a providing childcare, extended tutoring corporations (Amazon) to prioritize year-round full time job. However, the wage higher than the state minimum, hours, free parking, and viable on- a living wage of $15 an hour. Now, number doesn’t account for student- individual institutions must make the campus employment opportunities. The the pressure is on the University of specific costs, like textbooks or saving first move. There are precedents, too: University is investing little money Pittsburgh to follow suit. up for inevitable loan payments. This year, in line with his consistent in rebuilding the community or local support of $15/hr, Mayor Bill Peduto Currently, student and campus workers Additionally, a higher wage is essential economy, and a lot into what amounts signed an executive order to raise city are struggling to get by on $7.25/hr. to accessibility for nontraditional to… glossy, expensive advertising worker wages to that amount by 2021. At that rate, a student would have to students. The US Department of material. The 50-Year Campus Master Even UPMC agreed to raise wages to work at least 48 hours a week, every Education defines a nontraditional Plan replaces a community vegetable $15 by 2021, after extensive pressure week, just to pay for in-state tuition. student as one affected by one or more garden with “residential” proposals. and a one-day strike. Moreover, campus work is capped at of circumstances such as financial Last year, the University quietly opened 20 hours per week during the academic independence from parents, having a However, by 2021, $15 may not suffice a volunteer food pantry on campus to year. Low wages force students to take dependent, being a single caregiver, anymore. Community advocacy address food insecurity, although it is out loans, and only exacerbate the or being employed full time. Studies groups like Hospital Workers United, hosted by the Bellefield Presbyterian looming issue of student debt. When show that approximately 74 percent Pittsburgh United, and the fast food Church, rather than an on-campus the country’s total estimated student of undergrads can consequently be workers of Fight for $15 have been entity. After objecting to Oakland’s debt amounts to about $1.4 trillion, how considered “nontraditional.” pushing change for years. Through status as a food desert, and a lack of can students be expected to foot the bill petitions and campaigns, student Part-time employment paying $7.25/ affordable produce, students led a protest while making $7.25/hr? For students groups like USAS (United Students hr is simply not workable for student that successfully urged the University who need more than a poorly paid part- Against Sweatshops) Local #31 and PA parents, for example. In fact, for an to transparently communicate the time job, working additional off-campus Student Power Network have also been adult with a single dependent, the cost timeline of a grocery store project, jobs is the only option. working for increased wages. It is time of living rises drastically to $22.32. It which was also prompted by student for the University of Pittsburgh to step As the most essential component of our is essential that we make educational demand following the closing of an up. University, students should not need opportunities accessible to student IGA and a 7-11. The movement to raise to scrape by on low wages. Instead of parents and other nontraditional wages to $15 isn’t just a way of putting worrying about making enough money students. money back into the pockets of students Isabelle Ouyong is a NewPeople for rent or food, higher wages would and local businesses; this initiative is Additionally, the University’s exorbitant fellow, a student at the University of allow students to spend more time just one part of creating a much larger housing options add an additional Pittsburgh, and a member of USAS on academic work, on enriching their power shift that acknowledges student burden to families paying for college. community and on leading meaningful realities. #31. On paper, the newest on-campus dorm, personal lives. Nordenberg, costs about $600 a month. The University has a moral obligation Some might argue that doubling the Tack on a couple of thousand dollars to both students and the surrounding

Page 9 THE PLOT TO CONTROL THE WORLD BY MIKE STOUT When it comes to hypocrisy, The elected President Hugo Chavez and death squads to enforce US military and National Security was one of the only countries in the dictatorial rule in these Establishments know no bounds. And world to recognize the short-lived coup countries. That is, the once again, USW labor and human government despite its disbanding of the US made these countries rights lawyer and author, Dan Kovalik, Supreme Court and National Assembly unlivable through its has come out with another important and its tearing up of the Venezuelan interventionist policies work to call them out on it. His newest Constitution and now threatens those book, The Plot to Control the World, his who are fleeing from the Contrary to the US’s self-proclaimed third book in as many years, pulls no disastrous conditions role as protector of democracy and punches in reviewing and dissecting the which the US created for freedom around the world, the US has US Government’s history since World them. invariably intervened in these countries War II interfering covertly and overtly to subvert and even destroy democracy For those attempting in the elections and affairs of numerous and to impose harsh, right-wing to both understand and countries around the globe, including dictatorships. They are supporting 73 educate others about Italy, Greece, Russia, Iran, Guatemala, percent of the world’s dictatorships. In the destructive US role Brazil, Honduras, Cuba, Vietnam, the case of Brazil, for example, The Plot around the world, The Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ukraine and details the US’s role in overthrowing a Plot to Control the World dozens of others. With the precision democratically-elected President in 1964 is an important read. of a medical doctor on the operating and in installing a military dictatorship Dan’s book is scholarly, table, he not only details these decades- which ruled Brazil with an iron hand but written from a deeply long interventions, but gives a cogent until 1985. Jair Bolsonaro, the just personal perspective analysis of what’s behind all the saber- elected President of Brazil, whom Bolton and easy to understand. rattling with Russia, Iran and a number openly praises, has made it clear that With heartfelt passion, of others. he views the military coup of 1964 as he exposes the deep- A case in point: The US press reported a good thing and that he views torture, seated history and recently, that US National Security which the military dictatorship carried roots of the American Adviser John Bolton has announced his out systematically, as a “legitimate capitalist ‘exceptionalist’ support for Brazil’s far-right president- practice.” . ideology and belief in elect Jair Bolsonaro in the battle against our own superiority over If there is a force for tyranny in Latin at least start asking questions, then I what Bolton has termed the “troika of others as the source and justification for America, it is not the “troika” that Bolton have done my job.” tyranny” in Latin America – namely, this continuing interference, plundering points to, but it is the US itself which Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. The resulting in disasterous human Folks can pick up the book at any Barnes has worked with calculated and cruel irony and bald-faced hypocrisy of such consequences. As Dan explained in his & Noble, on Amazon or they can order it resolve to prevent democratic rule in the a statement will not be lost upon the concluding chapter, if we are to find a from indiebound.org region. And, as President Trump sends reader. As The Plot details, the US different, more positive way to interact thousands of troops to the US/Mexican intervened in Cuba and Nicaragua with the world, we must first understand border to confront the migrant caravan to ensure rule by right-wing despots, and learn about what we have already Mike Stout is an Anti-war activist, from Central America, The Plot reminds and has never stopped intervening done and continue to do. We, the people, Labor and environmental organizer, us how the US undermined democratic in these countries in retaliation for must force our government to find a way singer-songwriter governments in the countries from which their overthrowing these despots. In that does not seek to control, dominate, these migrants are fleeing (Honduras Venezuela, the US supported the destabilize and destroy. He ends the and Guatemala) and how the US went 2002 coup against democratically- book with, “If I have inspired people to so far as to create and support brutal

NOT STRONGER THAN HATE BY YAZMIN BENNETT-KELLY

We live in a world where if people love, look, and/or pray differently they are treated The truth is, Pittsburgh is not a livable city for many. However, now that a mass differently. While it may seem that our country is becoming more divided, I argue shooting has occurred in this city, we act as if we are stronger than hate. Honestly, that it has been divided. However, now we have the media to display it. Currently, Pittsburgh and the entire United States is a representation of hate. the reality is that anyone who is not white, male, and Christian, may struggle When people discuss the incident of a mass shooting, they speak of the shooter as if significantly more than one who is. they were an individual. However, it’s not one man who kills two African-Americans Two African-American individuals were killed while shopping in a Kentucky in a grocery store just because he felt he had the right to do so. It was not just one grocery store. This same shooter attempted to enter a predominantly black church man who attempted to break into a predominantly black church. It was not just one as well. However, the doors were locked so he could not enter. That same church is man who was responsible for the 16th Street Church bombing. It is time to examine now permitting members to carry firearms. A few days later, on October 27th, 11 our culture, and the ways in which we socialize men, specifically white men. What individuals’ lives were taken at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. does happen is the terrorists who commit these acts are humanized and portrayed to be troubled, mentally ill men. The most recent mass shooters have looked the Unfortunately, the list continues to grow. In the United States there have been same and have had similar views. These acts of violence are the results of seeds nearly as many mass shootings as there have been days in 2018. People cannot be that have been planted in our society. black in peace, as black people are constantly profiled and brutalized by the police. People cannot be gay in peace, as they also face discrimination. People cannot be What can be done in order for us to be stronger than hate? What can be done non-white in peace as non-whiteness deems one as less than. People cannot be to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, sexism, and all other forms of Jewish in peace. People cannot be Muslim in peace. While such prejudice is nothing oppression that harm others? I am personally starting to feel hopeless. We have new, the city of Pittsburgh has suddenly adopted the slogan “Pittsburgh: Stronger been having these hard conversations. We have discussed the multiple forms of than Hate.” This phrase represents unity and support for the victims, their families, oppression. These topics are being discussed on multiple platforms. I wish I had and the entire Jewish community affected by this senseless act of violence. the answers but, unfortunately, I have the hurt and pain. I hurt for each and every victim who has been harmed as a result of hate. My only hope is that things do Unfortunately, the slogan is also untrue. Pittsburgh is not stronger than hate. The change. United States is not stronger than hate. According to The Global Livability Index 2018, Pittsburgh is the 2nd most livable city, but for whom? The confederate flags, People deserve to live regardless of their race, class, gender, or religion. racial disparities in education, gentrification, and police brutality tell a different story. Jazmin Bennett-Kelly is a NewPeople Fellow.

Page 10 CLIMATE ACTIVISTS LEARNING FROM THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENTBY MARIANNE NOVY Since at least the early 1980s, anti-war On October 11, 2016, the month before However, in Minnesota things went other jury cases, at least in Minnesota. activists, such as the Merton Center’s the Des Moines team began their differently. Johnston was charged with And the case also restricted the meaning own Molly Rush and Sister Megan Rice, actions, protestors sometimes known as felony damage to “critical public service of “damage.” who visited Pittsburgh last summer, the Valve Turners shut off valves on four facilities” plus other charges that might And the necessity defense had already have tried to use the necessity defense- other pipelines, Keystone XL in North lead to decades in prison. Klapstein been successfully used, early in 2018, in -when vandalizing nuclear warheads, Dakota, Trans Mountain in Washington was charged with aiding and abetting. a non-jury trial before Judge Mary Ann they were damaging property to prevent State, and Enbridge in Montana and But Clearwater County district judge Driscoll, when 14 activists, including a greater harm. Usually they did not get Minnesota. These pipelines were to Robert Tiffany granted them a necessity former Pittsburgh resident Tim a chance to make this case during their bring oil from the tar sands deposits in defense. This defense had never DeChristopher, disrupted construction trial. Alberta. Making petroleum products previously been put before before a of a high-pressure gas pipeline being from this kind of oil releases more jury in a climate case. Their legal team More recently, environmental protesters built through the Boston suburb of West global-warming emissions than most lined up climate change science experts have been making the same argument. Roxbury. other sources, so this concern added James Hansen, Bill McKibben, Anthony Most of the time the courts have rejected to the problems with potential water Ingraffea, and eight others to testify. it, but with a few exceptions. contamination and routing through Jury questioning identified only a In July 2017, Jessica Reznicek and sacred Native American lands. In Sources: few potential jurors who cared about Ruby Montoya, who then lived in the Minnesota, Emily Johnston and climate change, and at least one of Amy Goodman, “Valve Turners on Tri- Des Moines Philip Berrigan Catholic Annette Klapstein made a safety call to them was cut by the prosecutor. Many al: Judge Acquits three Climate Activ- Worker House, announced during Enbridge, explaining their actions and had jobs dependent on the pipeline, ists who Shut Down Tar Sands Pipe- a press conference that since the providing warning so Enbridge could or spouses with such jobs. However, lines, “ Democracy Now, 10.10.2018. preceding November’s elections they shut down the pipeline remotely, which the day the trial began, October 8, the had been burning construction and they did. Similar calls occurred at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Dean Kuipers, “Pipeline Vandals are electrical equipment and cutting valves other location. Change issued its report saying that Rewriting Climate Activism,” Wired, in order to delay construction of the All the Valve Turners were charged. Ken limiting carbon emissions soon is more 11.09.2018, Dakota Access Pipeline. They spoke of Ward, in Washington, was not allowed urgent than expected. The legal team the influence of the Catholic Worker and Michelle Nijhuis, “The Valve Turners,” to use a necessity defense. His first trial had plans to show how Clearwater Plowshares tradition of antiwar protest resulted in a hung jury. At the second, County itself would be negatively New York Times Magazine, 2.18. 2018, and cited the dangers to health and he was convicted of burglary with one impacted by global warming. 42-48. violations of religious principles they juror describing him as a hero. The judge were combatting; the pipeline’s route But this evidence was not presented. Michael J. O’Loughlin, “Pipeline Pro- sentenced him to two days in prison and transporting oil from North Dakota to The judge acquitted the Valve Turners testers cite Catholic Worker movement 30 days of community service. Michael Illinois trespasses on land sacred to on all counts. The only physical evidence Foster, in North Dakota, was also not as inspiration,” America, 8.4.2017 Native Americans and is dangerously of damage the prosecutor could present allowed to make a necessity defense. He near water sources that leaks could was one “cut chain,” which the judge was sentenced to three years in prison, pollute. They publicized the pipeline’s decided hardly meets the standard of Marianne Novy is a long-time mem- two of them suspended and served on dangers through other talks, but after “damage to critical infrastructure.” ber of the Merton Center and now a supervised probation. His colleague Sam the FBI raided the Catholic Worker member of the new Pittsburgh branch Jessup was given a two-year suspended An educational opportunity was lost. House and the Iowa senate legislated sentence. Leonard Higgins, in Montana, But a legal precedent was gained. The of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power a 25-year penalty for sabotage, the two was convicted of felony criminal Minnesota Appeals Court support of and LIght, an interfaith organization women dropped out of public sight and mischief and misdemeanor trespass Tiffany’s decision to allow the necessity active against climate change. have not yet been charged. and sentenced to $3755 restitution and defense means that it can be used in three years in prison, deferred.

IS CLIMATE CHANGE A LOST CAUSE? BY ISABELLE OUYANG As Pittsburgh gets chillier, the global temperature is First, let’s recognize that extraction industries profit to divest institutional money from fossil fuels are set to rise. So apparent are the looming consequences from a dialogue of collective powerlessness. Just 100 taking sizeable chunks of money away from the of climate change that even the Trump administration companies are responsible for 71 percent of global industry—7.19 trillion as of this year. Communities on admitted the fact in an environmental impact carbon emissions. Yet, environmental burdens are the frontlines of climate change, who have already been statement released in August, as part of President levied on individual consumers to drive eco-friendly hit by environmental damage, are working to protect Trump’s decision to rollback emission regulations. cars or go zero-waste. Cutting your carbon footprint our planet. Indigenous activists are mobilizing to form With current emissions levels, the prospects are is by no means pointless. But, the narrative reduces groups, like the L’Eau Est La Vie resistance camp in gloomy. In the next century, the planet is slated to be an individual’s power to that of a consumer, rather Louisiana, to protest the last stretch of the Dakota four degrees Celsius (seven in Fahrenheit) warmer than that of a citizen. It tells you that your power is Access Pipeline. Early this year, one of the first Flint than pre-industrial levels. That is, unless nations restricted to your lifestyle, rather than in politics or Michigan activists won a Goldman Environmental make drastic energy reforms. corporate accountability. Prize, along with five other international human- rights and environmental activists. In Pittsburgh, Here’s the catch: the report uses this fact as a reason Extraction industries quietly make off with large around 100 people rallied for This is Zero Hour, a to produce more emissions. That’s right. Trump profits, without suffering consequences or limitations. diverse youth-led national day of action. Protesters as proposes to freeze fuel efficiency standards for car But extraction industries aren’t the only profiting young as 12 took the mic. manufacturers, contingent on the argument that party. In 2018, Republican congress members an additional eight billion additional tons of carbon accepted over $18 million in contributions from the oil Those combating the status-quo of apathy and futility dioxide is just a drop in the bucket amidst already and gas sector. Meanwhile, the Democratic National are doing so by joining forces with the people around high emission outputs-- that climate destruction is Committee reversed a unanimous resolution to ban them. According to an American Psychological already a lost cause. campaign contributions from fossil fuel corporations Association statement about climate anxiety, even after a mere two months, in order to accept money just using public transportation increases “community How do we stay hopeful when the national dialogue from employers (i.e. corporations) and PACs in the cohesion,” and reduces symptoms of depression and about climate change is nihilistic? sector. stress. Talking to your neighbors or community Even climate advocates are faced with disheartening members who care as much as you do is a way to make If the conservative administration’s analysis gets one apocalyptic scenarios that feed into individual your voices collectively louder. It’s also a way to feel thing right, it’s that higher fuel efficiency standards powerlessness: sea levels rising, intensified less alone when the national dialogue wants you to aren’t going to solve our climate crisis alone. But, droughts and heat waves, worsening hurricanes and feel this is an individual battle. neither is skewing the facts to support the corporate natural disasters. The terms “climate anxiety” and interests of automakers. The administration’s refusal So, if you’re feeling powerless and fearful of the future, “environmental grief” appear in publications ranging to acknowledge its role in collective efforts against reach out to those around you, whether that means from Scientific American to Vogue Magazine. Along climate change is strategic. It allows for corporations looking for existing efforts, getting involved in local with worsening mental health, climate change is and the politicians that advocate for them to distance advocacy groups, or bringing up shared concerns. You even linked to increased community hostility and accountability. can’t fight climate change alone, and you don’t have to. aggression. How do we retain our resilience, even when time, stress and even the presidential administration If you’re searching for hope, look to people-minded are working against us? people, and not profit-minded people. Movements Isabelle Ouyang is a NewPeople Fellow.

Page 11 HOUSING SUMMIT CONFRONTS MARKET FAILURES BY NEIL COSGROVE If participants in the Pittsburgh Housing earns less than homeowners, have not housing conditions for low-income representation for those threatened Summit were certain of anything by the risen at all.” and working class Americans, local, with eviction. The Furthering Fair Summit’s conclusion on November 10th, state, and local governments have Housing Task Force is recommending The human toll is staggering. While the it was that America’s market-based been AWOL far too often. Laws allow “robust mandatory inclusionary zoning,” legion of homeless populating the streets approach to providing its citizens with human relations commissions to punish through which developers are required in coastal cities such as San Francisco shelter would never meet the goal set landlords who discriminate against to include a percentage of affordable and New York are the most visible by the UN’s Universal Declaration of protected classes, but landlords who housing as part of their development. portraits of misery, the impact on low- Human Rights that everyone deserved gouge tenants wallowing in substandard income citizens of our region can be more But, as City Council member Deb Gross housing “adequate for the health and housing can escape legal action if they subtly devastating. Maps presented by pointed out, 45 units here and another well-being” of individuals and their are inflicting their greed and neglect on Anne Wright of the CMU CREATE Lab 40 units there will barely dent the need families. everybody. Paul O’Hanlon, Chair of the illustrated how whole neighborhoods for over 17,000 units. Community Land Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing “An entirely privatized system like we with high rates of corporate and large Trusts must obtain and make available Task Force, complained that the have does not meet the basic human investor housing ownership also contain a significant amount of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County Health Department’s right of housing,” sociologist Gianpaolo the highest rates of evictions and existing housing stock. The Urban main tool for going after landlords of sub- Baiocchi asserted. “We have to make Section 8 federal housing vouchers and, Redevelopment Authority must standard housing is “rent withholding,” demands that are unreasonable, consequently, higher rates of families become more responsive to the need in which the County holds the paid because the reasonable is not working.” making frequent moves, with the stress for affordable housing as a vital part rent “while people continue to live in Jackie Smith, one of the summit’s and uncertainty those moves produce of regional economic growth. Baiocchi horrendous conditions, the landlord organizers, kept reminding participants in both adults and children. Low- called for non-market alternatives such makes a few repairs and then gets all throughout the day that demands that income families are being forced out of as “limited equity cooperatives,” in his rent back, and the tenants receive seem unreasonable to those profiting Pittsburgh and into inner-ring suburbs which a building is partially collectively nothing for their trouble.” from the current housing market are with lower cost housing, and sometimes owned and partially individually entirely reasonable to those who are into more distant locations that feature Budgets for federal housing support are owned, for “mutual aid cooperatives” being victimized by it. long trips on public transit to get to currently shrinking. Wright pointed out featuring “sweat equity” and for “tenant much needed work. that only 30% of applicants for Section syndicates.” The evidence detailing that victimization 8 rent vouchers are successful, and a is overwhelming. According to Baiocchi, Landlords do what a market system In the meantime, for those activists who tenant complained that the minimum 20 million households in the US are expects them to do, which is to seek wish to get more deeply involved, the monthly rent required of low-income spending more than half their income profit through increased rents and, too Pittsburgh Regional Tenant Union is tenants has risen during the Trump on housing. Pittsburgh has a shortage often, neglect of maintenance. Renters seeking new members and the Landless administration from $25 to $150. of more than 17,000 affordable housing do what a market system expects them People’s Alliance is planning for what is units, with affordability generally to do, which is to work a job. The result Given the abject failure of the “market hoped to be a massive Housing March defined as carrying rents or mortgages is not adequate housing for all, but model” to supply adequate housing on April 21, 2019. The Alliance is also of no more than 30% of the household’s ever-increasing rents, sometimes sub- for an ever-growing segment of the looking for March Planning Committee income. An analysis by Public Source standard housing, stagnant incomes, citizenry, one obvious need is for public members. shows how increases in Pittsburgh’s displacement, and cascading hardships, officials who both recognize the scope of median monthly rents easily out- culminating at times in the loss of any that failure and the need for a vigorous stripped the inflation rate over a recent shelter whatsoever. governmental response. Participants Neil Cosgrove is a member of the 14-year period, while “the incomes of called for greatly expanded voucher NewPeople editorial collective and During an era of steadily worsening renters, a population that typically systems, rent-controls, and free legal the Merton Center board.

ARCHCITY DEFENDERS (CONT’D) BY NEIL COSGROVE Both Strode and Voss told dinner attendees about newly graduated lawyers, volunteering to legally individual clients they’d had, including one given a assist the homeless of St. Louis, the organization $500 ticket because her neighbor had left the lid of a has grown to 22 full-time staff, consisting of lawyers, garbage can ajar. Such cases are “not unique,” said paralegals, and other support positions. Their basic Voss, “but everyday life for thousands of poor people mission of providing “holistic legal advocacy” has across the country.” led ACD to partner with the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, providing its “The most radical commitment that we make,” students with “practicum semesters,” and Strode added Strode, “is to listen to what our clients say said the organization hopes to have some in-house and to believe them” because those clients are often social workers in future. “made to suffer irreparably for the most ridiculous charges.” ArchCity is also seeking to expand their geographic footprint into Illinois and other areas of Tiffany Sizemore, who welcomed the event’s Missouri, while also “making linkages” with other attendees, said her experiences as a public defender organizations in the Midwest, a region Strode said in Washington, DC and a clinical law professor at is “really underserved.” Duquesne University demonstrated that the cases Left to Right: Darnika Reed, Michael John Voss, Rob Conroy, Blake Strode, on which ArchCity works are not unique to the St. For Strode and Voss, at the present moment, Krystle Knight and Gabriel McMorland. Photo by Steve Capri Louis area. “When you represent black and brown the St. Louis city budget is indicative of a people,” said Sizemore, “you can’t take anything for destructive, counter-productive mindset, with 63% granted. … Judges don’t make your case for you, of expenditures going to “public safety” and an as they will at times for prosecutors, landlords, and “outsized, bloated police force,” while less than one the like.” percent is spent on human services. In his speech to dinner attendees St. Louis native Strode reviewed Jules Lobel, a professor at Pitt Law School, explained his city’s racist past and warned that “a loss of a why he thought the last two Merton Award winners sense of history, or rather a denialism of history, is have been legal organizations advocating for the an incredibly dangerous thing,” a phenomenon that rights of minorities and the downtrodden. “We is at the core of this country’s inability to engage are in an era when law, justice, and democracy in the systemic reform. Meanwhile, ArchCity are under attack, said Lobel. “The issues of racial Defenders keeps fighting that system, one case, one and social justice are at the forefront.” The 2017 class-action suit, one campaign at a time. and 2018 awards, he added, are a recognition that integrating religious, social, peace, and legal activism is now necessary. Neil Cosgrove is a member of the NewPeople ed- Since ArchCity Defenders was founded by three itorial collective and the Merton Center board.

(Photo: Our Water Campaign) Page 12 Lewis is a fascinating storyteller. His The National Oceanic and Atmospheric ‘THE FIFTH RISK’ BY MICHAEL LEWIS material is based on lengthy interviews Administration (NOAA) has data on BY MOLLY RUSH with top agency officials. climate and weather going back to records kept by Thomas Jefferson. Tweets, lies, furious outbursts, bragging: inspectors. It provides low interest loans The USDA (US Department of daily fodder for the news coverage that to solar energy companies to encourage Agriculture) prepared elaborate briefings Without that data, no plane would fly, obscures the real story: the long-term investment in alternative energy and for its new head, former PepsiCo lobbyist no bridge be built, no war be fought. “If damage to government departments and energy efficiency. And so much more. Joel Leftwich. Three weeks later he you don’t believe in climate change, you programs. Regarding Perry, a staffer told Lewis, turned up for an hour. After a three-weeks at least want to understand the climate,” “He’s never been briefed on a program, Michael Lewis’s The Fifth Risk vividly delay, he spent only an hour in his office. said a Bush official. Yet DJ Patil, a data not a single one.” recounts the terrifying story of how willful Top staff included a former truck driver, specialist in the Obama Administration, ‘ignorance of the workings of government’ “His sporadic communications” writes a meter reader, and a former Republican “watched with wonder as critical are undoing the best and most necessary Lewis, “have in them the sense of a shell- National Committee intern. Required data disappeared across the federal programs that keep us going as a nation. shocked grandmother trying to preside skills for receiving staff jobs included “a government,” writes Lewis. over a pleasant family Thanksgiving pleasant demeanor.” It began with the transition team, a Data from EPA, Interior, the Consumer dinner while pretending that her blind necessity required by law for any new The USDA manages the school lunch Financial Protection Bureau, FEMA, FBI drunk husband isn’t standing naked on administration. Trump saw no need program and other programs to alleviate crime reports, and much more vanished the dining room table waving a carving for one. He finally agreed that Chris hunger, 70% of the agency’s budget. No from websites. Patil and others created knife over his head.” Christie raise funds needed to pay staff one showed up for the briefing on hunger exit memos that show that “this stuff to investigate and find candidates to Lewis outlines DOE’s five major risks, the programs. “They don’t seem to be focused pays for itself a thousand times over.” on nutrition.“ lead and operate the agencies. He raised scariest being ‘ProjectManagement.’ The Throughout the 219 pages of The Fifth millions for this purpose. 5th Risk is that society falls into the habit USDA’s labs changed the way we live. Risk, I found out how little I knew about of responding to long term risks with Furious Trump roared, “Shut it down! Whereas the average farmer in 1872 fed just what good this so-called sprawling short-term solutions. ”It’s the existential F--k the law. I don’t give a f--k about the four, 255 are fed today. Meat safety is bureaucracy does and how little respect threat that you never imagine.” One law. I want my f--king money.” another priority. it gets. example: losing track of a nuclear bomb. “Chris, you and I are so smart that we can Chief scientist Cathie Woteki was replaced The task is now up to us to and our Then there’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research leave the victory party two hours early by Trump campaign co-chair Sam Clovis, representatives, backed up by media, to Projects Agency--Energy), which provides and do the transition ourselves.” a former right-wing talk show host. One fight to repair the damage by a reckless, $70 billion in loans to researchers with of Woteki’s focuses was converting plants incredibly ignorant administration. Months later a number of posts were “scientifically plausible wild ideas that into FUEL, in response to climate change, still vacant, including FEMA (Federal might change the world. Pound for pound, “which will force changes in the way crops Emergency Management Agency and the dollar for dollar...it’s hard to find a more are grown.” Now that innovative voice is Molly Rush is a member of the New- Centers for Disease Control. effective thing government has done than gone. People editorial collective and a ARPA-E.” Fred Smith, founder of FedEx, co-founder of the Thomas Merton Finally, Rick Perry was named to the Then there is the Department Of Bill Gates and Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott Center. Department of Energy (DOE). He had agree. Yet Trump’s first budget eliminated Commerce. It is responsible for the census. once called for its elimination. Not many ARPA-E as well as all research on climate New Secretary Wilbur Ross, a 74-year-old know that it is responsible for guarding change and cut in half work to secure billionaire, met once with his predecessor, and tracking the nuclear arsenal, keeping the electrical grid from attack or natural Penny Pritzker. “He came by himself...it bombs out of the hands of terrorists. DOE disaster. was pretty clear he had no idea what he trains all the international nuclear energy was getting into.” THE NEW SANCTUARY MOVEMENT AND OTHERS HELP IMMIGRANTS BY MARIANNE NOVY With the increased threats of deportation more targets for deportation, and if their bus passes and Aldi gift cards or get help One new Pittsburgh organization has beginning in 2006, the Sanctuary deportation has been deferred, what used with outright cash or through Paypal. received national publicity for its different Movement, active in the 1980s, has to be a routine check-in with ICE now puts approach: Hello Neighbor, started and Sixth Presbyterian, East Liberty mobilized again as the New Sanctuary people at risk of being suddenly removed led by Sloane Davidson. Hello Neighbor Presbyterian, Pittsburgh Mennonite Movement. ___who? Name?___, the from their homes and families. matches immigrant families who have Church, St. Andrew’s Lutheran, and director of New Sanctuary Pittsburgh been in the US between six months to five There are now over 1100 sanctuary Allegheny Unitarian Universalist are recently updated information about years and have at least one child under congregations in the US. They began in the Pittsburgh churches where the activities in Pittsburgh. She emphasized 18 with partner families who will invite large cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, most people have been involved so far. that the people the New Sanctuary them for meals and get to know them New York, and Chicago, but are now Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is Movement supports largely have no and their needs. Sometimes they can found also in states such as North holding a program called Allies in Faith legal path to citizenship at present. Even find families with similar age children or Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia, to help other congregations prepare to aid if they have been persecuted in their similar job interests. Needs may include even in rural and suburban spaces. To immigrants; it began November 28th. home country, when they cross the US help with paperwork, acquisition of skills be a sanctuary congregation does not border, they may be classified as asylum- If people gain the legal status of asylee, in English conversation, advice about mean that undocumented immigrants seekers but not as refugees. (“Refugee” a long path still remains toward getting shopping for food, and involvement in are actually living in the church; the is a designation given to specific people a green card and then citizenship, and less focused activities that give a sense of sanctuary movement includes many other from specific countries at specific times; perhaps a longer one towards actually community support and friendship. Hello ways to help. it must be granted through a long and making friends with American citizens Neighbor usually introduces two groups complicated legal process before people New Sanctuary Pittsburgh has formed and feeling confident about everyday life in of 20 families to each other at the same come to the US.) Asylum seekers may teams and collectives to provide the US. Many local organizations provide time so that a parish or neighborhood can live here for years. During this time they childcare, translation, conversational various kinds of help towards people in be invested in this effort as a community cannot legally hold a job or drive a car English classes, access to medical help, this transitional period. Among others, and hold large potlucks and other events, until they receive a work permit. This transportation (to jobs, school, shopping, these organizations include Community which will also involve people who have “asylum gap” was usually as short as doctor), work on legislative action, legal Assistance and Refugee Resettlement at not received specific matches. 90 days but now is increasingly at least accompaniment and help, and, their the Northern Area Multiservice Center; a year. These people may be granted main work, housing (expensive if the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of work permits while their case proceeds family needs to go to a hotel or Airbnb). Pittsburgh; Acculturation for Justice, Marianne Novy is a member of the through the court system, and if they Undocumented immigrants cannot access Access and Peace Outreach; Immigrant Episcopal Church of the Redeemer are granted asylum, they have a path to health insurance, and there is only one Services and Connections; Lutheran and the chair of the Social Justice and citizenship, which begins with Lawful known place that will treat them without Immigrant and Refugee Services; and the Outreach Committee of the Episcopal Permanent Resident (green card) status. cost. They could use donations such as Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. Diocese of Pittsburgh. Undocumented immigrants are more and

Page 13 WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY HERE? BY Elisa Ogot Leading up to the 2016 Presidential his recorded gloating about commit- larger part of my life and the president find in there. I’m scared that I’m going Election, the advice many people gave ting sexual assault; his complete lack that many of them voted for is taking to get frustrated and upset and not to Liberals who come from conser- of governing experience; I could go our country down a dark, law-ignor- be able to conduct myself in the way vative families or have close relation- on and on…I truly didn’t understand ing, and embarrassing path. Every day I want to. I’m scared that if I have a ships with conservatives was to talk how they could vote for a man like his decisions are negatively impacting meltdown that it will negatively color to them on a personal level and try to that. I still don’t! women, immigrants, people of col- their perception of ALL Black people. sway their votes away from Donald In the almost two years since the 2016 or, and the LGBTQ community--the I’m scared that I will hear something Trump. That strategy either wasn’t election, the country has become minority groups who have already that I can never un-hear and I won’t followed or didn’t work out the way even more divisive. On social media suffered for centuries under the for- be able to bring myself to return to many had hoped because, as we all and in the print and television me- ty-four other male presidents. I have a their home. know, the end result of that election dia, certain characteristics have been burgeoning personal relationship with It’s not fair that I have to think about was Donald Trump becoming our ascribed to those on either side of the a handful of conservatives, and ac- all of this, but alas, that is the reality 45th president. aisle: Conservatives claim liberals are cording to the “try and dissuade your of today’s world. For now, I think that Now, as a Black woman living in weak and want our country to fail. conservative pals” brigade, shouldn’t conversation will remain untouched; America, it’s not much of a surprise Liberals claim conservatives are evil, I be having conversations with them maybe as I get to know them more, I that not many people who identify as dumb, racist, and are doing away with about our current political climate? will feel comfortable enough to make conservative are in my close personal democracy. Shouldn’t I be pushing them to vote the first move. Acknowledging I’m for Democratic candidates who sup- circles. So, the “try and dissuade your It’s hard to shake those negative not comfortable enough yet makes Conservative pals!” strategy was never port the issues important to people me feel like a coward...and I hate that. stereotypes about Trump-supporting like me in upcoming elections? one that I could employ. Both my par- conservatives. So when faced with the However, as of this moment, “a cow- ents are immigrants from Kenya and chance to meet my boyfriend’s family, Historically, Black women (cis, trans, ard” is all I feel secure enough to be. at election time were not eligible to I was very nervous. What would they and queer women) have been at the vote. However, in 2018, my situation think of me? I’m a liberal, Black wom- forefront of American political and Elisa Ogot is a NewPeople Fellow has changed a bit… an and unapologetically so. Would social change, and as a result, we feel In 2018 Elisa has a boyfriend! A they offend me? Would we be able to an intense pressure to shoulder the white boyfriend. He is very smart, talk about anything?? burden of doing the work to make America a better place for everyone. kind-hearted, and most important- Fortunately, his family was very ly, open and willing to learn about But girl, it’s EXHAUSTING. And it’s welcoming. We’ve been together for unfair! Why should we have to be all kinds of issues. Politically, he is a significant time now, so I interact liberal-leaning and supported Hillary on the front lines fighting for people with his family on a semi-regular when barely anyone is fighting for us? Clinton in 2016. About half of his basis. Every time I come over they are immediate family, however, voted the On the flip side though, if we give in incredibly kind to me, cook for me, to apathy and decide to only look out other way. When I learned this news, include me, and make sure I am as I was understandably shocked. For me for ourselves, who else will step up comfortable as possible in their home. and do the work? and many people who look like me We actually get along! (According to exit polls, 89% of Black Ultimately, I want to talk to my boy- people voted for Clinton) the choice So, the question has become: What is friend’s family about politics, but I’m for president was a no-brainer--Don- my responsibility in this situation? My scared. I’m scared to open up a polit- ald Trump’s frequent racist remarks, boyfriend’s family is an increasingly ical Pandora’s Box and not like what I

Page 14 MORE EVENTS

IN IT FOR THE LONG TERM BY Bette McDevitt If you stop in or call the Merton Center on a Friday morning, you’ll meet or speak with Lois Goldstein, a long time member and volunteer. Lois came to Pittsburgh in 1983, from Bellaire, Ohio, with her husband George, who had accepted the position of director of the doctors group of the Miners’ Clinic, in the New Kensington area. Through the people associated with the Min- ers’ Clinic, Dan and Anita Fine, Julian and Rhoda Eligator, Lois and George found the progressive peace community in Pittsburgh. Lois got involved in the planning for “In Concert for Peace,” a response to the Cold War being waged by our government, and the USSR. Andre Previn, and most members of the Pittsburgh Symphony donated their time for the performance, along with Andre Watts as pianist. The event raised enough money for Peace Links to open an office at the YWCA. Lois became the staff person for Peace Links, staying with that job for twelve years. Peace Links, an influential organization at the time, was started by Betty Bumpers, wife of US Senator Dale Bumpers, and the Pennsylvania Peace Links was begun by Teresa Heinz and Joan Specter, wives of our US Senators at the time. Their main concern was finding peaceful alternatives to nuclear war, and they did extensive outreach to China and the USSR. As Betty Bumper said, “Peace is too important a subject to leave to men, even if they are are husbands.” The women came to realize that, as Gandhi said, peace must begin with children, and their work turned to early childhood education, working with providers and academics, resulting in a book “Starting Young:Supporting Parents for Peaceful LIfestyles, Peace Link’s mission widened to include women’s rights and equitable develop- ment worldwide. Peace Links was recognized as an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations, and a delegation from Pennsylvania Peace Links attended the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China on September 4-15, 1995. The national office in Washington DC closed in the summer of 2001, with subsequent disbandment of the Pennsylvania chapter in 2007. Lois found time to be an active member of the Merton Center and served on the board for a decade.. She recalls Art McDonald being a staff person at the time, and On TV EVERY THURSDAY at 9pm DEC/JAN that he brought a “light touch” to the often serious matters facing the Center. One of those “matters” she remembers, was when Michael Drohan, a member and “BILL McKIBBEN - 350.ORG” (REPEAT 11/4/13) at the time Director of Duquesne University’s Institute of World Concerns, pro- COMCAST CHANNEL 21 or VERIZON FIOS 47 tested the University inviting Ambassador Robert Duemling, a State Department PROGRESSIVE PGH NOTEBOOK TV SERIES official who oversaw aid to the Contras, our government’s ploy to overthrow the elected government of Nicaragua.The University went ahead with the invitation, Carlana Rhoten: Community Producer and Michael resigned his position on the day that Duemling came to speak. Mem- [email protected] bers of the Center pulled together an appropriate protest during Duemling’s pre- sentation, carrying crosses, each one representing someone who had been killed by 412.363.7472 the Contras. Rich Fishkin: Videographer/Editor Lois and George, who passed on in 1996, raised two sons, who carry on the fam- YouTube: richfishpgh ily tradition of involvement in issues of peace and justice. Her son Don, a retired professor at Allegheny College, is active in the Fair Districts, the movement for redistricting reform, and Carl, who lives in Minneapolis works with his wife in a non-profit called Marnita’s Table, which brings people together, focused on equali- ty and inclusiveness. Lois has seen some changes at the Merton Center “Primarily, “ she said,’ with the involvement of young people, We didn’t have interns in the past. The staff is younger, and parameters of the program have broadened to include equity and gender issues, The Center’s intentional outreach to be more inclusive has shown results.” The presence, she said, of the young people, gives her hope.

Bette McDevitt is a member of the NewPeople editorial collective.

Page 15 REGULAR MEETINGS Sundays: Book’Em: Books to Prisoners Project DECEMBER 2018 and JANUARY First three Sundays of the month at TMC, 4-6pm Contact: [email protected]

2019 EVENTS CALENDAR Mondays: SW Healthcare 4 All PA /PUSH Meeting 3rd Monday, 6:30 —8 pm Squirrel Hill Library Saturday, Dec. 15 - Fight for Lifers West, 10:00 AM at the Thomas Merton Cen- Contact: [email protected] ter Annex, 5119 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh Association of Pittsburgh Priests 2nd Monday, 7—9 pm, St. Pamphilus Parish 1000 Tropical Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Sunday, Dec. 16 - Book’em, 4:00 PM at the Thomas Merton Center Annex, 5119 Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILP) Penn Ave, Pittsburgh 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM Thomas Merton Center, 5129 Penn Ave Amnesty International #39 Monday, Dec. 17 - Monthly PUSH Meeting, 6:30 PM at the Carnegie Library of 2nd Wednesday, 7—9 pm Pittsburgh - Squirrel Hill, 5801 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh First Unitarian Church, Morewood Ave. 15213

Tuesdays: Wednesday, Jan. 2 - Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Green Party (PADP,) 7:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church. For more information call 412-384- First Tuesday of the month at Panera, Blvd of the Allies, Oakland, 7pm 4310 Wednesdays: Darfur Coalition Meeting Saturday, Jan. 5, 19 - Fight for Lifers West, 10:00 AM at the Thomas Merton 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Center Annex, 5119 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh Meeting Room C Carnegie Library, Squirrel Hill 412-784-0256 Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (PADP) 1st Wednesdays, 7-8pm, First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth & Morewood Avenues, Sunday, Jan. 6, 13, 20 - Book’em, 4:00 PM at the Thomas Merton Center Annex, Shadyside 5119 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh Pittsburghers for Public Transit 2nd Wednesday, 7pm, 1 Smithfield St., lower level

Sunday, Jan. 13 - Women in Black Monthly Peace Vigil in Slippery Rock, 10:00 Thursdays: AM at Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation. International Socialist Organization EveryWednesday, 7:30-9:30 pm. Contact [email protected] for location. Global Pittsburgh Happy Hour Monday, Jan. 14 - Amnesty International #39 Monthly Meeting, 7:00pm-9:00pm 1st Thursday, 5:30 to 8 pm, Roland’s Seafood Grill, 1904 Penn Ave, Strip District Green Party Meeting to First Unitarian Church, Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh 1st Thursday, 7 to 9 pm, 2121 Murray, 2nd floor, Squirrel Hill Black Political Empowerment Project Monday, Jan. 21 - Monthly PUSH Meeting, 6:30 PM at the Carnegie Library of 2nd Thursday, 6 pm: Planning Council Meeting, Hill House, Conference Room B Pittsburgh - Squirrel Hill, 5801 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh Fridays: Unblurred Gallery Crawl 1st Friday after 6 pm, Penn Avenue Arts District, 4800-5500 Penn Ave., Friendship and Garfield 15224 Hill District Consensus Group 2nd Thursday, 6pm - 8pm, Hill House Conference Room 2 People of Prisoners in Need of Support 3rd Friday, 7:00pm New Hope Methodist Church, 114 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh 15212

The Thomas Merton Center works to build a consciousness of values and to raise the moral Saturdays: questions involved in the issues of war, poverty, racism, classism, economic justice, oppression and environmental justice. Project to End Human Trafficking 2nd Sat., Carlow University, Antonian Room #502 Fight for Lifers West TMC engages people of diverse philosophies and faiths who find common ground in the nonviolent 1st & 3rd Saturday, 1 pm, TMC Annex struggle to bring about a more peaceful and just world. Anti-War and Anti-Drone Warfare Coalition 4rd Saturday at 11:00 am at TMC, 5129 Penn Ave., Garfield, PA 15224

BECOME A MEMBER Subscribe to The NewPeople by becoming a member of ____$100 Family Membership Please complete and return to TMC. Thank you! the Thomas Merton Center today! ____$500+ Cornerstone Sustainer Membership Name(s): As a member, The NewPeople newspaper will be ____Donation $______Organization (if any): mailed to your home or sent to your email account. You will also receive weekly e-blasts focusing on peace ____ Monthly Donation– Become a TMC Peacemaker Address: and justice events in Pittsburgh, and special invitations $______City:______State:_____Zip Code:______to membership activities. Now is the time to stand for Home Phone:______peace and justice! Or Become an Organizational Member: Mobile Phone:______Join online at www.thomasmertoncenter.org/join-do- ____$75 Organization (below 25 members) Email:______nate or fill out this form, cut out, and mail in. ____$125 Organization (above 25 members) Select your membership level: ____ I would like to receive the weekly activist Eblast Mail to TMC, 5129 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224 ____$15 Low Income Membership _____ I would like to receive The NewPeople newspaper Call 412-361-3022 for more information, or visit: ____$15 Youth / Student Membership mailed to my house www.thomasmertoncenter.org ____$25 Introductory / Lapsed Membership _____ I would like to receive The NewPeople newspaper ____$50 Individual Membership via email

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