This showing was one of our best. We had over 35 people and a very good discussion at the end. Moore's analysis of Capitalism is really where the Occupy Movement started. The "crime scene" tape that he wraps around Wall Street shows the way for a new generation of protesters. He asks at the end of the movie where everybody is. We still have a long way to go, but the resistance he calls for is now in the streets.

Dutchess Peace was a cosponsor of this film, along with Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie. Lillian Rosengarten, a member of the Jewish Boat to Gaza, read one of her poems at the end.

About 35 people attended, almost all new people. They loved the film and several mentioned buying the film for their churches.

Why We Fight: free film screening

Why We Fight: free film screening

Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 pm 

Crafted Kup 

44 Raymond Ave

Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Eugene Jarecki's documentary "Why We Fight" takes its name from a series of propaganda films made by Frank Capra during World War II. It begins with a conservative president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, warning the nation about "the military-industrial complex," a self-perpetuating war machine that burrows into the capitalist fabric of the country, independent of political parties and unaccountable at the polls. Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. (98 minutes)

The screening will be followed by an audience discussion. This is part of the "Give Peace a Film" series and there is no admission charge, although a collection will be taken for Occupy Poughkeepsie.

Sponsored by: Dutchess Peace Coalition <www.dutchesspeace.org>

Contact: 845 452-4013

We had about 30 people for this eye-opening film about America's empire. Every high school student in the country should watch this documentary. It explains how militarism and unrestrained capitalism combines to produce endless wars abroad and corporate tyranny at home. One of the best films we have shown this spring for Occupy Poughkeepsie.

Counter recruiting at the HS.

Three of us handed out flyers at the Poughkeepsie HS as students left the building for the day.

School gets out at 2:45, and by 3:00 it is all over. But in that short time we passed out about 100 of our counter-recruiting flyers and about 100 of the folded poster explaining why the military is a bad deal. Almost everyone takes the flyer, especially when told that we are trying to convince them not to join the military. Students, as always, were very friendly.

We are now completely out of materials, and probably should order more. We have the money, if people think we should continue doing this. There is also the possibility of going into the schools when a recruiter is there. Maybe we should stress alternatives to the military for students without money for college.

After last month, we were afraid that our space at the Crafted Kup would be too small. But this showing of "The Corporation" was just about perfect in size, 30 people. This is a shot again before the movie started.

CVS
722 Dutchess Turnpike (opposite the Adam's Store)
Poughkeepsie

Background:

-We contacted the CVS store manager by letter and then I talked to her by phone.

-She repeated that store managers cannot dictate what is sold at their stores, but agreed to contact her district manager about the sale of Dead Sea products by CVS.

-I said that we would do a boycott action at the beginning of February. Dutchess Peace decided on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Here is why we think that CVS should stop carrying these products:

The word Ahava may mean love, but Ahava cosmetics represent anything but.  They’re manufactured in Israel's illegal* West Bank settlement of Mitzepe Shalem and made with minerals literally stolen from the Palestinian people. Selling products produced in illegal settlements helps finance the destruction of hope for a just and peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

CVS should stop selling Ahava, as well as other products made in Israel's illegal settlements. These include L'Oreal's Natural Sea Beauty, Dead Sea Salt Foot Soak, and Swisa Beauty Esensuals. Ask this CVS store manager to contact corporate headquarters about these products. Or make a call yourself to 401 765-1500 (request Customer Relations). You can make a difference in bringing peace to the Middle East.

* Under international law, it is illegal for an occupying power (like the Israeli government) to move its citizens onto the land it is occupying and to exploit for profit that land’s natural resources.

Fred

Packed crowd at the Crafted Kup...

A packed house watched The People Speak, a movie inspired by the work of Howard Zinn. Amazing that we fit about 45 people in this small space. There were no complaints either, even when we had to change films at the last minute due to a defective DVD.

We also collected over $100 for Occupy Poughkeepsie.

This picture was taken about 15 minutes before the film started when we ran a brief slide show about Dutchess Peace.