THIS IS A CUT-N-PASTE from the Tools of War Newsletter.
PEACE ALL: Let Fabel & I first and foremost express our condolences to everyone who is suffering as a result of Hurricane Katrina. We have compiled a list of organizations that our activist friends have recommended and encourage everyone to do what they can to help the relief effort. One suggestion, for artists who receive a lot of free clothes from companies: take them to one of the drop off locations or send them directly to an address below. Please keep us posted as to any benefits that are being organized but please be sure to state what organization will be benefiting, along with the typical info that is listed for submitting events to the newsletter (see Submitting/Borrowing). Thanks to everyone who shared this useful information with us! Peace & blessings, Fabel & Christie
Examples of Items Needed: Food: Non-perishables, canned goods, water, baby formula, dry animal food, etc. Clothing: New socks and new underwear, baby clothes, next to new footwear, any clothing that is in good condition, etc. House Supplies: Flash lights, batteries, candles (the ones in tall glass preferred), matches, sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, plastic utensils, towels, air mattress, garbage bags, etc. Medical/Health: First aid kits, medicine for elderly, Vitamins, disinfectant wipes, etc. Toiletries: Diapers, feminine products, toothbrushes, deodorant, insect repellant, etc. Courtesy of Marinieves Alba (International Hip Hop Exchange) and Elisha Maria Miranda (Chica Luna).
DROP OFF LOCATIONS IN MANHATTAN: 1. Chica Luna Productions 1690 Lexington Ave., 2nd fl. (Corner of 106th) New York, NY 10029. Tel. 212-410-3544. Drop-off Hours M-F: 10 am - 6 pm. www.chicaluna.com. elishamiranda@chicaluna.com. (no spam please)! 2. Caribbean Cultural Center 408 West 58th Street (bet. 9th & 10th Ave.) New York, NY 10019 Tel. 212-307-7420 Drop-off Hours M-F: 10 am-6 pm. Courtesy of Marinieves Alba (IHX) and Elisha Maria Miranda (Chica Luna).
DROP OFF LOCATION IN BROOKLYN: Malcolm X Grassroots Movement [MXGM] 388 Atlantic Ave 3rd Floor (bet. Hoyt & Bond) Brooklyn, NY 11217. Tel. 718-254-8800. Drop-off Hours M-F: 10 am -7 pm. Sat & Sun: 12 pm - 4 pm. Monetary donations are also being accepted. Please make checks payable to MXGM. mxgmny@hotmail.com (no spam please). Courtesy of Marinieves Alba (IHX) and Elisha Maria Miranda (Chica Luna).
DROP OFF LOCATION IN THE BRONX: Sisters on the Rise 835 Dawson Street (bet. Intervale & Rev James A. Plight Ave.) Bronx, NY 10459. Tel. 718-991-6003. Drop-off Hours: M-Thu: 11 am - 6 pm. Courtesy of Marinieves Alba (IHX) and Elisha Maria Miranda (Chica Luna).
Additional Item list recommended by KEVIN POWELL: "PLEASE make sure clothing and shoes and sneakers are new OR clean and in good condition. Clothing for children and adults: shoes, socks and sneakers, Bottled water, Diapers, Baby wipes, Baby food, Baby and adult aspirin, Toilet paper, Sanitary napkins, Portable radios with batteries, Plastic forks, knives, and spoons, Cotton balls, Cotton swabs, Hydrogen peroxide BUT NOT rubbing alcohol, because that is flammable, Bandages, Shaving cream, Male AND female razors, Blankets, Air mattresses, Sheets, Pillows and pillow cases, Gift cards for gas, Wal mart gift cards, Garbage bags, Cleaning supplies, Soap, Toothpaste and toothbrushes, Flashlights, Batteries, Candles, Books for children, including coloring books, Books for adults, Magazines, etc. If you are placing donated items in a bag PLEASE LABEL. For example, Children's shoes or Adult shoes, or Children's clothes or Adult clothes.
SITES IN LOUISIANA & TEXAS TO MAIL NON-PERISHABLES TO RECOMMENDED BY KEVIN POWELL: You can mail or ship non perishable items to these following locations, which we have confirmed are REALLY delivering services to folks in need. 1. Center for LIFE Outreach Center 121 Saint Landry Street Lafayette, LA 70506 attn.: Minister Pamela Robinson. 337- 504-5374. OR 2. Mohammad Mosque 65 at 2600 Plank Road Baton Rouge, LA 70805 attn.: Minister Andrew Muhammad 225-923-1400 or 225-357-3079. OR 3. Lewis Temple CME Church 272 Medgar Evers Street Grambling, LA 71245. attn: Rev. Dr. Ricky Helton. 318-247-3793. OR 4. St. Luke Community United Methodist Church c/o Hurricane Katrina Victims 5710 East R.L. Thornton Freeway Dallas, TX 75223 atten.: Pastor Tom Waitschies. 214-821-2970. OR 5. S.H.A.P.E. Community Center 3815 Live Oak Houston, Texas 77004. attn.: Deloyd Parker. 713-521-0641.
ROSA CLEMENTE INSISTS: "Instead of giving money to the RED CROSS or FEMA, please, please give money to Black Folks, NAACP, Urban League, Black Churches, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, December 12th movement. These are just some of the organizations that are doing the work."
ALLISON (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop) RECOMMENDS: "I spent 2 years as the National Recruiter for ACORN. Our headquarters was located in New Orleans. And, since our members comprise low and moderate income families, we are devastated by the loss. ACORN chapters all over the country are mobilizing. Updates, witness accounts from our people, and truth-telling here: www.acorn.org.
THOMAS MARIADASON & ROSA CLEMENTE (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop) RECOMMEND: Grassroots/Low-income/People of Color-led Hurricane Katrina Relief: http:// www.sparkplugfoundation.org/katrinarelief.html
CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) RECOMMENDS: The newly-formed Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force (MHRTF) designed to offer information about the American Islamic community's efforts to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. MHRTF recently announced a pledge to raise $10 million in humanitarian relief. www.mhrtf.net. The news website lists Muslim charities in the task force engaged in Hurricane relief. Those charities include: www.icnarelief.org, www.irw.org, www.kind-hearts.org and www.lifeusa.org. Additional groups who agree to the task force's guidelines will be added as the relief efforts develop. MHRTF guidelines for collection and distribution of funds will focus on financial transparency and accountability as set forth in relevant government regulations and standards. Because of Islamic guidelines, no proselytizing of hurricane victims will be allowed by any member of the task force. www.cair-net.org
APRIL SILVER RECOMMENDS: www.BlackAmericaWeb.com. It will give you news on Hurricane Katrina and what the NAACP and Urban League plan to do in terms of supporting the Black folks who are hit the hardest by this tragedy. On this web-site, there is also a link that will take you to a page that lists orgs you can donate to. But start here: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/ site.aspx/ bawnews/katrina831. KEVIN POWELL adds: BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund PO Box 803209 Dallas, TX 75240 OR you can make an online donation by going to www.blackamericaweb.com/relief. This fund has been set up by nationally syndicated radio personality TOM JOYNER.
KEVIN POWELL RECOMMENDS: NAACP Disaster Relief Efforts The NAACP is setting up command centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as part of its disaster relief efforts. NAACP units across the nation have begun collecting resources that will be placed on trucks and sent directly into the disaster areas. Also, the NAACP has established a disaster relief fund to accept monetary donations to aid in the relief effort. Checks can be sent to the NAACP payable to: NAACP Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215. Donations can also be made online at www.naacp.org/disaster/contribute.php. FYI, the NAACP, founded in 1909, is America's oldest civil rights organization.
WENDY DAY RECOMMENDS: "As a result of the recent tragedy in the Gulf Coast area from Hurricane Katrina, I've chosen to sign my emails with information regarding David Banner's charity that is making tremendous headway in helping the displaced people from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Please help at www.HealTheHood.com."
ww.teamrescueone.com. Set up by native New Orleans rapper Master P and his wife Sonya Miller. Also recommended by KEVIN POWELL.
BILLY WIMSATT AKA UPSKI RECOMMENDS: https://secure.democracyinaction.org/dia/shop/indyvoter/ custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=80. Or send a check to: Memo Line: Shana’s New Orleans Advocacy Fund c/o League of Independent Voters 226 W. 135th St. 4th Fl New York, NY 10030. Contributions to the League of Independent Voters are NOT tax deductible.
We wholeheartedly and sincerely apologize for not being able to include everything that was sent regarding the relief efforts and events. It took 2 days to get this newsletter together and we wanted to be as thorough with info as possible. Please save this email to forward to others seeking info on charities and organizations. Thanks in advance for understanding. Fabel & Christie
+ + +
This just in from Kevin Powell who threw a very successful benefit in NYC this past week!
"This is Kevin Powell. I am moving from place to place very quickly. No real time to write or download all that is happening so quickly, but just wanted to share a few quick and random thoughts.
"I immediately flew to Louisiana after the New York City benefit on Thursday night, so I am mad tired but also mad appreciative of all the folks who came out and stayed into the wee hours on Friday. It was incredible and surreal, watching SO MANY PEOPLE show up with tons of donations, volunteering their time to load and sift through stuff on the spot, all the tears, all the giving, all that humanity in one place. And when we thought we would be STUCK with a half a block of donations with no place to put them (MANY people at the event called storage companies and trucking companies, to no avail), a young man who is a truck driver just happened to show up with his own items to donate (divine intervention, i would say) and offered his truck for this effort, to drive, himself, on the spot, if we covered gas, toll, and food. We raised nearly $2000 on the spot for him (THANK YOU to painter and writer Danny Simmons and actor Michael Rapport for putting us over the hump with donations at like 2AM), and he was ready to go after saying good bye to his girlfriend, who had accompanied him to the event. We planned on sending ONE tractor trailor to a relief and distribution center for Gulf Coast survivors in Mobile, Alabama, but wound up with two because of the sincere generosity of folks who came to the benefit, and because of that young man, the truck driver. The two tractor trailors full of stuff for the people should be in Mobile, Alabama, by now.
"I am in Baton Rouge, after touring New Orleans all day yesterday (yes, I got in, because of connections I have down here and because you never know unless you try). New Orleans looks like a war torn country. We talked with and interviewed, on camera, folks who refuse to leave (I hope they will be okay, as they looked defiant AND sad, hopeful AND hungry). Troops are everywhere, and in the very poorest Black communities, like the Bywater and 9th Ward, the flood waters are still there. Lots of dead bodies, too, and lots of stray animals, and the STENCH is as bad as folks say. Worst, really. It smells like DEATH in this city. We are filming everything and ultimately I am going to write something, long and meditative, for my next essay book. Digesting this right now is a lot. Heading to Houston later today to talk with survivors there. NOTHING IN LIFE can really prepare you for this sort of destruction and profound neglect of human life, to see it with your own eyes, beyond the television glare. Nothing.
"Lastly, more benefits are needed, yes, more truckloads of items, as I am being bombarded by folks all over Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, for help. As are others on the frontlines of this work. But we also have to begin to think ahead of the curve, about helping the survivors to heal and rebuild their lives, and we need to pay very close attention to what is going to happen to New Orleans, to those communities that have been displaced, and if there will be a place for the least fortunate victims when New Orleans is finally rebuilt. This is going to be a long process and people who care need to stay committed for the long haul.
"On my way to shelters in Baton Rouge and Houston. Blessings to you all" Kevin Powell
Regarding the fundraiser, John Kim of R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop noted "The organizers stated that the first 18 wheeler was generously provided for by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye and Common - if i got all the folk right - and shoutouts to R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop, The Millions More Movement, NAACP, Akila Worksongs and many others who made this night happen!!!"
+ + +
Alternative media outlets where you can get a more accurate and balanced presentation of the New Orleans catastrophe. Info courtesy of Kevin Powell. http://www.diversityinc.com. http://www.alternet.org. http://www.blackelectorate.com. http://www.npr.org. http://www.daveyd.com. http://www.slate.com. http://www.bet.com. http://www.allhiphop.com. http://www.democracynow.org. http:// www.blackamericaweb.com
+ + +
"WHEN DISASTER STRIKES BY MOTHER NATURE, ALL RACISM DISAPPEARS AT THAT TIME OF THE MOMENT AND ALL CALL ON WHATEVER NAME THEY CALL THE SUPREME FORCE FOR HELP AS WELL AS TO DO FOR SELF. IT'S NOT NICE TO FOOL WITH MOTHER NATURE." AFRIKA BAMBAATAA
"It's amazing that at a time when President Bush gave an order to release emergency reserve oil, that unscrupulous corporations have raised their prices to 6 bucks a gallon in neighboring states. Here in Cali the prices have jumped 20 cent a gallon and they aren't even connected to the oil rigs destroyed by Katrina. Yes poor people are looting in New Orleans and rich people are price gauaging. We're all messed up." DAVEY D (more info & coverage at www.DaveyD.com)
"Emergency relief is critical right now. AND it is not enough. We need to support advocacy and organizing around the crisis as well. As in all other crises, aid agencies are going to mismanage funds, politicians are going to cut deals, poor people are going to keep getting screwed. And George Bush is going to use New Orleans as a photo op for what? His new campaign against global warming? We need a team of media, organizing and advocacy-savvy Nawleans refugees who are ready to write op-eds, fight, advocate, support their displaced neighbors during this crisis, and work for New Orleans to be restored in a way that includes the input of ordinary people! There is no better group to do this than the grassroots organizers of New Orleans. With prayers, from Billy and the entire League family."
"Sometimes relief organizations have bloated administrative costs, which means less of your dollars go directly towards relief. Sometimes national aid agencies are not specifically targeting poor communities of color. Sometimes local and national aid agencies have disturbing political allegiances. Sometimes local aid agencies may in fact not distribute their aid in a non-sectarian manner. While it's certain that you may not be able to fully guarantee that every cent of donated relief funds will go to the neediest, I think it's critical the thorough research being done on relief agencies gets done and gets shared. Folks should certainly not be discouraged from giving what they can because of the politics of aid relief, but a little thought can help you feel more assured about your contribution and perhaps target those underprivileged few not usually on the radar screen. Also, like the tsunami, it's important to consider that generally donations given in the emergency period are sometimes higher than donations given over the extended relief period, when critical rebuilding occurs and people really try to put their lives back together. It's just something to keep in mind. peace, Thomas Mariadason (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop)
"The Hand of God (Katrina’s Ghost)" an essay by IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE. www.blackelectorate.com/a...sp?ID=1458 or www.immortal-technique.com. (Forwarded by DaveyD.com).
K-OTIX "Gold Digger Remix (Radio): Here’s a radio friendly version of the K-otix remix of Kanye West’s hit song ‘Gold Digger’. http://odeo.com/audio/220989/view. Info courtesy of Davey D.
"A Symptom of Lawlessness": http://www.guardian.co.uk/ katrina/story/ 0,16441,1560930,00.html. Courtesy of Marinieves Alba (IHX).
"Why the Levee Broke" by Will Bunch. Posted on September 1, 2005. http://www.alternet.org/story/24871. Courtesy of April Silver.
AllHipHop.com has an exclusive feature with some of the biggest names in the Hip Hop community & the effort underway to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, David Banner, Master P., James Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records BET & others are spearheading a variety of projects aimed at aiding those displaced by the hurricane. For the full feature log on: http:// www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1170. Info courtesy of AllHipHop.com Alerts.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005 Blogs_raise_questions_of_racism_in_hurricane_photo_cap_09 02.html. Courtesy of Thomas Mariadason (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop).
Kanye West speaks on George Bush: Short clip: http://media.putfile.com/Kanye79 Long clip: http://media.putfile.com/Kanye-West-at-the- Hurricane-Katrina-tele. Info courtesy of DaveyD.com.
Public Enemy front man Chuck D. reportedly recorded a new song over Labor Day weekend addressing the natural disaster in New Orleans, Alabama, Mississippi & the issues that surround the region ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. In "Hell No We Ain’t Alright," Chuck D sends a message to the government, the media, the military & the Hip Hop nation. For the full story log on: http://www.allhiphop.com/ hiphopnews/?ID=4796. Info courtesy of AllHipHop.com Alerts.
Halliburton Awarded Post-Hurrican Reconstruction Contract: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/ 3335685. Courtesy of Thomas Mariadason (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop).
Bill O'Reilly calls Kanye West a "dopey little rapper." http:// www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168567,00.html. Info courtesy of Phillip Thorne.
Stop MILITARY Recruitment at the Houston Superdome. Come educate youth dislocated from their lives and communities - facing homelessness, joblessness and often hopelessness - about the false promises of recruiters! Doling out food to the hungry crowds overflowing Houston's Astrodome, the National Guard has engaged in ad hoc recruiting in recent days. Once signed up, even if purportedly to reconstruct their region, they could easily find themselves deployed to Iraq, left with medical coverage for only two for only combat-related injury and the expectations for training eviscerated. And if they sign up on the promise of temporary relief, they could find themselves bound for extended tours of duty. Download info from the formidable Counter-Recruitment resources on the United for Peace and Justice site. www.unitedforpeace.org. Call for a real jobs program which employs people to reconstruct the entire Gulf Coast region for the benefit of those in need. Point people in Houston: Bill Crosier, Progressive Action Alliance 713-641- 1941 paa@crozierbiomed.com. Renee Fletz, News Director KPFT 713-526-4000. Omowale Luthuli, Office of the Commissioner, Precinct One 713-678-7385. Beloup Parker, S.H.A.P.E. Community Center 713-521-0629. Shana, New Orleans Network/League of Pissed Off Voters shana@indyvoter.org. Info courtesy of Rosa Clemente.
Interview with David Banner: We have an explosive interview w/ David Banner who basically picked up where Kane West left off. Banner was brutally honest and gave insight into the whole situation along with the drama in his own home state of Mississippi..http://p076.ezboard.com fpoliticalpalacefrm57.showMessage?topicID=451.topic. Also please don't forget to support Banner's www.healthehood.com. Info courtesy of Davey D.
Interview with Reverend Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus who explains what' going on with the newly launched Hip Hop U.N. effort. http:// p076.ezboard.comfpoliticalpalacefrm57.showMessage?topicID =451.topic. Info courtesy of Davey D.
Interview w/Hip Hop activists Rosa Clemente and Houston artist/ DJ Zin. They both threw down in terms of explaining the politics behind all this as well as updates as to what's happening with their respective organizations. Zin was on location at the Astrodome interviewing survivors. http:// p076.ezboard.com. Info courtesy of Davey D. fpoliticalpalacefrm68.showMessage?topicID=41.topic. Info courtesy of Davey D.
+ + +
Makani runs Praxis Project they do community advocacy training in many areas. They have a great tool on their website for folks to use to send letters to the Pres., Congress, FEMA and Gov. of LA. Pass it on. This info comes courtesy of Lisa Fager (R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop and www.IndustryEars.com)
"Katrina Advocacy Resources on Praxis: Greetings all! Just a quick note that we have just updated our Praxis web page on Hurricane Katrina: http://www.thepraxisproject.org/news/katrina.html to make it more useful. From the page, you can now email form letters or compose your own to send to the President, Congress, the Governor of Louisiana and the FEMA Director. We've added a strategic memo from the Youth Media Council and Praxis, that contains some initial talking points and stories. We also link to Project South for updates on regional efforts, and include a small list of organizations that need support immediately. Lastly, there are links to articles that cover the issue of structural bias that led up to this crisis and is pervasive in current crisis management.
"We hope this may be helpful, as ! we join with the many that are deeply concerned about this tragedy and tragic lack of government response. peace and blessings, Makani Themba-Nixon, Executive Director. www.thepraxisproject.org.
+ + +
From Brother Ernie Paniccioli: "Take Action!!!!! Our people are dying on the vine in New Orleans! There is no excuse for the unconscionable, slow pace for federal aid! Please contact the following, blow up thier faxes and demand action!"
White House: fax: 202-456-2461. comments: 202-456-1111. switchboard: 202-456-1414.
Congressional Black Caucus: fax: 202-225-1512
Congressional Hispanic Caucus: fax: (202)225-6161
Your State Representative: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ government/legi.html
AND DON'T FORGET YOUR LOCAL REPS which you can get their contact info off the web. It's best to fax or snail mail a letter as opposed to emailing. Ask your mayors and state reps to partner with hotels and allow the people to be brought there.
MEDIA: Also, contact the media and DEMAND that they stop calling our people, "angry, (and sometimes violent) refugees." They are not refugees! They are tax paying American citizens who are displaced. They are hurricane victims just like Florida's hurricane VICTIMS were called. Also, Demand that they stop focusing on the lawlessness as this is being commited by a small minority (& some of them have mental disorders like schizophrenia as reported by a doctor).
MEDIA CONTACTS: C-SPAN: Main number: 202-737-3220. (journal@c-span.org; viewer@c-span.org; radio@c-span.org). FOX News: 1-888-369-4762 (Comments@foxnews.com). CBS: 202-457-4444 (ldx@cbsnews.com). ABC: (support@abcnews.go.com; wnn@abcnews.com). CNN Visit http://www.cnn.com and click on "contacts" on the left side of screen.
+ + +
THIS IS A CUT-N-PASTE from the Tools of War Newsletter. SUBSCRIBE.
