There’s no need at all, to rescue the gamblers… I think a few weeks ago, AIG was likened too a ponzi scheme grafted unto an insurance company. You don’t have to save the ponzi scheme because it cannot be saved.

-- Dr. Michael Hudson, president of the Institute of the Long Term Study of Economic Trends on Background Briefing with Ian Masters, KPFK 90.7 FM, March 22,2009

Activist San Diego contacts: Martin (619-226-1116), Tanja (858-459-4650), Activist Update: ASDUpdate@activistsandiego.org

WANT TO ADD TO THE ACTIVIST UPDATE? Email ASDUpdate@activistsandiego.org
Please submit your event listings at least 1 week prior to the event.

Activist San Diego Monthly Meeting Third Monday each month, 7pm - Joyce Beers Community Center, 1090 Vermont, one 1/2 blocks north of University, just east of Trader Joe's in the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Call ASD early on at 619-528-8383 or cell 619-871-9354 if no answer. Everyone welcome Please join us

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With or without our consent every taxpayer in this country now owns $36,000 of the federal deficit. In 2008 the average household was also responsible for about $8000 worth of credit card debt. If these numbers seem like dry information, try and picture how that money could be used to improve our well-being. Imagine the quality of schools our children would attend? The average credit card interest rate is 14%, the average late fee is around $34. As the recession/depression deepens Americans are finding themselves squeezed in a credit trap. We were reminded at the peace rally on Saturday, held to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the war, that Bush administration mortgaged our future to fund oil wars, to fund the occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine and to finance the endless "war on terrorism".

While we are spinning out of control in a maddening cycle of debt, work, debt, work; many of the poorest find it difficult to acquire even the basic necessities to live a healthy life. There are millions of people in this country who are unable to afford energy, clean water, medical care, healthy food, education, or other necessities. The meltdown, rising unemployment and the financial crisis calls on us to rethink progressive agendas. We need to educate others and ourselves and use the information to organize against the systemic fraud, not just by AIG, but by the military industrial complex, which controls the economy and the whole political system. Neither Obama nor Congress will make change for us. The system must feel our righteous outrage for progress to be made.

The concentration of wealth into fewer and fewer hands has been especially pronounced in the last 35 years, with US law structured to increase wealth disparity, whether banks are booming or busting. The corporations may be cannibalizing each other, but inevitably steal from working class stiffs to enrich themselves and the stockholders. Activists who want to create a democratic society will need to focus attention on capitalism's ills, if we are going to wrest control of this country from Wall Street and corporate control.

With economics in mind, ASD would like to invite you to learn more about debt with us at the Joyce Beers center on SATURDAY March 28th, at 7:30 pm for a showing and discussion of the film "Maxed Out". This film takes us on a journey deep inside the American debt-style ... but turns hilarious... Maxed Out paints a picture of a debt national nightmare which is all too real for most of us. So come join us at Joyce Beers. More Info

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DONATED CARS HELP MOVE ACTIVISM FORWARD! Please donate your car and other items. As a bonus you get progressive satisfaction and a healthy tax deduction! Call us at 619-528-8383

For all of the above we will need your help and financial support. If you would like to make a donation, please click on the button to the right.

Or, we can also accept donations mailed to: Activist San Diego 4246 Wightman St San Diego, CA 92105-2618

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The objective of the Obama administration and the Bush administration is to give enough money to the big banks, that are in trouble to buy even more of the smaller banks. Just as they bought Countrywide, they bought Washington Mutual… They're trying to make banks even too bigger to fail! They’re making the banks even bigger, so then they can say, we got to rescue the parasite, in order that the host can live. So you have a choice. Are you going to rescue the host or are you going to rescue the parasite. And they’ve chosen to rescue the parasite.

-- Dr. Michael Hudson, president of the Institute of the Long Term Study of Economic Trends on Background Briefing with Ian Masters, KPFK 90.7 FM, March 22,2009

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I believe there was just such an uproar over this several hundred million in AIG bonuses… the reason that is, you know it touched such a raw nerve, isn’t the money itself… it’s rather a symbol for the way those who led us into the ditch are getting first class treatment getting out of the ditch while everyone else remains mired…

-- Dr. Harley Shaiken director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley on Background Briefing with Ian Masters, KPFK 90.7 FM, March 22,2009

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 6:30PM: Remembering Mexican / US Marine on 6th Anniversary of his Passing in Iraq, Jesús A. Suárez Del Solar. THANKS Vet! Banquet & Ceremony. OC Healthcare for All! And Catholic Worker Present: UNTIL WE ARE ONE... Special Memorial Ceremony for Jesús with Fernando Suárez Del Solar and Guests of Honor. Keynote Speaker: Pacifica Journalist Aaron Glantz. Author of just published The War Comes Home - Washington's Battle Against American Veterans. Orange County Central Labor Council Hall 309 North Rampart, Orange , CA 92868. More Info

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 7:30PM: Activist San Diego Film Series Presents MAXED OUT. Maxed Out takes us on a journey deep inside the American debt-style, where everything seems okay as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time. Maxed Out shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. By turns hilarious and profoundly disturbing, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us. Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest Located at 1220 Cleveland Ave., ½ block North of University Ave. where Cleveland and Vermont Ave. meet. Snacks before film, stay for discussion. Free for all; suggested donation. More Info

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2PM: "Latino Immigrant Labor Market Outcomes" with Liza Catanzarite, Western Washington University. SDSU Nasatir Hall, Room 227. More Info

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 6:30PM: Remembering Mexican / US Marine on 6th Anniversary of his Passing in Iraq, Jesús A. Suárez Del Solar. THANKS Vet! Banquet & Ceremony. OC Healthcare for All! And Catholic Worker Present: UNTIL WE ARE ONE... Special Memorial Ceremony for Jesús with Fernando Suárez Del Solar and Guests of Honor. Keynote Speaker: Pacifica Journalist Aaron Glantz. Author of just published The War Comes Home - Washington's Battle Against American Veterans. Orange County Central Labor Council Hall 309 North Rampart, Orange , CA 92868. More Info

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 11AM: San Diego IndieFest (SDIF)V ~ The Culture of Possibility In San Diego's North Park. 7 Stages on & off University Ave., between Kansas and 30th Streets. $23 General, $20 Students, Seniors and Military w/ Valid IDs, Kids 8 and under FREE. Wildly diverse & exciting independent music, film, art, business and ideas all day long. Rock, Hip Hop, Folk, World, Country, Funk, Punk, Jazz, Latin, Spoken Word... Film, Photography, Dance, Painting Poetry and more. More Info

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 7:30PM: Activist San Diego Film Series Presents MAXED OUT. Maxed Out takes us on a journey deep inside the American debt-style, where everything seems okay as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time. Maxed Out shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. By turns hilarious and profoundly disturbing, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us. Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest Located at 1220 Cleveland Ave., ½ block North of University Ave. where Cleveland and Vermont Ave. meet. Snacks before film, stay for discussion. Free for all; suggested donation. More Info

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SUNDAY, MARCH 29, NOON: The Red CalacArts Collective presents our 5th annual Chicano Park Fundraiser in Calacalandia Home of Chelo y Brent of Calaca Press 502 Rose Dr. National City. Help support Chicano Park’s 39th anniversary! Don't miss out on this once a year gathering to raise funds for our beloved parque. $15.00 per adult Kids 10-17 $5 Kids under 10 free. Firme sounds by: Quino Quinteto Caballero Son Sin Fronteras. All funds raised, after expenses, go to the Chicano Park Steering Committee. More Info

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MONDAY MARCH 30, 7PM: Special Screening: Taxi to the Dark Side (Rated R). This movie is the winner of the 2008 Best Documentary. It takes a disturbing, in-depth look at the highly questionable and often illegal practices used by the U. S. government at detention facilities following 9/11. Where: Summit UU Fellowship. 8778 Cottonwood Ave. Santee. More Info

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009: Cesar Chavez Parade & Community Celebration. Parade: 10:00am-12:00pm. Community Celebration: 12:00pm-4:00pm. The Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee presents the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial March/Parade & Community Celebration and invites organizations and community groups, to sign up to participate. More Info

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FEB 28 – SATURDAY, APRIL 4th: The San Diego Science Festival 2009. Save the Date for Expo Day, Saturday, April 4 at Balboa Park. IT'S FREE and guaranteed to be fun for all ages! The goal of the festival is to increase community awareness of science and inspire our nation's youth to consider science-related careers. At the same time, the science festival will unite our community and showcase the amazing science and innovation taking place throughout San Diego. More Info

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR MARCH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS: Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, University of San Diego. More Info

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LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: San Diego Critical Mass Bike Ride. The last Friday of every month, we meet at the big fountain in Balboa Park at 7:00 PM and ride bicycles through the streets of San Diego, providing motorists, as well as ourselves, with a vision of how things could be different. It's a celebration of cycling! Bring your friends; meet new friends. More Info

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“ENOUGH” PEACE AND IMPEACHMENT VIGILS ~ EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE IRAQ WAR ENDS. More Info

EVERY SUNDAY 3PM: Free Vegan Food at the North Park Community Park with San Diego Food Not Bombs. The North Park Community Park is located at the intersection of Oregon and Polk in North Park. More Info

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SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 11AM: 51st Annual Ebony Fashion Fair. The Ebony Fashion Fair, the world's largest traveling fashion show, returns to San Diego to showcase the latest runway designs and raise funds for the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS), San Diego’s premier science enrichment center for children. This year's show will be held at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center. The social hour begins at 11 AM, and is followed by a sit-down luncheon. Ramp seats, which are located right next to the runway and include VIP parking with escorts, are $125. General admission tickets are $75. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15-16, 2009: The Trans-Border Institute presents a conference on: Migration, Religion and National Identity: Exploring Faith and Belonging in the Migrant Experience. At the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego. The Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego with support from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies will host a major international conference to examine the relationship between migration, religion and national identity. This conference will examine these topics from a historical and comparative perspective, and will feature accomplished academic and religious experts from the United States and abroad. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 7PM: Community screening of “The Visitor.” Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) is hosting a screening of the critically-acclaimed film “The Visitor” to help San Diego community members learn about the immigrant detention system and connect them with ways to get involved locally. In "The Visitor," an American college professor and a young couple grapple with the treatment of immigrants and the legal process post-9/11. The film stars Richard Jenkins, who has been nominated for a 2009 Best Actor Oscar for his role as the professor. Location: First Congregational Church of Ramona(in the Youth Building) 404 8th Street, Ramona. Cost: Free. More Info

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FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 7:30PM: Divided Friendship: Crisis At The Border. Matters of Controversy. Guest Speakers: John Fanestil and Christian Ramirez. The Department of Homeland Security is now building a second wall across Friendship Park, the historic location overlooking the Pacific Ocean where for generations residents of San Diego and Tijuana have met to visit with friends and family through the border fence. Final design plans for the park would eliminate permanently all public access to Friendship Park. A grassroots coalition of over 40 community organizations has been battling to save public access to this unique feature of San Diego’s cultural landscape. Join us to learn more from two leaders of the “Save Friendship Park” coalition. Also featured will be a 10-minute documentary about the park, “A Divided Friendship,” produced by students from the UCSD Department of Communications. First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego 4190 Front Street, Hillcrest, San Diego (opposite UCSD Medical Center). Donation requested. More Info

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SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 11AM: ACLU'S Action Summit: Reclaiming Our Voices. Keynote Speaker: Rep. John Lewis from Atlanta! Please register today for the ACLU's biannual membership mobilization. We gather our members, friends, and allies in the community for a mobilization conference to restore our constitution and fight for equal rights for all people. We are especially pleased to announce that Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, gifted orator, and principled member of Congress representing Atlanta will deliver the keynote address to fire up our audience! More Info

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MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009: National Day of Action for Colombia. Colombia has just surpassed Sudan as having the worst internal displacement crisis in the world. Over 4 million Colombians have been violently forced from their homes. While the war responsible for this crisis has raged for decades, the pace of displacement has intensified in recent years. Last year, 1500 Colombians fled their homes every day. You can be a part of "Change Colombia Can Believe In". More Info

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 10AM: 39th Annual Chicano Park Day Celebration. Established by Chicano activists on April 22, 1970, Chicano Park has received international recognition as a major public art site for its commanding mural paintings of the past and present struggle of Mexican and Chicano history. This year’s Chicano Park Day Anniversary celebration is dedicated to all the women that have put their hearts and souls into the development and preservation of the park. In addition, the event will acknowledge all women who, with determination and self-empowerment, have worked diligently towards improving their communities. The women will be honored during the midday flag-raising ceremony. More Info

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 12PM: San Diego County Library. Vegetarian Day @ Your Library. Come watch movies, learn about being a vegetarian, sample foods, raw and vegetarian cooking demos, speakers, crafts and much, much, more! Free @ your library. Limited Supply of food, please arrive early. Spring Valley Library 836 Kempton Street. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 4PM: The Garden - A Film. Cutivating Food Justice Spring Film Series. Room B204 At City College. The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L. A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community. More Info

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THURSDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 26 – 28, 8PM, SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 7PM: Hip Hop Saved My Life. World Premiere. Admission: Pay-What-You-Can. Performers: Ant Black, Shammy Dee, Kendrick Dial, Lauren Dockweiler, Rudy Francisco, grace shinhae jun, Jesse Mills, Lavina Rich, and Misa Suiter. Hip Hop Saved My Life explores the activism in Hip Hop culture that creates voice for the marginalized, bridges global communities, and empowers young women. Following their successful collaboration The Movement, bkSOUL and Collective Purpose have come together again to explore the power of love and Hip Hop. More Info

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 11AM: San Diego IndieFest (SDIF)V ~ The Culture of Possibility In San Diego's North Park. 7 Stages on & off University Ave., between Kansas and 30th Streets. $23 General, $20 Students, Seniors and Military w/ Valid IDs, Kids 8 and under FREE. Wildly diverse & exciting independent music, film, art, business and ideas all day long. Rock, Hip Hop, Folk, World, Country, Funk, Punk, Jazz, Latin, Spoken Word... Film, Photography, Dance, Painting Poetry and more. More Info

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MONDAY, MARCH 30, 7PM: ADC film series and CJP launch of San Diego BDS. March 30th is International BDS Action Day. ADC San Diego invites you to attend the San Diego premier of Wounds of the Heart an Artist and her Nation. A new documentary by John Halaka Edited by Marissa Bowman Music by Samer Totak and Nizar Rohana. Followed by discussion on the film by John Halaka and Nasser Barghouti. The San Diego Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP) will launch its local BDS campaign at this event. Four Points Sheraton 8110 Aero Drive, San Diego. More Info

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MONDAY MARCH 30, 7PM: Special Screening: Taxi to the Dark Side (Rated R). This movie is the winner of the 2008 Best Documentary. It takes a disturbing, in-depth look at the highly questionable and often illegal practices used by the U. S. government at detention facilities following 9/11. Where: Summit UU Fellowship. 8778 Cottonwood Ave. Santee. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 6PM: New Film About Border Wall - Free Screening "1969 Miles." Joan B. Kroc Theatre University of San Diego. TBI is privileged to host the premier screening of John Carlos Frey's most recent documentary, which explores the humanitarian impact of US border security policies. Nearly 5,000 migrant bodies have been recovered since border fences and increased militarization began over a decade ago. These astonishing numbers only account for recovered bodies. Some put the death toll at 10,000 or more as many migrants remain missing. Many experts believe migrants will die in increasing numbers as new border walls are erected forcing migrants to more treacherous terrain. Our film will focus on this human rights crisis and what some of the solutions might be. More Info

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THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 6PM: REGGAE SCHOOL w/ Clive Chin. Where: WorldBeat Center 2100 Park Blvd. San Diego. What: Teach the Youth: A Vintage Reggae Presentation by Clive Chin. This unique event presents legendary reggae producer Clive Chin selecting vinyl hits from Randy's studio with an accompanying Power Point multi-media demonstration. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 7PM: Community screening of “The Visitor.” Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) is hosting a screening of the critically-acclaimed film “The Visitor” to help San Diego community members learn about the immigrant detention system and connect them with ways to get involved locally. In "The Visitor," an American college professor and a young couple grapple with the treatment of immigrants and the legal process post-9/11. The film stars Richard Jenkins, who has been nominated for a 2009 Best Actor Oscar for his role as the professor. Location: First Congregational Church of Ramona (in the Youth Building) 404 8th Street, Ramona, CA. Cost: Free. More Info

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Announcements / Workshops

APRIL 17TH - APRIL 27TH: Qi Gong 2 week Workshops, Lectures & Healing. Where: WorldBeat Center - San Diego and Tijuana - Ensenada. Mexico. Tian Gong is a profound method of Qi Gong energy work, which goes beyond gentle exercises for health and well-being. Our goal is to help you integrate your body, mind & soul through meditation, gentle movement, sound healing, Taoist alchemy & spiritual wisdom from both the Eastern & Western cultures. More Info

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POTS AND PANS FOR PEACE! .... and pens, pencils, paper, hats, gloves, etc. too! Since most people's first reaction will likely be, "HUH?!"---- let me follow up quickly with "Citizen Diplomacy: Reaching out to the needy people in Afghanistan!" We have an opportunity to let the people of Afghanistan know that the people of the United States care about them, by filling "flat rate" boxes of donations to be shipped to Afghanistan! Help put a smile on the face of a child half a world away! To participate, please bring your donations to: San Diego First Church of the Brethren 3850 Westgate Place San Diego. More Info

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Get FREE copy of "A Question of Power", A documentary about the resistance in San Diego against this powerline. Video Link provided here: Also attached are action items for folks to talk once they have seen the documentary. We have complimentary copies of the documentary that can be requested by emailing: thecoane5 <thecoane5@cox.net There is no charge for the DVD or the mailing. More Info

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ONGOING EVENTS
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SDCPJ HIGH SCHOOL LEAFLETING PROJECT. The SD Coalition for peace and justice high school leafleting project is still looking for volunteers. Please reply to this e-mailsjagitator@ucsd.edu if you can join us with this special outreach to Latino students as they are heavily targeted by military recruiters. Help deny the military what they need most - young men and women to send to war or call me at 619-237-8870. More Info

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MISCELLANEOUS
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90.7 KPFK PACIFICA RADIO IS BACK ON THE AIR IN SAN DIEGO.....!!!!!! KPFK is back and it is the only information and cultural programming of it's kind in San Diego. People should listen, tell others and work to keep it here in San Diego and South Orange County. More Info

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Peace Flags. Excellent for display or for Peace Rallies. Call 858.459.4650 or email TanjaWinter@ActivistSanDiego.org

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The Guerrero Azteca Project ~ www.guerreroazteca.org

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The GI Rights Hotline ~ girights.objector.org

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LA VOZ Community Events Newsletter over the last 12 years has worked towards keeping the San Diego non-profit, Latino, and community at large connected ~ LA VOZ Community Events Newsletter

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War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada) ~ www.resisters.ca

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Project Safe Haven ~ www.soldiersayno.blogspot.com

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The San Diego Coalition for Justice in Palestine ~ local website www.cjpsandiego.org

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