Pedaling For Peace - A Great Bike Ride (And A Wet One)

Jun 2, 2008

This past Saturday, dozens of intrepid cyclists set out from NYC's Central Park. They were biking to raise funds for the NYC section of United for Peace and Justice, a national coalition of organizations fighting to end the war on Iraq and other issues of foreign and domestic policy. This was the second annual Pedal for Peace bike ride.

The turnout was smaller than expected due to dire predictions of heavy rains. And we did get poured on but, fortunately, not till the end of the ride. Still, the spirit of the riders was high and the dedication to the cause of peace, indefatigable. In the end, we raised $4,000 for our favorite cause: peace. And we had a fun-filled and rewarding bike ride.

Stacey mounts her bike at our house in Brooklyn at 9:30. We're setting off for Prospect Perk, our local coffee shop where' we'll meet friends and board the subway to Manhattan.

It was a cloudy day as we awoke Saturday morning and got ready to leave for Manhattan. The overcast skies did not bode well for a bike ride. But at least it wasn't raining and we hoped that the showers would at least hold off until after we were finished. We met our friend Roque at Prospect Perk, our local coffee shop, and then hopped onto the Q train where we met up with another friend, Sam and his son, Noah. We took the train to 57th Street and rode the 3 miles or so up through the park to the starting point: 110th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.

Arriving at the starting point we found other bikers with their distinctive yellow t-shirts and lots of volunteers to check us in and cheer us on.

Out friends, Noah and his dad, Sam. They're ready to ride.

The riders were chafing at the bit, wanting to get under way and beat the raindrops. But first, some pointers and tips from Leslie Kielson of NYC-UFPJ. She reported on upcoming actions to end the war that the group was planning. Next the head marshall for the ride gave us advice on how to ride safely and what to do in the event of a problem or accident.

Finally, we were off. Up we rode through Harlem, a stream of yellow-shirted bike riders. Chanting (or in my case, bellowing) peace slogans demanding an end to the war in Iraq, the swift return of the troops and the reversal of priorities away from war and to meet people's needs, we were met with enthusiastic greeting from people out shopping or hanging out on their stoops. Many flashed us the V sign. Others cheered or applauded. It was very exciting and exhilarating.

This was a family ride with lots of young bikers for global justice and peace.

Bikes had peace signs mounted on them - people on the streets greeted the bikers with enthusiastic support.

Here's a great sight -- An entire family pedaling for peace.

Leslie Kielson, of UFPJ-NYC, gives a last minute pep talk before we pedal on out of Central Park.

We're off! At 11 o'clock the riders left Central Park and headed up through Harlem.

The view in my rear view mirror.

"We're riding today against the war in Iraq - to bring the troops home and to bring the money home!" People responded with applause and v-signs.

Heading up the very steep Macombs Dam bridge ramp.

The route took us through Harlem and then El Barrio where some of the riders shouted out "¡Fin a la guerra!" (End the war!)Again, folks on the street shouted back their support. Now we knew first hand what the polls meant when they said 70% of the American people hate this war and want it over. From my vantage point, on top my bike, it seemed like it was over 90% but that's not a scientific poll, is it?

After a while of huffing and puffing and a long upgrade near the very pretty Macombs Dam bridge (that leads to Yankee Stadium) we reached our destination - High Bridge Park in upper Manhattan at 168th Street. The High Bridge is NYC's oldest standing bridge and was built in 1848 to carry fresh drinking water from upstate to New York. The view from the elevated park is awesome and you can see clear across the Harlem River below and out across The Bronx.

Our rest stop at High Bridge park in upper Manhattan. Awesome views across The Bronx and beyond.

Bikers at our rest stop with the High Bridge Tower in the background.

Looking out from High Bridge park across The Bronx.

After being served sandwiches, apples and health bars we were ready for a nap but the rain began. It was a few drops at first but then a bit heavier. But we had quite a few miles to get back to our starting point. So we mounted our trusty steeds and headed back south. The rain came down harder and harder. But, we figured, once you're wet, you're wet. We adjusted our speed downwards (for saftey's sake) and had lots of fun as we finally reached Central Park again. The rain had soaked us but it not dampened our enthusiasm for what was a wonderful bike ride with a lofty purpose. We're all looking forward to the third annual ride next year and hoping it will be a bit sunnier and, yes, drier.

We rode through a pouring rain on our way back - but the spirit remained high as we returned to our starting point in Central Park.

For a slide show of all my photos, click here.

Have You Taken The McCain-Bush Challenge?

May 29, 2008

Volunteers for MoveOn moved into the streets of my neighborhood yesterday. They were busy asking residents if they would take the McCain-Bush Challenge. That's a quick 5-question quiz that tests a person's knowledge of "the difference between Bush and McCain."

The MoveOn campaign "Take the McCain-Bush Challenge" tests people knowledge of the differences or similarities between the current president and the GOP's pretender to the throne.

Now just hold on a minute! I've been operating on the understanding that McCain was just a mere clone of Bush. In fact, I've taken to calling him McBush. Turns out that there are differences: on many issues he's, if you can imagine this, even worse than Bush!

Out on the streets of Park Slope, in Brooklyn, MoveOn members asked passersby to participate in the McCain-Bush Challenge.

You can take the McCain-Bush Challenge, and see for yourself.

In case you think you knew everything there is to know about John McCain, here's one of the questions:

Q: Who promised that U.S. troops would be greeted as "liberators" in Iraq?

A: McCain. (Dick Cheney said that, too. In fact, McCain is more of a Bush-Cheney hybrid. Which is a pretty scary thought.)

On a serious note, it's important to be well-armed on McCain's voting record. His slick PR is designed to present him as a moderate and an independent maverick - one who doesn't tow the GOP line on the crucial issues of the day. In reality, he's one of the most conservative members of the Senate. On each and every question of war (gung ho and would take us to war with Iran in a heartbeat), the environment (received a score of zero from the League of Conservation Voters), the housing crisis (he said the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a “second job” and skip their vacations! By the way, he owns nine houses!!) he's as bad or worse than Bush.

Q: Who said "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned"? A: McCain. In fact, John McCain has gotten a rating of zero percent from NARAL Pro-Choice America for 6 years running.

MoveOn has taken a popular and light-hearted approach to exposing the real John McCain. Light-hearted it might be but the truth brought out by their Challenge quiz is this: McCain is a clear and present danger to our health and to the future of our country and world. Take the McCain/Bush Challenge and have your friends and family) who might be confused by the Republican spin) take it also. Click here to take the Challenge.

M*A*S*H* Comes To Brooklyn

May 27, 2008

Actor and activist, Mike Farrell, - the loveable B.J. Hunnicutt of TV's M*A*S*H*, came to Brooklyn last night. The occasion was the Spring fundraiser for Brooklyn For Peace.

On one of those beautiful and balmy Spring evenings, close to eighty BFP supporters gathered at a Dekalb Avenue hot spot, the South African Madiba Restaurant. They came to dine, drink and socialize and to listen to Farrell, author of a new book, Just Call Me Mike, talk about his views on questions of peace and social justice. These are issues dear to BFP members and friends as they continue to demand an end to the war in Iraq, to prevent a new war in Iran and to fight for a more just society at home.

Madiba Restaurant on Brooklyn's Dekalb Avenue, is a hot, multi-cultural restaurant featuring South African cuisine.

Registered guests are checked in at BFP's Spring Fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

Molly Nolan of BFP's Israel-Palestine Committee and BFP's Co-Chair, David Tykulsker, worked hard to make the fundraiser a huge success. Thanks!

Eleanor Preiss (center), BFP's Treasurer, put in many hours that guaranteed the success of the evening at Madiba. Thanks, Eleanor!

David Tykulsker, Co-Chair of the organization, began the evening by greeting the guests and reviewing some of the recent work of Brooklyn For Peace. From its Iraq Committee's work against the war to the Israel-Palestine Committee's work for peace in the Mideast to the counter-recruitment activities in local high schools carried out by BFP's Anti-Militarism Committee, Tykulsker depicted an organization deeply involved in community work for peace and justice.

David Tykulsker, Co-Chair of Brooklyn For Peace, greets the crowd at the Spring Fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

Next up was the very entertaining and very funny Dave Lippman who kept the crowd in stitches as he portrayed George Shrub, the singing CIA agent. Lobbing rapid-fire missives and malaprops, Lippman satirized and skewered George Bush and his disastrous policies to the delight of the audience.

Dave Lippman as George Shrub, singing CIA agent, entertains at the Brooklyn For Peace Spring fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

Following Lippman, Rusti Eisenberg, Co-Chair of Brooklyn For Peace, gave a summary of the fight in Congress to end the war in Iraq. Talking about the historic "no" vote against funding that passed the House several weeks ago, she called on people to keep the pressure on Congress because the Senate reversed that decision and granted Bush the money to continue the war.

Rusti Eisenberg, Co-Chair of Brooklyn For Peace - "I know it seems that you've been calling Congress more often than you call your best friends. But it's time to call again."

Part of the crowd attending BFP's Spring Fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

Finally, the evening's guest, Mike Farrell, took the mic. Farrell has mixed a successful career in film and TV with an unbending dedication to social activism. He was in the forefront of struggles for peace and against repression in Latin America and has been a leader in the fight to abolish the death penalty. He told the audience that he sees human rights as the common thread that connects the movement for peace in Iraq with questions such as opposition to the death penalty and a desire to save our world from enviornmental disaster. His remarks were well received and a question and answer period followed his talk. Farrell also took time out to personally sign copies of his new book that were distributed and sold at the dinner.

Mike Farrell speaks and takes questions from the audience.

Farrell: "Human rights is the common thread that runs through all the struggles for peace, justice, saving the environment...."

Guests overflowed the main dining room at BFP's Spring Fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

Brooklyn For Peace successfuly mixed dining, drink, socializing and politics at its Spring Fundraiser at Madiba Restaurant.

The Spring Fundraiser was a huge success. It brought together friends and fellow peace activists in a cozy and sociable surrounding. And it raised money - not an unimportant matter - that will enable Brooklyn For Peace to continue the fight for a better world.

By the way, Mike Farrell wrote up his experience in Brooklyn in his own blog on the Huffington Post.

Read it here: Mike's Blog and then scroll down to "DAY SIXTEEN, May 26, 2008."

Supersize Brooklyn - Residents Say Fughedabout It!

May 3, 2008

The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. Take the plans for the Ratner mega-development in downtown Brooklyn for example. When residents rose up to oppose a similar scandal at the site of the Brighton Beach Baths in the early to mid 90's, the developer, Alexander Muss & Sons, stopped at nothing to push his development to completion. The community was overwhelmingly opposed to Muss's Brighton By the Sea. Congestion, out-of-scale buildings (the original proposal called for buildings of 50 stories which would have made them the tallest in the borough), overloading of the sewers, subways and other services were among the objections of the residents. But Muss, who was responsible for the wall of skyscrapers along Collins Avenue in Miami beach, and had that same vision for Brooklyn's shoreline, used bully tactics, the power of his money and connections to his political cronies to try and get his way.

Which brings me back to today. In a fashion reminiscent of Muss, Bruce Ratner has tried to force his distorted vision of Brooklyn down the throats of residents in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Fort Greene. His plan would build a wall of sun-blocking skyscrapers that would separate some of Brooklyn's most beautiful and historic neighborhoods from each other; communities that are beloved for their low-rise and historic character. In addition to those 16 over-towering high-rises he would install a stadium at the junction of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush, already the city's most congested intersection. This $4 billion project would use close to $2 billion of public money (our money!) and abuse the state's power of eminent domain by taking private property and handing it over to the billionaire developer for enormous profits.

Asking the Governor to stop the plunder of our neighborhood.

A broad coalition of neighborhood groups and organizations under the leadership of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) has led the fightback to protect the neighborhoods. At stake is not only questions of congestion, out-of-scale development and destruction of historic, low-rise neighborhoods but also the negative effects of gentrification with its inevitable disappearance of affordable housing due to escalating rents. With Ratner's luxury towers setting the pace for development in the surrounding area, poor people, working people, people of moderate incomes will be forced from the neighborhood as more affluent people move in. This is not conjecture. It's fact - just look across the river to Manhattan and all around Brooklyn right now to see it in action right before our eyes!

Recent downturns in the economy have prompted statements from the developer that only the arena could be built presently. The other elements, he said, including promises of jobs, affordable components as part of the luxury high-rises would be put on hold indefinately. Further, Ratner demanded that the public fork over even more subsidies on top of the $2 billion already estimated to be provided, if the development was to proceed. What chutzpah!

It was in light of those uncertainties that hundreds of residents turned out today at the site of the development to demand that Governor David Paterson call a "time out" on Ratner's Atlantic Yards. Speakers, including Councilwoman Letitia "Tish" James, State Senator Velmenette Montgomery and Councilman David Yassky addressed the crowd. James said it was a scandal that billions would be given to a private developer while funds for our public schools were being drastically cut. Yassky said it was time for the community to finally be heard and listened to. Montgomery thanked DDDB and the others who have kept community protest alive during all these years. "You are the reason that this project will eventually go away," she said.

People's Councilwoman Tish James gets the applause of Chris Owens who MC'd the event.

Entertainment was provided by the Manson Family Picnic (above) and Scott Turner.


Scott Turner, of Fans For Fair Play, sings a song of fair play for Brooklyn residents.

Chris Owens, community activist and President of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, MC'd the event and led the crowd in loud and boisterous cheers of "Time out! Time out! Time out!" that could be heard for blocks.

Hearkening back to the nefarious tactics of Muss, the developer imported counter-demonstrators to harass and intimidate the residents. But they were kept at bay by police and their presence did little to dampen the spirits of the Brooklynites who assembled to protect their communities. How ironic and sad to see some unions and workers promised jobs by Ratner(which now seem to be evaporating as quickly as Ratner's other promises). Can't they see that to side with a billionaire developer against a community striving to safeguard its rights is the wrong side? As the old union song asked - "Which side are you on?" Ratner is no friend of workers. That's for sure.

Imported counter-demonstrators are kept at a distance by police.

Muss eventually had to compromise. But before the community could force him to back off he demolished a beloved, old neighborhood asset: the Brighton Baths. Eventually he was forced to compromise. He still built his buildings but at a much lower level thanks to the unending opposition of the surrounding neighborhoods. Even though he refuses to bend, the same fate faces Mr. Ratner as the opposition to his ill-fated and scandal-ridden plans continues to grow and grow. This battle ain't over by a long shot. The people of Brooklyn refuse to live in Ratner's shadow.

WANT TO SEE MORE?
For a slide show of photos of today's rally just CLICK HERE.

For a gallery of photos, CLICK HERE.

The Brooklyn Peace Fair - 2008

Note - after reading my blog you can
see a slideshow of all my photos
of the 2008 Brooklyn Peace Fair -- just CLICK HERE.

Apr 28, 2008

Manhattan has its Broadway. Washington has its cherry blossoms. Brooklyn has its Peace Fair. This year, thousands of Brooklynites and people from beyond Brooklyn streamed into the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University to attend the fifth annual Brooklyn Peace Fair. Organized by Brooklyn For Peace and co-sponsored the LIU Student Government Association, the fair is the culmination of this year's actions for peace and justice in the borough and the city.

Hundreds of Peace Fair posters were placed in store windows throughout north Brooklyn neighborhoods.

A team of hard-working volunteers had labored for months preparing for the event. Speakers were acquired, performers were signed up, workshops were organized, merchants were solicited for ads, publicity was designed and disseminated and the word was gotten out onto the streets of Brooklyn to make the Fair the resounding success that it was.

The morning of April 26th finally arrived. It was a chilly and cloudy day, but no rain as had been promised. Expectations were high because the weather seemed ideal - not too beautiful so that people would be outdoors; not too rainy to keep people at home.

Arriving early, I entered the gymnasium where the main stage had been set. (A separate building, adjacent to the gym, would be used for the workshops). Sound engineers were busy making their acoustic tests. Representatives of close to a hundred organizations were setting up their information tables. Brooklyn For Peace members were setting up their tables as well - their various committees - Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Latin American - each had their own table. And there were tables to sell BFP t-shirts, buttons and distribute and display literature.

Sound equipment was set up and acoustic checks were made.

Many organizations attended the Fair as participants. Here, the Green Party of Brooklyn set up a table to display their information.

The Camp Kinderland table.

Fort Greene Peace was there!

As 11 o'clock rolled around, people started arriving, but in small numbers and some of us began to wonder if we had miscalculated the support that the Fair would attract. But in a short while, things picked up and soon there was a buzz of excitement at LIU as the auditorium was filled with people crowding the tables and attending the workshops.

BFP's Vice Chair, Rusti Eisenberg, conducted a lively workshop on Iraq.

Congressman Major Owens led a workshop -- Mobilization for Peace and Prosperity. Bring Our Dollars Home to Stop the Budget Cuts.

State Senator Eric Adams led a workshop on Youth, Race and the Criminal Justice System.

As the workshops ended, the auditorium filled to hear the speakers who had been invited. The featured speaker was Debbie Almontaser. She had been a victim of a right-wing smear attack emanating from the NY Post and the New York Sun newspapers. Selected by the Bloomberg administration as principal for a new Arabic studies high school (the Khalil Gibran International Academy), she was soon abandoned by the Mayor and the schools Chancellor in the face of the attacks. A broad community support for Debbie has since been organized and the fight-back continues.

David Tykulsker, Vice-Chair of Brooklyn For Peace, introduced the featured speaker of the day, Debbie Almontaser.

Debbie Almontaser made an uplifting speech that stressed the need for a multi-national, multi-cultural unity to the fight for peace and justice.

The speakers were followed by an array of performers - singers, poets and child acrobats that dazzled the audience. By the end of the day the consensus was that the 2008 Brooklyn Peace Fair had been a great success. It brought together a diverse sampling of Brooklyn residents who are yearning for change. They want an end to the war and the expenditures for war that have devastated their communities. They want to turn the country in a different direction - away from war and destruction and toward peace and friendship. Their vision is a country where all people can enjoy their human and civil rights and lead lives of dignity and fulfillment. The Peace Fair was a culmination of months of activities on behalf of that vision. But it's also the basis of bringing people together to continue that struggle in the months and year ahead of us.

Performers dazzled the audience with their immense talent. Stephanie Rooker and Carey Rava made beautiful music.

An impassioned performance by Abiodun, one of the orginal Last Poets, rocked the crowd at LIU.

To see all my photos of the
2008 Brooklyn Peace Fair
just CLICK HERE.

Five Years of War in Iraq And New Yorkers Say Enough!

Mar 22, 2008

Thousands marched today in New York City and in many hundreds of locations across this land. These are the true patriots of our land - the ones who refuse to be silent in the face of the atrocity that is the brutal occupation of Iraq.

In this historic election year, when the fate of our country and the entire world hangs in the balance, we must not and cannot be silent. Up against a rigidly controlled corporate media that keeps the real and hideously ugly truth of this war from the American people, we must redouble our efforts to raise the issue of the war and its connection to the failing economy. The war and its effects must be the central and overarching question of this election. We must thrust it to the center stage of this election year.

As a people and as a nation we cannot move forward until this war has ended. Questions of health care, education, the environment, loss of homes and jobs cannot be solved as long as trillions of dollars are diverted to Iraq and Afghanistan (and, perhaps, Iran?)and as long as spending for arms and the bloated Pentagon budget are allowed to suffocate expenditures for human needs.

Even though two-thirds of the American people are opposed to the war and 70 percent believe the war has hurt the economy, the opinion of U.S. citizens matters not to King George and the power behind his throne, Dick Cheney. Like two swaggering bullies, they brag that their wars are bringing democracy to the world. But when asked recently, on ABC TV, abut the majority of Americans who are opposed to the war, Cheney snapped back arrogantly: "So?"

"CHENEY: On the security front, I think there’s a general consensus that we’ve made major progress, that the surge has worked. That’s been a major success.

ABC-TV's RADDATZ: Two-third of Americans say it’s not worth fighting.

CHENEY: So?

RADDATZ So? You don’t care what the American people think?

CHENEY: No. I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls.

With five years of war as the backdrop and under the banner of United For Peace and Justice, New Yorkers lined 14th Street with a human chain, linking arms and holding signs aloft demanding peace and a change in national priorites. The streets echoed with chants of "peace now" and "money for schools, not for war" as the marchers headed inwards from both ends of 14th Street for Union Square where a brief and solemn commemoration of those who have fallen victim to the Bush war and occupaton was held.

Thousands of New Yorkers lined 14th Street demanding an end to the war.

Brooklyn For Peace was well represented.

The two folks flew in from London and joined us on 14th Street.

We reached Union Square along with thousands of others.

This sign said it all.

Not one more death. Not one more dollar.

Speakers urged the assembly to follow up today's demonstration with a pledge to reach out to new people in their communities and broaden the peace movement. A larger peace movement could force Congress to cut the funding and finally end this brual war. To which I say -- Amen!

People want peace!