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SOCIAL JUSTICE

To the Hebrews it was mishpat; to the Greeks eunomia. We call it social justice, but that implies laws and litigation too much. (Which is not to say that law and the rule of law cannot be an important part of social justice.) But to the Hebrew people and the first Christians social justice was about right relationships between people. 

We use our financial and personal resources to promote justice and understanding. We have supported AIDS Interfaith/NY, the Sunset Park Emergency Food Program, the former 780 Youth Council, the Flatbush YMCA and the East Timor Action Network


UPCOMING DIRECT ACTION EVENT


Children of Abraham Peace Walk Eighth Annual Children of Abraham Peace Walk

[ flyer ]

Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others walking in Brooklyn for peace. Join us!

What: 8th Annual Children of Abraham Interfaith Peace Walk
When: Sept 11th, 2011 - 2:00-6:00 PM
Where: Beginning at the Dawood Mosque 143 State Street, Brooklyn
The Walk:  

Join us as we walk together in a spirit of peace: Jews, Christians, Muslims and all people of good will walking as we remember those who died on 9/11 and commemorate the spirit of friendship that supported so many thereafter. After stopping at various houses of worship and a local firehouse we will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. We'll end in lower Manhattan as we support the emergence of a new community center (“Charlotte's Place”) while deepening our interfaith connections. Please email to your lists. Youth groups and musical performers are welcomed. Additional co-sponsors welcome.

At 2:00 PM, we'll gather at the Dawood Mosque (143 State Street, Brooklyn). West on State Street. Right onto Clinton. Left on Remsen. Short visit at local houses of worship and at a local firehouse, where we will bring a gift of support and connection. Then we'll proceed along Cadman Plaza West. At Washington Street (a.k.a. Cadman Plaza East), take underpass on left, go up stairway to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Path. On Manhattan side, we'll head south along Park Row. At Broadway, head south. Right on Cedar. Left on Trinity. Right on Rector. Right on Greenwich Street to end location: “Charlotte's Place” community center (109 Greenwich Street).

Refreshments will be served. All ages welcome.

Starting
location:  
Dawood Mosque
143 State Street, Brooklyn
Further Information: Rabbi Ellen Lippmann (718) 633-6377
Rev. Tom Martinez (718) 915-2600
Debbie Almontaser (917) 559-8480


RECENT DIRECT ACTION EVENTS


Vigil calling attention to the case of Brooklyn College Graduate, Fahad Hashmi.

Prof Jeanne Theoharis of Brooklyn College

When: March 22nd (6-7PM) See website below for additional upcoming vigil dates.

Where: Across the Street from the Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is located at 160 Park Row (at Pearl Street).

A letter sent out about the upcoming Vigil:

Dear Clergy and Faith Communities,

On Monday, March 22nd (6-7PM), we are calling on clergy and people of faith to join in a vigil outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan to call attention to the case of Fahad Hashmi and the human rights violations in the domestic War on Terror. We are making a special effort to get religious communities out to the twice-monthly vigil begun by Theaters Against War in the fall. While much attention has been paid to overseas rights violations at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and Bagram, the considerable civil rights violations taking place in the federal courts and the inhumane treatment happening within the federal prison system have gone largely unchecked. Everyone with connections to faith based and ethically focused organizations (synagogues, mosques, churches, ethical culture, Friends meeting houses, etc.) should do what they can to alert clergy re this event, the background of Fahad's case, and the egregious nature of his confinement (nearly 3 years of solitary confinement without a trial facing classified evidence that he has not been allowed to review). We hope to have the clergy present be seen/identifiable (stoles, collars, etc.). And of course members of faith communities who want to show their support are strongly encouraged to attend.

For additional Information re Fahad's case: www.thenation.com/doc/20090420/theoharis

Contact information re the March 22nd Vigil:

Dr. Jeanne Theoharis

Brooklyn College

Rev. Tom Martinez
All Souls Church

718-915-2600

Liz Theoharris
The Poverty Initiative, Union Theological Seminary


An interfaith panel shared their various perspectives on world-wide justice issues, the UN, and the importance of faith from the perspective of different world religions.

The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office Annual Youth Spring Seminar: this year's event was titled, "All in the Name of Faith: Rights, Religion and Responsibility." Youth from around the country were treated to films, panel discussions and of course a tour of the United Nations.

More photos of the event can be seen [ here ]


Keynote speaker Rev. Meg Riley addresses the Saturday morning gathering of the UU District of Metro NY (Jersey City, NJ).

This year's annual meeting of the NY District was themed, "Turning Outward, Acting on Faith." Numerous social justice projects being carried out by UU folks from within the district were celebrated and shared.

More photos of the event can be seen [ here ]


Satyagraha ("soul force")

Devotees of the great Indian spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi gathered in Union Square. 

Inspired by Gandhi's message, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," walkers, consisting of the general public and members of various social, environmental, faith-based, and educational institutions, proceeded from four locations in Manhattan to Union Square Park, the location of New York's Gandhi statue.


The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office hosts "Building a Culture of Peace" seminar.

UU's from all over the country attended the three day UU-UNO annual spring seminar, Building a Culture of Peace.  Several panels of distinguished experts (such as this one shown here) shared their peacemaking stories from places such as Rwanda and South Africa. 

 

Sam Cook of the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom speaking as part of the Human Rights, the United Nations & Conflict Resolution" panel, part of the Intergenerational Spring Conference (April 3, 2008) at the UN. 

Portraits of Prior Secretary Generals of the UN (in the area open to the public at the UN).

 


Iraq: 5th Anniversary

A smattering of protesters marked the 5th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq with demonstrations and actions in Washington DC (pictured here) and across the country. 

More of Rev. Tom Martinez's photographs can be seen here.


Protests at the United Nations

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

(click on a photo to see larger image)

Activists took to the New York City Streets with the ultimate destination of dag hammarskjold Plaza by the UN. 

Many wore orange jumpsuits (such as those pictured at right) to call attention to the human rights abuses taking place in Guantanamo. Speakers at the event included members of Code Pink, students from Union Seminary, a father of a slain US soldier (killed in Iraq) and Rev. Luis Barrios.

 

A Speaker From Code Pink addressing the crowd near the U.N.



Rev. Luis Barrios speaking - Mr. Arredondo, background, lost his son Alex, in Iraq.

Protests in Washington D.C.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

(click on a photo to see larger image)

An anti-war protest in DC drew thousands of concerned citizens calling for an end of the war.


Fourth Anniversary of the US Invaision of Iraq

Monday, March 19, 2007

(click on a photo to see larger image)

Activists prior to civil disobedience marking the 4th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq.   

Several different groups including the War Resister's League interrupted traffic in the Wall Street area of Manhattan, resulting in numerous arrests.
Read More On-Line:  Reuters    Editor & Publisher    Village Voice

Brooklyn Parents for Peace Annual Peace Fair

Each year Brooklyn Parents for Peace holds a Peace Fair to raise support/awareness re the most pressing social justice issues of the day. At the October 2006 event the toll of the Iraq war was a major theme. This exhibit ("Eyes Wide Open") uses empty boots to symbolize the soldiers killed in the war. Another exhibit used photos of each soldier (which covered an enormous wall at Long Island University (the Brooklyn campus). (click for larger image.)


ASBC participated in a major Darfur Rally in NYC Central Park on Sunday afternoon, September 17, from 2:00-5:00 pm in the Central Park East Meadow, close to 5th Avenue at East 97th Street. The focus of this world rally was to encourage a UN Security Council Resolution for an international United Nations peacekeeping mission, adequate support for the African Union Mission in Sudan during the interim, and safety for humanitarian workers. For more, see www.uu-uno.org.


Manhattan — Hiroshima Day Events, August 5 (Saturday), 1 to 7 pm: the NYC War Resister's League is sponsoring an exhibit about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings to be displayed in Tompkins Sq. Park (St. Marks Pl. and Avenue A on Lower East Side); 7 pm, there will be a solemn procession from the park to the west side of Manhattan; for more information, contact or 718-768-7306


Sunday, June 10th 2006, Brooklyn Pride Parade: Join us for New York City's second-largest Gay and Lesbian Pride event of the season. The Festival takes place at Bartel- Pritchard Circle and along Prospect Park West from 15th Street to 9th Street. The Parade begins at Bartel-Pritchard Circle (Prospect Park West at 15th Street) and travels up 15th Street to Seventh Avenue, continuing north on Seventh Avenue to Lincoln Place. To walk behind the ASBC banner with members and friends of the church, contact Rev. Tom Martinez at (718) 941-2640.


Sunday June 18th 2006, 3rd Annual Children of Abraham Peace Walk: a beautiful interfaith event beginning at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, where brief tours of the mosque will be offered (at 1:30PM). After a brief service of sharing and interfaith prayers for peace, we'll walk to the Park Slope Jewish Center (14th St. and 8th Avenue).


All Souls Bethelehem Church, Brooklyn, NY

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