Pittsburgh Against Torture: Spread the Word (9/20/08)

Bros,

Below is a heads-up on an event that I would like as many of CCHS students as possible to attend. So mark your calendars, check that s*** out, and spread the word! This is an extremely important issue that has implications for the U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the U.N. dealings with countries such as Africa (think, Sudan/Darfur).

Talking About Torture:

How can we learn to speak about the unspeakable?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 9am - 5pm

First Unitarian Church

at

605 Morewood Ave.

Organized by Pittsburgh Against Torture

http://www.pittsburghagainsttorture.org/

Take Action: Darfur

This September, President Bush will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the last time. If he chooses to reaffirm U.S. commitments to protect the people of Darfur, then other world leaders gathered at the UNGA would be likely to follow.

Urge President Bush to say that the U.S. stays committed to ending the violence in Darfur.

Sign that #$%&!!!

China's current wave of repression and brutal crackdowns threatens its Olympic legacy.

Tell Bush to put pressure on China for human rights improvements before the Olympic Games.

An FYI

Asia Society and The Goldman Sachs Foundation are pleased to announce the 2008 Youth Prizes for Excellence in International Education. Up to five winners will be selected to receive up to $10,000 each as well as an all-expense paid trip to New York City in November 2008 to receive their prize.

The 2008 competition asks students to create an in-depth written essay or multimedia feature examining a social or economic issue that has relevance to them in a global context. In the essay category, students will compare and contrast how the issue affects their community and a community abroad, as well as create recommendations for what lessons the two communities could learn from each other.

In the multimedia category, students will explore how a global problem or challenge affects their life as an individual, as a member of their local community, and/or as a global citizen. Please visit http://askasia.org/students/gsfprizes.html for the contest questions, eligibility rules, guidelines and helpful hints, and submission instructions.

The deadline for applications for the Youth Prizes is Thursday, June 12, 2008.

The 2007 winners of The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Elementary/Middle Schools, High Schools, States, and Media/Technology Organizations have just been announced!

Please visit http://www.internationaled.org/prizes/ for more information about the 2007 winners and for the announcement of the 2008 cycle of prizes in early autumn.Sincerely,The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes Team

Remembering Lawrence King

Lawrence "Larry" King was murdered in his school for being openly gay. He was shot to death by a boy he had expressed his feelings to. A few with places more details are located here:

http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/02/AR2008040203800.html?hpid=moreheadlines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.O._Green_School_shooting

In a society that says it represents tolerance and freedom in the world, things like this have to make us stop and wonder.

FOr those of you who use facebook, you may have seen some groups acknowledging the tragedy and this advert on the sides:


http://www.dayofsilence.org/content/getinvolved_FRL.html
April 25th will be a day of silence to remember Lawrence King

Might this be something to get the school involved in? or should we forego it as it risks ridicule due to the immaturity of some students....