WNPJ Action Alerts: Week of July 30th

Action Alert 1: Support "Stop the Drones!" delegation to Pakistan
Action Alert 2: Join Hyatt boycott to support hotel workers
Action Alert 3: Help develop youth leaders for safe schools
Action Alert 4: Urge visa approval for Afghan peace activists
Action Alert 5: Support continues for striking Palermo's workers

Action Alert 1: Support "Stop the Drones!" delegation to Pakistan
Background: After the success of their International Drone Summit, CODEPINK was invited by friends in Pakistan to organize a Peace Delegation to Pakistan September 21-28th. The delegation, called "Peace March to Waziristan." will meet with survivors of US drone attacks and lawyers who are representing drone victims, joining with people directly affected by U.S. drone attacks in a call for an end to the killing. Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK says, "Drones have killed over 3,000 people in Pakistan alone, radicalizing the local population, driving people to the Taliban and increasing anti-American sentiment. It's time for the killing to end!"
Take Action: 1) Click here to read and sign a petition that the peace delegates will hand-deliver to the U.S. Ambassador in Pakistan. 2) Click here for information about how to join the Peace March. 3) Click here to make a donation to the scholarship fund for young people who want to join the Peace March.
Contact for more info: CODEPINK, 202-248-2093, dc@codepink.org  

Action Alert 2: Join Hyatt boycott to support hotel workers
Background: Hyatt housekeepers clean up to 30 rooms in a shift, and suffer the highest injury rate of housekeepers studied at 50 hotel locations, according to a recent report. In some cities, Hyatt workers have responded to their back-breaking workloads by going on strike. But Hyatt is striking back against its workers, firing all the housekeeping staff at one Hyatt in Boston, replacing them all with temp workers earning minimum wage.
Take Action: On Monday, Hyatt workers announced a global boycott against all Hyatt hotels. Faith leaders, organized by Interfaith Worker Justice , have joined together in support of the Hyatt workers and in support of the Hyatt boycott. A number of Catholic organizations have pledged to move events out of Hyat, and Jewish leaders declared the Hyatt as lo kasher (not kosher) until it treats its workers with justice. Along with observing the Hyatt boycott yourself, please click here to read and sign a petition by Interfaith Worker Justice to Hyatt management.
Contact for more info: Interfaith Worker Justice , 773-728-8400, online contact form here...

Action Alert 3: Help develop youth leaders for safe schools
Background: GSAFE , the Gay-Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, will bring student activists together in August at their 13th Annual Leadership Training Institute (LTI). At LTI campers will spend four days learning the skills and knowledge they need to organize for safer schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students. Justin, a student at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee who plans to attend the LTI says, "I'm hoping to gain leadership skills that I can use to run a stronger GSA.  I want to learn how to handle issues that come up, how to run meetings, plan events, and improve the social support aspect of our GSA.  We have 15 new members coming into our GSA next year, so I am going to need some skills to lead the club and help train the new members."
Take Action: GSAFE has set a goal to raise $5,000 to send 40 students to the Leadership Training Institute. Click here to make a donation.
Contact for more info: Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools,  608-661-4141, email: Brian Juchems, Director of Programs, brianj@gsafewi.org  

Action Alert 4: Urge visa approval for Afghan peace activists
Background: The Summer 2012 US-Mexico Caravan for Peace , organized by Global Exchange , is expected to leave San Diego in August and visit two dozen U.S. cities on its way to Washington, DC. The Caravan -- led by victims of Mexico’s drug war who have transformed their losses into moral, courageous, and compassionate action -- will be joined by drug war victims north of the border who also seek peace and an end to the absurd and tragic consequences of drug prohibition. Joining drug-war victims on this multi-state speaking tour will be Afghan peace activists, making the connection between violence caused by the Drug War and violence caused by the "War on Terror." Earlier this month, Dr. Wee Teck Young, a Doctor from Singapore who has worked in Afghanistan with Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, was denied a visa by the U.S. The State Department later reversed its decision and allowed Dr. Young to enter the U.S., after a global campaign in his support organized by Global Exchange and Voices for Creative Nonviolenc e.
Take Action: Two more Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, by the names of Ali and Abdulhai, have also applied for U.S. visas to accompany Dr,. Young on the Peace Caravan. Click here to read and sign a petition to the State Department urging the approval of visas for Ali and Abdulhai.
Contact for more info: Voices for Creative Nonviolence , 773-878-3815, info@vcnv.org  

Action Alert 5: Support continues for striking Palermo's workers
Background: Workers at Palermo's Pizza in Milwaukee have now been on the picket like for more than a month, demanding that Palermo's recognize their right to form a union. Since the beginning of the strike, more information has come to light about conditions at the Palermo's plant, including the fact that Palermo's has paid $7,000 in fines to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for unsafe working conditions, including three separate incidents of worker amputation .
Take Action: The Palermo workers have called for a community boycott of Palermo's pizza until management agrees to bargain with the workers. Here are some ways you can help: 1) Call Palermo’s at 414-643-0919, press 0. Say that you won’t buy Palermos products until they respect their workers right to organize. 2) Click here to sign an online petition to Palermo's. 3) Click here to make a donation to the strike fund, to help the Palermo workers feed their families while on the picket line. 4) Join the striking workers at the picket line in front of the plant at 3301 W. Canal St . Help is especially needed during workers’ shift changes- early morning (8-10 am), mid-afternoon (2-4 pm, and late evening (8-10 pm). The workers also say they need donations of water and umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat.
Contact for more info: Voces de la Frontera , 414-643-1620, statewideorganizer.voces@gmail.com