Our Central Ohio area native son Abe Bonowitz has been named “Abolitionist of the Year” by the Board of Directors of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP). He will be given this most special award at the Annual Conference of the NCADP in Washington, D.C. on October 16, 2004. Abe started his activism in Bexley, Ohio.

A Zogby International poll taken on the eve of the Republican National Convention in New York City found 49.3% of New York City residents believe that some of our leaders “knew in advance that attacks were planned on or around September 11, 2001, and that they consciously failed to act.” The key question is how many members of the Bush clan knew, or does Cheney have them on a need-to-know basis only.

There is a local effort afoot to bring Peacejam training to Columbus. The training and curriculum are provided free through Peacejam. This training is a one-day six-hour training geared to adults who have four or more high school-aged students to work with. One-year commitment of at least 1½ hours per week is expected. Ideal for high school teachers, after school groups, youth groups, agencies that serve youth, faith-based youth groups or individuals with four or more high school aged youth to work with. There is also an elementary curriculum (classroom-based) training available. Anyone interested in the training, contact Lezlie at 614-443-6334. We only need 20 people!

Peacejam facts: ¨ 11 Nobel Peace Laureates on board including Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama
¨ Over 50,000 participants
¨ Over 140,000 community service projects started
¨ 93% of all participants believe an individual can make a difference
¨ 97% of all participants will be peacemakers for the rest of their lives

Mission Statement:

The rumors swirled among the Operation Save America faithful, as they whispered to each other: “A pro-deather punched out a cop!” Or an alternative version had him assaulting a woman. Who was this vilified creature? None other than our local Gandhian peace guru, Mark Stansbery. Stansbery participated in an anti-OSA demonstration, and after being tackled by an undercover cop was injured, arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The undercover cops had infiltrated OSA and were dressed, as Mark described them, like the “Blue Meanie” males of OSA.

Charges against Stansbery were dismissed after the state failed to provide him with a “speedy trial.” Local attorney Jim McNamara represented Stansbery in the criminal case. Stansbery said that the community has a right to counter protest without being attacked by undercover cops. “This is a community issue and we intend to pursue it,” he concluded.

You all know how awful Clear Channel is with their push of Rush, Bush and the Iraqi war. It has gobbled up populist stations and muzzled free speech. Now, it seems they spread their hate to animals, too. The following information is not for the faint of heart, so take care before you read on. These events happened at Clear Channel stations.

A Denver disc jockey (KPBI-FM) was recently convicted of animal cruelty for orchestrating a stunt in which a chicken was dropped from a third-story balcony to see if it could fly. In Wheeling, a steer’s execution was recorded and aired for 129 stations during a live broadcast. Another similar event involving a Clear Channel DJ (KEGL-FM) in Dallas involved feeding a rabbit to a snake – on the air. (This station was forced to record a public apology on the air and publicize animal welfare information on their web site.)

In addition, Clear Channel’s Tampa station DJ was just charged with felonious animal cruelty for castrating and then butchering an unanesthetized pig in the parking lot of the station. Many consider this a ratings stunt. The animal was screaming in pain.