Col Ann Wright Book Readings in Florida


Retired Colonel Ann Wright
DISSENT: Voices of Conscience, Government Insiders Speal Out Against the War in Iraq.

During the run-up to war in Iraq, Ann Wright resigned her State Department post in protest. She had served in the U.S. military and diplomatic corps for 29 and 16 years respectfully, and she was among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military who spoke out, resigned, leaked documents, or refused to deploy. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, she and coauthor Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law. Join us to celebrate the publication of Ann's new book.

[TOUR Schedule below] More about Ann: http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/206.html


VIDEO LINKS

Shut Down Guantanamo!
Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright speaking at the meeting the night before the demonstration at the US Southern Command in Miami, Florida.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pV4go_QU3n8

International Human Rights Day
At a White House rally, on Dec. 10, 2007, Col. (Ret) Ann Wright sharply criticized the Bush-Cheney Gang for condoning torture around the world; and for its use of rendition (kidnapping) to send detainees to other countries that torture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqDdg02S14

BOOK SIGNING TOUR SCHEDULE ~ In Florida Jan 24 - 29, 2008
Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
6:00 PM ~ Sarasota News and Books 1341 Main Street Sarasota, Florida 34236
http://www.sarasotanewsandbooks.com/ Andrew Foley 941-323-2310

Friday, Jan 25, 2008
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ The First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 East Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32803 codepinkorlando@gmail.com

Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm ~ Peace Forum: Ann Keynote
USF Campus (Specific Rm TBA. Call Mike)
4202 E. Fowler Ave., ADM241 Tampa, Fl 33620 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502

7:30 pm-9:00 pm ~ Unitarian Universalist Church
2470 Nursery Rd Clearwater, FL 33764 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008
10:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ Free Peace Film/Ann Speaks/
Mingler Beach Theater, 315 Corey Ave. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Contact: Mike Fox, 727-320-4502

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm ~ Ann Speaks At Samm Simpson Fundraising Lunch
Ferg's 1320 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Ann Speaks At Samm Simpson Fundraising Dinner
Leo's Italian Restaurant, 2900 Alt 19 Palm Harbor Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
11:45 am - 1:30 pm (Ann will speak for 10-15 minutes)
Regional Round Table Luncheon Orlando, Florida

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ~ University of Central Florida Student Union Bldg.
4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-0003 E-mail contact: global@mail.ucf.edu

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ~ University of Florida
Arredondo Room (Reitz Union) Gainesville, FL E-mail MCardec@ufic.ufl.edu

"When the actions of government become dangerous to the security of the nation, it takes a special courage for men and women inside the government to speak out. If we care about keeping democracy alive, we must welcome this book." —Howard Zinn"

Ann Wright is not one to be silenced." —Ms. Magazine

For more information, contact 850-241-3191, or visit http://www.voicesofconscience.com/

Dissent: Voices of Conscience, by Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright and Susan Dixon • Foreword by Daniel EllsbergTrade Paperback Original • 296 pages • $17.95 • ISBN 9780977333844Published by Koa Books • www.koabooks.comDistributed to the trade by SCB Distributors, www.scbdistributors.com

Miami January 2008 Press Links


PRESS

"A political protest in the streets of Miami boiled over on Saturday, when several hundred people from the Cuban community clashed with a group of activists. "

Here's the link that takes you to the clip directly. http://cbs4.com/video/?id=46104@wfor.dayport.com
Some GREAT quotes from the day!

  • "The US Government is harboring a terrorist. And George Bush has said that any country that harbors terrorists is guilty of terrorism." Medea Benjamin
  • Tighe Barry speaking to a police officer:
    " They do not have permits to carry ten foot polls and with points on the end. That I know is a fact. Now why you don't, you do not follow the rule of law. When the rule of law breaks down, Democracy breaks down. When Democracy breaks down, Anarchy takes place. And what we saw in the streets of Miami was Anarchy! "

Another article from the MIAMI HERALD: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_dade/story/376973.html
Cuban exile militant stirs up foes, fans By David Quinones dquinones@MiamiHerald.com


Photos by Ricardo Lopez/ Miami Herald Staff

Awesome Slide Show of the Shut Down Guantanamo Rally:
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/miami/shutgitmo/

Guantanamo Prison Protests at SouthCom in Doral
http://cbs4.com/local/Guantanamo.prison.camps.2.627676.html

DORAL (CBS4) ―
Demonstrators, joined by the national anti-war Code Pink movement, were protesting near the Pentagon's Southern Command headquarters in Doral Friday morning calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camps in Cuba.
It was coordinated worldwide by Amnesty International, marking the sixth anniversary of the opening of the camps.
Six years ago, the first 20 detainees arrived at the remote U.S. Navy base to open the offshore detention and interrogation center.
The Defense Department, which had no official comment on the anniversary, calls the prison camps a war-on-terror necessity and says captives are treated humanely.
The Southern Command overseas the Pentagon's operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and supervises the prison camps, where the United States currently holds 275 men as ``enemy combatants.''
Some of the Doral demonstrators wore orange jumpsuits synonymous with what the prisoners are clothed in.

URGENT ALERT & CALL OUT FROM MIAMI!!!
Dear Friends,
As you probably know from previous emails, our guests from CodePINK have planned to launch their Terrorist Watch Campaign focusing on Luis Posada Carriles , today, Saturday, by meeting in front of the Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW 8th St) at 11am to begin to pass out flyers calling for the arrest of this known terrorist.

The CodePINK activists have come to Miami to lead the successful protest that occurred on Friday in front of the Southern Command in Doral to demand the closing of the Guantanamo Detention Center.

After the protest on Friday members of CodePINK went to a Miami Cuban Radio station to participate in a talk show on Posada Carriles case. When they arrived they encountered a very hostile agitated audience and they debated some equally hostile radio commentators. During the show they were told that if they showed up at the Versailles they would receive a hostile response which would lead to one of them having their " head split open" by a "Castro agent posing as a Cuban right winger". Tonight Medea Benjamin, a national leader of CodePINK, received of phone call from a report from El Nuevo Herald, informing her that the Vigilancia Mambisa, Alpha 66 and other right wing Cuban groups would be holding a counter protest beginning at 10AM at the same location as the Code Pink action.

Over the past year these organizations have physically attacked 3 peaceful protests against the Bush administrations policies regarding Cuba and Venezuela. In all 3 cases First Amendment Rights were trampled upon as the protests were violently broken up with none of the violent attackers being arrested.

Today this must not be allowed to happen again. This morning we will be meeting with the City of Miami Police to facilitate their ability to enforce the law and protect our First Amendment Rights. We cannot allow a small group of right wingers to turn back the clock to a time when people in Miami lived in fear if they expressed opposition to the US policies on Cuba and Latin America. Please join us in supporting CodePINK'S right to free speech by joining them across the street from the Versailles Restaurant at 11 AM this morning. For more information please call me at 305-582-4846 or Media Benjamin at 415-235-6517
Best Regards,
Jack Lieberman
South Florida Peace & Justice Network


Doral protesters target Guantánamo
BY CAROL ROSENBERG Miami Herald Posted on Fri, Jan. 11, 2008
crosenberg@MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/375414.html

About 60 protesters -- many wearing trademark orange jumpsuits -- staged a street demonstration near the Pentagon's outpost in Doral Friday -- protesting the sixth anniversary of the opening of the prison camps at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Morning rush-hour motorists mostly whizzed by the demonstrators, who were chanting, ''Hey-hey, ho-ho, U.S. out of Guantánamo'' and ''Stop torture now,'' at a busy intersection at Northwest 87th Avenue and Doral Boulevard.
A few drivers honked their car and truck horns as protester Rae Newman of Miami waved a sign declaring, ``Honk 4 Peace.''
''People are somewhat complacent,'' she said, adding that the horn-honking ``goes in waves, actually. When one person honks, it gives others the courage to honk.''
The local demonstrators, joined by the national anti-war movement called Code Pink, were protesting near the U.S. Southern Command as part of a coordinated series of demonstrations called by Amnesty International.
Six years ago Friday, the first 20 detainees arrived at the remote U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba to open the offshore detention and interrogation center. Since then, nearly 800 detainees have been held there -- 275 of whom remain behind barbed wire enclosures as ``enemy combatants.''
Only two are now formally charged with crimes; two more await charges and a Pentagon official has said, in the end, the Bush administration expects to put 90 of the 275 on trial.
The Defense Department, which had no official comment on the anniversary, calls the prison camps a war-on-terror necessity and says captives are treated humanely.
Medea Benjamin, Code Pink founder, said the coordinated demonstrations across the globe were designed to send a message. ``We want the world to see another face of the American people -- one that believes in human rights and justice for all.''
Last year, for the fifth anniversary, she led a dozen people to the Cuban side of the minefield separating the isolated U.S. Navy base from Cuba proper -- and staged a vigil there. Among them were the mother and brother of Guantánamo detainee Omar Deghayes, who was released to the British government last month and is in London awaiting a court decision on whether he will be extradited to Spain.
The Doral demonstrators fanned out on a sidewalk with banners that also declared, ''Torture is terror'' and ''Close Guantánamo.'' About a third wore the jumpsuits and held photos of war-on-terror detainees, both men since freed and some still in the prison camps.
The protesters marched up a sidewalk toward Southcom, the jumpsuits and banners serving as quirky street theater in generally businesslike Doral.
One protester brought a pet rooster, saying it symbolized ``a wake-up call for America.''
Most of the demonstrators were locals, among them Florida National Guard soldier Camilo Mejia, 32, a former staff sergeant who was busted down to private after he was convicted of desertion for refusing to serve a second tour in Iraq in 2004.
Mejia, now of Sunny Isles, served nine months in an Army prison and is now appealing his conviction.
Meantime, he said he came to protest for a ''due process'' at Guantánamo but not in support of the detainees.
``It's not about the people who are there. It's about us. Everybody's entitled to their day in court. Give them an attorney and charge them with something.''
Southcom is the Pentagon's outpost for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and has supervised the prison camps since before they opened on Jan. 11, 2002.

Say NO to Guantanamo & Terrorists in Miami!

Thursday, Jan 10, 2008
11:00 am PRESS Conference ~ Close Guantanamo, Uphold the Constitution!
Quinta Inn & Suites (Miami Airport West, 8730 NW 27th St, Doral
Ret. Colonel Ann Wright, Medea Benjamin, Camilo Mejia (Iraq Veteran), Santiago Leon from Miami for Peace, National Lawyers Guild representing Guantanamo detainees.

12:00 noon
Lunch with Senator Nelson
Here's your opportunity to sit down and listen to Bill or stand outside with your banners and signs about torture and terrorists. Democratic Professionals Council luncheon. Cost is $35 per person in advance/$40 at the door. Guests welcome. They expect to sell out so make your reservations early! http://www.democraticprofessionalscouncil.org/home.php?chapter=Palm%20Beach#76

7:00 pm Forum for
International Day to Close Guantanamo
Speakers: CODEPINK cofounder Medea Benjamin, Colonel Ann Wright, Iraq Vet Camilo Mejia, and legal experts. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, 7701 S.W. 76th Ave.
Sponsored by Miami for Peace, CODEPINK, and the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.


Photos by Ricardo Lopez/ Miami Herald Staff

Friday, January 11, 2008
7:00 a.m.-9:00 am Rally* & Picket for International Day to Close Guantanamo
Vicinity of the U.S. Southern Command NW 87th Ave & NW 36th St.Doral, FL

9:00 am March to the U.S. Southern Command

Saturday, January 12, 2008
11am-6pm Terrorist Watch
Campaign focusing on Luis Posada Carriles
Call for the targeting and arrest of this known terrorist
Meet at Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW 8th St) 11am to begin outreach
For details on Terrorist Watch call 415-235-6517

Sunday, January 13, 2008
All day and overnight vigil
Contact Medea Benjamin or call 415 235-6517

6:00 pm
Coral Gables Book Signing ~ Books & Books, 265 Aragon, Avenue, Coral Gables, FL Guest Speaker, Col. Ann Wright , coauthor with Susan Dixon of Dissent; Voices of Conscience with forward by Daniel Ellsberg. The public is Welcome. No Admission Fee, No Reservations. Contact Books & Books, 305-442-4408

Monday, January 14, 2008
9am Press Conference at Miami FBI office
16320 Northwest 2nd Avenue, North Miami Beach

12 noon Office of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
8660 West Flagler Street, Suite 131 (tel 305-220-3281)

5:00pm Delray Peace Corner Corner of Swinton and Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. Please join us in our weekly vigil/protest on this great visibility corner! Contact Hillary spiderhill@usa.net or Vicki vickiryder@juno.com

7:30 pm WPB Book Signing ~ WPB Marriott Hotel,
1001 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Guest Speaker, Col. Ann Wright , coauthor with Susan Dixon of Dissent; Voices of Conscience with forward by Daniel Ellsberg. The public is Welcome. No Admission Fee, No Reservations. Contacts: Elna Laun 686-2060 or David Prensky 832-8511

Chapter Meetings Across Florida


CODEPINK Florida's Local Chapter Meetings*

GAINESVILLE ~ jacque@codepinkalert.org




  • Feb 14, 4-6 pm ~ Valentine's Day counter-recruitment action at the National Guard recruiting office on NW 13th St. at NW 4th Av.

Inspired by the recent Berkley counter-recruitment actions there will be a Kissathon -- Bring your own partner and start kissing from 4-6 pm! We will have chalk to Make Art Not Soldiers. Don't Enlist...Stay And Kiss...That Way Everybody Makes Out! Make Love Not War!

ORLANDO ~ RSVP: codepinkorlando@gmail.com Usually 1st or 2nd WED at 6:30pm

  • WED Feb 13, 6:30pm Dandelion Communitea, Near Mills & Colonial
  • WED March 5, 6:30pm Probably Dandelion Communitea
SARASOTA ~ bellaespana@verizon.net and/or lcmitch78@yahoo.com
  • Every Friday: Join us for vigil/sign holding from 4-5 pm @ Sarasota Bayfront/ US 41 (near Marina Jacks).

SOUTH FL WPB ~ RSVP: spiderhill@usa.net

  • Sun Feb 10, 2:30pm ~ Soma Center and Cafe 609 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. Bring Valentines to send messages to members of Congress: Make Love not War! This is a new date for the February monthly meeting
SW FL Ft MYERS ~ RSVP: hrauen@comcast.net
  • Tues Feb 5, 6;30pm ~ Holley Rauen's house in Ft Myers. PleaseRSVP and I will send directions. hrauen@mac.com

TALLAHASSEE codepinktally@yahoo.com

TAMPA BAY
  • Wed Feb 6, 7:00 - 9:00 pm ~ Meeting at Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, 4819 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33617 Phone: (813) 715-1696 coffeeunchained@yahoo.com OR anitamariestewart@verizon.net
  • Wed March 5, 7:00 - 9:00 pm ~ Meeting at Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse.
    [Repeats Every FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHT]

UCF University of Central Florida ~ xofashionkillaxo@aol.com

  • Thursdays 6:00pm ~ Weekly meetings.
VOLUSIA/FLAGLER ~ RSVP: cassydoan@aol.com
  • Thu Feb 21st 6pm to 6:45pm ~ Weekly Demonstration, corner of International Speedway Blvd. and Nova Road

  • Thu Feb 21st 7:00pm to 8pm ~ Meeting location picked after rally
* It's always a good idea to confirm with a local coordinator to make sure the location, time and date are still correct!