On September 22, 2015 at 1pm in Gardner Auditorium at the Massachusetts State House, the Agriculture Committee will hear arguments for and against transparency in GMO food labeling. This is an absolutely critical opportunity to make your voice heard and to sent a strong message to state legislators:

We need to know what were eating and we need the Massachusetts legislature to pass mandatory GMO labeling THIS SESSION!

The Massachusetts GMO labeling bill (H.3242) is the most popular bill in the State House, with over 75% of the legislature signed on as cosponsors.

We could soon join with Connecticut, Maine and Vermont in setting the standard for national mandatory GMO labeling. But if its going to come up for a vote this session, we need to turn out with undeniable energy and make this a priority for legislators this year. With 30 new GMO crops in the pipeline and Monsanto working to pass the federal DARK Act, we dont have time to waste.

Please help us fill up the hearing room (which seats 600) with GMO labeling supporters. Click here for more info and to sign up to attend the public hearing. We are also collecting testimony to present to the committee.

“The DARK ACT passing the House shines a big, bright light on our opposition and the lengths they will go to to keep us in the DARK about what we are eating. This bright light on who controls our government and who our elected officials are actually representing will galvanize the grassroots. We did not lose today. We gained strength and momentum and now more people will be shaken from their complacency to stand and fight with us.”

(From the community forum)

Hey Folks, please take a minute and sign this White House petition! This is a personal letter I am sending to you because this matters deeply to me, and in my heart I feel this has to be won.

National Forest land which has been used by the Apaches for ages has been given away to a mining company, and Obama is our last hope to save the National Park space from destruction. We need 100K signatures by August 21, and this hasn’t even topped 1000 yet.

This land was given away to to a mining company in a recent (unrelated) spending bill. After the people fought to keep mining out for many years, the industry finally got it’s way. But, it’s not over yet! Please take a moment of your time to take the next step in saving this sacred land!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/save-oak-flatapache-leap-holy-place-san-carlos-apache-tribe-designating-it-national-monument

Oak Flat, currently a part of Tonto National Forest, has been a sacred place for the San Carlos Apache tribe for generations, used for coming-of-age ceremonies for young girls and for traditional acorn gathering. An addition to the most recent National Defense Authorization Act makes it part of a land swap between the Forest Service and Resolution Copper Mining, a subsidiary of two multinational corporations. This land has been protected from mining since the Eisenhower administration. We call on President Obama to use his designated authority to establish National Monuments in order to preserve this sacred place from destruction.

Thanks kindly for your thoughtful participation. Please tell everyone you can to help with this!

Sunday, July 26, at 4pm: Our Lives on the Line: A Rally and Vigil Against the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline. Rally at Gonzalez Field in Dedham, 500 High Street. Starting at 4:30, a walk and peaceful vigil at the Dedham-Boston City Line, 5530 Washington Street, West Roxbury, along the path of the proposed pipeline, linking arms.

Worship Along the Pipeline. Prior to the Rally, at 3:00 pm at Gonzalez Park, there will be a “Worship Along the Pipeline” service led by area clergy. All are welcome.

For more information, see:
http://www.resistthepipeline.org
https://www.facebook.com/events/1626482794289467

Boston NAACP, in collaboration with URBAN Boston (Urban Research-Based Action Network), will host its first public conversation on, and extending beyond, Boston’s bid to host the 2024 Olympics.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1589624054632428

Please Save the Date!

The Boston Olympic Bid, Communities of Color, and the Future of Our City

Thursday, July 16th, 2015 from 6-8PM

Freedom House, 5 Crawford Street, Dorchester

Food will be served

• Share your perspective about what you think has been missing from the public conversation about a potential Boston Olympics.
• Hear about an opportunity to engage in community-based research about the Boston bid in partnership with researchers, community groups, and residents.
• Learn about how community groups in other cities have organized to influence the Olympic bid process.

Please Join Us!

Seating is limited to 100, so please RSVP to urban.boston(AT)umb.edu by Monday, July 13th

Hosted by Boston NAACP and URBAN Boston (Urban Research-Based Action Network)

4th of July jingoism got you down? Then come to the annual Anti-Imperialist Picnic!

Build World Peace
Celebrate Independence for All Nations

Saturday, July 4th
Noon – 4:00pm
Charles River Park, Boston (Allston)

Sunbathe or sit in the shade
Play Frisbee / Futbol / Bring your own game
Eat lots of good food (yummy vegan options)
Radical folk songs in English and Spanish
Have Fun

We will be there early to stake out a picnic table. Look for our banners. We will provide the charcoal. We suggest bringing blankets or lawn chairs.

NO STARS & STRIPES PLEASE

This event is sponsored by the Boston branch of the Industrial Workers of the World. Please consider asking your organization to endorse and bring food or beverages to share!

Directions: The Charles River Park is located off Soldiers Field Road at Everett St. in Allston. Parking and picnic tables are by the water. Here’s a map: http://tinyurl.com/km9d4g.

RSVP on Facebook and tell us if you can bring a dish:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1451857298465313