New Book by LA Catholic Worker Jeff Dietrich

Broken and Shared: Food, Dignity, and the Poor on Los Angeles Skid Row  by Jeff Dietrich

The essays that make up Broken and Shared were originally published bi-monthly over a forty year period in the newspaper of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker, The Catholic Agitator. Collected together for the first time in this book, these essays constitute Jeff Dietrich’s witness to poverty on Los Angeles’ Skid Row.

The vast scope of Jeff Dietrich’s essays introduces the reader to a world like no other. These essays combine the stories of poor women and men with a record of the author’s civil disobedience, with a chronicle of the city’s attitude of depraved indifference when it comes to the treatment of its poor, with a day-to-day history of the rapidly changing landscape that is downtown Los Angeles. The arguments and analyses in this book are predicated on singular and radical readings of the Biblical texts in counterpoint with a varied and rich array of philosophical, literary, and critical ideas.

Through the lens of Jeff Dietrich’s perspective and rooted in his life of self-imposed poverty, this book is both a prescription for change and an inspiration for how we might find ways to live more meaningful lives because we know the importance of caring for those who have nothing to offer but themselves.

Critics say:

“The world looks brighter for rarities like Jeff Dietrich.”

—Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and President’s Marymount Professor in Residence, Loyola Marymount University

“Jeff’s life-giving text held me enchanted, page after page, hours on end. I was at the mercy of magister… a verbal magician, who is also, gift beyond price, a friend.”

—Daniel Berrigan, S.J., Activist and Poet

“Jeff writes with self-deprecating humor and extraordinary insight, confronting his fears, and confirming his faith.”

—Martin Sheen, Activist and Actor

“This is a one of a kind primer on the life of this courageous man, his community and the newspaper he forged.”

—Joanne Kennedy, Managing Editor, The Catholic Worker

“Each issue of the Agitator contains a new surprise of ways in which anger, ennobled by grace can be sweet.”

—Ivan Illich, Philosopher and Social Critic

“You and the LA Catholic Worker bring light in this dark time for justice and peace.”

—Rabbi Leonard L. Beerman, Founder of Leo Baeck Temple

“Jeff Dietrich’s work is both authentic and important.”

—Jacques Ellul, Philosopher and Theologian

 JEFF DIETRICH was born in Newport News, Virginia. When he was nine years old his parents moved to Southern California where he was raised and educated. After college and in order to avoid the draft, he spent six months traveling in Europe and North Africa. For the last forty years, he has lived in community at the Los Angeles Catholic Worker in solidarity with the poor. Jeff Dietrich is an activist, whose numerous actions of civil disobedience have landed him in jail more than forty times; he is a cook and a kitchen worker, whose efforts have helped provide more than three million meals to the homeless on Los Angeles’ Skid Row; and he is a writer, whose eye-witness accounts of the suffering and deprivation of the poor are imbedded in his relentless and vehement exposure of the political and social system that helps to maintain their poverty.

Information for ordering the book:

http://lacatholicworker.org/2011/11/27/jeffs-book

Vigil in UK for Julian Assange

LONDON--An anti-war solidarity vigil was held outside the High Court/Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London, on Monday Dec 5th against the extradition of Julian Assange.  The vigil was organized by London Catholic Worker and Veterans for Peace to keep the focus on the real issues--the truth about the wars as evidenced by the WikiLeaks disclosures Bradley Manning is accused of leaking. 

Ben Griffin of Veterans for Peace UK spoke about the way the state treats those who dare to speak out and tell the truth about the wars. Ben is himself subject to a High Court gagging order in relation to his experiences in the army. Ben was in the SAS and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan before refusing to go back to war and leaving the army. Prior to the injunction, Ben had spoken publicly about British involvement and complicity in the extraordinary rendition of non-combatants from Iraq and Afghanistan, who were handed over by British troops to the Americans in full knowledge of what would happen to them.

Today, Ben referred to the importance of the WikiLeaks disclosures for soldiers talking about their experiences of the wars, since these revelations provide evidence which confirms stories that the state could otherwise dismiss as unsubstantiated rumor. Ben spoke about the length of time Julian Assange has been fighting this case and has been held under virtual house arrest (nearly one year). He also mentioned Bradley Manning, held for 18 months without trial, for nine of those months in conditions of torture, and Michael Lyons, the British Navy medic jailed for seven months for refusing to take up arms and opposing the war in Afghanistan, whose appeal against this charge and sentence was dismissed by judges after a mere couple of minutes of supposed deliberation. Ben pointed out that anyone who speaks out against the state and its wrongs is likely to be treated in such ways.

Another speaker today referred to the frequent use made by authorities through history of fabricated rape allegations to discredit those who oppose the state or are seen as some kind of threat; this was also referred to by Women Against Rape in a letter to the press almost a year ago, as Assange was beginning his battle against extradition to Sweden.

Source:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/12/489835.html?c=on

December 4 Support Vigil for Julian Assange in Washington, DC

by Malachy Kilbride

WASHINGTON, DC--As the sun set over Washington, DC, where Occupy DC was being threatened with dispersal by federal and local DC police forces, a small group of local DC area residents gathered outside the British Embassy and Chancery compound to support Julian Assange and oppose the course of injustice he is being forced on that may see his extradition to the United States which has been implicated in the Wikileaks revelation of American war crimes in Iraq amongst other countries around the world.

A small gathering by candlelight took place attended by local resident activists composed of the local Dorothy Day Catholic Worker community, Pax Christi USA, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, and others from around metropolitan Washington, DC.

It has been seriously considered by legal experts that if Assange is turned over to Swedish authorities he will very likely be handed over to the United States Government for his reported role in the Wikileaks revelations of US war crimes in Iraq amongst other revelations of US war criminality. Recently it was noted in the press that if Assange is extradited to the US that he very well me brought before a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia not far from Washington, DC. This area is known for it's high percentage of military, retired military, war contractors, and those connected professionally or through family to the US intelligence community. Local peace and social justice activists in the Washington, DC area are mindful of this as they also prepare for demonstrations of support for alleged US war crimes whistle blower, US Army Private Bradley Manning, who is scheduled for trial outside of Washington, DC this month. 

Photos by Judith Kelly, School of Americas prisoner of conscience

Malachy Kilbride, malachykilbride@yahoo.com

National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance

http://www.iraqpledge.org/wordpress/

New Spiritual Series from Iowa

Michelle and Robert Smith will present a spiritual series beginning in December, 2011, called “Light for the Path.”  Their description of that series is as follows.

“Light for the Path Is intended for everyone committed to a personal exploration of what it might mean to live as a "mystic - activist" ponders the seriousness of that call and the times in which we live. How is it possible to live a life of radical -- sustainable -- commitment as a member of an intentional community not just for winter break, or for a year after college, but as the most intensely wonderful career one could imagine? How to follow after the examples of people like Dorothy Day, Thich Nhat Hahn, Aung San Suu Kyi, Daniel Berrigan, and Wangari Maathai -- and perhaps stay both sane and alive, if not flourish in joy?

Beginning Friday, December 2, and continuing for fourteen weeks we will focus the burninghand blog (www.theburninghand.com) on the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of Thich Nhat Hahn.

Thich Nhat Hahn is a poet, Zen master, and peace activist. He is the author of over 75 books, including Living Buddha, Living Christ, Being Peace, and Peace Is Every Step. He was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize -- so he has been around for a while and has maintained his personal commitment to a path of transformation. He continues to live in exile from his native Vietnam since 1966; he lives in Plum Village, the meditation community he founded in southwestern France.

Every community of "activists" struggles with all of the issues anyone / everyone faces as a human being -- but with a difference. We are "aware" enough of the reality of suffering in the world that we feel compelled to do what we can to ease it. We are "aware" enough of the connections between greed, power, violence, and poverty, injustice, exploitation, and oppression that we feel compelled to do what we can to ease it. Or maybe we've discovered that we don't really fit in the "structures" of the world and hunger for our own liberation... And so we begin to look for a place to stand... a place upon which we can build our lives, be of service, and maybe make a difference because we breathed for a while the air of this Planet. Awareness requires connecting with others -- oftentimes those connections lead to the formation of intentional communities -- that is both the "difference" and the nexus of rEvolution...

An increasing number of intentional communities are finding a real mix of folks bringing with them a real mix of faiths, philosophies, beliefs, and un-beliefs. How is that mix going to find a common ground -- but not just any common ground, especially one that is likely to become a swamp and slowly suck the juices out of everyone involved? How is that mix -- a truly human community -- going to find in one another light and support for their mutual liberation? Six years ago when Michelle and I were "re-forming" the Catholic Worker Community "Companions of the Way" in Salinas, we discovered the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings as taught by Thich Nhat Hahn. We "massaged" them to deepen their inter-faith flavor, and used them as the basis for our community focus, intention, practice, and evaluation in the midst of a soup kitchen, day shelter, emergency women's shelter, a mixed permanent supportive housing project, youth program, summer camps, and assorted other projects. Four months into our sabbatical year, we are going to ruminate together and offer some of the fruits of those ruminations for you to ponder and perhaps use as tools for deepening your own practice, intention, and path.

Again, beginning Friday, December 2, and continuing for fourteen weeks the burninghand blog (www.theburninghand.com) will offer reflections on the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings for you to personalize and use as you feel called and inspired. Here is a way for your "Open Hearts, Open Hands" to enter the sacred circle: Awareness, Awakening, Action...
----------------
First Reflection
The first reflection in this series can be read here.

---------------

Michelle and Robert Smith are founding members of Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center in Salinas. They are on sabbatical, living and writing in Decorah, Iowa. Their web site is www.theburninghand.com

Michelle and Robert Smith

213 Valley View Dr.

Decorah, Iowa 52101

mountaindogwood@hotmail.com

563-379-9826

Art Laffin Travels to Italy for Anti Death Penalty Conference

by Art Laffin

I have been invited by the Rome-based Community of Sant'Egidio (CSE) to take part in the "World Day of Cities for Life/Cities Against the Death Penalty Campaign" and speak in Italy about my experience as a murder victim family member. It has been a great privilege for me to be invited by CSE to speak in different countries during the last four years. In 2007 I spoke in Rome, in 2008 I went to Spain, in 2009 I travelled to Mozambique, and last year I visited  Germany. These trips were extraordinary faith-filled experiences. This year, from November 27 - December 5, I will speak in the northeast part of Italy. I also hope to visit Assisi. I return to the U.S. on December 6.

I am especially grateful to my wife, Colleen, and son Carlos, to community members Kathy Boylan, and Amber and Kevin Mason, and to all the extended Dorothy Day Catholic Worker community, for their support of me being able to make this trip at this time. And, as always, I am grateful to each of you who receive this for your heartfelt prayers and support.

I can't believe that twelve years have passed since my brother, Paul, was murdered. As I travel to Italy I carry Paul in my heart. I also ask you to continue to pray with me for healing for Dennis Soutar, who remains in a Connecticut prison hospital for killing Paul.

What's happening worldwide regarding the death penalty? During 2010, 23 countries executed 527 people and over 2,000 were sentenced to death in 67 countries. More than 17,833 people currently await execution in various countries, including over 3,200 in the U.S. Thankfully, 139 countries and 16 states in the U.S. no longer have the death penalty. The CSE sponsored "Cities for Life Campaign" is but one of many efforts to help bring about total worldwide abolition of state-sanctioned murder.

I have been invited to Italy to share my story as a murder victim family member who opposes the death penalty and speak about Gospel Nonviolence.  Seventeen speaking events have been arranged including the big "Cities for Life" event in the city of Padova on November 30. Worldwide, more than 1,400 cities in 87 countries will illuminate a monument symbol against the death penalty. (See below info about the "Cities For Life Campaign.")

As we approach Thanksgiving and Advent, let us give thanks to God for the miracle of life, for the gift of one another, and for the countless blessings we have been given. Let us pray for each other, that the spirit of love and nonviolence can occupy our hearts, and the hearts of people everywhere as we strive to create the Beloved Community and make God's reign of justice and peace a reality in our world. Let us seek to make the Word flesh in all we do as we strive to be God's peace and justice makers.

With love and gratitude,

Art

Ed Note:

 Art is writing a series of letters describing his experiences it Italy.  They may be read here.

Letter one

Letter two

Letter three
Letter Four

-----------------------

Background Information:

Cities for Life/Cities Against the Death Penalty

On November 30, 2010, more than 60 capitals and about 1300 cities in 87 countries of the world gave life to the eighth World Day of Cities for Life, with mobilizations, rallies, sit-ins, shows, public gatherings in schools and universities, and official commitment by municipalities and citizens councils. Each city that joins in this initiative makes available, as a “live logo,” its main monument which comes “alive” because of different lighting, and as the subject of film shows which underline the engagement and the dialogue with the citizens for a world without capital punishment.

The International Day,, represents the greatest worldwide contemporary mobilization to point to a higher and more civil form of justice, capable of definitely renouncing capital punishment. It is an important opportunity to establish a dialogue with the civil societies and to promote the participation of the administrators in a process of abolition of the death penalty, capable of becoming a constant practice and an identifying character of the city that joins and of its citizens. In this way, opportunities of participation are also opened to vast layers of the civil society in areas where the death penalty is practiced, strengthening the initiative of activists and local organizations within an international network.

The invitation to the various cities to join the Cities for Life initiative and the responsibility for the initiatives is open to the collaboration of all the abolitionist subjects in the world. In addition to the Community of Sant’Egidio, the initiatives can be enlivened by the humanitarian organizations and by the most committed activists city by city. It is an opportunity to awaken all the people in general and more specialized groups (students, teachers, jurists, opinion leaders, administrators, witnesses and the press).

The organization of the event for the ninth time, November 30, 2010, is under way. The general, global title has been consolidated over time in the message “No Justice Without Life”. The initiatives are concentrated on November 29-30 with the objective of fostering a permanent and organic participation of all the administrations of the city. The cities which participate in “Cities for Life” have at their disposal in the website a space where they can put on-line their initiatives for the campaign (lighting of monuments, public events, lectures, theater shows, etc.) and link their pages with those on other sites. In order to have one’s own city invited to participate in Cities Against the Death Penalty, it is possible to contact the coordination secretary (abolition@santegidio.org; info@citiesforlife.net) and have access to the already existing materials for mobilization and communication (films, declarations and invitations to international witnesses) and be informed about the various initiatives in the world in order to be able to suggest a list of initiatives and actions to those who want to get involved and to those in charge of cities.

---------------------------------

NO to the death penalty

Community of Sant’Egidio

p.zza Sant'Egidio, 3/A, 00153, Rome

abolition@santegidio.org

Franciscan ready to accept consequences for joining woman-led liturgy

FORT BENNING, GA--Despite rumors that Franciscan Fr. Jerry Zawada would be excommunicated and expelled from his order for his participation in a liturgy led by a female priest, Zawada and the leadership of his order say that has yet to be discussed.

Zawada participated in the Nov. 19 liturgy while attending the School of Americas Watch in Fort Benning, Ga.

Fr. John Puodziunas, provincial minister of the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province, told NCR that he has not received any contact from the Vatican on the matter.

"There have been no official contacts from anyone," Puodziunas said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Zawada and his lawyer also said no contact had been made.

Zawada, a well-known peace activist, told NCR he met with Puodziunas on Nov. 29 at the Franciscan friary in Franklin, Wis., and said some of the discussion focused on the liturgy held during the SOA Watch weekend.

"[Puodziunas] was reassuring me in many ways," Zawada said. "He was not harsh, he was not antagonistic in any way. He's been very respectful, very kind and very understanding."

Zawada's lawyer, Bill Quigley, also described the talks as a "very mutual, respectful dialogue."

Puodziunas declined to comment on the matter.

Zawada joined Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who was ordained as a priest in 2008 in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, in leading a liturgical service for more than 300 people at the annual SOA Watch in Columbus, Ga., north of Fort Benning.

Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Jerry Zawada celebrate mass at Ft. Benning.

Zawada said he has pondered the issue of women's ordination for "quite a long time," adding that there's "something unjust" with the current structure.

"Our structure needs reshaping," he added.

For him, the opportunity to follow his conscience and to join others to "support the movement" toward female ordination presented itself in the liturgy at SOA Watch.

"[It's what] the Holy Spirit is calling us to do," Zawada said.

Previous cases involving support of women priests have resulted in latae sententiae, or automatic excommunication. Attempted ordination of a woman was added to the Vatican's list of "grave crimes" in 2010.

Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans, said Zawada and others in the church are entitled to due process and a right to a hearing. Quigley said Zawada did not want an adversarial situation, but did want a transparent process.

When asked about a possibility of excommunication, Zawada said the thought was "hurtful on some levels" but told NCR he does not plan to challenge any disciplinary action.

"Whatever consequences come for me, I'm willing to accept," he said, adding he has no intention to retract his opinion and has "no intention of leaving the Catholic church."

Zawada has been involved in a variety of social justice causes. He has been arrested several times for trespassing at previous SOA Watch protests as well as for trespassing while protesting the construction of a nuclear weapons facility in Kansas City, Mo., in 2010.

In 2009, he was a member of the "Creech 14" [6] who peacefully protested the U.S. military's use of automated attack drones, leading to his arrest at Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas. In July of that year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers charged Zawada and others for littering after they allegedly left gallon jugs of water along trails [7] for passing migrants.

Recent years have seen the church take action against several church figures who supported women's ordination. In May, the pope removed Bishop William M. Morris of Australia for a 2006 pastoral letter indicating his openness to ordaining women as well as married men.

Fr. Roy Bourgeois continues to fight to remain a member of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers after his 2008 participation in Sevre-Duszynska's ordination. Bourgeois is a friend of Zawada's.

"I think what [Roy] did was courageous and admire him to this day," Zawada said.

Zawada said he hopes to return to his home in Tucson, Ariz., where he and two fellow friars aid migrant workers, on Dec. 10. It is possible he will meet with Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson upon his return.

Zawada said he will not fight any prospective charges and said he plans to continue working for those in need of help.

"I believe in the struggle for truth and for justice for people," he said. "I want healing. I want hope. I want compassion."

Source:

http://ncronline.org/news/women/franciscan-ready-accept-consequences-joining-woman-led-liturgy

Thirty-one drone protesters found guilty in DeWitt Town Court; four jailed

by Charles Ellis

DEWITT, N.Y.--DeWitt Town Justice David Gideon ruled Thursday night that 31 protesters were guilty on two charges of disorderly conduct.

But, Gideon said, he spent “many a sleepless night” before making his decision and that he learned a great deal during the five-day nonjury trial, which ended Nov. 5.

Clare Grady was sentenced to fifteen days in jail.

The defendants were among 38 people arrested April 22 after they participated in a “die-in” at the main entrance of the New York Air National Guard Base at Hancock Field to protest the MQ-9 Reaper drones, which the 174th Fighter Wing of the guard has been remotely flying over Afghanistan, from Syracuse, since late 2009.

Fred McRoberts, assigned by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute the case, asked the judge to sentence the defendants to 15 days in jail. Instead, Gideon gave no jail time to most of the defendants along with 20 or 25 hours of community service and $250 fines, plus a $125 state surcharge.

The defendants — with the help of testimony by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark — had argued that they should not be prosecuted for their actions. Instead, they should be applauded for trying to block the use of drones from which the United States fires on sovereign nations and uses to kill innocent civilians, in violation of international law, they said.

In fact, they said, they are required to prevent the United States from violating international law.

On Good Friday, most of the defendants lay down in the main entrance roads to the base, off East Molloy Road. Two were in wheelchairs.

The protesters were accused of obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic. In addition, they were accused of refusing to comply with a lawful order from police to disperse.

Some of the defendants had already pleaded guilty, had charges dropped or will go to trial at a later date.

Gideon said he was sympathetic to the defendants’ position.

“Many issues were raised (during the trial) that were not heretofore contemplated by this court on a personal level,” Gideon said in his ruling, “for which this court personally acknowledges a new and different understanding, making the decision … that much more difficult.”

Nonetheless, he ruled them guilty because the defendants clearly blocked a roadway and ignored the police order, he said.

In his ruling, Gideon said he recognized the importance of civil disobedience, but said it is more effective when the participants face consequences for their actions.

“Ultimately, the defendants have arguably accomplished that which they sought by their actions — the drawing of acute attention to their message,” he said.

Many of the defendants, who ranged in age from 18 to 87, thanked Gideon for not narrowly focusing on the issue of disorderly conduct.

“He was listening to arguments that have been consistently ignored by the highest courts in the land,” Brian Terrell, a defendant from Iowa, said at a news conference before Gideon announced his decision.

But some of the defendants said they would not pay any fines, which are required to be paid by Feb. 29. Gideon told them if they don’t pay, it will show up on their credit records and might make it more difficult for them to borrow in the future.

Others said they wouldn’t perform any community service because they already do. He told them to send the court proof of any volunteer work they do for nonprofit groups. It also is required to be done by Feb. 29.

Four defendants were sentenced to jail.

Ellen Grady, 49, of Ithaca, was sentenced to 15 days in jail after she made forceful statements about American foreign policy and asked the judge to give her the maximum sentence. Terrell, 55, was given 10 days in jail.

Judy Bello, 61, of Webster, was sentenced to stay in jail until 5 p.m. Sunday because Gideon said her actions — including bringing so-called “bloody shrouds” to the protest — were premeditated. She said it was no different from wearing a T-shirt.

Defendant Daniel Burns, 51, of Ithaca, said it was “outrageous” for Bello to be jailed because she was one of the weakest defendants. He practically dared Gideon to give him the same jail sentence, and the judge complied, citing his record of previous arrests.

“My children (age 9, 6 and 7 months) will be fine (because he is married and has a large extended family),” Burns said. “It’s the children of Iraq and Afghanistan that won’t be fine.”

The defendants included Syracuse-area residents Ed Kinane, Rae Kramer, Julienne Oldfield, Kathleen Rumpf, Ann Tiffany, Rich Vallejo and Paul Wittjung.

The action was sponsored by the Upstate NY Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars, of which the Syracuse Peace Council is a part. The Coalition consists of activists from Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica.

Source:

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/update_thirty-one_drone_protes.html

Contact Charles Ellis at 470-2218 or cellis@syracuse.com