In the United States, a country that prides itself on its democracy, it is ironic that it also is one of the most active abusers of human rights, most recently seen in the treatment of Iraquis at Abu Ghraib prison, as well as in the ongoing unwavering financial and political support by the U. S. for Israel and its occupation of Palestine.

The goal of this exhibit is to represent the lives of people in human struggle in ways that are humanistic and informative, and to tell important stories not told by the traditional western media.

Human Rights Watch says that there is now overwhelming evidence that U. S. mistreatment and torture of Muslim prisoners took place not merely at Abu Ghraib but at facilities throughout Afghanistan and Iraq as well as at Guantanamo and at “secret locations” around the world, in violation of the Geneva Conventions and the laws against torture.

“Family Ties:  Occupied Art” features work by Arizona artist Suzanne Klotz, whose art is inspired by The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her provocative work cuts against the cultural grain that accommodates and rationalizes the military occupations of Iraq and Palestine. Klotz arranged collaborative exhibitions between Israeli and Palestinian artists at Mishkenot Sha’ananim, a non-governmental, non-political, International Cultural Center, Jerusalem, Israel, where she became aware of the plight of the Palestinians

”Art for the Sake of Humanity” – a group exhibition: Mohammed Al-Sadoun witnessed the destruction of Baghdad during the Iraq-Iran war. His work is a protest to censorship and the lack of freedom of expression and human rights in the Middle East. Brenda Louie’s painting “Warring States Series II” protests the cruelty of war and its aftermath. John Takami Morita’s etching “House Demolition II” details conditions in the Jenin Refugee Camp, West Bank. The Palestine-Israel Action Committee’s “Wall of Flags” remembers children’s lives lost to the Occupation. Vanessa Stafford highlights Abu Ghraib prison abuses. Jack Howe, Ian Everard, Lynn Guenther, and Salvadoran-born pop artist Gerardo Gomez display art expressing political themes that question our notions of  “occupation” and, ultimately, war.FMI:  831-423-1626×101

Resource Center for Nonviolence to host “New World Border” poster art show. “First Friday” March 3rd through March 30th Special Reception opening night presentation with Francisco Dominguez, Photographer, Artist and co-organizer of “New World Border” at 5pm.

Click Here for a Flyer for the show.

To raise awareness about the human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and gross violation of civil rights along the US/Mexico Border and establish our new facility as one that is supportive of the arts, the RCNV is hosting the “New World Border” traveling art show. “New World Border” is a collaborative effort from 30 artists throughout the U.S. to express concern about the US/Mexico Border Fence between the two countries both the sections already constructed and the newly proposed routes. Opening Night will feature a special photo slideshow presentation with Francisco Dominguez, artist and co-organizer of “New World Border” on the effects of the US/Mexico border wall.

From the artist’s collaborative statement: “The wall, now being constructed across the length of the US/ Mexico border is like a knife cutting off neighbors, wildlife, indigenous people, and families. The wall is inflaming hatred and contributing to an atmosphere of vigilantism and oppression. While the US walls itself off from the world in the name of “security” what is it sacrificing? A group of artists respond to the wall with imagery from a variety of viewpoints. This is a touring exhibition that is being shown simultaneously at galleries, cultural centers, schools and other venues across the country…. …The wall is destroying and dividing families, communities, ecosystems, and indigenous lands. The wall is part of a national move towards increased militarization of all aspects of society. The time to speak out against it is now.”

The Resource Center for Nonviolence has long been an ally and advocate for the undocumented and greater Latin American community. We take an organizational stance against the US Government’s inhumane and destructive immigration policies. Please come learn more about how you can participate in the newest manifestation of the civil rights struggle. Opening Reception Friday March 2nd at 5pm At NEW Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St.

Sponsored by: The Resource Center Nonviolence, Immigration Action Group of SCCCCOR, the Watsonville Brown Berets, Barrios Unidos

RCNV Project Regeneration Open Mic “People Powered Poetry”
Friday March 9th at 7pm at 612 Ocean St Facility

Link out: Click here for our blog.

Description: Come enjoy an evening of creativity and music! The Resource Center for Nonviolence presents People Powered Poetry featuring a pedal powered sound system at our brand new facility on Ocean Street.

Hope to see you there!

Folksinger
JOHN McCUTCHEON
to perform two Concerts!

John McCutcheon LIVE in the first two concerts at our New RCNV building’s main hall, to benefit the Resource Center for Nonviolence:   Friday night January 13th at 7:30p.m. and a special show for families and children on Saturday morning January 14 at 10a.m. Come hear this folk music virtuoso play songs off his new album as well as loved treasures from his massive archive of music.

TICKETS: Available Now at our current site: 515 Broadway OR reservations through RCNV- call 831-423-1626 (office closed Dec. 27-Jan 2) Click these links to buy tickets NOW:Friday Jan. 13 McCutcheon Tickets or Saturday Jan. 14 McCutcheon Tickets. (We have included 3% for PayPal orders here to cover extra costs to RCNV. We will send you an email to confirm your ticket purchase. Please inform us via email about how many tickets you are purchasing:Anita) Or BUY TICKETS in person at RCNV, 515 Broadway, Santa Cruz:  PRICES: FRIDAY, Jan. 14: RCNV: $16-25 sliding scale advance (general seating); Door $18-25.  SATURDAY, Jan. 15: We also hope to have tickets available at Streetlight Records after January 3.

For more information or reservations (advance reservations pay advance prices), call 831-423-1626.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN AUDIO RECORDING OF HIS TALK.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SEGMENT.

THANK YOU TO INDYBAY.ORG FOR HOSTING OUR AUDIO.

OMAR BARGHOUT on Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions – Israel: The Legacy of MLK and Mandela

Sunday, January 8, 7:00p.m.
First Congregational Church Social Hall
900 High St, Santa Cruz

Book signing to follow program:

“Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights”

Attention all those supporters of ending the Occupation of Palestine- Omar Barghouti, founding member of Palestinian Civil Society Boycott Divestment and Sanctions and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, will speak on January 8, 2012.

The talk with the author of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Human Rights will begin at 7 p.m. with discussion and book signing to follow.

Co-sponsored by PIAC and the Resource Center for Nonviolence.
For more Information please call 831 423 1626 or email dorahbee_at_comcast.net

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF FLYER.