Our good friends at the Metta Center for Nonviolence in Berkeley are accepting applications for their wonderful 2011 Metta Mentors Nonviolence Immersion Program until March 18. You can download an application form on their site.

As they explain, the program, which runs this summer from June 3 to August 12, is:

…a 10-week mentorship (internship) program based in Berkeley, California. The program pairs students of nonviolence (mentees) with local partner organizations for practical nonviolence and social justice work, while offering regular guidance from Metta, in order to help participants 1) learn about the principles of nonviolence as a personal path, and 2) apply those principles effectively in the service of building a nonviolent culture.

Three days a week, participants work with a local (San Francisco East Bay Area) social justice organization to be of service as an intern, to gain experience in a given field, and to address specific issues relevant to nonviolence in their work.

Twice a week mentees come together under the guidance of the Metta Center to participate in reflective exercises, forums, and workshops that explore how to integrate nonviolence into social change work and daily life.

In short, Metta Mentors is an immersion program in applied nonviolence.

Who we are looking for: The Metta Mentors Program is designed to help young people with an existing interest in nonviolence to catalyze a life-shift, to cultivate a deeper focus on nonviolence, and to inspire within themselves a commitment to be nonviolent in all aspects of life. We are looking for people who want to learn and live nonviolence, to be multipliers of nonviolence — explicitly, by sharing it with others, and implicitly by exemplifying it as a way of life. If you want to live the experiment of nonviolence, to be a voice and exemplar for this way of life, we want you!

• Thousands of Yemenis protest in Ibb, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of the capital Sanaa, calling for an end to the regime of long term President Ali Abdullah Saleh today. Around 10,000 protesters marched in the city of Dhamar and thousands of primary and secondary students marched in the southern provinces of Shabwa, Aden and Lahaj as well.

• Protests for government reform and against corruption in Casablanca’s Mohammed V square drew thousands of Moroccans on Sunday.

• Algeria’s main opposition party held its first rally in seven years on Friday, as thousands of members shouted anti-government slogans and demanded deeper political reforms.

• Protesters demanding a clampdown on corruption in Oman maintained sit-ins Monday, despite the resignation of two ministers and pledges by the government to create jobs.

• Hundreds of Palestinian truck drivers held a sit-in on Monday to protest against Israel’s plans to close one of the main entry points for imports into the Gaza Strip.

• In Jordan, about 200 journalists held a rare protest Monday calling for press freedom and an end to government censorship.

• In Israel, over 10,000 social workers launched a nation-wide strike over low pay on Sunday and they rejected an offer for differential increases in salaries.

• On Sunday, Hong Kong police arrested 113 protesters as thousands demonstrated against the government for not doing enough to help the poor.

• Approximately 200 high school and college students staged a walk-out to chant, march and rally outside the Arizona State Senate building today to protest denounced proposed Arizona anti-immigrant legislation SB 1611, a bill that puts citizenship hurdles in place between students and public education.

• On Sunday, an estimated 500 to 1,000 people who turned out in Times Square to protest upcoming Congressional hearings on radicalization within the Muslim community, arguing that the hearings threaten to single out one religious group unfairly.

• Hundreds of people marched in Las Vegas on Sunday to protest proposed state funding cuts to education would eliminate jobs, wipe out entire college programs and ensure that crowded public school classrooms stay that way.

• In Washington, D.C., 600 activists with National People’s Action shut down a branch of Bank of America Monday to protest the bank’s record of dodging taxes.

Fox News Latino ran an article last week that clearly revealed its slant: “Cuba: If Egypt did it, Why Not Cuba? Some Ask, as Scores Take to the Streets.”

In the piece, Elizabeth Llorente interviews Cuban dissidents and Cuban-Americans who argue that Cuba is far more repressive than Egypt, but that an uprising on the island nation is ultimately inevitable.

(While I’m no expert on Cuba, the claim that it’s much worse than the countries in the Middle East seems really far-fetched. Can anyone who does know more about Cuba let me know in the comment section how Cuba’s political system compares to Egypt under Mubarak or other dictatorial regimes in the region?)

Not surprisingly, NPR took a different approach to the same question in this segment.

While Nick Miroff reports that Castro’s opponents do claim he is more controlling than dictators in the Middle East, he points out that:

Even Jonathan Farrar, the top U.S. official in Cuba, acknowledged in a leaked 2009 cable that Cuba’s dissidents are divided and have little following on the island.

Moreover, Miroff also notes that according to Amnesty International there are only five political prisoners in Cuba at the moment. As terrible as that is, to put it in context, the United States is still holding 172 prisoners in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay, almost all of whom have never been charged with any crime.

Tim DeChristopher, the University of Utah economics student who disrupted a federal auction of oil and gas leases by posing as a bidder in late 2008, was convicted on two felony charges last week. Sentencing is scheduled in June and DeChristopher could face up to 10 years in prison. But few would argue that DeChristopher lost his inner trial of conscience. As he said following the verdict (and many times before), “I have no regrets. I have been ready since I took this action to face the consequences.”

DeChristopher acted on principle and had he been able to express that principle in court, perhaps the trial would have ended differently. But the judge refused to admit evidence related to his motivations for bidding in the auction—specifically, that further fossil fuel extraction threatens the environment and humanity. It also didn’t end up mattering that the government later withdrew the leases because the auction itself was conducted without the proper oversight.

In a recent interview with Yes! magazine, DeChristopher explained how this refusal to allow the jury to use their conscience in making a decision undermines the legal system created by our founding fathers.

I think it prevents any kind of concept of a fair trial, because for a trial to be fair the player with the most influence in the courtroom has to be the neutral party. My case is called The United States of America v. Tim DeChristopher, and certainly the prosecutor represents the United States because he’s paid by the U.S. government. But the judge is also paid by the U.S. government. That obvious reality didn’t escape our founding fathers, which is why they insisted on jury trials—juries are the only figures in the courtroom that are actually a neutral party. They realized there’s no way you can have a fair trial if the neutral figure doesn’t have the authority to make whatever ruling that they want. In a football game, if you have a referee that’s being paid by one of the teams, there’s no way you could have a fair game.

Beyond this disappointment, however, is the tremendous amount of satisfaction and no regret DeChristopher feels for his action.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. In a general way I’d actually been preparing for this for a long time, building up the general commitment to take this level of risk, to be ready when the time came. I knew I would probably go to jail for it, but my mindset was: “It’s worth it to keep this oil in the ground.” Which happened. But what I didn’t expect was what it’s meant for other people or the activism and opportunities that have arisen from it. I feel like I’ve already gotten far more out of it than I anticipated, and the costs are at least as worth it now as they’ve ever been.

Ultimately, DeChristopher sees tremendous potential for the climate movement if they only understand their power.

From a disempowered perspective, we look at opinion polls and we think, “Oh, only so much of the population agrees with us and only 10 or 15 percent really understand the urgency of the issue. We need to get the majority on our side, to appeal to them in whatever way we can.” I think that’s a losing strategy. We’re missing out on the fact that even if 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population really get the issue of climate change, that’s 30 or 40 million people. That’s more than enough to bring the fossil fuel industry to its knees. If even a tenth of those people were willing to engage in significant nonviolent civil disobedience, that’s an incredible force. To begin with, there’s no way they could all be arrested—that would double the population of prisoners we currently have in this country, and we already have a prison crisis. They wouldn’t know what to do with us. And that’s with just a tenth of people who really understand the problem.

We think we have no power when in fact we have more than enough power. Right now, we have a big enough movement to win this battle; we just need to start acting like it. That’s the message that the climate movement really needs to internalize. On an individual level, it means making the commitment that we’re going to be powerful and effective agents of change; on the movement level, it’s about making the decision that we’re really going to win this battle.

To read the rest of the Yes! interview click here. Or to read my own interview with DeChristopher from a little over a year ago, click here. It goes a little bit further into his commitment to nonviolent direct action.

At the end of February, HarperCollins decided that it would only allow its eBooks to be checked out of libraries 26 times before the license expires. (According to the Atlantic, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan, two of the other “big six” traditional publishers, don’t allow eBooks in libraries at all.)

Nevertheless, a boycott of HarperCollins has been launched by librarians Brett Bonfield and Gabriel Farrell that is getting a lot of attention. Their no-frills website, boycottharpercollins.com, has a very helpful page explaining why they are calling on consumers to not buy any books or eBooks from the company or any of its imprints, which it lists, until this policy is revoked. They also provide a sample letter that you can edit and send to HarperCollins explaining your support for the boycott.

As Bonfield and Farrell explain:

Given the pace of digital innovation, there’s a good chance that ebook files libraries purchase today will be obsolete within a few years. For now, libraries have arrangements with publishers and ebook vendors that include some restrictions on ebooks lending, such as two-week loan limits and one-borrower-at-a-time. These restrictions make borrowing or loaning an ebook much like borrowing or loaning a traditional book.

[...]

While circulation limits on ebooks might encourage libraries to buy additional digital copies of some ebooks, that’s just speculation: libraries have limited budgets, especially in the current economy, so there is a good chance that libraries will spend the same amount on ebooks they are already spending but offer less variety because they would have to buy more copies of the most popular items.

• Egypt’s new prime minister told tens of thousands of demonstrators in Tahrir Square on Friday he was committed to the goals of their revolution and promised to take to the streets in protest if he could not deliver.

• More than 100,000 protesters gathered in the Bahraini capital today for the largest demonstration since protests erupted in the Sunni-ruled kingdom almost three weeks ago, escalating pressure on the ruling Al-Khalifa family to accept sweeping political reforms.

• Tens of thousands of protesters gathered today at main squares of major Yemeni provinces to reaffirm their demand of ending the 33-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

• At least 1,000 people protesting against the rule of Muammar Gaddafi have taken to the streets of Tripoli, the Libyan capital, raising fears of fresh conflict between anti-government protesters and loyalist forces.

• In Iraq, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets to demand economic progress and an end to corruption. Protests are reported in Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Anbar and Salaheddin.

• Eleven Texans in wheelchairs, denouncing proposed state budget cuts, were ticketed late Tuesday night after refusing to leave a sit-in outside Gov. Rick Perry’s office in the state Capitol.

• Last Friday close to  one  thousand Chicagoans turned out at the Illinois State Office Building to protest planned federal budget cuts proposed for HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Their anger overflowed into civil disobedience as they blocked traffic at one of downtown’s busiest intersections during rush hour.

• On Monday, hundreds of students across Idaho organized a walk-out in protest of Superintendent Tom Luna’s plan to overhaul education.

• Fears are growing a civil war could break out in Ivory Coast after seven female protesters were shot dead Thursday as they called on President Laurent Gbagbo to step down.

Over at the Huffington Post, Saudi Gazette columnist Sabria Jawhar makes a convincing case that speculation in the mainstream media that a nonviolent movement is forming in Saudi Arabia that could challenge the rule of King Abdullah has been dramatically overblown:

Since when do 465 people signing a Facebook Saudi “Day of Rage” page constitute a brewing revolution in a country of 16 million Saudis? It appears that most of the petitioners are non-Saudis with more than a few living outside the Kingdom.

While you definitely can’t judge the strength of a movement or impending nonviolent action but the number of people who have signed up to participate online, especially in a highly repressive state where the government could use that information to clamp down on activists, I definitely see Jawhar’s point.

In Egypt, the Facebook pages of the April 6 Movement and We Are All Khaled Said, which were two of the main groups that organized the protests there, collectively had more than half a million followers before the uprising began on January 25. In contrast, 465 followers does seem minuscule.

Jawhar also argues that the recent announcement that King Abdullah will be giving out an estimated $36 billion in social benefits is not nearly as shocking or important as it may appear on the surface.

The benefits will provide home loans, funding for NGOs, 15 percent fixed raises for government employees, scholarship money for Saudis studying abroad at their own expense and unemployment benefits.

News outlets ranging from Investment Watch to the Washington Post and the New York Times assert the money is simply to stave off protests with a Band-Aid. One BBC commentator likened the benefits to “bribery” to keep Saudis quiet.

One must wonder where these news organizations have been for the past five years. The Saudi government has been issuing these types of social welfare benefits annually since King Abdullah became the Kingdom’s leader in 2005. Each year, usually in December, the Saudi government allocates massive funds to help Saudis keep pace with inflation, build more schools and universities, and send Saudis abroad for a western education. This year’s announcement of providing unemployment benefits is not only new, but historic. Yet it is consistent with previous fund distribution schemes since 2005. This year’s allocation occurred in February and not December because the King has been in Morocco for medical treatment.

The fact that Saudi Arabia can dish out such a large sum for social programs alone is a factor that will make organizing a movement there more difficult that other countries in the region. As Stephen Zunes explained in a recent Q&A on MSNBC’s website:

Saudi Arabia, unfortunately, will probably be among the last to change. As an oil-rich … state, they can buy off a lot of potential opponents. In addition, the power of the hard-line Wahabbi clerics may make pro-democracy elements nervous about challenging the monarchy for fear at what might replace it.

Quince Mountain in the Madison Capitol building.

Waging Nonviolence correspondent Quince Mountain has been relaying news by text message from inside and out the occupied Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, where protesters are fighting—among other things—Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union, pro-corporate budget proposals. See all of the dispatches in this series here.

3:21 am

I think the state troopers downstairs are playing soccer with an empty water bottle.

Rev Billy was here tuesday and I missed it?

I told u what the clerk said to my speeding ticket judge today right?

(about me). “he can’t make it to court. He’s at the you-know-where”

3:32

The lines between democracy and poor mental health are blurring with a quickness

Light democratic snoring

“ho-hum” said the deputy

Less democratic snoring.

Less democratic, that is. Not less snoring.

Balloons, red heart helium up on the rotunda ceiling

The other day when I was talking about plans and negotiations, the nyt woman said, “the drum circle? You mean theyre negotiating with the drum circle?”

I don’t think she believed me.

3:47

Deputy boots down marble treads. Checking out noise causes?

Horn bleat, cheers, the bowling of a strike.

Another trooper crosses my view so I ask him (10 ft away) what are the sounds? He says what? I say the noise. He says huh? He’s trying to be quiet for sleepers, respectful. I get up and ask him if his hat makes it hard to hear. He says sleep deprivation messes with hearing.

Are there really snipers on the roof?

I’m gonna go to sleep.

8:29

Wow. That couple is really…coupled.

Good morning.

Cops comparing their vacation/sick packages.

Clint left.

Dentist appointment.

People say they’ll be back after a day but, really??

Read the rest of this article »

Waging Nonviolence correspondent Quince Mountain has been relaying news by text message from inside and out the occupied Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, where protesters are fighting—among other things—Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union, pro-corporate budget proposals. See all of the dispatches in this series here.

10:18 am, 3/2

It’s gonna be rough from here. Only attrition. No one new can join group. But no one kicking out. No immediate opposition to enliven the sit-in. Gov avoidant. People need to build something constructive so they stay. Have classes, services, singing, etc. But everyone is hella weary and there are few protestors demonstrating outside. National media may leave after today til senators return.

5:05 pm

So four democratic state assembly reps moved their offices outside today. Desks, nameplates, family photos, the whole deal.

AP had called off their shooters til that happened.

Come back lil shooter.

The other photographers here are disappointed that the family photos were facing outward, not toward the state reps . But I love it. I mean, cmon.

Amazing tho how it’s a good photo op that makes the editors send their news team back.

6:16

Dental floss, moisturizer, toothbrushes, eye drops, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, bar soap, no-more-tears baby shampoo, denture cream (!), lip balm, vitamins, shaving cream, essential oils, ankle socks, bandaids, latex gloves, rosewater spray.

Americans love to donate

Do they sit there imagining themselves as protestors 18 days into the Capitol occupation and think, “I’d want me some lemon oil on a little cotton ball”?

Is that part of the problem or part of the solution?

BYoBread and Circus

People asking if we need board games

I’ve seen some nice zines upstairs. And a James Patterson novel. And a copy of the state budget proposal.

12:52 am, 3/3

Indian food!

Pepperoni jerky

Bathing with wipes in assembly restroom.

Sleeping bag races around rotunda

Applying colored glitter glue to our shoes and faces

Shopping for new tee shirts shorts and socks at the Free Store

Also cool to try new hygiene items like crystal deodorant

Cleaning ladies on zambonis picking up after you and waxing the floor

The sheer variety of free pens and notepads

(more than in the press room)

Teach-in on horizontal power structure

Poetry workshop

Someone placing a powerful rock in your hand when you look a little out of sorts

Solidarity forever REMIX

Ballet

Solo capoeira

Pushups

Hard not to get soft at the Capitol

1:17 am

People outside can’t get in despite legal right.

People inside get to stay despite illegality of nighttime occupation.

All bets are off.

South Korean activists and former North Korean defectors release balloons with leaflets condemning North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a rally on Feb. 16, 2011.

In North Korea, where the state controls the media,  no one has access to the internet and the use of cell phones is highly restricted, its unlikely that much of the public has heard news about the nonviolent uprisings in the Middle East. In an effort to thwart Pyongyang’s control on information, according to the Toronto Star, the South Korean military has:

…sent tens of thousands of helium balloons towards the North Friday, packed with messages detailing the popular uprisings in Egypt and Libya and explaining that “a dictatorial regime is destined to collapse,” according to news reports.

[...]

The helium balloons are able to travel up to 200 km, taking them into the heart of North Korea where they burst, spraying their cargo below.

Along with leaflets, the balloons carry rice, medicine, clothing and radios in baskets tied to them.

In response, the North Korean government has condemned the launching of these balloons as an act of “psychological warfare,” and is threatening armed retaliation if they do not stop.

While I’m all for promoting nonviolence to the people of North Korea, I think that activists or civil society groups would be in a better position to deliver that message than the South Korean military.

Nevertheless, I’m glad someone is making the effort and hope that North Koreans take inspiration from the nonviolent movements that are toppling repressive regimes in the Middle East.