Dallas Peace Center - the oldest and largest peace and justice organization in North Texas

Report: Large-scale solar power plants could power nation

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:41:24 -0400

AUSTIN – Texas could generate as much as 148,000 megawatts of electricity or more than twice our current use from solar power plants; according to a report released today, “On the Rise: Solar Thermal Power and the Fight Against Global Warming” by Environment Texas. These solar thermal power plants covering an area of 30 x 30-mile area in west Texas, could power the entire state; while slashing global warming emissions. Because solar thermal energy storage allows electric generating capacity even when the sun is not shining, it can replace traditional energy sources like coal, natural gas and nuclear power.

Peace Protest in Denton, Activist Charged with Trespassing

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:27:45 -0400

Rockefeller family seeks change in Exxon leadership and greater focus on renewable energy

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:22:00 -0400

The Associated Press
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
NEW YORK: Members of the Rockefeller family took a fight with Exxon Mobil Corp. public Wednesday, challenging the oil giant spawned by their namesake to split the roles of chairman and CEO and focus more on renewable energy.

The family members, who describe themselves as the company's longest continuous shareholders, said they are concerned that Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil is too focused on short-term gains from soaring oil prices and should do more to invest in cleaner technology for the future. Separating the leadership roles, they argue, would better position the company for challenges to come.

Freeze Mob Protest War at Denton's Jazz Festival

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:22:06 -0400

Time to renegotiate NAFTA, not expand it

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:16:15 -0400

By Representative Marcy Kaptur (United States), Senator Yeidckol Polevnsky (Mexico), and Peter Julian, Member of Parliament (Canada) | April 23, 2008

When President Bush meets his counterparts Felipe Calderon of Mexico and Stephen Harper of Canada in New Orleans this week for the fourth summit of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), NAFTA itself will not be on the agenda. Nevertheless, the reinvigorated debate over that landmark trade and investment deal in our three countries—which became highly visible during the recent dust up between Prime Minister Harper's office and both U.S. Democratic presidential candidates—ensures that it will be an elephant in the room.

Launched in 2005 by the three NAFTA countries, the SPP was billed as an initiative to "develop new avenues of cooperation that will make our open societies safer and more secure, our businesses more competitive, and our economies more resilient." That sounds good, but after three years and four summits, it has become increasingly clear that the SPP is an attempt to expand the reach of NAFTA using stealth to circumvent the debate our three democracies demand.

Summer Dinner Lecture Series

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:22:32 -0400

The Dallas Peace Center is proud to present its expanded Summer Dinner Lecture Series, featuring three women peacemakers (for more information on our speakers click HERE):

United Aid Member Forcefully Detained By Library Staff

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:03:48 -0400

Willis Library in an Uproar

(4/22/2008)

DENTON, TX- |UA| United Aid, after having coffee with Peace Activist Ret. Lieutenant Col. Ann Wright and attending her lecture, organized a non-violent direct action on the University of North Texas.

|UA| Members recruited approximately 30 students to lead a silent protest, with bloody hands through the Willis Library on April 22nd. The students marched silently at first, holding up bloody hands in protest of the illegal invasion of Iraq. The silence was broken when an unknown member started demanding loudly that students get involved in the anti-war movement. A library security guard was called out, the |UA| protesters, being undeterred, failed to stop marching, whereupon the staff member tried to violently halt the protest by grabbing Jacon C. Waite, and twisting his shoulder.

Arms ship leaves South Africa after court ruling

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:59:21 -0400

By Michael Georgy

JOHANNESBURG, April 18 (Reuters) - A ship carrying arms to Zimbabwe left South African waters on Friday after a court refused to allow the weapons to be transported across South Africa, SAPA news agency said.

The An Yue Jiang, a Chinese ship, had been at anchor off Durban on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast since Monday, turning into a flashpoint for trade unions and others critical of President Thabo Mbeki's quiet diplomacy toward Zimbabwe.

The 300,000-strong South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) refused to unload the weapons because of concerns Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government might use them against opponents in the post-election stalemate.

Bush, staff should be investigated for use of torture

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:36:08 -0400

Sunday, April 13, 2008
Tuscaloosa News

We thought the record of the Bush administration's disregard for domestic and international laws couldn't get any worse. Unfortunately, that was wishful thinking.

Late last week, the Associated Press - using one of those well-placed confidential sources that Bush fears and loathes - confirmed that administration leaders from Vice President Dick Cheney on down approved using torture in the interrogation of terror suspects after asking the Justice Department to endorse their legality.

The endorsements came in a series of meetings in the White House in the years immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Signing off on the interrogation techniques, which included waterboarding, physical abuse and sleep deprivation, were Cheney and then-Bush aides John Ashcroft, attorney general; Colin Powell, secretary of state; George Tenet, CIA director; and Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser.

Secrecy Surrounds Death Penalty

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:29:02 -0400

15 April 2008

At least 1,200 people were executed in 2007 and many more were killed by the state, in secret, in countries including China, Mongolia and Viet Nam.

The figures come from Amnesty International's yearly statistics, Death Sentences and Executions in 2007, issued on Tuesday, which say that at least 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries and at least 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. Up to 27,500 people are estimated to be on death row across the world.

The figures also show an increase in executions in a number of countries. Iran executed at least 317 people, Saudi Arabia 143 and Pakistan 135 – in comparison to 177, 39 and 82 executions respectively in 2006.

Death threats sent to Colombian human rights organizations

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:08:59 -0400

On 10 April 2008, several social and human rights organizations received a threatening email from a paramilitary group called "Ãguilas Negras, Bloque Norte de Colombia" ( Black Eagles, North Division of Colombia). The group declared as targets for assassination members of the Southern Bolivar Agricultural-Mining Federation (the Federation), Sembrar Corporation (a human rights organization), the Program for Development and Peace in the Middle Magdalena (Programa) and the parish priests of two rural communities, Tiquisio and Regidor, in southern Bolivar province.

The email threat reads "We wish to warn you that as of this moment you are military targets of our organization and that your names are on the national government's list of undesirables who must be eliminated. We, former combatants of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), believe that we must free our towns, neighborhoods and country from people like youâ€¦ guerrilla fighters dressed as civilians."

The threat comes shortly after the people mentioned in the email were gathered in Tiquisio for the Federation's regional assembly from 26-30 March 2008.

During this time, the Colombian military and National Police tried on several occasions to enter the area where the assembly was being held in an effort to identify the leaders. The people gathered spoke with the authorities, asking them to respect their space and right to gather. After expending much effort to enter, the authorities left.

The story of the little blue car

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:58:22 -0400

By Paulette Cooper

This is the true story of the little blue car. I was visiting my four-year old grandson, Oscar, and was telling him the story of a little girl in an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons Camp) in Darfur, Sudan. I told him that she was so excited because she had a toy. One toy. That’s all—one toy. The toy? It was a small piece of string. She was thrilled to have it. He looked at me in utter disbelief.

“But, Nana, that’s not fair,” he said. He jumped up from the dinner table, ran over to his toy box, dug through it, and brought back the little blue car. He handed it to me and asked me to give it to someone when I went to Darfur. I promised him I would.

When I gave the little blue car to the boy in Darfur, he could not believe it was for him and tried to give it back. I placed it once more in his small hand, wrapped his fingers around the little blue car, squeezed his hand, and walked away so he would know it was his to keep. Our driver took the photograph. Oscar is happy to know that his little blue car was delievered to a child in Darfur.

One example of one little boy making a very big difference in another little boy’s life half way around the world. One person can make a difference in Darfur.

British fear US commander is beating the drum for Iran strikes

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:56:15 -0400

By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Telegraph.co.uk
Last Updated: 2:43am BST07/04/2008

British officials gave warning yesterday that America’s commander in Iraq will declare that Iran is waging war against the US-backed Baghdad government.

A strong statement from General David Petraeus about Iran’s intervention in Iraq could set the stage for a US attack on Iranian military facilities, according to a Whitehall assessment. In closely watched testimony in Washington next week, Gen Petraeus will state that the Iranian threat has risen as Tehran has supplied and directed attacks by militia fighters against the Iraqi state and its US allies.

Day of Silence Honors the Memory of Lawrence King

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:09:49 -0400

Hundreds of thousands of students to participate in Day of Silence for Safer Schools

This year’s National Day of Silence on April 25 will be held in memory of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old California student who was shot and killed at school in February by a 14-year-old classmate because of King’s sexual orientation and gender expression. Locally the Dallas Peace Center is co-sponsoring a "Breaking the Silence" event the evening of the 25th.

The Day of Silence is held by students every year to bring attention to anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) name-calling, bullying and harassment. The senseless tragedy at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, Calif., brings even more meaning to a day that has brought hope to millions of students.

Rev. Piazza speaks out at DPC Press Conference

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:44:53 -0400