Jason Vassell Meeting Tomorrow

This just in...

We are writing to remind you of the community-wide organizing meeting that
is taking place tomorrow, Monday, November 24th, at 6 PM. It will be held in
the lower level meeting room of the Bangs Community Center. The Bangs
Community Center is located at 70 Boltwood Walk in Amherst, behind Rao's
Coffee.

Our rally last week was very successful. Despite the freezing temperatures,
several hundred supporters came to voice their support. We presented over
4500 petition signatures to District Attorney Scheibel's office. We received
favorable coverage in all of the major local newspapers and on all of the
local TV channels. The newly formed Western Massachusetts Coalition for
Justice for Jason is growing by the day. We are gaining momentum."

Your attendance is needed!

Art Exhibit at UMass -- "In Other's Words"

An interesting exhibit by students at UMass-Amherst.

"The Student Union Art Gallery, located in the Student Union Building at UMass Amherst, presents "In Other's Words," curated by farm members Susie Nielsen, Claudia Middendorf, and Christine Gallagher. The exhibition is about the power and reinvention of language, defined as a pattern used by a particular group within a community (usually occupational) or a special pattern created for communication: "a body of words and the systems for their common use." What happens when you take one language and ask it to describe, unite, react or interact with another?

The show dates are November 12 through December 5. The opening reception will be held on November 20 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Gallery hours are Mondays-Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Fridays 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. For more information, call (413) 545-0792.

Directions & Parking

Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Union building. Parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage located next to the Campus Center with a passageway leading directly from the garage on the 2nd floor."

More Info @:
http://umass.edu/umhome/events/articles/80675.php

Bush Risks Endangered Animals

This just in from Yahoo news: "Animals and plants in danger of becoming extinct could lose the protection of government experts who make sure that dams, highways and other projects don't pose a threat, under a regulation the Bush administration is set to put in place before President-elect Obama can reverse them. The rules must be published Friday to take effect before Obama is sworn in Jan. 20. Otherwise, he can undo them with the stroke of a pen."

What other things can the man do before he leaves office? S

Jason Vassell Trail

Northampton, MA -- A crowd of approximately 80 students, professors, community activists and members rallied outside of the Northampton District Attorney's office in support of Jason Vassell, who will face trial for events that occurred last February when he was attacked by two white men at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. After being verbally threatened and physically beaten, Vassell allegedly defended himself against his white attackers with a knife, injuring one. Though it seems to be a case of clear self-defense, our justice system has turned the star student and community member into a felon who is now facing thirty years in jail. His white attackers face 1.5 years in jail, and the other, none. The difference in the sentences speak volumes. We would like to encourage all of you to write letters to international and national newspapers, columnists, news centers, alternative news organizations, and civil rights organizations. The word has to get around and out of the community!

Rally for Jason Vassell

TODAY: JASON FACES A MAXIMUM OF 3O YEARS IN PRISON, BOWES FACES A MAXIMUM OF 1.5 YEARS AND BOSSE FACES 0 YEARS

*COME MARCH WITH US TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TODAY*

On Wednesday, November 19, at 3:30pm,
we will be meeting with supporters of Justice for Jason at Pulaski
Park in Downtown Northampton. We will then march together to the
District Attorney's office demanding Justice for Jason. Thousands of
petition signatures, statements of support from community
organizations, and letters from concerned supporters will be submitted
to her. The more supporters present the less she can ignore us!

JOIN US IN THIS EFFORT BEFORE JASON GOES TO TRIAL

**SIGN THE PETITION**

http://www.ipetitions.com/ petition/ J4JDismissalofcharges/

**SEND A LETTER TO THE DA**

Elizabeth Scheibel
1 Gleason Plaza
Northampton, MA 01060

CARPOOLS WILL BE LEAVING UMASS AT 2:30-EMAIL US IF YOU WISH TO JOIN!

THANKS AND HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

We're back!

It's been a while, but we read a post on the (UMass Journalism blog and were inspired to get back at it! Thanks!

So, first thing: YES WE CAN!!!! Amherst cars were beeping, people were running in the streets, a whole crew from Amherst College rushed the center in celebration, and folks were happy! There is hope!

Second: You must hit la noche latina at the Iron Horse on Tuesday nights at aroud 10:30pm -- great latin music, people dancing, nice crowd.

Third: Amherst Town Management has still done nothing about on-street parking for handicapped & elderly folks who live on Amity street and other areas where there are apartment buildings that do not allow for on-site (driveway) parking. That is a big issue for people who have to move their automobiles all over the town in search for a space. And when it gets icy, it is dangerous for many. So, put some pressure on this rich-serving town hall and tell them that their b.s. has gone on long enough. Would you like your grandmother going in and out of her nice apartment to move a car in the middle of the winter, and then walk back 30 minutes through the snow. We think not. Speak up. These people in town hall have been notified for years now.

Fourth: We need reviews on the new Vietnamese restaurant in Amherst center. And whatis happening with the Souper Bowl? Can someone get the word out that the owner needs to have some live music at night? He has a great spot for dancing. A bar. And what do they do? Soup. And crackers. Not cutting it! You have a great space -- use it!

Fifth: Raos employees need a serious overview of cleaning procedures that should begin with sponges. More precisely, employees need to know that MULTIPLE/Different sponges are used for different surfaces. You don't use the same sponge for every surface. You see them doing that, let the manager know or post a comment.

Sixth: UMass continues to abuse it's email system by allowing vendors to sell their goods to students via the college email account. Some corrupt official/administrator is making a killing on commissions. We have to speak up about this!

Seventh: Thanks for reading and sorry for the long hiatus!