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Resistance to Empire Speaking & Organizing Tour

From January to March, 2006, Joe Carr will be bringing his stories and organizing skills to select cities on the East Coast and in the Mid-West. Joe will educate and inspire folks in your community with presentations and performances about his work organizing direct action resistance to US Empire in Iraq, Palestine, and the US. He will also be sharing the skills he’s learned by offering workshops for local activists organizing against US policies at home and abroad. Help organize a talk and/or workshop for your community! Dates and organizing info is below, contact Joe immediately if you’re interested! joecarr@riseup.net

TOUR INFORMATION
Dates & Locations
Presentations
Workshops
Film Showing
Technical Needs
Fundraising
Accommodations
Joe's Biography
Lora's Biography
Tour Goals
Guidelines & Suggestions
Potential Venues

MIDWEST DATES & LOCATIONS:

Springfield, MO
January 26 – 8pm, Drury University
                                 Olin Room in basement of Olin Library
January 27 – 5pm, Puppet-Making Workshop
                                 Radish Infoshop
                                 417 Boonville

Colombia, MO
January 30 – 7:00pm, MU Memorial Union, N208

St. Louis
January 31 – 9:30am, Nazareth Living Center (Gleason Hall Community Room), 2 Nazareth Lane
6:30pm, Potluck/Presentation, Center for Theology and Social Analysis,1077 S. Newstead
February 2 – 7pm, Center for Theology and Social Analysis. 1077 S. Newstead
February 1 – 12:00 to 3:30pm, Catholic girls high school ethics classes

Peoria, IL
February 6 – 7:00pm, Bradley University, Bradley Hall room 160

Iowa City
February 7 – 10-3, U of I class visits
6:30pm - Cedar Rapids Peace Center, 1029-3rd St SE
February 8, 8:00pm - Uptown Bill's Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St

Cedar Falls
February 10, 8:00pm - Music of Resistance. The Vybe, 909 West 23rd Street
February 11, 11:00am - puppet making workshop- Cedar Falls Mennonite Church -215 West 9th Street
6:00pm, Iraq to Palestine presentation

Grinnell, IA
February 13 – 8:00pm, Grinnell College, North Lounge

Des Moines/Ames
February 14 – 7:00pm, Music show and valentines party, The Firehouse, 1041 8th Street

Washington, DC
February 15-20 PSM Divestment Conference, Georgetown University

Detroit
February 22 – 7:00pm, Music of Resistance, University of Detroit Mercy, Life Sciences 115, 4001 W. McNichols

Lansing
February 25 – From Iraq to Palestine: Making connections, Breaking the Chains
Minnesota Room, MSU Union, Michigan State University

Travers City, MI
February 27 – 7:00pm, Travers City Area District Library, 610 Woodmere

Madison, WI
March 2 - 7pm UW, 1651 Humanities Building
March 3 - 8-10pm Music of Resistance - Fundraiser for Bring Our Troops Home Coalition
Madison Center for Cultural and Creative Arts, 306 W Dayton
Also featuring saxophonist Hannah John Taylor and other musicians

Milwaukee, WI
March 4, 1pm - puppet making workshop
6-8pm - Music & Talk, Broad Vocabulary, 2241 S Kinnickinnic Ave

Chicago, IL
March 5-14

Peoria, IL
March 16 - Caterpillar Accountability Day (national day of action)

PRESENTATIONS:

Iraq to Palestine: Stories of Occupation & Resistance
45 min – 1 hour
Just back from Palestine, Joe Carr will use his upbeat and creative performance style to share pictures, stories, music, poetry, and analysis from his time in Palestine, Iraq and US direct action movements. He will discuss the nuances of each conflict and draw parallels between the stories of colonization and resistance. He will tell you about his work with the International Solidarity Movement supporting the struggle of Palestinian villages against Israel’s Apartheid Wall and settlement expansion & his witnessing the murders of international activists Rachel Corrie & Tom Hurndall. Hear also about his visit to Iraq with the Christian Peacemaker Teams, documenting ongoing human rights violations and organizing with Iraqi anti-occupation activists in Baghdad, Karballa, and Fallujah (he is friends with those currently held hostage). Learn more about what you can do to oppose US foreign policy and resist the oppression done in our name.
DOWNLOAD FLYER: <Black/White> <Color> (Microsoft Word document) <PDF>(black/white) <PDF> (color)
EDIT AS YOU PLEASE!

Music of Resistance: Hip-Hop, R&B, Poetry, Stories, & Pictures from Occupation and Struggle
1 – 1 ½ hours
Joe Carr, with his high energy and powerful voice, will entertain, educate, and inspire you with this evening of stories, pictures, music, and poetry from his experiences in Iraq, Palestine, and US direct action movements. In this one-activist show, Joe Carr will move your feet and challenge your mind with his biting and controversial political hip-hop, R&B, folk, and poetry rooted in his experience in anti-colonial struggles. His songs are accompanied by stories and analysis from his work on the front lines, and illustrated with picture slideshows. Checkout Joe’s music and poetry at www.lovinrevolution.org/lyrics_mp3s.htm.
DOWNLOAD FLYER: <PDF>(black/white) <PDF> (color)
EDIT AS YOU PLEASE!
Can also be called:
"Hip-Hop of Resistance: R&B & Spoken Word from solidarity work in Palestine & Iraq"
Flyer: <Black/White>(Word) <Color> (Word)

WORKSHOPS:

Nonviolent Direct Action
2 hours
What is nonviolence? What is direct action resistance? What risks can and must Americans take to resist the US Government? Is it enough to merely protest, or are we trying to actually make concrete change? What can we learn from those on the front lines of the US Empire in Iraq, Palestine, and the US?
This workshop will discuss examples of successful direct actions and brainstorm what you might be able to do in your community. If your groups has a specific action you’d like to plan, this workshop could be used to focus on that. We will discuss scenarios of arrest and violent repression and how to deal with them. We will go over logistics including roles, scouting, media, legal, art, and medical considerations. This workshop will be very interactive, come prepared to move around and be engaged. Talk to Joe about specific security considerations to plan for.

Campaign Strategy & Networking
2 hours
What is long-term strategic planning? What is affectivity and is it possible? How do we determine our power in society and how it can be used to effect concrete change? How can we evaluate and improve the work we are doing and coordinate it with other local, national, and international movements?
This workshop is designed to discuss specific local and national campaigns with which your group is involved. Preferably this workshop would be done with activists already working together, however it could be used as a bridging tool for different groups organizing around similar issues. Going from city to city, Joe will be able to reflect on what other activists in your region are doing, and how you might work together better. He will share some models and resources for planning and evaluation that can be used for future campaigns and projects.
Specific campaigns with which Joe has experience: Divestment from Israel; Caterpillar; Anti-Iraq War; War Profiteering; Global Justice; Anti-Racism; Palestinian Right of Return; Counter-Recruitment; Police Brutality; Prison Solidarity; International Day of Action against Caterpillar on March 16^th, International Day of Action against War in Iraq on March 20^th, etc.

Puppet-Making & Street Theatre
2-4 hours
How can we be more creative in our protest? How can we express our views in a way that draws people to us rather than repels them? How can we move people to think and ask questions instead of trying to give them the answers? How can we bring more fun, humor, and life into our movement?
Joe has six years experience making giant puppets, costumes, props, floats, and art installations and has helped write and choreograph numerous political street theatre, music, and dance pieces. In this workshop, we will brainstorm about the role of art in our activism and how to better incorporate it into our movements. We will discuss different designs and resource lists, and either build a puppet(s) or choreograph a short street theatre piece. Preferably your group already has an idea of a puppet or skit you’d like to develop. It is best to learn from direct experiences, so work in advance with Joe to create a simple idea and design. Then you can be sure to secure the specific SPACE, MATERIAL, AND TOOL requirements. Come prepared to move and work, and wear paint clothes!
Checkout Joe's basic puppet-making worksheet

Palestine Preparation/ISM Training
Planning or thinking of planning a trip to Palestine? Have last-minute questions that you’d like answering? Do you know what to bring, what to wear, what to expect? Need help developing your story for the border? Joe has traveled to Palestine four times through multiple different points of entry. He has experience doing trainings for the International Solidarity Movement and the Christian Peacemaker Teams. He would love to help prepare you or your group for the trip in a formal or informal way.

Growing Gardens, Growing Communities
The Women's Self-Reliance Program (WSRP) is an extremely successful tool for women's empowerment and community building, which combines "Intensive Gardening" - a new economically and environmentally efficient technique of gardening - with nutrition education and microenterprise. It also includes a spiritual element in the form of Raja Yoga.
Lora Gordon is a Palestinian rights activist and volunteer with WSRP accompanying Joe on the tour. She is heading up efforts to implement WSRP in her hometown of Pittsburgh. In this workshop, Lora will play a short introductory video on Intensive Gardening, followed by an overview of WSRP and a practical discussion of how to implement the program in your community.

Lora is also available for informal meetings or discussions about Intensive Gardening and WSRP.
This workshop is also offered independent of the Resistance to Empire tour. For more information, contact Lora.

FILM SHOWING:

Joe carries a library of movies about Palestine and Iraq that are available for a public viewing. Joe is willing to facilitate a discussion following a film showing. Contact Joe for a list of titles and descriptions.

TECHNICAL NEEDS:

Workshops have special technical needs. Be sure to be in contact with Joe about them.

Presentation:

LCD Projector with sound – Don’t rent one. Joe can bring one with him if necessary.
Screen or Flat Wall
Small table for laptop and projector
Extension cords
Table for distributing materials
Sound system for crowds larger than 40

Music:

Same as Presentation but also including:

PA sound system with input for guitar and CD Player
Two microphones with stands
CD Player
All relevant cables

FUNDRAISING:

The primary goal of this tour is to support the work of local activists, not to make money. Though fundraising is important, NEVER let money be the only reason not to organize an event. In addition to transportation expense, Joe tries to raise around $100 per event depending on the means of the organization and community of the event (more is great, less is fine). He prefers to keep all events free to the public, but will pass a hat at the end of the event and distribute Palestine-related merchandise for donations at a table. All money will go directly to cover the tour expenses, to support Joe and Lora’s work, and to support groups working against US colonialism.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

While in town, Joe and Lora ask that a sponsoring group provide for their accommodations. Generally it is preferred that one or two activists host the tour and help arrange for these and other needs that may arise.
They are fine with sleeping on activists’ couches. Laura is a vegetarian, and would like a space to do yoga. They will need access to internet, and possibly copy facilities. They will have a car, but will need help finding the different locations. Their car is a diesel, (no longer veggie oil) and they prefer to burn bio-diesel, try and find out if there is a farmer's co-op or other place that makes or sells bio-diesel.

BIOGRAPHY:

Joe Carr is an anti-oppression activist and performance artist from Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated with a BA from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 2004, having organized with direct-action movements such as Earth First, Food Not Bombs, and Arts in Activism. In the last three years, he’s worked with the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine where he witnessed Israeli soldiers murder international activists Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall, and with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Palestine and Iraq, he is friends with those currently held hostage. This is his third national speaking tour, he's appeared in several documentaries, has had his writing published in major media outlets, and just released his second album of music and poetry.
Click for a longer bio and Joe's "Statement of Identity"
Download: bio/introduction (Word)

BIOGRAPHY - LORA GORDON:

The Mid-West tour is managed by Lora Gordon. Lora is a 23-year-old Jewish activist and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. She spent March 2003-February 2004 in Rafah, Gaza Strip, coordinating for the International Solidarity Movement. In 2005, she studied a semester in Beirut, Lebanon. Her writing has been published by the Electronic Intifada, Peace Under Fire, Al-Awda, and other publications and she’s appeared in several documentaries. She has written a manuscript about her experiences in Gaza which will soon be published. She will be helping to arrange logistics, and will be available for class visits and questions about her experiences.
MORE ON LORA

TOUR GOALS:

To support the work of local activists and help network them with other activists regionally, nationally, and internationally.
To inspire and motive local activists to be more creative and confrontational in their organizing.
To push local activists to do more direct action and help prepare them for it.
To build support for the Caterpillar Campaign and mobilize for the action in Peoria, IL on March 16th.
To build support for the Midwest Social Forum in Milwaukee, WI July 6-9, 2006.
To encourage Palestinian rights activists and Anti-War activists to do more work together.
To encourage activists to support other local struggles such as labor, anti-racism, anti-poverty, feminist, Latin American and African solidarity, etc.
To encourage all activists to think of their work in the context of a global revolutionary movement against the US Empire, and to plan and network accordingly.
To help bridge the gap between “liberal” and “radical” activists.
To inform people about and recruit for the International Solidarity Movement.
To build support for national activist networks such as the US Campaign to End the Occupation, Al-Awda Right of Return Coalition, and the Campus Anti-War Network.
To raise money to support Joe’s work, the International Solidarity Movement, and the work of national coalitions.
To build support for the Palestinian right of return and to defend all oppressed people’s right to resist oppression.
To meet, socialize, and build relationships with fellow comrades in the struggle.

GUIDELINES & SUGGESTIONS:

It works best to have a public presentation in the evening followed by a workshop the next day.
Joe is willing to facilitate a discussion following any event; especially consider this if you expect strongly opposing viewpoints to be present.
Please ask first before scheduling more than one event in a day.
When planning multiple events in a day, make sure there are several hours between the two.
Always allow at least one-hour set-up and one-hour take-down per event.
This tour is for activists! Make sure to contact any and all activists groups in your area about the events and consider co-sponsorships.
Contact local media about the events, Joe is always willing to do interviews.
Joe does not do well with events before 11am.
When using installed equipment, be sure there is someone around who knows how to use it.
Consider access issues for disabled people at venues, and consider looking for a sign-language interpreter.
Make it a priority to outreach to low-income groups and groups of color, especially Arab and Muslim groups.
Try and get more money out of colleges and universities and other groups with large budgets.
Make sure to send Joe ALL the time, date and location details for any event you plan.
Don’t advertise ONLY with flyers, consider newspaper adds, radio spots, class and group announcements, and personal invitations to friends and other groups.
Always ask if you’d like promotion materials in advance such as pictures, CD’s, or videos of Joe’s presentation.

POTENTIAL VENUES:

Community & Activist Groups: This tour is specifically designed to inspire and empower activists. For most groups, it is best to book space in a public area like a college, church, or library, and then advertise the event in the community, making a particular effort to contact and invite other progressive organizations. Joe can also talk to groups that have an established membership that meet regularly. He can cater his message to a particular group, and could be very brief if they only have a short period of time. Please make and effort to contact Muslim and Arab organizations as well as other groups based in poor communities and communities of color.
University Campuses: Campus activist groups are ideal for Joe’s presentation and workshops. Joe’s youth and experience in campus organizing is quite attractive to student activists. Joe also likes talking to classes, it is often useful to combine an on-campus talk and/or workshop with a class visit. Contact professors in political science, culture, peace studies and Middle East studies departments, and make sure to ask them for money.
Churches: The Christian Peacemaker Teams (with whom Joe has worked) is based in the Mennonite, Quaker and Brethren churches, and is supported by a variety of catholic and protestant denominations. Unitarian and Unity Churches are known to be progressive. Joe is open to giving guest lectures and sermons for progressive congregations.
Mosques: Many Muslims understandably feel passionate about what is happening in the Middle East. They are directly affected by racist US policies at home and abroad, and would likely enjoy and benefit from Joe’s stories of oppression and resistance. Joe’s Arabic language skills and experience in Muslim culture make for good relationships with local Muslim and Arab leaders and activists.
Coffee Houses and Bars: Joe’s performance art is good for these places, assuming they cater to a progressive crowd. They’re also good venues for fundraisers.

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