DISCUSSION with RICHARD BECKER: The Elections, The War & The Economy

February 28th

Chico Peace and Justice Center (526 Broadway)

Richard Becker spoke about the fact that many people are hoping that the 2008 presidential election will bring real "change" - this year's campaign buzzword. But, as he discussed, the question remains: Do either the Republican or Democrat candidates have any real answers for the deepening crises of war and recession? What should the anti-war and other progressive movements do now?

Richard Becker writes and speaks frequently on U.S. foreign and domestic policies, and he is the founder and Western Regional Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition.

FILM: "The Business of Being Born"

Sunday, February 24th

Chico Women's Club (592 E. 3rd St)

The California Association of Midwives (CAM), the Chico Peace and Justice Center, the Chico Women's Club and other local community organizations, sponsored a screening of a new film that looks at the current maternity care system in the United States. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system.

DOCUMENTARY FILM SHOWING: "Why We Fight"

February 15th

Chico Peace and Justice Center

This documentary examines America's policies regarding making war, most recently the Iraq war and what is termed "the Bush doctrine" that includes pre-emptive strikes. The director suggests that this policy has been in the works for many years, reviewing past wars in the 20th century. A variety of individuals are asked "Why We Fight?" with, predictably, a variety of answers. This is followed by a look at today's U.S. military/industrial complex via interviews with individuals involved with it.

Discussion followed the film.

JOEL KOVEL, AUTHOR OF "Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Single Democratic State in Israel/Palestine"

Thursday, February 14th at 7:30

Ayers 106, CSUC Campus

Come hear long-time peace activist Joel Kovel talk about his new book "Overcoming Zionism". Kovel has been engaged in struggles for peace and justice since the Vietnam War era. He has worked within the antiwar and antinuclear movements, the solidarity movements in Central America and the Caribbean, the movements for democratic media, and, increasingly, for ecological transformation.

Samir Amin, Director of the Third World Forum, says "This book is absolutely fundamental for those who reject the unfortunate confusion between Jews, Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel -- a confusion which is the basis for systematic manipulation by the imperialist power system. It convincingly argues in favour of a single secular state for Israelis and Palestinians as the only democratic solution for the region."