Iran, BAM 6.6 and Friends

Iran, BAM 6.6 and Friends
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

Out for activism and a moving film on Iran, BAM 6.6 -- and talking afterwards were Helga Halaki and Gayle Cronin. The film was part of an evening sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation and it documents the beauty and compassion of Iran through the eyes of a Jewish American woman and others affected by the severe Bam earthquake several years ago. The unspoken theme, given today's political climate, is how devastating an attack on Iran would be to the Iranian people and their ancient culture. Get the film and see it. We bought it to show friends. And I also picked up a must-read book by the evening's speaker, Fatemeh Keshavarz, which she autographed: Jasmine and Stars -- Reading More Than Lolita in Tehran. Quite a lot to talk about. More to do. [Some pictures from the evening will be posted on Flickr.]

FOR Ending Torture

FOR Ending Torture
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

Post prayer vigil to end torture and shut down Guantanamo, Adam Carroll and Gail Harper pause in the NYC subway. Rainy weather, heavy at times, but what is rain to waterboarding? It didn't dampen enthusiasm but rather strengthened resolve to speak out for shutting down Guantanamo here in New York City and elsewhere. Visit Amnesty International's special site to Tear It Down and add your name.

More pictures from the Metro New York Religious Campaign Against Torture's prayer vigil will be posted later at Flickr.com/photos/kateannenyc. The Fellowship of Reconciliation is part of the coalition and Sam Oast, Ethan Vesely-Flad, and Kate Anne were also there.

The Important Small Stuff

So often while listening to a podcast or a radio show, or reading blogs, books, newspapers or mail, I want to jot down some important little factoid to act upon later and/or share with my friends and family. Perhaps this will be a way of capturing items before they are lost on post-its or down the memory hole. And pictures, too. I've been busy updating my Flickr pages with pictures taken while marching with my Fellowship of Reconciliation friends during the Oct. 27th peace march in NYC (and 10 other cities). Despite the lack of corporate mainstream media attention, it did happen. Check out my Fall Out for Peace set.

Ed McManus, Ethan Vesely-Flad and Kate Anne