Monday, February 26, 2024

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ A personal message




What if Putin paid the bill for rebuilding Ukraine?
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We Ukrainians are dying to defend democracy. I expect to be called to fight soon so I wanted to use this sad anniversary to tell you that our hope for the future is fading. We're tired and we're terrified. We can stand up to Putin's war machine, but he's on the verge of winning by utterly destroying our economy. So it's beyond game-changing that G7 leaders are discussing using $300 billion in frozen assets from Russia's central bank to fund Ukraine's future. They're meeting about this right now so sign to tell them Ukraine needs their help!
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Dear friends,
My name is Olexander*, from Ukraine. I expect to be drafted into the military soon. Today I'm writing to share both pain and hope.

We are exhausted. We fear we're losing international attention, that people are tired of news about our war. At the same time, we know that what started in Ukraine will continue in the rest of Europe.

And that includes economic warfare. The cost of rebuilding Ukraine is already close to half a trillion dollars and rising every day. Who will pay that? Ukraine can't, not ever. The people of Europe? US taxpayers? Putin's hoping the debt drags us all down.

But what if Vladimir Putin paid his own bill?

$300 billion in frozen Russian state funds are just sitting in banks in the West. The G7 is meeting right now, discussing using it to give Ukraine a future.

That money would change everything for us. But Germany, France and Italy are dragging their feet. So please, join with me to call on European leaders to do the right thing. Sign now!
We in Ukraine are dying because Putin decided that we cannot, should not exist as a separate nation. That's what he said in his speech on the eve of the invasion.

Nobody should be denied their right to exist. It is so profoundly wrong. Ukraine is fighting because we believe our freedom, our existence is worth dying for.

It's also worth paying for.

But while we give our lives, there's nobody to cover half a trillion dollars of recovery costs. That doesn't leave Ukraine many choices to avoid catastrophic economic ruin. Fall to Russia, or lean on taxpayers in Europe and the US. This frozen money is a third way.

But the plan only works if all the major powers are on board. So please join me and together we'll call on the leaders of Germany, France, and Italy to seize this chance to fund Ukraine's future!
We don't always know if our voices are heard, or whether they matter to anyone outside of Ukraine.  But Avaazers across the world have supported us since the first day of the invasion, donating to help those wounded, advocating for prosecuting Putin, and helping make it more difficult for Russia to earn money from its oil. Today you can stand with us again! Will you help us find our hope?

With unwavering determination,
Olexander, with the whole Avaaz team

*We changed Olexander's name to help protect his identity in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Gaza's last hope




URGENT! South Africa is suing Israel before the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Within days, the judges could order an immediate ceasefire – but Israel is trying to prevent this. Let's increase pressure to stop the war by urging world leaders to support this push to end the bloodshed. Let's end this horror now! The South African government just urged the International Court of Justice to order an immediate ceasefire for Gaza, alleging Israel is committing genocide. But Netanyahu's government looks set to fight tooth and nail to delay a decision.As millions of innocent people trapped in Palestine hold their breath, hoping for a quick verdict, we have an urgent mission: persuade our governments to support South Africa's push to end the bloodshed.Wherever you are, whatever your political views, if in the next 24 hours, we, citizens of the world, unite to unleash a cascade of national support to halt the bombing over Gaza, we have a chance to help stop what an expert UN Panel warned could be a "a genocide in the making". It might be the last one.
Add your voice now!
URGENT! South Africa is suing Israel before the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Within days, the judges could order an immediate ceasefire – but Israel is trying to prevent this. Let's increase pressure to stop the war by urging world leaders to support this push to end the bloodshed. Let's end this horror now!
Add your voice now!
Dear friends,
The South African government just urged the International Court of Justice to order an immediate ceasefire for Gaza, alleging Israel is committing genocide. But Netanyahu's government looks set to fight tooth and nail to delay a decision.

As millions of innocent people trapped in Palestine hold their breath, hoping for a quick verdict, we have an urgent mission: persuade our governments to support South Africa's push to end the bloodshed.

Wherever you are, whatever your political views, if in the next 24 hours, we, citizens of the world, unite to unleash a cascade of national support to halt the bombing over Gaza, we have a chance to help stop what an expert UN Panel warned could be a "a genocide in the making". It might be the last one.
Israel denies atrocity crimes against the Palestinians, saying its actions are necessary to defeat Hamas after its ruthless attack on October 7th. But there is a rising global fear that Israel's brutal onslaught on Gaza constitutes major war crimes and even a risk of genocide. Over 23,000 Palestinians have already been killed, including reports of at least 10,000 children dead.

Now South Africa has brought a ground-breaking case to the ICJ arguing for the court to stop the war. The lawsuit, spanning 84 heartrending pages, accuses Israel of genocide, and cries out for immediate intervention. Every line screams with urgency: stop the killing, end the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

We can't let these words fall on deaf ears.

If our nations stand together, filing declarations of support for South Africa's request to bring an end to this war, we can face down Israel's attempt to discredit the case, and try to hasten the court's decision to order an end of the suffering. Every second counts.

Let's be the voice that Gaza desperately needs.
We've fought for human rights worldwide – from Sudan to Myanmar to Ukraine. Our united voices have overpowered military might before. Let's rally again for Gaza. Let humanity, peace, compassion, and justice prevail.

With unwavering determination,

Fadi, Ruth, Patri, John, Will, Abdelrahman, Bieta, Mo, and the Avaaz team

P.S. As a global campaigning organization and civic movement, Avaaz relies on expert determination on whether any given situation amounts to genocide. To date, that determination has not been made with respect to Israel's actions in Gaza. However, human rights organisations like Amnesty International have reported on "the staggering scale of the death and destruction" in Gaza, as well as "an appalling spike in dehumanizing and racist rhetoric against Palestinians by certain Israeli government and military officials." In November 2023 UN experts warned of a "grave risk of genocide" for the Palestinian people. Dozens of states have supported South Africa's detailed submission.

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact .
Avaaz.org
27 Union Square West
Suite 500
New York, NY 10003
facebook
twitter
instagram

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Gratitude to Tantra Movement Teachers

πŸ’œ Before our Tantra Teachers Course in February and April, I would like to share: πŸ™ Infinite gratitude to my Tantra teachers who have shaped my journey and teachings. Each one, a guide in their unique way, has left positive mark on my soul.
Here I share also playlist of 15 interviews with some of them. Some made by the great Dr.Tara Long at Rasayana Tantra Academy where I used to study:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR04LLeYd_4&list=PL8M5t5cY3plYlGjSJ-_kaoRdNCrqSF7Xv&index=2

Gratitude from the most impacting my life:
Dr.Tara Long,
Edyta Baghira Weber,
Hari Kaur Entous van de Zwan,
Margot Anand,
Mahasatvaa Ma Ananda Sarita,
Anand Rudra,
Osho,
David Brown,
Diana Diakova and Martin Heese,
Bruce and Sharon Lyon,
Marjanne Hurks,
Vincent and Roxana Hewett,
Nirav Beej en Mudra,
Advaita Maria Bach,
Kenneth Ray Stubbs,
Han Thorig & Marita,
Andrew Barnes,
Flaviu Pop,
Silja Rehfeldt,
Dirkje Veltman,
Deborah Sundahl,
Colin Willby,
John Hawken,
Sanjay Vishwakarma,
Maarten Ghysels, Rakesh, and Marcia.
Gemini Adams
...To my Ex Beloveds, students, clients, and every experience, you are all integral to this journey. With deepest appreciation. πŸ’œ
Michal Kali Griks
www.tantramovement.com/tantra-teachers-course

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

South Africa vs. Israel



Add your voice now!
URGENT! South Africa is suing Israel before the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Within days, the judges could order an immediate ceasefire – but Israel is trying to prevent this. Let's increase pressure to stop the war by urging world leaders to support this push to end the bloodshed. Let's end this horror now!
Add your voice now!
Dear friends,
The South African government just urged the International Court of Justice to order an immediate ceasefire for Gaza, alleging Israel is committing genocide. But Netanyahu's government looks set to fight tooth and nail to delay a decision.

As millions of innocent people trapped in Palestine hold their breath, hoping for a quick verdict, we have an urgent mission: persuade our governments to support South Africa's push to end the bloodshed.

Wherever you are, whatever your political views, if in the next 24 hours, we, citizens of the world, unite to unleash a cascade of national support to halt the bombing over Gaza, we have a chance to help stop what an expert UN Panel warned could be a "a genocide in the making". It might be the last one.
Israel denies atrocity crimes against the Palestinians, saying its actions are necessary to defeat Hamas after its ruthless attack on October 7th. But there is a rising global fear that Israel's brutal onslaught on Gaza constitutes major war crimes and even a risk of genocide. Over 23,000 Palestinians have already been killed, including reports of at least 10,000 children dead.

Now South Africa has brought a ground-breaking case to the ICJ arguing for the court to stop the war. The lawsuit, spanning 84 heartrending pages, accuses Israel of genocide, and cries out for immediate intervention. Every line screams with urgency: stop the killing, end the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

We can't let these words fall on deaf ears.

If our nations stand together, filing declarations of support for South Africa's request to bring an end to this war, we can face down Israel's attempt to discredit the case, and try to hasten the court's decision to order an end of the suffering. Every second counts.

Let's be the voice that Gaza desperately needs.
We've fought for human rights worldwide – from Sudan to Myanmar to Ukraine. Our united voices have overpowered military might before. Let's rally again for Gaza. Let humanity, peace, compassion, and justice prevail.

With unwavering determination,

Fadi, Ruth, Patri, John, Will, Abdelrahman, Bieta, Mo, and the Avaaz team

P.S. As a global campaigning organization and civic movement, Avaaz relies on expert determination on whether any given situation amounts to genocide. To date, that determination has not been made with respect to Israel's actions in Gaza. However, human rights organisations like Amnesty International have reported on "the staggering scale of the death and destruction" in Gaza, as well as "an appalling spike in dehumanizing and racist rhetoric against Palestinians by certain Israeli government and military officials." In November 2023 UN experts warned of a "grave risk of genocide" for the Palestinian people. Dozens of states have supported South Africa's detailed submission.

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact .
Avaaz.org
27 Union Square West
Suite 500
New York, NY 10003
facebook
twitter
instagram

Friday, January 12, 2024

This Sunday's Earthchxrch, The Fabulous Unknown


Poster by Savitri D

On Sunday January 14th we will begin again a long trail of Sundays toward the Fabulous Unknown.  Welcome to the Earthchxrch.  We gather at 5pm at 36 Ave C Loisaida Ave at 3rd Street in the East Village.

 

If we are making a new kind of activism for the Earth, we will have to let go of the hammerlock of Information and consider what we call The Fabulous Unknown.  The 70% of all the objects, bodies, concrete and dogshit that we consider "reality" is in fact unidentified and named by the scientists "dark energy" or "dark matter."  The colonial habit of the Heart of Darkness….

 

If we are walking into the 6th Extinction with ideas for making change, then we will have a much different experience in the ordinary moment.  Our revolutionary approach to the corrupt and the fearful will have life and death in it, like a forest, like an alpine meadow, like a coral reef.  We won't be at rally and march and rally and march - we will be emissaries, deliverers of messages from another world; that is, this world, which we failed to notice or name, but it's fabulous.  How far do we have to dance to get back to Direct Action?  It's not measured in miles. 

Singing the gratitude song to Chile's Constituyentes.  Photo by Alice O'Malley

 

The Church of Stop Shopping POB 1556 NY NY 10013

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Extorting sex for water


Sign now!
It's beyond horrifying: Every day, tens of thousands of women and girls are forced into sex for a few litres of water. Children are being abused, women's lives shattered -- and yet, in most places, this vile exploitation is completely legal. Now, brave women's rights groups in Kenya are pushing for a law to end this abuse and they've asked for our help. Let's all join, and help end this terrifying practice against vulnerable women and girls!
Sign now!
Dear friends,
Imagine being so desperate for water, you'd do anything to get it. Anything.

That's the situation tens of thousands of women and girls around the world face every single day.

And now corrupt water vendors in Kenya are taking advantage in the worst possible way, forcing them into sex for just a few litres.

Children are being abused, women's lives shattered. They have no choice.

But here's the really crazy thing: there's no law against this vile exploitation. It's completely legal!

We could change that. Kenyan women's rights groups say the government is considering a law to make this abuse illegal – and that massive show of global pressure could make all the difference.

They're asking the Avaaz community to help – let's lend our voices to some of the poorest, most vulnerable people on Earth, and demand an end to sex-for-water abuse. When our call is huge, we'll deliver our voices to Kenya's government.
To those of us with running water, this horror seems unimaginable. But in slums in Kenya, water is a precious and rare resource. Many women and girls walk miles to find enough to survive – and their desperation makes them vulnerable.

And it's not just Kenya – wherever extreme poverty bites, sexual exploitation is certain to follow. Sex for water abuse has been documented in Bangladesh, Mexico and Colombia, too.

The impact is devastating, with women eaten up with shame and cast out of their communities, the HIV epidemic, and teen pregnancies soaring. A new law could make a massive difference – protecting women and girls.

Let's join the brave women rights activists in Kenya and demand an end to this horror – add your voice now!
Avaaz has fought to protect women and girls all over the world. We've demanded equal access to  education, protection from abusive regimes, and battled to protect reproductive rights for women everywhere. Now we have a chance to do something amazing – let's take it!

With hope and determination,
Bert, Mel, Julian, Nate, Patricia, Antonia, Huiting and the whole Avaaz team

PS: We won't be doing this alone – if enough of us sign, we'll team up with the Kenya Water and Sanitation CSOs Network (KEWASNET), the Africa Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW), the Umande Trust, and brave survivors of sex for water abuse.

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact us, or simply go here to unsubscribe.
To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact .
Avaaz.org
27 Union Square West
Suite 500
New York, NY 10003
facebook
twitter
instagram