Whole Earth Festival

TOOLS FOR CHANGE: POLITICAL EDUCATION AT WHOLE EARTH FESTIVAL 2003 By Naomi Hamburger “Inspire Change!” The optimistic theme of Whole Earth Festival 2003 (WEF) promises freedom songs and tools for social change for the peace-loving people that will converge on the UC Davis Quad this May 9-11. Like hay fever, the magic will return this Mother’s Day weekend to infect the masses with love and defiant insistence for a peaceful planet. As WEF unfolds, political education opportunities will be as bountiful as the bushels of organic food and products on display. WEF admission is free. Direct questions on political education at WEF to (530)752-2569, naomiwile@yahoo.com, or www.wef.ucdavis.edu. Direct Action Trainings In response to the increasing gap between global rich and poor, corporate globalization, and U.S. unilateral militarism, citizens across the Earth are employing nonviolent, direct action protest in colossal numbers. Fourteen million people marched on the same day to stop the war in Iraq, thousands were arrested in US cities for civil disobedience. Each day of WEF, there will be a direct action workshops facilitated by experienced trainers from the o2 Collective (May 9, 1 p.m.), Direct Action to Stop the War (May 10, 10:30 a.m.), and the Rant Collective (May 11, 11 a.m.). Anti-Racism In these critical times, there is an upsurge of commitment to challenging oppression within our schools and communities. Hear from student activist, Angelique Agloro how the Classification of Race, Ethnicity and National Origin Initiative (CRENO) will be a step backwards for racial justice (May 9, 7 p.m.). Attend “Direct Action for People of Color” (May 10, 10:30 a.m.) with Gopal Dayaneni, one of the original hunger strikers to demand an autonomous Cross Cultural Center at UCD, or an anti-racism workshop for white activists (May 10, 1 p.m.) by Alli Starr of Cultural Links who seeks to explore how privilege and oppression form obstacles to building positive relationships. Sacramento Biotech Ministerial People and ecosystems worldwide already suffer from the health, environmental, and economic effects of industrial agriculture. This is why when the USDA Ag Expo comes to Sacramento this June 23-25, the people will greet the ministers with a festival of resistance, to demand sustainable agriculture and naturally grown food for every man, woman and child on the planet. WEF will feature speakers on the global food system from Food First, Public Citizen, Organic Consumers Association, and Organic Ag Advisors. More Highlights Experience the Dineh Grandmothers, speaking on relocation resistance (May 10, 1:20 p.m.), Richard Becker of the International Action Center (May 9, 1:20 p.m.), Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange (May 10, 4 p.m.), and a sexy performance of “Lysistrata”, Greek comedy against the war (May 9, 10 a.m.). When you are coming to Whole Earth Festival 2003, wear a flower in your hair, and be sure to also raise your fist in the air because Mother’s Day weekend is going to come in like a lamb but leave like liberation!