Hinesburg, VT–Since September 2003, Global Justice Ecology Project has organized community trainings, produced photographic exhibits, co-organized a major anti-war conference in Burlington, and hosted monthly community potlucks in Hinesburg. Internationally, Global Justice Ecology Project organizes against the genetic engineering of trees, working with the United Nations as well as indigenous peoples’ organizations and other groups around the world. 

This week GJEP is organizing two special events: 

1) Journalists Ben Dangl and April Howard will present It’s Not Just Iraq–It’s the American Empire, at the Hinesburg Community Social Potluck, Thursday, October 11th, 6 pm at Hinesburg’s Carpenter-Carse Library. 

Ben Dangl writes on Latin American issues for publications such as Z Magazine, The Nation, and The Progressive.  He edits TowardFreedom.com, a progressive perspective on world events, and UpsideDownWorld.org, an online magazine covering Latin American activism and politics. Dangl won a 2007 Project Censored Award for his coverage of U.S. military operations in Paraguay.  He is author of, “The Price of Fire – Resource Wars and Social Movements in Bolivia.” April Howard covers Latin American issues for In These Times, The Nation, The Utne Reader,Counterpunch and Third World Resurgence. She is an editor at Upsidedownworld.org. 

“While the crucial problems of the American occupation of Iraq have convinced many activists that ending the war needs to be our first priority, Washington’s abuse of power in Iraq is symptomatic of larger imperialist designs,” says Dangl.  “As global citizens concerned with international peace and justice, it is important that, even as we protest the war, we look at the rest of the world and understand the effects of neoliberal politics and corporate globalization and the ways in which communities are fighting against these tides,” he continues.

2) GJEP is hosting a Gala Reception for their new Photo Exhibit, “Corporate Globalization vs. Global Justice: Part II The Struggle Continues“ on Saturday, October 13, 7:30 pmat the Plainfield Community Center in Plainfield, VT

The exhibit features photographs from 2004 to the present by photojournalist and Global Justice Ecology Project Co-director Orin Langelle.  Simone Lovera, of The Netherlands-based Global Forest Coalition will speak about the struggles depicted in some of the photographs and about the larger struggle against global warming and in defense of rural communities around the world.  Jerome Lipani will play piano, Alexis Smith will read a poem by Grace Paley, and wine, beer, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Langelle became involved in the social justice movement in the 1960s against the Vietnam War.  He trained at the International Center of Photography in Manhattan under Cornell Capa, co-founder of Magnum Photo Agency and brother to renowned war photographer Robert Capa.  Langelle uses photojournalism to help educate people about social and ecological justice.

The exhibits features photographs from the summer of 2004 to the present, including images from Vermont, Latin America, the Democratic and Republican National Conventions of 2004, G8 protests in Germany, the World Social Forum in Nairobi and many others.

GJEP builds local, national and international alliances with action to address the common root causes of social injustice, ecological destruction and economic domination.

Top left:  From Corporate Globalization vs. Global Justice: Part II The Struggle Continues: “Bush Can Kiss My Black Ass” photo taken at Ground Zero as thousands of activists continued to converged on Manhattan for a series of events directed at the Republican National Convention, the war in Iraq, and the flawed U.S. political system. In the Evening, 9/11 families and their supporters gathered at the World Trade Center site, ringing bells and observing silence. The event, named “Ring Out the GOP” was called to commemorate victims of violence and oppose anger and revenge. Free bells were given away and thousands of people participated, surrounding the entire site with ringing bells.

Earlier that day, GJEP photographer Orin Langelle was nearly arrested for taking a photo near Madison Square Garden.

Republican National Convention–New York, NY   2004

Photo:  Langelle/Global Justice Ecology Project