Dear Friend,

On New Year's Eve, Oscar Grant was shot execution-style by transit police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California. He was shot in the back while lying face down on a subway platform, unarmed and restrained by other officers.

Despite damning video evidence, it took nearly two weeks for the District Attorney to arrest Mehserle and charge him with murder. The DA admitted that it was only due to massive public pressure that he moved even at that pace, pressure that included more than 20,000 ColorOfChange members speaking up.

That's why it's so important for each of us to commit to staying involved. Johannes Mehserle's arrest is important, but it's only the first step. In cases like this, history has repeatedly shown that as soon as the public eye turns away the prospect of justice fades.

We need you--and so does Oscar Grant's family. Making sure the prosecution does its job and pushing for much-needed reforms will require your voice.
Are you in? Click below--it takes just a moment:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar_update/?id=1422-326118

 In 14 years as Alameda County District Attorney, Tom Orloff had never before charged a police officer for an on-duty shooting. And when asked, several legal experts were unable to come up with any examples of officer-involved shootings becoming murder cases in California.

But overwhelming public pressure made it impossible for Orloff to ignore Oscar Grant's murder. He said that "because of the intense public interest I think more resources were put into wrapping this up than would be put in in other situations." Orloff made it clear that because enough ordinary people spoke out, he poured investigative resources into this case that his record tells us he never would have otherwise.

We've exposed a chink in the armor of a system that protects trigger-happy cops instead of regular folks. Now there's a real opportunity to create systemic changes that would introduce transparency and accountability to police forces across California, and especially to the BART Police Department. We need to keep the pressure on Tom Orloff to make sure he keeps devoting time and energy to Mehserle's prosecution.

Help honor the memory of Oscar Grant and others who have fallen victim to police violence. Please sign up to stay involved in pushing for justice in this case and for real accountability for police. Join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar_update/?id=1422-326118

Thanks.
Derek

Hi,

I just signed a petition asking the G8 take urgent action against extreme poverty, and I'm hoping that you'll join me.

Sign the petition now at: http://www.one.org/international/g8

There has been a lot of progress against extreme poverty in recent years, but, as recent headlines about the global food crisis and natural disasters like Cyclone Nargis in Burma will tell you, there is still much to be done.

When we unite with one voice and call upon our leaders to take action, we can and will solve these problems.

Thanks.
Derek

job opportunities have simply not materialized, or for whom their old job has finished, e.g. in the many factories which are now ruined. There is much begging in the streets.

Children are among the beggars, as well, denied a chance at education and a normal life by the economic situation of their families.

One small effort to help street children in the capital, Tbilisi -- both those actually living on the streets and those who have a home of some sort but are still very poor -- has been in action for a few years now.

Our work with homeless and poor children started in the Spring of 2002. From that time until now we have given out small packets of sandwiches, and clothing and gifts when we had the possibility, at the same time inviting children and parents to the place which we had begun to rent.

The purpose of our work is to give them emotional, material and spiritual help; and towards this we are developing various programmes. We help them learn foreign languages – Georgian and English – and teach them other things as well, including the Bible, mathematics, geography and history; we have time for handicrafts, games, the celebration of Christmas and Easter; and there is always a hot lunch for them. Almost all of them also regularly attend Sunday School organised by the Georgian Baptist Church.

In the summer holidays the children have the chance for a getaway in evangelical camps, which are prepared beforehand and take place in various regions of Georgia. In the summer of 2004 our children had a camp on the Black Sea coast, organized by the Baptist church. They have gone to these camps every summer since then.

Currently, about 10 children come to us regularly, divided into 2 groups – the younger ones and the teenagers. We work with them from Mondays to Fridays.

Our needs to continue this project are US$600 per month. This includes $150 for rent; $150 for utilities, food and study materials; and $100 pay for each of the three workers.

consideration.

God bless you,

Nato Abulashvili
The Ark
Tbilisi, Georgia

Should you desire to help us financially, bank details are below:




BENEFICIARY'S BANK: TBC BANK
11, Chavchavadze Ave, Tbilisi, Georgia.
SWIFT:TBSBGE22
Beneficiary's Account: 144070641
Name of BENEFICIARY: NATALIE ABULASHVILI

Imported from external blog

CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAlXBU7p_6w

The site it is talking about is Here.

URGENT MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE TO WATCH & FORWARD!

Thanks :o)