Bloodshed and chaos are the name of the game run by the United States and Israel. Billions around the world must live in misery due to the exploits of these warmongering nations. To bring attention to this issue, the CCSU Progressive Students Alliance sponsored Glocal Justice, an event featuring speakers, poetry, and music at CCSU's Semesters meeting hall on April 21, 2004. The Wheels of Justice tour, Sankofa Institute, Patrick Lincoln, and Peter Gelderloos gave presentations.

Rolling across the U.S., the Wheels of Justice tour educates Americans about the military occupations of Palestine and Iraq. Wheels of Justice visits high schools and universities where tour members speak with students and give workshops. CCSU students heard presentations from Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh of Palestine Right to Return Coalition, Chris Ducot of Hartford's Catholic Worker, and Vladislav Davidzon of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). All have recently returned from fact-finding missions in Palestine and Iraq. In addition to giving facts and figures, the presentations described the occupation from the perspective of oppressed Palestinians and Iraqis. CCSU students eagerly watched slide shows and heard descriptions about daily life under illegal occupation. The speakers also talked about the importance of joining a struggle and urged students to get involved. Following the talk, students passed around a petition to support House Concurrent Resolution 111 to hold a congressional investigation into last year's murder of 23 year old Rachel Corrie; an American student and ISM activist who was fatally crushed while blocking an Israeli army bulldozer engaged in an illegal house demolition.

Glocal Justice also highlighted local issues of America’s racist justice system. Members of Hartford's Sankofa Institute talked about streetcrime, imprisonment, and the problems of transitioning back into society. Sankofa Institute is a group of former prisoners who speak of education and self-identity as powerful tools in breaking the criminal mindset. When prisoners transition back to society, many return to their previous life patterns because they maintain their criminal identities in prison. However, through the initiatives of groups like Sankofa Institute, some prisoners can go through positive changes. While in confinement, Johnny J, a former gangleader and prisoner, studied African, Latino, and American history and culture. During his presentation, Johnny J stressed that by education and guidance from Sankofa members he found his roots and true self-identity which has power to direct one away from a life of crime. Sankofa Institute takes its name after a bird that watches behind itself while flying ahead.

Patrick Lincoln and Peter Gelderloos took a bus from Virginia to come up and talk about the U.S. prison system and how it's a multi-billion dollar profit making industry. In its drive to attack Iraq, the U.S. claimed that the war would liberate Iraqis; however, how can one believe that the U.S. wants to liberate anyone when it has locked up millions in its own prisons. Here are some quick facts they spoke about: average daily population in prison reached nearly 1.3 million in 2001 up 30% from 1995. In 2000, 84 Federal facilities were in operation, 9% more than in 1995; 1,320 State facilities, 3% more than in 1995; and 264 private facilities, 140% more than in 1995. Demographics are as follows: approximately 46% of all prison inmates were black; 36%, white; 16%, Hispanic; 1% American Indian or Alaska Native; and 1%, Asian or Pacific Islander. Also discussed was the political corruption associated with government contracts for prison facility construction projects. Both speakers recently ended six-month federal prison sentences for civil disobedience actions against the School of the America's in Ft.Benning, Georgia. More about them can be found at http://soaw.org.

The evening's featured artists included poets and musicians. Craig Marchinkoski’s hardcore style threw uppercuts and jabs at the establishment. Baub Bidon, a member of Blackout Arts Collective, cut it up with riddles and rhymes. Wrapping things up were the hard hitting sounds of Kennesaw. The CCSU Progressive Students Alliance organized the event in solidarity with the Latin American Student Organization and United Caribbean Club.

For updates about CCSU PSA and other current info visit: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/CCSUPSA/ or http://americanissues.com/ccsupsa

for Wheels of Justice info visit: http://justicewheels.org

for Blackout Arts Collective info visit:
http://www.blackoutartscollective.com