Block arms shipment to Zimbabwe

Dear friends,

Trade unionists, church groups, and legal organisations across South Africa are joining to block arms shipments to Zimbabwe. Help show their leaders that the world stands with them--sign the petition now: CLICK TO ADD YOUR NAME! CAMPAIGN UPDATE In ten days, 155,000 people worldwide signed an Avaaz petition urging South Africa's Thabo Mbeki to press for democracy in Zimbabwe--and then flew a massive banner over the United Nations headquarters. The flight grabbed the attention of world media, from South African radio, newspapers, and TV to CNN and the BBC... and the next day, South Africa shifted its position. Click here to see coverage, and take the next step!

Even as the Zimbabwe crisis worsens, an extraordinary solidarity movement has taken hold across Southern Africa--sparked by a South African dock workers' union that refused to unload a Chinese shipment of Zimbabwe-bound weapons.[1]

Their refusal to facilitate Zimbabwe's crackdown has ignited a wildfire that is spreading across the continent. Now, as pressure builds,

China is publicly wavering--and might decide to bring the arms home.[2]

Kindly click below to sign a petition to keep arms away from Zimbabwe. The petition will be launched at a press conference in Johannesburg before the end of this week, and used to lobby key leaders until the crisis ends. Join the call now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_arms_for_zimbabwe/5.php
(if clicking doesnt work, copy and paste the link on your address bar)

Three weeks on, the results of the March 29 elections have still not been released, and Zimbabwe's crisis is getting worse. Mugabe's government has unleashed a brutal campaign to retain power. The opposition says that ten have died, and hundreds have been injured; now, a "human wave" of refugees is fleeing to South Africa and other neighbouring countries.[3]

But even as the political emergency deepens, an African-led upswell of resistance has begun to turn the tide. In the last ten days:

· More than 150,000 Avaaz members worldwide signed the petition for democracy in Zimbabwe, including citizens of 53 of Africa's 54 countries. The goal: prod South Africa's president Mbeki to pressure Mugabe. To make sure the message got through, Avaaz hired a small plane to fly a 280 square metre (3000 sq ft) banner over the United Nations.[4] The next day, amidst pressure from other governments and worldwide media coverage of the Avaaz stunt, South Africa finally shifted its position on Zimbabwe.[5]

·

Last week, a Chinese ship carrying 77 tonnes of Zimbabwe-bound weapons and ammunition docked in Durban, South Africa--but, refusing to aid Mugabe's crackdown, the dockworkers refused to unload it. Unions, churches, and legal groups throughout Southern Africa quickly mobilized; the ship was forced to leave the harbour, and other ports in the region are vowing to block the weapons as well.[6]

·

As the grassroots outcry has grown, political officials have begun to press their case. Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa urged other African leaders not to allow the weapons to reach Zimbabwe.[7] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and former UNSG Kofi Annan have called for democracy. And more and more other leaders in Africa and worldwide are joining in.

The Chinese arms ship is now sailing up the Western coast of Africa. Union officials tell Avaaz that it could stop in Namibia to refuel, but is probably headed towards Angola.[8] Time is short. A strong international outcry now can help support the groups in both countries--dockworkers, NGOs, and church leaders--who are working to block the weapons and support Zimbabwean human rights.

There is more at stake here than the weapons in this ship. Together, we can build a consensus that Zimbabwe should not be sold ANY weapons in this time of crisis--and in the longer term, we can build momentum for a strong international Arms Trade Treaty[9]. Moreover, stopping the flow of weapons provides a concrete, immediate step that leaders in the region can take on Zimbabwe--paving the way for stronger actions in coming days and weeks.

Add your name to the petition, and then send this link to friends and family:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_arms_for_zimbabwe/5.php

The situation in Zimbabwe is dire. But because of people power--the courage of ordinary workers and community members, standing on principle--the political currents are shifting, and hope is emerging for change. And in the global media, a new strain can be heard amidst the grinding stories of brutality and chaos.

This crisis has many layers, and raises issues that range from the legacy of colonialism to the uncontrolled international arms trade. At the heart of it is the simple idea that every human life is equally precious, and that every person has rights. The people of Zimbabwe took their stand in the voting booth. The dockworkers of South Africa took their stand at the harbour. Now, even if we can only offer a click, it is time to do our part as well.

With hope,

Ben, Ricken, Graziela, Galit, Paul, Iain, Pascal, and Veronique--the Avaaz.org team

Sources:

1. Business Day: "South Africa: Unions Bid to Halt Zimbabwe Arms Ship." http://allafrica.com/stories/200804220109.html
2. New York Times: "China Says Shipment of Arms for Zimbabwe May Turn Back." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/world/africa/23zimbabwe.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
3. New York Times: "Human Wave Flees Violence in Zimbabwe." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/world/africa/21zimbabwe.html?ex=1366516800&en=0378560da461b30a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
4. SW Radio Africa: "Mbeki put under pressure at the UN over Zimbabwe" http://www.swradioafrica.com/news170408/mbekipressure170408.htm
5. Globe and Mail: "South African leader forced to speak up after long keeping quiet on Mugabe." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080418.ZIMBABWEANALYSIS18/TPStory/TPInternational/Africa
6. Associated Press: "Zimbabwe's neighbors unite to block arms shipment" http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4kT7pJlnuzY_vpKdTACcQYIPcvQD9077G780
7. Reuters: "Zambia asks African states to bar Chinese ship" http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnBAN223066.html
8. Ibid.
9. See http://controlarms.org.

________

The Garbage Truck Philosophy

Read this somewhere…really cool:

“One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.”

Well, I guess successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Love the people who treat you right, ignore those who don't.

Royally Pissed!

Ok, its official – the circus is back in town and I’m not even amused – not by a long shot. I am seriously pissed off. And I can bet ten cents that the feeling is widely mutual across the divide.

I have had it with this whole bunch of double speaking politicians and their round-the-mulberry-bush antics. For crying out loud, we’re in April and still no Grand Coalition cabinet! Surely, I really thought that after the successful signing of the national accord and reconciliation act that Kofi Annan managed to broker, we would be well on the way to economic recovery and that the country’s reputation would be salvaged.

But nay! Here we are, 4 months down the line and still no farther from the precarious brink of permanent disillusionment. I dare say, Kenyans are not about to see the end of this disgusting charade. I mean, where do these “leaders” get off playing around with our minds? Seriously, how hard is it to share out these cabinet positions on a 50-50 basis? Its bad enough that they had to go ahead and decide on an unbelievable number; 40. Such a nice, round figure, isn’t it?

Now our “leaders” are busy scuttling from one plush office to another, exchanging diatribe and scuffling over “plum” positions, such as Finance and Foreign Affairs. How about the plight of the people who actually placed you on those pedestals? The IDPs, who have suffered mightily; far more mightily that you can ever imagine, are the least of your thoughts. And no! No amount of PR tactics and straight-faced pronouncements on national TV about “considering the plight of Kenyans” will wash.

We have had enough! We are tired of your tee-totalling and wishy-washy antics! Kofi Annan is not about to come over and untangle the mess you’ve made of the Accord. So you can get that notion out of your heads. Aren’t these guys tired of airing their dirty linen in front of the entire world?

I think its time for our two leaders to get their act right; give Kenyans what they want. You have wasted enough of our time and I dare say, we have had it up to our noses! Stop your idiosyncratic behaviour and just give us our due!

Am on the road again

Am on the road again

(Am on the road again, I got my money my passport, you know it am on the road again. Am independent am now on my own ,this is a life time. Am on the road again,)

My mama struggled for me, she taught me every thing on how to be responsible and all, my dad taught me, paid my bills took care for me in every aspect. I learnt well from them now am all alone, to practice all that I learnt from them. My parents never failed me they were always there for me, to see me thro' every place I have been. I give God thanks for the kind of parents he gave me. Am thankful I can't even mention everything that he gave me. My pap raised me to make a difference in my life and to become a better man. Now am on the road again making my steps right always make my moves right. Am seeing a chick close to the dream gal I ever wanted, its cool and I trust God to see me thro'. I have learnt and am back on the road again this time am alone doing my way without my parents beside me. Am not so intellectual but still intelligent, gone thro' school learnt all the good things I do. It does not mean that I cant be bad, I have been bad before but I choose to be good you see, it pays nothing to be a law breaker. Live away from the laws, they're there to guide us, see us thro' and protect the things we work hard for. And my plane is leaving and I tell you am on the road again, bigger and stronger, more mature than anything and I will let all know that…

chorus X2 (Am on the road again, I got my money my passport, you know it am on the road again. Am independent am now on my own ,this is a life time. Am on the road again,)

This road ain't easy, its hard and so boring to be on but I need to see much and make that impact without any assistance. I make decisions and avoid discussions the maybe so delusive, and maybe abusive, I make my parties so exclusive, and yet not so expensive for I have never been extensive, leave alone exclusive; that may look so expensive. I value figures but not such big figures, I loved math for it was all figures, and I want to leave in earth, impact that comes in three figures. The gal am seeing now has a nice figure. When one gets responsible things comes around in great figures. And it all depends on how well you love figures and not end up like some bitch nigga. I miss the hood I was raised in, the hood where the peace was the main thing. I learnt from the streets I feel am the street dream, the street legend the game in town. Man its crazy to be on the road alone, I got to be for I will never be with mama again, she did her part and did it well, no complaint comes from any where at all. At times I feel unappreciated, some says am to be Grammy nominated, its so complicated, at times it may be eradicated, but who is willing to make it initiated. I said before I believe in shooting stars like Kanye and not shoes and cars. I know there is always war coming down but we should love all we see, my break is done and…..

chorus X2 (Am on the road again, I got my money my passport, you know it am on the road again. Am independent am now on my own ,this is a life time. Am on the road again,)

Man the journey is long, so long I cant bare it but I have to stay on board its another break and I got to utilize it, I need to initialize it. Do you realize am doing a mix so firm and great, nothing comes easy for we got to keep our head up, Pac was not crazy when he directed us to keep our head up high. He knew its fucked up and the road is never clear as crystal and not crystal the liquor from down the lane. My writing is getting better, taking over like the sale of the safaricom IPO, the thing with mine it has no issues and no defects at all. I think the driver is calling on he wants us to keep moving on, we have a long trip and it needs so much time. I enjoyed myself with the breaks, for a while I forgot I was on the road again doing what is best for me. I will keep moving and get money, am not a rich kid but I want to get there, have it all and the dream I had can come true. On the cover of a magazine, with my limousine, flaming thunder, men I got it all. That's the life I wait to be in and chilling so hard for it. I want to be seen as a great man with a nice family. Your shocked am a family man, love kids so bad I cant wait for the time I will have my own. I want to be seen as a father and a good one who loves and takes good care of hi family, just like my dad did. I learnt from the best, am confident on the road I will make it to the other end safe and sound. That's the dream the main thing I see. Am on this road and as long as I live I will keep to it and my times up and…..

chorus X2 (Am on the road again, I got my money my passport, you know it am on the road again. Am independent am now on my own ,this is a life time. Am on the road again,)

Am on the road again, making life better see ya! Haaa! Uiii! Émigeé