Holiday Mallternative

We often underestimate the power that our collective spending habits could yield. If 25% of of Americans refused to buy non-union made shoes every major shoe company would at least offer a line of union made shoes and many local companies might have a chance at competing. I a global economy are dollar is, in a sense, our only vote. We cast our vote every time we make a purchase. Do we value sustainability, community, economic justice, non-violence? Do we know who makes what we buy? Where it comes from, and where are money goes after it leaves our pockets?
It was in this spirit that the Atlanta AFSC decided to organize what we hope is our first of many Holiday Mallternatives. Businesses, artists, and organizations that sell products that are locally made, eco friendly, fair trade, and fair labor were invited to participate. Around a hundred or so shoppers stopped by and purchased items that ranged from chocolate to t-shirts, books, to Palestinian olive oil, pecans to beach mats.
All who come got to enjoy organic hot apple cider and sample fair trade chocolate and hickory smoked pecans. We even got a visit from Santa Claus, who came bearing gifts!

Venders included:
Ideas are us
"Eco-friendly gifts and decor from India"
www.ideas-are-us.com

Yellowstone
"Decorative items*Cards*Artisan jewelry. Tarot readings"
www.yellowstonedesigns.etsy.com

www.Earthcarefair.com
"Hemp and organic cotten tee-shirts"
This organization also know a whole lot about permaculture, check them!

Charis Book store
"An independent feminist book store"
http://www.charisbooksandmore.com/

Koinonia Farms
http://www.koinoniapartners.org/

International Action Center, Atlanta
http://www.iacenter.org/

American Friends Service Commitee
www.afsc.org

Thanks to everyone how can out and made it happen!!!

We dropped a BIG postcard to Obama, hope he gets it!

Wednesday December 2nd EARLY in the morning two committed teams met up and dropped large banners in two different locations around Atlanta. One resembled a giant 12x15ft postcard that read, "Dear Mr President, Please Don't Send More Troops. Find A Way Out. Love, Atlanta" It was dropped on the 17th street bridge and held for 40 minutes during peak morning rush hour.
A smaller banner was dropped on the Jackson street bridge over Freedom pkwy. It reads, "Afghanistan, No Military Solution" and was tied to the railing. It's reportedly still there as of 1:20pm.
Below is AFSC's press release:



New Plan for Afghanistan Means More of The Same
Obama’s Troop Surge is No Way to Bring Peace, Reconstruction, Relief at Home

(Atlanta) (December 2, 2009) – The American Friends Service Committee deeply regret President Obama’s decision to send 30,000 more troops to the war in Afghanistan announced tonight. Since the war’s beginning in 2001, AFSC has urged the U.S. government to support diplomacy and an Afghan-led civilian reconstruction effort, rather than warfare, to build peace and security in Afghanistan and the region.
Now, with a weak economy, the war’s financial cost alone – the Pentagon estimates that it costs $1 billion to send 1,000 soldiers – requires a reversal of the decision.
"These wars continue to rob our communities of much needed bodies and resources. It seems that President Obama is making the same poor decision the President Johnson made, caving into tough talking Generals, instead of doing the right thing"-Tim Franzen,AFSC

AFSC supports a strategy based on diplomacy, the rule of law, accountability and development that improves the lives of both the U.S. soldiers and Afghan civilians. Specifically we ask the Obama Administration:
· To send no additional troops to Afghanistan
· To follow a timeline for withdrawal of U.S./NATO forces
· To engage in talks with all parties to the conflict
· To offer generous development aid led by civilians, not the military
· To redirect the billions spent on war to human needs in Afghanistan and at home

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee