[Dialogue] Katrina refugees - coming soon to a state near you

[Bill Schlesinger]

Bill Schlesinger
Project Vida
3607 Rivera Ave
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 533-7057 x 207
(915) 490-6148 mobile
(915) 533-7158 fax
pvida at sbcglobal.net

The following thread gives a sense of what other systems/networks are doing:

This is a COMM-ORG "colist" message.
All replies to this message come to COMM-ORG only.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
[ed:  Steve continues the discussion as well and offers an alternative.]

From: Steve Chase <schase at igc.org>

The Red Cross Is Great, But Here Is a Grassroots Alternative.

Dear Friends,

On Friday, I talked on the phone with my friend Marylee Orr, who lives in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marylee is the director of the Louisiana
Environmental Action Network--a coalition of over 100 grassroots citizens
groups throughout the now devastated state of Louisiana. I got to know her
on the Department of Environmental Studies' field studies trip to Louisiana
last March when 13 of our students got up close and personal with
environmental justice issues in "Cancer Alley." Marylee helped our students
out a lot during our trip and I have been fast friends with her ever since.

Here is why I love her. Marylee hasn't been up late every night out for the
last week out of aimless worry about the many victims and the environmental
tragedy left in the wake of the hurricane and official mismanagement of both
the disaster prevention and response efforts. She's been up late because she
is working hard to do something about the situation. As she told me on the
phone on Friday afternoon, the federal government is not really on the
ground doing much yet and, in some of the hard hit parishes in the state,
even the Red Cross is not much of a presence yet. In the time honored
tradition of grassroots citizenship for the common good, this gutsy woman is
using the local contacts with grassroots activists, local officials, and
Louisiana faith communities she has built up over 20 years to help close the
dramatic gap between the intense need of the people of the Louisiana and the
official response so far.

Just this Thurday, LEAN members provided an airdrop of food, water, and
medical supplies to the trapped residents of St. Bernard and Plaquemine
Parishes, two of the most inundated areas in the state. Saturday, LEAN
dropped more supplies for stranded people in Washington Parish. LEAN is also
working hard now to raise more funds to allow local people, working with
local government leaders to provide direct, immediate assistance with all
the efficiency that comes from not being a bureaucrat or an outsider. I've
already made a contribution to the Red Cross to offer some assistance to the
hurricane victims in Louisiana, but I've decided to write a check for ten
times that amount to the Louisiana Environmental Action Network in order to
support people that I know have both the big hearts and the local knowledge
needed to help meet the crying humanitarian needs in Louisiana. I also know
that LEAN won't just leave the area when the immediate crisis is over. LEAN
will also work to ad!
 dress the toxic cesspool and chemical contamination that will be left
behind when the water finally recedes. I'm asking everyone I know to join me
in contributing money directly to LEAN for their local efforts in disaster
relief. Every penny will be used well. I would trust Marylee with my life
and I know her effort will save lives. Please dig deep and give as much as
you can to: LEAN, 162 Craydon Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

At the very end of our phone call on Friday, Marylee thanked me for pledging
money and for my offer to encourage other folks to contribute to LEAN's
disaster relief efforts, but she also asked for one more thing. She said,
"We need financial contributions from all our friends around the country for
sure, but we could also really use your prayers. It means so much to know
that people around the country care." For people who want to send good
wishes as well as their checks, please write to Marylee's group at
lean at leanweb.org. She likely won't have time to write back, but it will mean
a lot to this hard working, non-sleeping group of local heros to know that
our hearts and prayers are with them.

Below is an email I received from Marylee after our phone call.

Best,
Steve

===================
September 2, 2005


Dear Friends of Louisiana,

Due to the catastrophic event of Hurricane Katrina there is an enormous need
for life-saving and life-sustaining supplies. At this time, the most needed
items are tetanus shots, insulin, IV fluids, as well as financial resources
to purchase and transport medical and food assistance directly to victims.

Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) is working closely with the
Office of Representative Brasso of St. Bernard Parish. Our contributions are
being immediately given to the residents of St. Bernard and Plaquemines
Parishes, two of the most inundated areas. LEAN feels that by working
directly with the parish representatives we are best able to assist in
meeting the critical needs of these victims and addressing the crisis in our
communities.

The situation in Louisiana is heartbreaking and we hope that by working
together we can help save lives and improve the lives of those who have
survived this disaster. We would appreciate donations of medical supplies,
food and water, or funds to purchase these supplies. For example, yesterday,
September 1, 2005, we purchased medical supplies such as aspirin, neosporin,
syringes, hand sanitizer, gloves, tylenol, bandages, and so forth. These
supplies were directly air dropped down today on September 2, 2005, to
people stuck in St.
Bernard and Plaquemines Parish.

We can not thank you enough for caring about what is going on in our region.
Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. Words can not describe the
suffering and courage of the people here. Please help us help our neighbors
in our home state. May God bless you for all your support, concern and
prayers during this tragic time.

With warmest regards,

Marylee Orr
Executive Director
Louisiana Environmental Action Network
162 Croydon Ave
Baton Rouge, La. 70806  

>
> From:
> Deirdre Silverman <deirdre at alternatives.org>
>
> In response to Randy's comments about the potential usefulness of an 
> organizing model in dealing with a disaster:
> Cuba has been hit by 3 major hurricanes in the last 2 years, one of 
> which passed directly over Havana. When we've contacted people and 
> organizations in Cuba asking if they needed help in the aftermath, the 
> response has been that they did not. This email explains how they 
> handled the evacuation of Havana.
>
>> This was sent to me by Ned Sublette this evening (Thursday, September 
>> 1).
>>
>> I just spoke to nelson valdes, a walking encyclopedia of knowledge 
>> about Cuba, and asked him how civil defense is conducted in Cuba.
>> "Less than 2 months ago, cuba was able to move 1.7 million people out 
>> of Havana on short notice.
>> The whole civil defense is embedded in the community to begin with. 
>> People know ahead of time where they are to go. They come to your 
>> door and knock, and tell you, evacuation is coming, then they come 
>> and tell you, now.
>> If no electricity, they have runners who communicate from a 
>> headquarters to central locations what is to be done.
>> The country's leaders go on TV and take charge, but not only the 
>> leaders are speaking.  The TV weatherpeople are knowledgeable and the 
>> population is well educated about hurricanes.
>> They not only evacuate. It's arranged beforehand where they will go, 
>> who has family where. Not only pickup is organized, delivery of 
>> people is organized. Merely sticking them in a stadium is 
>> unthinkable.  Shelters all have medical personnel from the 
>> neighborhood. They have family doctors in Cuba (1 foir every 180 
>> families! DS), who evacuate together with the neighborhood, and 
>> already know who, for example, needs insulin.
>> If they evacuate to a countryside high school -- a last resort -- 
>> they have dormitories there. They also have veterinarians and they 
>> evacuate animals.  They begin evacuating immediately, and also 
>> evacuate TV sets and refrigerators, so that people aren't relucatant 
>> to leave because people might steal their stuff.
>>
>> It's not throwing money at the problem.  It's not financial capital, 
>> it's social capital. The U.S. in this sense has zero social capital.
>> Dealing with hurricanes in Cuba, as compared with how it's done in 
>> the U.S., is similar to the differences in how they deal with 
>> medicine.  It's not reactive; it's proactive.  They act as early as 
>> possible. The US. doesn't have civil defense, it has civil *reaction.*"
>>
>
> *Deirdre Silverman, Development Director Alternatives Federal Credit 
> Union
> 125 N. Fulton Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 phone (607) 273-4611 ext 816  
> fax (607) 277-6391
> dsilverman at alternatives.org    www.alternatives.org 
> <http://www.alternatives.org/>
>
> *
> From: "David Chavis" <dchavis at capablecommunity.com>
>
>
> I think that the response of the national and local organizing 
> networks is admirable and most appreciated to raise funds for aid. Has 
> there been thought about organizing to help gain social control, 
> improve self help efforts, and most of all, demand a better response?
> It seems to me that skilled organizing is as need as any assistance, 
> now and into the future.
>
> David
>
> ****************
> David M. Chavis
> Principal Associate/CEO
> Association for the Study and Development of Community
> 312 Frederick Ave.
> Gaithersburg, MD 20877
> 301.519.0722 ext. 109 (voice)
> 301.519.0724 (fax)
> www.capablecommunity.com
>
>>
>> (I am dividing this thread into discussion of the issue and funds. 
>> This is the discussion sub-thread.]
>>
>> From: "ACORN News" <acornnews at acorn.org>
>>
>> As we write this to you, thousands of New Orleans residents at the 
>> Superdome are stranded and without water. According to many news 
>> reports, people are dying from dehydration while 82 buses sit outside 
>> the Superdome. There are confusing reports about why they are not 
>> evacuating people.
>>
>> We know for certain that there are ACORN members and their families 
>> in the Superdome. They need water. We do not know why FEMA is not 
>> bringing water. We also heard there was water available at the Ritz 
>> Carlton Hotel nearby, but we can't enter the city or reach folks there.
>>
>> Please call your Members of Congress and ask them to pressure the 
>> Administration and FEMA to save the people at the Superdome. You can 
>> call toll-free 1-800-643-9557 and ask to speak to your representative.
>>
>> Your immediate action right now can save lives.
>>
>> *********************************
>>
>> From: "PICO National Network" <sreed at piconetwork.org>
>>
>> Our hearts are broken over the death and destruction we are watching 
>> unfold in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We are filled with sadness, 
>> anger and many other emotions. So much of the relationships and 
>> history that connects us together as a network runs through New 
>> Orleans and Louisiana.
>>
>> We are watching catastrophic failure by public officials to respond 
>> to those who are most vulnerable. Our brothers and sisters are dying.
>> Everything we stand for says that each of us has dignity and that we 
>> are responsible for one another. Those who were able to flee tell us 
>> of overwhelming needs - to save the lives of those still in harms 
>> way, to shelter, feed and clothe those who have lost their homes, to 
>> rebuild homes, communities and congregations.
>>
>> As a network we are responding with all the resources and love we have.
>>
>> #1: As an immediate step we ask that you call your Congressperson and 
>> Senators and express your outrage at what is unfolding in New Orleans 
>> and ask that they use their power and influence to pressure FEMA and 
>> the Federal Government to do more to save lives now. Call the 
>> Congressional switchboard at 1-800-643-9557 and ask to speak with 
>> your member of Congress. The Whitehouse switchboard is (202) 456-1414.
>>
>> #2: PICO organizations and congregations in Louisiana, Alabama and 
>> Florida are overwhelmed by the work they are doing to help those who 
>> have sought refuge in their communities. One way you can help is to 
>> send money or provide other resources to congregations and agencies 
>> that are providing refuge to people. Our organizations in Baton 
>> Rouge, Houma/Thibodaux, Baldwin County, and Pensacola can help you 
>> direct resources to those providing shelter. Call Alia Zaki, PICO 
>> Operations Manager, who is coordinating this effort. Her phone
>> number: 619-501-1804 (azaki at piconetwork.org). We have also been told 
>> that the Red Cross (1-800-435-7669) is another good way to provide 
>> assistance.
>>
>> #3: We are working to match up PICO federations and congregations 
>> with sister congregations from New Orleans to help make sure people 
>> get the help they need to rebuild their lives and communities. STAY 
>> TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
>>
>> #4: We have created an information board at: 
>> http://www.piconetwork.org/messageboard if you have information that 
>> you want to share or if you are looking for information.
>>
>> Our deepest prayers go out to our brothers and sisters who have lost 
>> so much that they have the strength to go on. We pray that our public 
>> officials act always with the understanding that in God's eyes each 
>> of our lives is precious and that we must do everything in our being 
>> to save each other.
>>
>> ****************************
>>
>> From:
>> Andrew Schoeneman <mistershoney at yahoo.com>
>>
>>
>> As are many who've watched the Gulf Coast nightmare unfold from afar, 
>> I am alternately reduced to tears and furious about how the situation 
>> has been handled. It is a given in this country that poor people and 
>> people of color are forgotten and left behind in greater numbers than 
>> the privileged, but what do we do about it when the stakes become so 
>> high so fast and the relief efforts immediately become so centralized 
>> and so top-down (and so inept!)?
>> In addition to being about creating an alternative power structure 
>> and an alternative avenue for addressing community issues, it strikes 
>> me that organizing is very much simply about creating an alternative.
>> Period. We don't want to play the game, or even win the game; we want 
>> to come up with a new game. So what is the alternative that we'd like 
>> to create in this horrid aftermath? How can we act? In addition to 
>> learning from this collosal mistake, as Randy suggests, how can we 
>> put our tools to use NOW? It goes without saying that local 
>> organizing efforts should get our unwavering support during the 
>> weeks, months, and years of putting lives and communities back 
>> together. But for those of us who are NOT local, how can we provide 
>> concrete examples of how the values that us self-described liberals 
>> and progressives and radicals are so good at talking about can 
>> translate into action? Clearly there are many gaps in the 
>> military-corporate model of disaster relief. Clearly there are a lot 
>> of things people COULD be doing besides clicking on "donate" on the 
>> Red Cross website. But what are they? Provide shelter for the 
>> displaced? Build decent affordable housing where there used to be 
>> decrepit shacks? In this case perhaps it is ourselves who need 
>> organizing as much, or more, as the people and communities who are so 
>> often targeted for organizing efforts. I know craigslist has become a 
>> resource for people looking to offer practical help, but there are 
>> the usual issues that go along with internet-based strategies, 
>> particularly lack of access. Are there other efforts that anyone 
>> knows about?
>> I know I am asking more questions than providing answers or 
>> suggestions, and I'm sure I'll get slammed for saying that people who 
>> don't know the community should come in and start doing stuff without 
>> identifying concerns through a bottom-up process. But that's not the 
>> point, or that's not MY point anyway. I'm just saying that I think 
>> sometimes we are so adament about not pushing any agenda that we lose 
>> sight of the fact that we too are implicated in this mess. We've 
>> screwed up, not just "them." So what can we do...now?
>> Andrew Schoeneman
>> Richmond, VA
>>
>>
>> colist at comm-org.wisc.edu wrote:
>>
>>> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>>> This is a COMM-ORG "colist" message.
>>> All replies to this message come to COMM-ORG only.
>>> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>>> [ed: please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with responses to Mark's 
>>> query. And feel welcomed to discuss the community organizing 
>>> dimensions--which are many--of this disaster. A bit from me about 
>>> this below.]
>>>
>>> From: "Mark Sherman" <MSherman at progressivetech.org>
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>> We're wondering what funds have been set up by or for the grassroots 
>>> groups that have been doing work in the Gulf Coast areas destroyed 
>>> by the hurricane. We'd like to get them pubicized.
>>>
>>> We found that ACORN has started a fund (based on looking at their 
>>> donation page, but there is not yet information about it on their 
>>> home
>>> page) and we've blogged about it on PTP's web site. We're looking 
>>> for requests from other area community organizing groups or funds 
>>> oriented to them to publicize.
>>>
>>> Does anyone else have some links to share?
>>>
>>> Mark Sherman
>>> Executive Director
>>> Progressive Technology Project
>>> msherman at progressivetech.org
>>> www.progressivetech.org
>>>
>>> 2801 21st Av S, Ste 132E
>>> Minneapolis, MN 55407
>>> 612-724-2600 ext 15
>>> Toll-Free 1-866-298-6463
>>> FAX 612-395-9153
>>>
>>> ***********************
>>>
>>> [ed: As an outsider to this horrific event, I am speaking out of 
>>> ignorance except for almost constant watching of the local New 
>>> Orleans news webcasts. But from what I have been learning from those 
>>> webcasts, I have seen again and again what appears to be the failure 
>>> of authorities to get the most from the people of New Orleans.
>>> Locking up people in the Superdome, and not organizing them to care 
>>> for themselves and perhaps even preventing them from caring for 
>>> themselves, amazes me. Every report gave the impression that those 
>>> running the Superdome lockup didn't bother to organize people into 
>>> teams to collectively manage and clean the place. Now they are being 
>>> sent to the Astrodome, and will the mistakes be repeated? In another 
>>> case, volunteers that arrived with boats for search and rescue were 
>>> prevented from going out instead of organizing and providing a quick 
>>> training. I have been thinking for the past three days, what would 
>>> an organizer do? And it just seems that there are so many 
>>> fundamental lessons being neglected. Of course, I am not there, and 
>>> have no idea of the practical difficulties, but I hope that the 
>>> people who are there, when they have the chance to take a breath, 
>>> reflect on whether some of the basic lessons of community organizing 
>>> could be deployed the next time something like this happens.] 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>
>>
>



_______________________________________________
Colist maillist  -  Colist at comm-org.wisc.edu Subscribe/customize/unsubscribe
- http://comm-org.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/colist
List archives -  http://comm-org.wisc.edu/pipermail/colist/
Help - e-mail colist-request at comm-org.wisc.edu with the word "help" (don't
include the quotes) in the subject line.
-----Original Message-----
From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Janice & Abe Ulangca
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 7:22 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: [Dialogue] Katrina refugees - coming soon to a state near you

Looks like a Gulf states' diaspora.  In the news this morning refugees
coming to W Va,  Iowa, Mass., N. Mexico, Michigan, Colorado, as Texas says
they can take no more.  Other states, including mine (NY) say they will
welcome them.  What will be our response?

Three thoughts:
Knowing what we collectively know, it would be terrible to stay out of this.
"Silver and gold have we none" (or at least not much - that's for sure) "but
what we have, we'll give."  (Acts 3:6)

ICA leadership (which can have a flexible meaning) needs to think about
implications.  If some ICA-trained folks volunteer at a site near us, using
ICA models responsibly, should the ICA flag be raised or kept out of sight?
Guidelines?

We need to stay in touch, share models, warnings, victories, all manner of
experiences.  There may be synergy -  when what a person can contribute
that's insignificant by itself can combine with what others can give to be
powerful.

Marianna Bailey, looks like others have also thought of your idea to use
military bases - several are reported.

Janice


**************************
Janice Ulangca
3413 Stratford Drive
Vestal, NY  13850
607-797-4595
aulangca at stny.rr.com
***************************
_______________________________________________
Dialogue mailing list
Dialogue at wedgeblade.net
http://wedgeblade.net/mailman/listinfo/dialogue_wedgeblade.net