UPDATES FROM SIEGEL HEADQUARTERS FOR NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE - The Duchess Supports the Norman Siegel Campaign 100%

"A man of great integrity, a defender of our most basic and vital rights with a long history on the frontlines of advocacy and change, Norman Siegel has built his professional reputation by putting the public first." Statement by Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association

The Public Advocate's office was created to represent New Yorkers by investigating neglect, mismanagement and corruption in city government. The office, however, is currently so underutilized that less than one third of likely voters can even identify the sitting Advocate. Norman Siegel is perfect for this job. He has spent his entire working life advocating effectively for many groups, including:

1] Communities facing eviction through abuse of eminent domain
2] Parents and teachers creating Community Education Councils
3] Individuals engaged in the civil rights and gender rights struggles
4] The homeless
5] The LGBT community
6] Victims of police misconduct
7] Critical Mass bicycle riders

Norman Siegel is the People's Advocate. Support his bid for Public Advocate, and give the people a real voice in New York's City Hall.

http://www.norman2005.com/contribute

Please help us now! This Monday, July 11th, is the deadline to determine which candidates will receive matching funding from the city at a rate of 4 to 1. Furthermore, the deadline will determine our budget for the next half of the campaign. To win this election, we need a strong network of volunteers that spans every neighborhood in New York City, and we need a strong financial base. The incumbent is likely to outspend us several times over, and we need all the help we can get. For every dollar you contribute, the NYC Campaign Finance Board will give us four. That means if you contribute $10, we really get $50, if you give $50, we get $250, and so on, up to a contribution of $250. Every single penny helps.

It's going to take a lot of hard work, but with your help, we truly believe we can win this race, creating a better New York for all of us, for our children, and for generations to come. We must spread the word to all five boroughs that Norman Siegel will use the Public Advocate's office to serve every one of us. Please forward this message widely to your colleagues and friends in the NYC area. Thank you ... Peace & Solidarity!

MESSAGE FROM HANAN WATSON AT "ALL SOULS PEACE" CHURCH ON UPPER EASTSIDE OF MANHATTAN - Imam Feisal Speaks Out Against Terrorist Attacks in London on July 7, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE

(New York. 7/7/05) - A prominent New York City Imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf today decried this morning's terrorist attacks in London as "crimes against humanity." In his statement, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said: The Holy Quran teaches us that "Whoever kills a human being...it is as if he has killed all humankind: and if he saves a human life, it is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind" Quran 5:32

We condemn the abuse of religion by fanatics whose sole purpose is to rouse hate. Nothing is as antithetical to all religion and especially to Islam, as the wanton violence wreaked by the recent attacks in London. We cry out against such violence, and seek to console those who have lost their loved ones and suffered from injuries. Our voices are raised together to proclaim support for our British sisters and brothers who have experienced tragic loss of innocent life. We pray for a future that is replete with peace and love for all of humanity across the world.

Today also further emphasizes the need for greater efforts by Muslim leaders & thinkers to come together to present to the world the true essence of Islam as a religion of moderation and compassion. Just days ago, I attended a historic International Islamic Conference "True Islam and Its Role in Modern Society" in Amman, Jordan held under the auspices of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The goal of this conference was to put forth a constructive effort to unify two major branches of Islam, Sunni and Shi'ite, in standing against Islamic extremists.

In addition to gathering over 170 prominent scholars (representing all Madhahib or major schools of thought) from all parts of the Islamic world as well as America & Europe the conference succeeded in attaining the signatures of all attendees on a document that spoke against the practice of labeling others as apostates, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. It also set specific Islamic criteria for individuals to issue religious rulings (or fatwa). The document defined the qualifications for issuing fatwas, since the so-called fatwas justifying terrorism are all being issued outside of the established schools of religious law and are in clear violation of their common principles.

Imam Feisal is the Founder of ASMA: American Society for Muslim Advancement, an Islamic cultural and educational organization dedicated to building bridges between American Muslims and the American public: www.asmasociety.org and Co- Founder of The Cordoba Initiative, a multi faith organization whose mission is to heal the relationship between The Muslim World and America.

KUCINICH WEEKLY UPDATE - From Team Kucinich & Compiled By Linda Z

ADDITIONAL CO-SPONSORS SIGNING ONTO HOMEWARD BOUND ACT
House Joint Resolution 55 - the bipartisan Homeward Bound Act - now has 25 cosponsors, including Republican Jim Leach of Iowa. The text of the Resolution, list of cosponsors, action items, talking points and committee contact information are all online in our forum at … http://www.kucinich.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3096

This legislation increasingly is being acknowledged as the principal vehicle likely to bring the U.S. occupation to an end. Please be sure you’re Member of Congress and the committee members know how you feel. Your 2-minute phone conversation with a staffer is important. Use our forum to discuss the Bill and ask questions.

CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS PUBLISHES STATEMENT ON NATIONAL PRIORITIES
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, of which Dennis Kucinich is one of 59 members, released on June 28th its "Progressive Promise" statement of national priorities. In its introduction, Caucus co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA - http://www.barbaraleespeaksforme.org) said, "It is a moral document that has its priorities straight: it puts the basic needs of people above corporate greed, it safeguards and promotes our best democratic principles, and it offers a vision of US leadership in the world." "We are in the midst of a Progressive awakening in this country and I have never been more confident and optimistic about the future of Progressive Politics," said co-chair Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA -http://www.woolseyforcongress.com)

PEACE ALLIANCE PLANS SEPTEMBER DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CONFERENCE AND LOBBY DAY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Dennis Kucinich and cosponsors intend to re-introduce legislation calling for a cabinet-level Department of Peace on September 14, 2005, as a tribute to the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001. In conjunction with the Bill's re-introduction, The Peace Alliance - one of the groups working to develop support for this legislation - will hold a conference, training and lobby days in Washington from Sept. 10-12. Speakers at the conference are expected to include Dennis Kucinich, Walter Cronkite, Marianne Williamson, Patch Adams, Jonathan Schell, Barbara Marx Hubbard and more. Musicians Tim Reynolds and Roy Eaton will perform. For more information visit … http://www.thepeacealliance.org/events/sept_conf_05.htm

SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY
California State Senator Sheila Kuehl's legislation to create a single-payer health care system in California, S.B. 840 http://www.kucinich.us/archive/home/display.php?src=k_20050707_pn_urnygupner.cuc is advancing with its passage in the California Senate and, on Tuesday, its passage out of the Assembly Health Committee. California residents, you know what to do to keep up its momentum - tell your Assembly member's office why this legislation is important to you. Every success in the states moves us closer to national single-payer health care in America.