The long awaited, and promised, US Social Forum "Cascadia 2 Detroit" Community Film, Art and Music Event! Films by Portland's B Media Collective! Music by Danny Kelly and friends! Photo Slide show by Berd Whitlock! Open Discussion! Vegan Pizza! Free! Please Join us! TONIGHT! 7PM. Quick teaser, Mic Crenshaw Hiphop video, made on the bus to Detroit! Fertile Ground -- 311 9th Ave. SE

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Detroit, Michigan—I just got news that it is raining oil in Louisiana. From the basic sound of it, I can imagine the worst. Like hell on Earth. Something of a vision of Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Seems like a great opportunity for President Obama to call for change—to call for meaningful change, for an end to this system where it is somehow considered acceptable to profit from harmful activities. [The story about raining oil is based mostly on a youtube video. link to more information, at huffingtonpost here, and beforeitsnews.com here]

There was an earthquake today in the Northeast [more here]. I was sitting on the third floor of Como Hall in a workshop about Community Organizers' Roundtable in New Orleans when it happened. The floor shook, it felt like jello. It was my first earthquake. I don't remember feeling nervous, though I was concerned about whether the building should be evacuated. No one seemed super concerned when I walked out into the hall. The earthquake was centered near the border of Ontario and Quebec. It's probably national news, though I really haven't had time to check on national news sources.

It's day two of the US Social Forum in Detroit. It's about midnight right now local (EDST). There's a thunderstorm outside right now. It's been hot and humid, and the atmosphere here has been electric. There has been lightning and thunder with moderate to heavy rain and moderate wind for the last couple hours or so. The storm is welcome by me.

Go to the US Social Forum in Detroit aboard the Cascadia Freedom Caravan!

Media Island is planning on taking two buses (maybe 3) that can hold up to 20 people each to the Allied Media Conference (AMC) and the US Social Forum (USSF). Leaving on June 13th and returning June 30th it is going to be an amazing trip with cool stops, great people and lots of good times along the way. This trip is for people who want to create a positive social environment dedicated to mutual aid, economic, environmental and social justice, ending all types of oppression and supporting each other and all peoples in solidarity.

We're figuring the cost to be around $300 a person which will include food and housing during the trip and (possibly) in Detroit (we’re figuring out housing now). We're striving to keep this affordable for everyone and are below the lowest estimate of cost on the USSF website. We're having fundraisers in Olympia, Portland and Seattle to raise funds for partial scholarships. We would also like to be able to make a contribution to Detroit organizations making a difference in a city on life-support by capitalism run amok. Check out the BBC documentary titled Requiem for Detroit? If you can't go but would like to support others in going you can make a tax deductible donation to Media Island International.