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Flying Focus Video Collective

August 2023 Newsletter

a project of Peace and Justice Works

PMB 248     •     3439 NE Sandy Blvd     •     Portland, OR 97232

(503) 239-7456     •     (503) 321- 5051 (call/text)     •    ffvc@flyingfocus.org

Medea Benjamin Talks Ukraine War

Russia's brutal February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has attracted widespread condemnation across the West. Government and media circles present the conflict as a simple dichotomy between an evil empire and an innocent victim. In their book Ukraine, Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, Medea Benjamin and Nicolas Davies tell us the picture is more complicated.

While Russia's aggression is abhorrent, the West's reneging on promises to halt eastward expansion of NATO in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union played a major part in prompting Putin to act. So did the U.S. involvement in the 2014 Ukraine coup and Ukraine's failure to implement the Minsk peace agreements. The result is a conflict that is increasingly difficult to resolve, one that could conceivably escalate into all- out war between the United States and Russia-- the world's two leading nuclear powers.

On November 16, 2022, Benjamin, also a co-founder of Code Pink, spoke in Portland. In "Medea Benjamin: Negotiate Peace in Ukraine Now" (VB #126.2&3), Flying Focus covered her talk about the events leading up to the conflict, the risks of escalation and opportunities for peace. Watch this show if you want to get beneath the propagandized media coverage to understand a war with consequences that could prove cataclysmic for all of us.

Video was recorded by Field Coordinator PC Peri. This two- part program was produced by Barb Greene with editing assistance from Dan Handelman.

See a short clip from this show.

"It is clear to people who are familiar with the military that there is not going to be a military solution to this."-- from "Medea Benjamin: Negotiate Peace in Ukraine Now" (VB #126.2&3)

Community Members Examine Racial Disparities in Police Use of Force

There is also a discussion about shootings by officers, which at the time were under a cloak of secrecy. A clip from the Portland Committee on Community Engaged Policing's January meeting addresses the change in policy about releasing officers' names in a timely manner, specifically whether the police consulted the US Department of Justice before changing the policy. That footage was recorded by Open Signal/Portland Community Media; the screen capture of the TAC meeting and other video was provided by Handelman, who produced this show.

See a short clip from this show.

History of and Ongoing Black Environmentalism

Ms. Richerson details the history of environmental efforts such as community gardens and tells the stories of amazing Black women who helped make Oregon greener. Interviews with attendees include two young Black men expressing their enthusiasm for environmental organizing. An alumna of the Delta Sigma Theta Society talks about how they transformed a gas station in North Portland into the Center, an inspiring yet little known model of green building. This is an informative and uplifting program you won't want to miss.

The event was recorded by Field Coordinator PC Peri and produced by Barb Greene, who provided additional video and stills. Dan Handelman helped with editing.

See a short clip from this show.

Taking Action: Ways to Get Involved

One group, BLM Arbor Lodge, has not forgotten the message and the need for change. They are out and about every week educating folks about white supremacy and its effects on BIPOC communities. In "Getting Involved" (VB #126.10&11), PC Peri interviews participants about how their activism began and why they continue attending the group's rallies that take place at different locations in Portland. These are inspiring stories of people who have not forgotten the need for change.

This show also includes a protest about Portland City Council approving a permit for the Zenith Energy company to continue transporting oil dangerously through Portland.

See a short clip from this show.

Stop Privatizing the V.A. and More

Dan Shea of Veterans For Peace
speaks at the forum

We hear a lot these days about privatization as the cure for what ails us (and there's a LOT that ails us these days!). "Labor and Veterans Fight Against Privatization" (VB #127.13/128.1) features Suzanne Gordon and co-author Steve Early, who wrote Our Veterans, speaking alongside Portland area veterans and union workers in March 2023 to discuss the realities of privatization. Also featured is Dave Bump of the American Federation of Government Employees. The speakers enumerated the benefits of VA systems and the harms caused by privatizing health care and the post office. There is very little that progressives can point to and say "This is something that was working," and the VA's previous example of actually providing health care for all (veterans) is now being dismantled.

See a short clip from this show.

Rally to Support the Post Office

See a short clip from this show.

Yippie Author Returns to Portland

Judy Gumbo was an original member of the Yippies (the Youth International Party), a 1960's counterculture and satirical anti-war group. Judy received her nickname "Gumbo" from Black Panther Party Leader Eldridge Cleaver. In March, 2023, Gumbo appeared at Portland State University to talk about her book Yippie Girl: Exploits in Protest and Defeating the FBI. On "Judy Gumbo: Never Give Up" (VB #127.9&10), she reads excerpts from her book, talks about the time she lived in Portland with her husband Stew Albert until his death in 2006, and takes audience questions. Gumbo wrote her memoir because most histories of that era were written by men. Gumbo's overall message: we must keep organizing to ensure a better world.

The event's co-sponsor, Veterans For Peace Chapter 72 Portland provided some footage; the rest was recorded by PC Peri. It was produced and edited by Dan Handelman.

See a short clip from this show.

32 Years of Documenting Portland's Progressive History

If you are able to donate money to support our work, including the ongoing effort to archive our shows, please send a donation via check/money order or donate online through the Peace and Justice Works Network for Good page -- be sure to "designate" the donation to Flying Focus. If you want to order any shows on DVD or USB Flash Drive, that has to be done by mail due to NFG rules about receiving anything in return. Either kind of donation can be used to sponsor a show for streaming, for which we're currently still asking $75 from individuals and $125 from larger institutions... but once it's streaming, it's up for anyone to watch at any time! As noted in the new catalog insert, there have been almost 56,500 views of our shows online. Thank you!

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