www.veniceartscouncil.org

Contact: Suzanne Thompson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (310) 570-5419
Email: suzannethompson55@gmail.com
VENICE STREET CORNER, USED FOR GATHERING U.S. CITIZENS ORDERED TO INTERNMENT CAMPS
IN 1942, TO BECOME JAPANESE AMERICAN MEMORIAL SITE.
           On September 11, 2010 former Manzanar internees and their families along with community leaders, elected officials, educators, historians and concerned citizens will meet at the Venice Hongwanji Budhist Temple* from 2:00 PM -5:00 PM in West Los Angeles to discuss the appearance and scope of the Venice Japanese American Memorial Marker (VJAMM).
           This meeting will be facilitated by the Venice Japanese American Memorial Marker “VJAMM” Committee, an ad hoc group comprised of former internees, and concerned citizens whose goal is to erect a memorial for the purpose of honoring Venice-area Americans of Japanese descent who were ordered, per the US Government’s “Civil Exclusion Orders,” to abandon their homes, business and possessions and then, although having committed no crime, were imprisoned.

What should the Japanese American memorial marker or monument
on the northwest corner of Lincoln and Venice Boulevards look like?

Attend a Community Meeting to Help Decide!
Who should come? Students of local history, Artists with their creative ideas,
Former internees and their families, Financial supporters,
Locally elected officials, All those in favor of the  Japanese American Memorial Marker!
When?  Saturday, September 11, 2010, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where? Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 12371 Braddock Drive (at Centinela Avenue), Culver City, 90230
RSVP: info@veniceartscouncil.org
Or call Emily Winters at (310) 306-7372
Here is a link to a presentation about the Japanese American Internment Memorial.
http://www.veniceartscouncil.org//JapaneseAmericanMem/VNCPresentation201...

The Beachhead, and the Venice Arts Council, have been advocating a memorial marker or other remembrance at the corner of Venice Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd. where local Japanese families were gathered together and shipped to concentration camps in 1942. Many were U.S. citizens and many were small children. None had been accused of any disloyalty during World War II. Their only crime was that they were of Japanese ancestry.  Now, at long last, some recognition of the terrible wrong that was done to our neighbors may be forthcoming.  Below are some of the letters that Venice students have written to Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and to the Beachhead. If all goes right, a ever-present reminder that human dignity and civil rights need constant vigilance if we are to have the right to call ourselves a civilized country and city.  In particular, the Beachhead would like to thank Phyllis Hayashibara, a teacher at Venice High for getting the ball rolling.

You can express your support by emailing Bill Rosendahl at councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org and the Beachhead at Beachhead@freevenice.org and the Venice Arts Council.

Our Endangered Art Fund is working with the Beyond Baroque Foundation on the restoration of the Venice Beach Poetry Walls.  These works have been repeatedy covered with tagging, and then eroded by the high pressure water used to blast off the tagging.   We are seeking an aesthetic and technical solution to their erosion   We also want to  create collateral literature such as a walking tour guide to Venice Beach Poetry.   We need your help and donations.

Antonio Guerrero: One of the Cuban 5

www.thecuban5.org

International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five

Contact: Suzanne Thompson (310) 570-5419 or suzannethompson55@gmail.com

WEEKEND OF SOLIDARITY FOR THE CUBAN FIVE

SATURDAY MAY 22nd 7:30PM-10:30PM
ART EXHIBIT AND POETRY READING OPENING RECEPTION

SUNDAY, MAY 23rd 11AM-2PM
BRUNCH IN VENICE  WITH DOLORES HUERTA "THE WOMEN BEHIND THE CUBAN 5"

(VENICE) In extraordinary circumstances, art becomes the first resort and last refuge of the human spirit. Nowhere is this more apparent than in artwork and poetry by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban Five political prisoners held in United States, whose exhibit “From My Altitude” debuts in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 22nd, 7:30pm-10:30pm at the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) Old Venice Jail Gallery (685 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA  90291). Antonio Guerrero’s naturalistic paintings speak volumes about his uncommon dignity, patience and courage. His paintings, conceived in total isolation, consist of scenes drawn from memory, which are lyrical reflections of this longing and nostalgia for Cuba.

The International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five presents a weekend of solidarity with the Cuban Five and the Rights of Family Visits with paintings and poetry, documentary films and special presentations by actor/activist Edward Asner, Danny Glover and Dolores Huerta.

Saturday, May 22^nd  (7:30pm-10:30pm) opening reception “From My Altitude” original paintings by Antonio Guerrero. The exhibit opens at SPARC Old Venice Jail Gallery and closes June 11^th.  The opening celebration continues next door at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center Theater, 681 North Venice Boulevard with readings of Antonio Guerrero’s poetry by Edward Asner, special pre-recorded message from Danny Glover, documentary film clips and update on the Case of the Cuban Five.  Suggested minimum donation is $10.

Sunday, May 23^rd (11:00am-2:00pm) “Women Behind the Cuban Five” fundraising brunch with special guest Dolores Huerta, co-founder and first vice president of the United Farm Workers of America, will be held at SPARC. Hear about the denial of family visits to the Cuban Five and how to get involved to reverse this injustice.  Tickets start at $25.

All proceeds benefit the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five. 

“The Cuban Five, political prisoners held in US prisons since 1998, were monitoring the activities of violent Cuban exile groups in Miami, to prevent future terrorists actions against Cuba. The Five are painters, poets, cartoonists, pilots, and engineers, loving husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. For more than 10 years the United States has denied entry visas to their wives. We are happy to be joined by Dolores Huerta on Sunday who will speak on the issue. It has been too long; it is time for them to go home, to their people and their love ones.”         Alicia Jrapko, Director, International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five

Event co-sponsors include: Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, Venice Arts Council, Southern California Americans for Democratic Action, Joe Perez, Aris Anagnos, KPFK 90.7FM Media Sponsor, Whole Foods Market, Canal Club, James Beach and Dannys’.

Interviews and photos available upon request.

Rights to Family Visits Link:

Learn what you can do to ACT NOW:

For more information visit www.thecuban5.org 

2004  Venice Arts Council founded
2005  Venice People’s Centennial Celebrations(a series of 11events):
         Ulan Bator Foundation Concert of Mongolian Music
         Venice Artists About Venice Art Exhibit
         Divas of Venice:
               Judy Baca – “Que Viva Diva” professor, muralist, and co-founder of SPARC 
               Donna Deitch – filmmaker and co-founder of SPARC
               Maureen Cotter – “Deviant Diva”, writer
               Carol Fondiller – Venice activists, writer and a founding member of The Free Venice Beachhead
               Suzy Williams – “Diva Deluxe” Venice songbird
               Linda Albertano – Venice poet, featured on Venice Beach Poetry Walls
               Bridget Graham – Singer, Adaawe African Women’s Ensemble
               Jodie Evans – “Political Diva”, co-founder of Code Pink.
          Posters of Peace Press Exhibit