One of the better things I did this year was join the National Lawyers Guild. Here is a good indication of what they are about. Where other groups are organizing a wasteful campaign to send shoes to the White House, NLG asks us to give our unneeded shoes to those who can appreciate them.
National Lawyers Guild Launches ‘Give Bush the Boot’ Shoe Drive in Support of Iraqi Reporter Muntazer Al-Zaidi
In light of the recent shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) urges Americans to show their opposition to the policies of the Bush administration by donating pairs of shoes to their local homeless shelters and other organizations serving the needy. The gesture is also intended as a show of support for Iraqi reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi who remains in detention, accused by the Iraqi government of a “barbaric act.” Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at George W. Bush during his recent surprise visit to Iraq. Al-Zaidi has been hailed as a hero in the Arab world as thousands marched today to demand his release. A spokesman for the prime minister said that al-Zaidi may be sent for trial on charges of insulting the Iraqi state.
In a news conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad yesterday, Mr. al-Zaidi shouted “this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog,” then flung one shoe at Bush — the worst insult in the Arab world — forcing him to duck. A second shoe flew over Bush’s head and hit the wall behind him.
“With that single brave act, Mr. al-Zaidi has inspired the Guild to transform one country’s negative symbol into a gesture of goodwill,” says Heidi Boghosian, NLG Executive Director.
NLG President Marjorie Cohn says, “The support for al-Zaidi shown by many Iraqis demonstrates the depth of opposition to Bush’s war and occupation of Iraq. We call on all Americans to join in this campaign as we urge the Iraqi government to afford al-Zaidi his full due process rights.”
The shoe drive will run until January 19, 2009, President Bush’s last full day in office. The NLG asks you to visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/GiveBushtheBoot/ to show your support for this drive.
To find a Salvation Army by entering your zip code:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsfTo find a Goodwill location:
http://locator.goodwill.org/To find locations of churches or other facilities that provide clothing free-of-charge to the needy, please call the NLG National Office at 212-679-5100.
Founded in 1937 as an alternative to the American Bar Association, which did not admit people of color, the National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public interest / human rights bar organization in the United States. Its headquarters are in New York and it has chapters in every state.
LOL! that said, NLG is an organization of lawyers, and already the listserv has a debate going about whether this campaign is right-headed, and how a radical left organization like NLG can recommend a reactionary rightwing outfit like Salvation Army.
LOL! that said, NLG is an organization of lawyers, and already the listserv has a debate going about whether this campaign is right-headed, and how a radical left organization like NLG can recommend a reactionary rightwing outfit like Salvation Army.
And give it a little more time. I guarantee that before long the debate is over, the conversation will turn to what Che would say about it all. I love the Guild, but sometimes my fellow Guild members crack me up 😉