Common Ground Relief - Friends and allies

How Reverend Adams Got His Church Back

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:26:14 +0000

By Maggie Barr
Photo By Matt Schinske

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held the evening of March 5, 2008 at the site of the Holy Ground Baptist Church in the Lower 9th Ward. In attendance were Reverend Adams, congregation members, Common Ground Volunteers and 9th Ward residents. Also present were members of Global Hope, a Chicago-based non-profit organization and representatives of Deltec Homes of Asheville, NC, the company that initiated the rebuilding of the church. Deltec brought a busload of builders from around the country to the ceremony. Building is to commence shortly and is a sign of hope for many in the L9 community and throughout the country.

Common Ground Thanks Marina Drummer

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:08:22 +0000

Marina Drummer, dedicated advocate of Common Ground Relief and the Angola 3, passed a pleasant visit with friend and ally Robert King (of the Angola 3) at New Orleans' House of Excellence before they proceeded on to Baton Rouge.

Recently, Common Ground Relief was excited to welcome a very special friend as she visited Common Ground sites with co-founder Malik Rahim.

Common Ground is different from many organizations in that it was not begun in an office building, with a budget laid out and a board in place. Common Ground began with friends reaching out to each other in a time of deep need, in the spirit of mutual aid. Marina was just such a friend who answered the call for help even before Katrina's waters had left the city, and right beside Common Ground is where she has stayed, giving assistance and guidance in countless forms.

Common Ground Delegation to Offer Aid to Southern California

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:02:41 +0000

As 500,000 people are displaced from their homes due to wildfires that rage through southern California, Common Ground Collective is sending a delegation of volunteers to assist with local relief efforts. Common Ground is a community-initiated volunteer organization that offers assistance, mutual aid and support to the New Orleans area. This delegation consists of eight people, including Malik Rahim, a co-founder of Common Ground Collective.

The Common Ground Collective was established in the first week after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans. It was the first organization to open up a medical clinic in Algiers, and provide immediate assistance (food, water, supplies) to the thousands of low-income residents unable to evacuate.

Common Ground joins tens of thousands in Jena

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:53:25 +0000

Volunteers from Common Ground Relief joined tens of thousands of protesters in Jena, Louisiana to stand in solidarity with the families who have suffered a great injustice. Camping out in the backyard of one of the families the night before, volunteers marched from the starting point nearly three miles to the LaSalle parish courthouse, then back again to the park for a benefit concert. Working as a "relief" organization in New Orleans, it may not seem immediately apparent why Common Ground has been involved with the Jena 6 since mid July, long before it became an case of national significance. As the saying goes, "a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere." As Common Ground Relief works with the people of New Orleans to rebuild a just and sustainable city, we believe that the institutions and mindsets of racism that made the storm so catastrophic for poor, black people here, are the same structures at work in Jena: a criminal justice system that is disproportionately punitive to black men.

Update on Jena 6 - Media Advisory & Demands for Justice

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:45:43 +0000

Hello,

I want to thank everyone for your support and the great help that our new friends in New Orleans have provided with benefit fundraisers.

I have attached two important documents. The first is our media advisory on our benefit concert on Sept. 20th in Jena. Please circulate this media advisory to your contacts in the media. Please make plans to participate in all the events on the 20th in Jena.

The second attachment is a document that lists our demands for justice. Anything that you can do to help in achieving these demands is greatly appreciated. Banners and placards with these demands printed on them are welcomed at the rally on the 20th and future rallies.

Support the Justice in Jena Campaign!

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:58:01 +0000

Common Ground Relief stands in solidarity with historically neglected commmunities, and stands firmly against racism in all forms. We must stand together with people in Jena, Louisiana. Please check out their website at freethejena6.org and get involved.

Together, we can unravel institutional racism that plagues Louisiana and our world.

Common Ground and the "Journey for Humanity" Tour Unite Against Bush

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:06:04 +0000

By Devin McNulty
Photography by Mavis Yorks

NEW ORLEANS - On Wednesday, July 11th the prominent anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan visited Common Ground as part of her eighteen city “Journey for Humanity” tour. Sheehan and her caravan met with Common Ground leaders and volunteers at the Common Ground Relief's Distribution Center in the Lower Ninth Ward.

The 10th Annual Progressive Festival

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:05:16 +0000

It's time for progressives and all concerned folks to gather and network at the 10th Annual Progressive Festival in Petaluma, Sunday, September 30th, noon-6pm. This year's speakers include:

* The San Francisco Mime Troupe's performance of "Making A Killing"
* Jim Hightower - world-renowned author, political humorist and Texas populist
* Panel on Immigrant Rights with: Renee Saucedo, Arnoldo Garcia, and Davin Cardenas
* Richard Heinberg - world's foremost Peak Oil author and activist
* Bonnie Allen - campaign finance reform activist
* Ben Terry - president of NAACP, Sonoma Co. chapter

Taking the Initiative in Law School

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:43:58 +0000

From “Initiatives”
Published by the National Center for the Laity

For most law students a break from class is a time to catch up on sleep, look for an internship or prepare for exams. However, a group of 19 students from Marquette University Law School (PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201) recently spent a week in post-Katrina New Orleans with Common Ground Legal Collective.

The students traveled on behalf of the law school and their student chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (www.nlg.org). Terry Mambu, a board member of the National Center for the Laity, was the leader of the group, along with classmates Camille Monahan and Anne Jaspers. Two Marquette alums and retired Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske accompanied the students.

Malik Rahim and Common Ground mourn the passing of good friend and supporter, Anita Roddick

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:33:06 +0000

The following excerpt is republished from MotherJones.com

Bloody Wonderful: Goodbye, Anita Roddick

Commentary: A friend and colleague remembers the hell-raising, dirty joke-cracking, fast-walking, top-selling firebrand who leveraged her Body Shop brand into an unstoppable force for social change.

By Brooke Shelby Biggs

September 10, 2007

Anita Roddick, Dame Commander of the British Empire, founder of The Body Shop Ltd., lifelong activist, and member of Mother Jones' board of directors, has died, but to consider her "gone" would be to invite a tongue-lashing from beyond the grave about lack of imagination. As she would put it, she is very bloody much still here, and we all better get used to it.

Press Release - "Bridge the Economic Gap" Campaign

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:32:33 +0000

"Bridge the Economic Gap" Campaign Takes Place Across the Country

Banners will fly on bridges across America on Tuesday, September 4th in support of the Universal Living Wage.

Common Ground Benefit in Santa Cruz on Katrina Anniversary

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 20:52:19 +0000

Mark the second anniversary of Katrina by attending a benefit for Common Ground Relief and Rebuild Green. Unlike the Federal, State and local government, these grassroots organizations are providing services for victims both in New Orleans and those displaced.

Please join us on August 29th: Solidarity Not Charity

Build Community -- Help Bring the People Home

Benefit for Common Ground Relief and Rebuild Green New Orleans Wednesday, August 29th Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front St., Santa Cruz

5:30 - Wine & Finger Food Reception with music, films and information Ticket information at (831) 688-8692