As shown in this preview posted on YouTube, Warner Bros is planning the release of a movie called the “Gangster Squad,” which includes scenes of its characters committing mass murder in a crowded theater audience, using automatic weapons. In the Warner Bros film, the Warner Bros characters go to a theater audience with submachine guns and burst through the screen, shooting the audience to death.
The film has been been scheduled for release on September 7, 2012, but is being considered to have a delayed release, so that the public has time to “forget” about the mass murder massacre in an Aurora, Colorado theater on July 20, 2012 during the showing of the Warner Bros “The Dark Knight Rises” film. R.E.A.L. has a petition urging the public to boycott Warner Bros’ ultra-violent films.
Reuters has reported that Warner Bros is pulling the preview of their ultra-violent “Gangster Squad” film from the theaters which shows the planned theater massacre in their film. This is likely viewed as a public relations tactic to avoid public scrutiny and outrage regarding their ultra-violent films and glamorization of such mass-murdering characters. They also have suggested they are reconsidering the scene of the mass murder of people in a theater.
But as Reuters reported, “Hollywood executives expect little fall-out from the mass killing at a Batman screening.” After the Aurora shooting, it continued to business as usual as Warner Bros executives promoted ultra-violent films and glamorization of mass-murdering characters through their films and merchandising.
“Gangster Squad,” this latest in Warner Bros’ ultra-violent films, was made in assocation with “Village Roadshow Pictures,” and is described as a “Lin Pictures / Kevin McCormick” production. The director of this latest in Warner Bros’ ultra violent films is Ruben Fleischer, with movie stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone, and written by Will Beall.
Horrific scenes of gun ultra-violence from Warner Bros’ Gangster Squad Movie
Warner Bros Film "Gangster Squad" Has Mass-Murdering Characters - Killing People in Crowded Theater with Submachine Guns (Still Clip: YouTube)Warner Bros' Ultra-Violent Gangster Squad Movie has Its Characters Gunning Down a Movie Audience (Still Clip: YouTube)
Warner Bros' Gangster Squad - Scenes of Public Violence (Still Clip: YouTube)Warner Bros' Gangster Squad - Scenes of Public Violence (Still Clip: YouTube)Warner Bros' Gangster Squad - Scenes of Public Violence (Still Clip: YouTube)
Another barbaric disgrace for humanity – sad attack that took the lives of 7 Israeli tourists and 30 injured in Bulgaria at Sarafovo airport.
End the hate and violence against our fellow human beings. End the Anti-Semitic hate against Jews and Israel from around the world. Hate has no place among our brothers and sisters in humanity.
The Pakistan Supreme Court made a decision on April 18 on the Hindu women reportedly kidnapped. The women returned to their husbands, who their families stated kidnapped them an denied them their freedom of religion. Rediff, Pakistan Christian Post, and others have reported on this. Some decried the lack of an open court to hear the judgment.
The Los Angeles Times reports on “a society where Hindus are often terrorized by Muslim extremists.” In the article, the Los Angeles Times reports that “The issue was thrust into the spotlight by the case of Rinkle Kumari, a 17-year-old Hindu girl from the town of Mirpur Mathelo in the southern province of Sindh. The case was one of three that recently went before Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Kumari’s parents, who are not related to Rachna’s family, allege that five men broke into their house in late February, subdued Rinkle with a chloroform-soaked cloth and took her away. The parents say the girl was forced to convert to Islam and marry Naveed Shah, a neighbor.”
The Hindu reported that relatives and rights activists’ “contention is that the three had been threatened by Pakistan People’s Party parliamentarian Mian Mithu with dire consequences if they returned to their parents. The former federal Minister, Amar Lal, said though Rinkle Kumari and Lata were kept away from their families and husbands in a shelter home, Mian Mithu was able to access them over phone and had threatened to kill their families if they returned to their parents.”
R.E.A.L. supports our universal human rights and justice for all people, and we will continue to work for such freedoms for all.
Pepsi-Cola Public Relations –
My name is Jeffrey Imm, I am a human rights activist. Pepsi is on the board of directors of the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council promoting business in Pakistan. Human rights activists have been expressing their concern about the growing human rights abuses against Hindus and Christians in Pakistan, including forced marriage and forced religious conversion of Hindu and Christian girls. This is against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Pakistan constitution. We are looking to see if your company is willing to make a positive statement in support of human rights for all people, including Hindu and Christian girls in Pakistan.
We are holding a public rally in support of univesal human rights for all on Saturday, April 14 in Washington DC. If you have such a statement, we would be glad to share this with the public.
Thank you.
Jeffrey Imm
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) human rights coalition
=================================
PepsiCo responds:
“Dear Jeffrey,
Thank you for contacting us to share your concerns about human rights abuses.
As a global corporation, PepsiCo strongly supports fundamental human rights for all people, and we commend the efforts of all those who are working to protect those rights around the world. In our own businesses, we have a very clear global policy on human rights in the workplace (which is communicated annually to our associates in more than 20 languages), and we do not tolerate any infringement or abuse of human rights. In addition, we are a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, which also guarantees human rights in the workplace.
We agree that the protection of human rights around the world requires constant vigilance on the part of international organizations and human rights coalitions such as yours. Please know that we will continue to do our part to strengthen and promote that commitment.
The future of global business is freedom. In the 21st century, global capitalist businesses and business associations that do not understand this future will increasingly find themselves on the outside of markets and rejected by a growing global customer base. In business, every customer matters, and a business cannot have effective customer service if it ignores the necessity of human rights and dignity for all of their customers. Successful businesses will grasp this reality. Successful businesses will also realize as their brands are associated in their home nation with respect and rights for others, their global brand must also demonstrate such commitment to universal human rights and dignity for all. It is simply good business.
Every Customer Matters: When we appeal for consistency on our universal human rights for all people, it is not only a call to individual human conscience. For the global capitalist community, it is also a call for good business practices in respecting all of their customers in humanity.
Those of us working for or involved with capitalist businesses all of have such choices in our lives. We can choose a life which allows us to work and live in a business world, where we continue to urge respect, dignity, and human rights for all. It is a balance that we can and that we must maintain.
Our society is more than numbers, goods, services, and profit. First and foremost, our society is built upon people. Our society is comprised of people with universal human rights – in every identity group and every part of the world – without exception.
To my friends in business, let us never forget that our commitment to such universal human rights is to our ultimate customers in humanity. Without those customers, we will have no business. This is not about politics. This is about customer service. Our businesses must have a consistent commitment to universal human rights and dignity to their customers in humanity as a fundamental aspect ofgood business practices. Every customer matters, every customer deserves the respect and dignity required by our universal human rights.
Global Business Ethics and the UDHR Guideline: When it comes to international capitalist business, we need to be consistent on global business ethics, just like American businesses are committed to such business ethics in their home country. In businesses across America, you will see signs affirmatively stating their unequivocal support for various business ethics, including the American Equal Employment Opportunity Act, which businesses post in multiple languages.
It wasn’t always like that. I grew up seeing signs in Virginia that stated “white clientele only.” But just like America could change, our businesses could also change and today you will see across the country their open support of such human rights for people of different races and genders in this country. American businesses hold classes on diversity and respect for other Americans.
Some may think that we need an Equal Opportunity Act for our international business. But in fact, we have such guidelines today. Adopted in December 1948 by the United Nations, the world has a Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is posted in the languages of people around the world. It is supported by later covenants, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
For American multi-national corporations and companies doing business around the world, a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) must be as much of our global business as a commitment to America’s Constitution and the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Act is a part of American business practices. Just like our customers in America know that our businesses support the EEO Act, our customers around the world must know we support the UDHR. It should be a standard for global capitalist business operations and initiatives around the world. Global businesses and business councils should be proud of their stand on the UDHR, and it should be part of their global corporate identity.
Will such consistent commitment to universal human rights offend some cultures? In our history, we have seen that business commitment to Equal Opportunities and human rights for Americans certainly offended some cultures, including those who that sought racially segregated services and operations. It no doubt offended those who thought that black Americans had to sit in the back of the bus, those who desired segregated schools, restaurants, and other places. Yes, those who seek to deny human rights and dignity to their fellow human beings get offended by those who consistently support such rights and dignity. But as you can see, America and American business survived. Our conscience did not destroy capitalism.
Global capitalism’s commitment to the standards set by the Universal Declaratation of Human Rights won’t destroy capitalism either. Our global customers must know that we respect their human rights and we respect their dignity – without exception. Our business and capitalist organizations must demonstrate that they don’t only support the rights of some, but support the rights of all. Our businesses and capitalist organizations must demonstrate they support the human rights and dignity for all of our fellow human beings. It is good business.
Captains of Industry Chart Their Courses: There is no course in business that is a straight and simple path. Every business requires the ability to recognize new products and services, new markets, and adaptation to market and customer changing needs. This requires businesses to take quick and decisive action.
We have also seen industry leaders take quick and decisive action, when they are engaged with other organizations as well, based on their corporate and individual conscience and in the best interest of society.
So it was in November 2011, that U.S. Steel CEO John Surma had to make difficult and unpopular decisions at the Pennsylvania State University, while he was a member of the Board of Trustees and faced with reports regarding a child sex abuse case at the university. No one will mistake a tough business such as U.S. Steel for being a social activist group, or financial expert Mr. Surma as a street activist for human rights. But industry leaders can make decisions that are challenging and even unpopular, when human rights and dignity are challenged.
A challenge to the human rights of one of your customers is a challenge to the human rights of all of your customers. Because every one of your customers matter, and every one of your customers will remember the values and standards that your business brand represents.
Successful business industry leaders think ahead, because their business growth is not only based on what they do today, but also based on where they plan to go tomorrow. Global capitalist ventures know that for every business success they make today, they must be planning to equal or better such success the next day.
The world will continue to become more free. In the 21st century, the concept of dictatorships and oppression of human identity groups will continue to become old news and bad business.
The future of business is freedom.
For global businesses to be successful with the changing marketplace, they must ensure that their corporate identity is associated with this reality and that their corporate activities and public relations are based in a clearly communicated commitment to our universal human rights.
Our global businesses cannot have effective capitalist growth or customer service – without a consistent commitment to global human rights. The bottom-line is that such capitalism is dependent on people – and people are ultimately dependent of the freedoms of their universal human rights.
Global Capitalism's Customers -- and Where Our Universal Human Rights Apply...
Carolyn Cook, founder and CEO of United for Equality, spoke at the National Press Club in Washington DC on December 8, as part of a Human Rights Day Event, calling for a renewed commitment by Americans in support of the Constitutional rights for all American women, as part of our global human rights goals. United for Equality is a social justice enterprise seeking the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.) by 2015.
United for Equality has the symbol of the three women, symbolizing the three waves that it has taken for women to struggle for equality in America. Carolyn stated that we must change the way people think and what we tolerate in our culture regarding the rights and dignity of our fellow Americans and fellow human beings. Carolyn spoke out against the discrimination and the efforts to deny full equality to women in America, in every aspect of their lives. She stated that we need to take our system back and make it ours.
Carolyn Cook stated that United for Equality’s coalition successfully introduced a bill to the 112the session of the United States Congress calling for Congress to remove the time limit on the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.), as the United States previously had the ratification of the E.R.A. in 35 states, and it requires ratification in 38 states and by 2/3s of the House and Senate. She pointed out how previous U.S. government officials sought to halt the efforts to ratify the E.R.A. after 10 years when nearly all of the required states but 3 had ratified this Constitutional Amendment, and pointed out that women have no desire to “start over” the ratification of the E.R.A.
Carolyn Cook also spoke on the importance of human rights activists to work together in our common causes of universal human rights for women, men, and children, and people of all identity groups. She also spoke of learning from other activist groups, and identifying how we can grow as human rights activists, by first identifying where we are on the paradigm of activism and learning how we can reach further as individuals committed to human rights and social justice.
Carolyn Cook also spoke on the paradigm of options we have as activists and participants in defending human rights. Carolyn urged a more holistic approach towards addressing human rights as lifelong causes. She discussed lessons learned from the Occupy movement and other social activist efforts to bring change to the world. Her discussion on lessons from the Occupy movement are detailed in the YouTube video of her speech beginning at 6:36 minutes in on Part 1 and continuing and concluding in Part 2 of her remarks.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges you to contact your Congressional Representative on this matter to call for immediate action to continue the funding of the important work of the USCIRF. Note the House of Representatives was targeted to adjourn on December 8 – so please make that call TODAY!
December 6, 2011: “The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom regrets to have to bring to your attention the attached resolution, which we understand to reflect our legal obligations to prepare to cease all operations unless reauthorized by December 16, 2011. It remains our most fervent hope that the Commission will be reauthorized, so that it can continue its vital work in advising the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of State. The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to all those who have supported, and remain supportive of, the continuation and reauthorization of the Commission’s mandate and work.”
===========
UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
RESOLUTION (12/6/11)
WHEREAS the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) shall expire on December 16, 2011, in the absence of either enactment of reauthorizing legislation by the Senate and the House of Representatives that is duly signed by the President of the United States by that date, or, enactment of provisions specifically extending USCIRF’s operations in another continuing resolution or other measures, should any of these be adopted by the Congress; and
WHEREAS Federal law requires USCIRF to undertake certain fiscal and administrative measures to ensure an orderly and financially solvent closure of the agency before its expiration; and
WHEREAS the Government Services Administration has notified USCIRF of the need to initiate such measures;
BE IT RESOLVED that, effective immediately, all USCIRF personnel shall, under the direction of the Executive Director, undertake any and all steps that are necessary to ensure that, in the event of USCIRF’s expiration on December 16, 2011, USCIRF will shut down in accordance with all applicable Federal laws and regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that USCIRF personnel shall, under the direction of the Executive Director, take all necessary steps to preserve and archive any and all records of the Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that USCIRF’s Executive Director shall determine whether and where said records can be archived and make appropriate arrangements for their transfer upon expiration of the Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be transmitted to all Members of Congress, the President of the United States, and the Secretary of State, and that this resolution be posted as well on the USCIRF website.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at tcarter@uscirf.gov, or (202) 523-3257.
Around the United States of America, people are remembering this day as “Patriot Day.”
Ten years ago today, terrorists attacked New York City, Washington DC crashing jets into buildings and murdering thousands. Another planned attack on Washington DC was thwarted in mid-air on Flight 93 by courageous people, and it crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
We remember.
But we do more than remember than tragedies and the loss of lives.
How many memorial services, how many funerals have you gone to that simply remember loss and death?
No, when we REMEMBER, we also and most importantly remember life. We remember dignity. We remember joyous days. We remember mercy. We remember our common bonds with one another. We remember not just death, but we remember what makes our lives worth living. We remember our hearts and our love for one another.
I believe we do have a destiny. I believe all of our lives are lived for a purpose. I believe that all of our lives have meaning and are special. Those whose lives were ended on 9/11 came from many different backgrounds, different religions, and different identity groups. For some, they died so that we here could live. For others, their last moments were of courage in seeking to save their fellow human beings. They included Todd Beamer, Steven Weinstein, Sophia Addo, New York Fire Department Captain Patrick J. Waters, Lydia Bravo, Army Major Wallace Hogan, NYPD Cadet Mohammad Salman Hamdani, and nearly 3,000 more. Their deaths from the terrorist attacks were not an end, and their lives will be remembered by Americans forever.
We remember our brothers and sisters on 9/11. We remember them and we reach out to them across the universe and across the heavens.
We miss them and we love them. We love them, no matter their names, no matter their ethnic group, no matter their race, no matter their gender, and no matter their religion.
Some worry that our love and compassion will be seen by others as weakness. Our love for one another is not a weakness, but it is the greatest strength in the world. It is a bond to holds fast our diversity around the globe into one singular and special human race.
In the Washington Post today, a writer writes that the 9/11 attacks were the “end of American innocence.” But in our nation and around the world, there are innocent children born every day, who are born into a world and a nation, where they are loved. We have opportunity for such innocent compassion to our fellow beings every day of our lives. So I don’t see any end to innocence in America, or anywhere in the world, I see the endless opportunity for innocent love towards one another.
There are some who ask, ten years later, isn’t it time for Americans to “get over” 9/11? Some of those people mean well. Some of those people are concerned about the divisions we have seen grow in our nation and the world. But we have a choice. As we remember the lives lost on 9/11, we also must continue the courage and dignity of those who were killed that day. We have the choice to remember 9/11 for the fearlessness and sacrifice that so many made to save their fellow human beings in New York City, in Washington DC, and on Flight 93 in the sky. We should never “get over” such profiles of courage, and we should use their inspiration today and every day.
Today, our nation and our fellow human beings must have a united message to those who seek to promote hate and violence.
We are not afraid.
We don’t make that statement arrogantly, but simply as a statement of the truth in our hearts.
We won’t allow ourselves to be dragged into the fear and hate that undermines the joys and the blessings that we have in our lives.
We urge our fellow human beings to choose peace, not violence, to choose human dignity, not disrespect, and to choose love, not hate.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
12:30 pm Registration Opens – Washington Hebrew, 3935 Macomb Street, Washington, DC 20016
12:30-2:15 pm Service Fair – Details TBD
1:00-1:25 pm Kirtan Musicians – performing in auditorium as participants gather
1:25pm Muslim Call to Prayer – Imam Abdullah Khouj, Islamic Center of Washington
1:30-2:00 pm Program Begins – Welcome and Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks – MC Maureen Fiedler, SL Interfaith Voices, WAMU 88.5
Senior Rabbi Bruce Lustig, M.A.H.L., Washington Hebrew Congregation
Special Remarks – “title of speech,” Sheikh Hamza Yusuf
Most Rev. Barry Knestau, Auxiliary Bishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
2:15 – 4:15 pm Open Houses – Participants must choose between activities during three blocks of Open House presentations. Volunteer ushers will guide foot traffic between stops and at major road intersections.
2:15-2:45 pm
Christ Church – “Blessings, Speaking in Tongues and Miracles” 3855 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Annunciation Catholic Church – Guided tours of the church 3810 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
National Gurdwara- Turban-tying demonstration
3810 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
St. Albans- Choral Music Presentation and Tour 3000 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
3:00-3:30 pm
National Gurdwara- Turban-tying demonstration 3801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Community of Christ – TBD 3526 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
St. Nicholas Cathedral – Guided Tour 3500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Soka Gakkai International- “A Chance to Chant” 3417 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
3:45-4:15 pm
Embassy of the Vatican- Greeting from Jean Francis 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Khalil Gibran Memorial Park –“The Experience of Mantra Meditation” led by Bali Adawal 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Islamic Center of Washington – Guided tours of the Mosque preceding the program
2551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
4:30-5:00 pm Unity Walk Program Resumes
Islamic Center of Washington, 2551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Welcome: Imam Abdullah Khouj, Islamic Center of Washington
Special remarks – The Rev. Bill Haley / Rabbi Jack Moline
Title of speech: Karen Armstrong, Charter for Compassion, Winner, TEDPrize
Tell People to walk – Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi
“Amazing Grace,” St. Augustine’s Gospel Choir – All faiths join together for a dramatic statement from the Islamic Center in Washington, DC to the World
5:00-5:45 pm Procession and Closing Celebration ending at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial
“O Happy Day!” – A “Gandhi-style Walk” and gospel procession led by Arun Gandhi and the St. Augustine Gospel Choir
Introduction – TBD, representative, United Hindu Jain Temple Association
Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi
Imam Mohamed Majid, Islamic Society of North America
Closing Prayer – TBD
