The Topanga Peace Alliance is a secular, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice on a local and global level. We are committed to seeking peaceful means of dispute resolution throughout the world; preserving life and defending basic human rights at home and abroad; and advocating practical, nonviolent alternatives to war.

If you join a fight for social justice you may win or lose, but just by being
part of the struggle, you win, and your life will be better for it. - Howard Zinn

TPA’s First Friday Film Night for February: THE DARK SIDE OF CHOCOLATE

 

Child labor and human trafficking continue to plague the cocoa fields of Africa, according to emerging evidence featured in the documentary, “THE DARK SIDE OF CHOCOLATE”. The film will be screened by the Topanga Peace Alliance  on Friday, February 3, at 8:00 p.m. at Yoga Desa.
Nearly a decade after the major players in the chocolate industry promised to resolve these problems, filmmakers Miki Mistrati and U Robin Romano document how children continue to be kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Ivory Coast, in spite of the UN treaty banning slavery after 2008.
This screening is part of the “Raise the Bar, Hershey!” Campaign, led by Green America’s Fair Trade Program, the film’s producer, along with a coalition of nonprofit organizations calling on the cocoa industry to end child and forced labor and trafficking in their industry, and to start sourcing Fair Trade cocoa, which prohibits these practices. The Campaign is currently pressing Hershey to take the lead in this effort.
After the screening, there will be a discussion of the issues raised by the film and actions will be taken to end the exploitation of children in the cocoa fields and ensure that cocoa is a source of joy for all children. Filmmakers Mistrati and Romano have generously made the film available for screenings in order to send one clear message to the chocolate industry: “We will not tolerate abusive child labor and trafficking in the cocoa fields. ” 
One of their recommended actions: when you buy Valentine’s candy for your loved ones this year, make sure that it is Fair Trade chocolate. (Fair trade is the practice of paying the person who produced it higher wages to ensure decent living and working conditions.) Also visit the websites related to the film for more suggestions, www.RaiseTheBarHershey.org and www.FairTradeAction.org.
The film is distributed by Green America, formerly Coop America, a coalition of organizations and businesses working for a just and equitable world. We will have a fair trade sale before the screening.
 

Occupy LA Update!

 

Occupy LA Update – Topangans are in The House!

 
Topanga residents are still participating in Occupy LA at LA City Hall, and will be there for as long as it takes to build a democratic movement to combat corporate power.  Topangans are actively involved in this movement, participating in actions and serving on committees including: Action, Facilitation, Social Service, Education (aka People’s Collective University), Coordination, and in the Occupy The Hood General Assembly.  Most committees meet daily at 4 or 5:30 pm and the General Assembly meets nightly at 7:30 pm on the South Lawn by the City Hall steps. The best way for Topangans to actively particulate at Occupy LA is to participate in actions and on committees.  
 
For example, Occupy LA members (many from Topanga) filled the City Council Chambers to weight in on a City Council resolution to end corporate personhood. As result of our input the proposed resolution was strengthened and will serve as an example to other cities around the country. This resolution will be voted on December 7th.  The weekend of November 5th and 6th began with a highly successful national “Bank Transfer Day” resulting in thousands of people in L.A alone closing their bank accounts and moving their money to credit unions and community banks. There were also speakers from the ACLU, National Lawyers Guild, L.A. Times Columnist Robert Scheer and others. A general strike and action to close Los Angeles ports is also being organized with active participation from truckers and dock workers.
 
For updated information on how to get involved in Occupy LA go to www.occupylosangeles.org. or call Julie Levine on her cell phone: 310-463-3016.
 
There is always a need for donations of money, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, food, and water proof gear. We hope to see you there!
 

From the Archives:

News

Topangans Rally for Peace

From: Topanga Messenger

By Dan Mazur

Rush hour commuters who found their drive through the Canyon delayed on Friday evening, November 1, can blame it on the Bush administration's aggressive foreign policy. Beginning at 4 p.m. that afternoon, over 200 Topangans lined the shoulder of the Boulevard, waving signs and chanting in a spirited protest against a possible war with Iraq.

PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER

Topangans join a new Topanga Peace Alliance to demonstrate for peace in front of Pine Tree Circle on November 1.

The rally, which began on a slightly gray and cold afternoon and continued until well after dark, was followed by a forum on issues of war and peace at the Topanga Elementary School auditorium.
The line of protesters stretched from the corner of Old Topanga to Hidden Treasures. It was a real Topanga happening, albeit one sparked by global concerns. There were musical instruments, colorful costumes and hula-hoops. Whole families turned out to express their opinions to the passing motorists with signs that ranged from Vietnam-era favorites--"War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things," to the Gulf War's "No Blood For Oil" and the latest anti-Bush sentiments --"We Need Regime Change--Here in the U.S."
The event was organized by the newly-formed Topanga Peace Alliance. Inspired by the large peace march in Westwood on September 26, a small group of Topangans began meeting in early October to discuss what could be done on a community level to protest the Bush administration's war intentions. The plans came together very quickly.
"A group of us got together with similar interests, being opposed to the resolution that was passed," said Topanga Peace Alliance member Connie Whalley, referring to the Senate and Congressional resolutions granting President Bush authority to use military force in Iraq.
Information was passed by word of mouth and e-mails, and flyers were printed, resulting in the well-attended rally and forum, three weeks later.

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