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

First Friday Film Night May 4th

 

TOPANGA PEACE ALLIANCE IS PROUD TO SCREEN 

"THE BIG FIX" 

@ our new location the Topanga Library 

On April 22, 2010 (ironically, on Earthday), the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico, creating the worst oil spill in history. Most people around the country thought the crisis ended when the well was capped, but that’s when the real story began. The documentary, THE BIG FIX, which exposes the root causes of the oil spill and what really happened to the Gulf states, screens as the TPA First Friday Film on May 4 at 7:45 p.m., at its new location, the Topanga Library,122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. 90290.

“We never intended to make this movie,” says Josh Tickell, the film’s director. “It was only after being dumbstruck by the level of destruction and the simultaneous lack of clear information conveyed to the public during the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, that we picked up our cameras and attempted to document this massive man-made disaster.”

Until the oil well was capped on September 19th, 2010, 205 million gallons of crude oil and over 1.8 millions gallons of chemical dispersant spread into the sea.

Tickell felt it was impossible to tell the story of the spill without also looking at the political and financial root causes of the spill that were swept under the rug. In doing so, the film uncovers the same playbook for corporate wrongdoing and government cover-up that is being used to dismiss the dangers of the tar sands, the coal strip mines, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Rebecca Harrell Tickell, the film’s producer and co-director, adds, “Our motivation for risking everything to make this film comes from our deep commitment to fundamentally shift how we as a species live on Earth.”

Both filmmakers will be at the TPA screening to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A afterward. Longtime environmental activists, Josh directed and Rebecca produced the 2008 Sundance Audience Award winning documentary FUEL, which investigates the possible replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy.

In THE BIG FIX,  they uncover the vast network of corruption surrounding the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The film is a damning indictment of a system of government and corporate collusion that puts the pursuit of profit over all other human and environmental needs.

“I hope its message helps bring us back to a more balanced social conscience and more functional form of governance and justice,” says Josh Tickell.

THE BIG FIX screens at 8:00 p.m. on May 4 at the Topanga Library, 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., 90290 There will be a cheese/veggie potluck at 7:45, with the film at 8:00 p.m. A $10 donation is requested, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. For further information, contact Julie Levine at(310) 455-9389.

 

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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