[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [illinoisgreens] Work with Medea Benjamin on 9/11/02 = peace

[Jim Buell]

AWARE folks may be interested in this call for events nationally the week 
of 9/11/02.

jb

>Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 17:43:44 -0700
>Subject: [illinoisgreens] Work with Medea Benjamin on 9/11/02 = peace
>Reply-To: "Dan Johnson-Weinberger" <djw at fairvote.org>
>
>Would be great if you would work with us on this or at least help spread the
>word!
>Thanks so much, Medea
>
>"Don't let the Bush Administration use the first  year commemoration of the
>9/11 tragedy to call for more war and violence. Please help us honor the
>death of our loved ones by creating Sept. 11, 2002 events that move us
>towards a future of peaceful tomorrows."
>
>-Kelly Campbell, September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
>
>
>Dear Friends,
>We need your help to organize peace events in your community. The first
>anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching. Let's make it a time to put forth A
>VISION of a safer, more just world- a world free of war and violence, a
>world that rejects ethnic and religious divisions and celebrates diversity,
>a world that calls no nation "evil" but builds a global community, a world
>that cherishes the environment, a world where the needs of humans and other
>living things take priority over profits.
>Our goal is to have hundreds of peace events happening throughout the
>country the weekend before September 11 and on September 11 itself. The
>response to this idea has been overwhelming. Already, events are being
>organized in big cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
>Chicago and small towns such as Seadrift, Texas and Chester, West Virginia.
>Organizations involved include the National Coalition for Peace and Justice,
>Global Exchange, September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, the War
>Resisters League, the Independent Progressive Politics Network, and many
>more.
>September 7-8 weekend events
>For the weekend gatherings, we suggest an upbeat tone that focuses on the
>world we would like to create. Events could include a peace concert, town
>hall meeting, Walk-a-Thon or Bike-a-Thon, film showings, interactive art
>projects, community picnic, street theater and dance, teach-in and workshops
>with global/local themes. Let's make our events inter-generational,
>multi-ethnic ones that bring together unexpected allies-Indians &
>Pakistanis, Jews & Arabs, veterans & peace activists, labor organizers &
>business leaders.
>September 11 itself
>For the day of September 11, we suggest a more somber, respectful tone to
>commemorate those who died on 9/11 and all other innocent victims.
>Appropriate actions include interfaith services and silent vigils-perhaps
>even an overnight vigil from the evening of September 10 to the morning of
>September 11.
>Be part of a national movement by building locally
>The local groups will function autonomously, but will be tied together
>nationally through a common name, purpose, website and media strategy.
>
>We need your help!!! If you are interested in organizing an event in your
>community, or want to know if something in your area is already being
>planned, please contact us at the address below.
>Let's show the world that in hundreds of US cities, we are claiming the
>anniversary of 9/11 as a time to say YES, a peaceful, more just world IS
>possible, and we are building it!
>
>We look forward to working with you!
>Best,
>Medea Benjamin
>Founding Director, Global Exchange
>
>Contact us at peace at globalexchange.org or call 1-415-255-7296 or
>1-800-497-1994