[Peace-discuss] actions
Dlind49 at aol.com
Dlind49 at aol.com
Mon Oct 21 07:56:59 CDT 2002
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road,
Deerfield MA 01342
November Peace Action Update
Greetings, dear Friends,
Here are many wonderful initiatives to connect with.
It¹s so good to know how much you care.
We hope you'll zero in on one or two favorite items you find here.
Some calendar items and all resources have more news in attached files.
May your month be full of wonder, clear choices, & connection.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traprock Peace Center -- Action News, Oct 20, 2002
Replies by phone appreciated. 413 773-7427
Reply to ³REMOVE² or ³ADD²
Contents:
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS -- US & UK
RESOURCES
LOCAL NEWS
Regional News OCT + NOV
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS
1. STOP the WAR before IT STARTS -- OCT. 26
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition says they have permits for the DC march, Oct. 26 in
DC beginning at 11 am in Constitution Gardens, which is adjacent to the
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. We will rally, then march to (and around)
the White House, and back. We expect a big turn-out, and NO violence, but
it¹s good to be prepared. (People with asthma or other respiratory
conditions have a hard time with tear gas.)
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o26/index.html
See Local News below for Info on buses, vans and carpools.
CALL Sun & Mon, 413 256-4678, -- NO CALLS AFTER 6pm MONDAY !
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: For detailed driving directions to DC, go to
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp and enter "Constitution Ave. and
21st St. NW" as your destination. BUS/VAN/CAR DROP-OFF
----------------------------------------------------------------
2. SHUT DOWN THE COUNTRY UK Oct 31
In the United Kingdom, hundreds of organizations and individuals have
jointed together in the UK to form the Stop the War Coalition. They brought
out 400,000 people to protest the war on Sept. 28. See a review of
international actions at http://www.traprockpeace.org/
For October 31, they plan a "Don't Attack Iraq Day of Protest" with:
1) meetings in or near workplaces with anti-war speakers with local
marches;
2) college occupations and teach-ins;
3) evening central protests in towns and cities throughout the UK.
They urge people to bring banners, sit down and block traffic.
A large rally will occur in Central London at 6 pm.
For more information, go to http://www.stopwar.org.uk.
----------------------------------------------------------------
RESOURCES
Gulf War was NOT ŒEASY¹ - 159,000 on disability
Doug Rokke, says a May 2002 report from the Veterans Administration shows
that 159,000 US Vets are on disability, with service related injuries from
the Gulf War. 8013 died due to injuries & exposures in Desert Shield
(build-up) and Desert Storm. 23,612 have claims pending and 24,011 have had
claims denied.
Thousands more among civilians are injured and dead in the US
and in Iraq due to injuries and exposures. Please call us if you are a vet,
a family member or a advocate who wants to help inform the public regarding
the painful and long-lasting hardships of war. (413 773-7427)
http://www.traprockpeace.org
Army's chemical defenses not battle-ready
Army Audit says Up to 62% of gas masks and 90% of monitors defective
Lee Davidson - Deseret News, Washington
WASHINGTON - Up to 62 percent of the U.S. Army's gas masks and up to 90
percent of the machines it uses to detect invisible chemical arms attacks
may
be defective. ... That is the conclusion of an Army Audit Agency study
obtained by the Deseret News through the Freedom of Information Act.²
See more at http://www.traprockpeace.org
New -- Scott Ritter on Audio -- Deerfield Academy 10/15
Because the downstairs, balcony and lobby were full, Joel Thomas Adams
estimates up to 800 people heard Scott Ritter¹s address to Deerfield
Academy. Charlie Jenks has posted Real Audio of Scott Ritter¹s talk, kindly
provided by Robbie Leppzer of Turning Tide Productions in Wendell, MA.
Democracy Now will air and post to their site, Robbie¹s video. Link from
http://www.traprockpeace.org/stopwar2002.html
New -- Scott Ritter on Video, in Wichita
Matt is just finishing editing a concise address with critique of the sham
hearings held by the Biden Committee.
New -- ³Greetings from Missile Street² Video,
Jackson, from Dover New Hampshire, documented the effects of 1999 bombing
and sanctions on people in Basra, in Southern Iraq, with a delegation of
Voices in the Wilderness. Tom is available to visit area schools on Friday,
Nov. 22.
Author and historian Howard Zinn says, "I found Greetings From
Missile Street a powerful and moving description of life in Iraq under the
weight of the cruel sanctions imposed by the United States. It converts
abstract statements into personal, immediate images. I hope it will be
widely seen in the United States, because it may help arouse the conscience
of our nation." Film clips can be seen at http://www.joepublicfilms.com.
Peacemaker Resources
Grant Bialek, a Smith student has begun an internship giving 5 hours
per week for peace education. With his help we¹ll get back to circulating
the Peacemakers Exhibit. Grant can work with a new affinity group focused
on education and outreach, formed Oct. 7. We¹ll be calling schools to see
what resources you want and need. For info on educational resources for a
wide variety of ages, 413 773-7427.
Yumi Yoneda
Yumi Yoneda is able to present a variety of programs on Japanese culture and
messages for peace, including tea ceremony, paper folding, contemporary
life, Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, story telling, animated videos and
documentaries. Please call her to discuss your prospective invitation for
any length or series of presentations. She prefers small groups. When
schools are on bare bones budgets this free program is especially
appreciated. Transportation from Winchendon, Mass needed. 978-297-1148
----------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL NEWS for WESTERN MASS --
³Greetings from Missile Street² Video, Noon, Mon. Oct 21
Tom Jackson¹s video will be shown at the Greenfield Community College TV
Studio on Monday, October 21 at noon. Jackson, from Dover New Hampshire,
documented the effects of 1999 bombing and sanctions on people in Basra, in
Southern Iraq, with a delegation of Voices in the Wilderness. The studio is
on the second floor of the main building. There are 50 seats and this
program is open to the public.
Tom is available to visit area schools on Friday, Nov. 22. 413 773-7427
Rally at U-Mass Campus Center - Noon, Thurs, Oct. 24
Thursday Potlucks at Traprock:
6pm supper, 7:30 Discussion or action. Come when you can.
Oct. 17 - the Franklin County Interfaith Council met here.
Oct. 24 - Next steps to Stop a War, Strategy session, See street theater
for ³Tax Collectors/Trick or Treat²
Oct. 31 - PEACE PARTY The TAX MAN cometh this Halloween! He wants about
$400 more for the first phase of an intense war, and he¹s knocking on every
door. Street theater hams and fans come party for Halloween, then trick or
treat if you like.
Nov. 7 - Activists, supporters, Come stretch out the kinks with a Breema
Bodywork session with Kathleen Becker.
Travel to DC from Western Mass, OCT 25/26:
One bus is full--leaving from Northampton at 1am Saturday, behind Thornes
Market. For Info on buses, vans and carpools, Katherine Gilbert-Espada is
coordinating requests and offers on Sunday and Monday ONLY until 6pm, 413
256-4678. It appears there are only 15 riders paid for the Mount Holyoke
bus planning an overnight stay; That will be cancelled or confirmed by 10 am
Monday morning. A total of four buses are available if payments are made in
a timely way. And of course half a bus won¹t make it unless those folks pay
double. For seats on the next bus send a check for $60 to: Arise, 94 Rifle
street Springfield 01105. Write Bus ticket in the memo. Make Car-pooling
contacts at the U-Mass Rally, noon Thursday at the Campus Center. (Sign a
banner while you¹re there.) Last chance for car-pooling arrangements might
be at Dance Spree in Northampton, 4th floor above FitzWilly¹s. Freddie
Windriver has a car going for 3-days and camping. Call 259-1416. Active
Traprock volunteers have reserved a van. At U-Mass, the Anti-war Coalition
has reserved a van and is sharing carpool information. Want to ride or
drive? Link up at the U-Mass rally by the student Union at noon on
Thursday, 10/24 or call students organizing at 413 545-0677.
Interfaith Groups:
The Franklin County Interfaith Council is planning a gathering time for
prayers for peace on a Saturday in early November in downtown Greenfield.
Call for details‹Traprock¹s answering machine almost always has one minute
of news about next events. 413 773-7427
Volunteers:
TEAM WORK!! BRAVO
Wow. Greg Crawford collected hundreds of letters that Traprock faxed to
Congress. Norm Soloman, Ava Gips, Mary McClintock, + friends are sustaining
a Saturday morning peace vigil in Greenfield. (Join us to at 11:00 to pass
out literature?) Or chat & hold your sign! Eve Brown-Waite, Eric
Wasileski, Sarah Thayer and Jim Mason and I found a locked door on
Wednesday, Oct. 9, the day Senator Kerry announced he¹d vote for the war
resolution. Eve led the way for visits Thursday and Friday, too. Kate
Stevens, Liz Kelner, Ava Gips... So many people helped gather signatures
for the big ad in the Oct. 19 paper. AFSC did a fantastic job coordinating
all of our efforts. Hats off to all! Grant Bialek, a Smith student is
volunteering 5 hours/week for peace education! Mitch, Paul Ricklis, and
Thomas Swetland are pitching in with recycling, hospitality, & urgent
errands. The Mediation & Training Collaborative have initiated a Tuesday
vigil, 12:30-1:00. Ryan at the Radical Student Union is welcoming our help
to paint banners and stir students on behalf of the U-Mass Anti-War
coalition.
You were beautiful!
See you pictures from the Oct 7 Greenfield Rally, 100 Ways to Stop a War.
Wonderful musicians nurtured us. So many people spoke up. Diverse affinity
Groups met afterward to discuss Dialogue, Education, Writing for peace, and
a socialist perspective. http://www.traprockpeace.org
Nonviolence Trainings:
Goeff Lobenstine of Belchertown has helped promote nonviolence trainings
with the Western Mass Interfaith Coalition for Peace and Justice. Call him
for the next training: 413 256-8647. Already Andrea Ayvazian offered one at
First Churches in Northampton on Oct 19. Betsy Corner and Sunny Miller
facilitated a nonviolence training Saturday, Oct 12, 10-4 at Traprock. Sunny
assisted recently in a training for janitors on Strike on the Greater Boston
area.
----------------------------------------------------------------
REGIONAL NEWS, OCT/NOV:
OCCUPATION in ONEIDA NATION, NY
An illegitimate dictatorship is flourishing on Native territories
in New York. Natives have lost freedom of speech, freedom of
religion, freedom of assembly, and there is no freedom of the press;
Oneidas are being forcibly removed from their homes and the homes are
being destroyed (11 to date). Please check our website for more
and log onto http://www.oneidasfordemocracy.org
Sick of the War Talk? Call in Sick on UN Day
When: Thursday, Oct 24, 2002
Where: THE "NO TO WAR" Walk begins at 8:30am-The Peace Abbey, 2 N. Main
St,
Rt. 16 Sherborn - continues to UN ceremony at the Boston State
House.
South Natick (9:30 a.m.),
Wellesley (10:30 a.m.),
Beacon Street to Newton Center (12:30 p.m.)
Brookline (1:30 p.m.) continue on Commonwealth Avenue in the Back
Bay
Transportation support will be provided. Those who would like to join the
Walk should register with the Peace Abbey in advance (508-650-3659). You may
reach the walkers by contacting (cell) 508-259-8508 to coordinate your
participation in the walk as it moves through the Boston area.
The Walk will conclude at the Great Staircase in the State House for an
special ceremony arranged by the United Nations Association of Greater
Boston (UNAGB). Julius Babbitt speak on Understanding Differences: The
Challenge for a New World. The Governor's UN Day Proclamation and a UN Day
Message from the Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be presented. Music and
refreshments follow. To support "Adopt-a-Minefield" contribute, or seek
pledges to help remove land mines in Afghanistan. Every dollar raised goes
to the field to eliminate land mines. Donations may be sent to
"Adopt-a-Minefield" at the United Nations Association of Greater Boston at
One Milk Street, Boston, MA 02109.
Regional Meeting at Holyoke Com. College ‹ 5:30 Friday, Nov 1
Western Mass Stop the War coalition has set its third meeting to plan
strategies. Stay tuned for exact location. The next meeting will be in
Franklin County, perhaps Friday, Feb 15? http://www.traprockpeace.org
Regional Meeting in Worcester -- Saturday, Nov 2
A new coalition of peace groups is planning an all-day meeting in Worcester,
MA., including skills sessions. This is a great opportunity to share
resources 8:30-5 pm Clark University. Will your group be represented?
Rally in Boston -- Sunday, Nov. 3
United for Justice with Peace is organizing ‹ Please save the date for
showing solidarity in Boston.
Veterans Day -- Monday, Nov. 11
Please save the date -- Monday, Nov. 11! HONOR VETERANS -- ABOLISH WAR!
---------------------------------------------------------------
ARE YOU GLAD YOU READ THIS?
REPLY: YES -- SEND NEWS!
REPLY: NO -- PREFER OLD-FASHIONED PHONE TREE
REPLY: OTHER -- __
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413 773-7427--
More information about the Peace-discuss
mailing list