[Peace-discuss] AWARE Minutes for August 17th

[David Green]

Minutes for AWARE Meeting – August 17, 2003

Corrections and additions invited:

1. News of the Week – Carl Estabrook

Black-out related to de-regulation: see Greg Palast
article at commondreams.org

Families of soldiers speak out against occupation of
Iraq

Twice as many Americans feel it is more important to
focus on the economy than foreign affairs.

General Myers goes to Colombia, in the region that is
a candidate for our next invasion.

See complete notes, already posted on peace-discuss
list.

2.  Meredith Kruse discussed her trip to Guatemala—see
her article in the current issue of the Public I.

Rios Montt, now (illegally) running for President,
claims to be endorsed by Ronald Reagan (who was
supportive of mass murderers during an earlier period
of his life), and pays campesinos to come to the
capital and support him and intimidate others; but
there is also conflict between R-M and local
capitalist types—genocide is not always good for
business.  Police do nothing to defend journalists
from FRG (R-M’s party) thugs. Elections will be
November 9th. There are 22 parties. Del Monte
Corporation is involved in corruption by
subcontracting its land to local outfit, which keeps
campesinos from farming on it for their subsistence
crops. There is also massive corruption regarding
social security, with retirees being neglected.

Meredith will be returning to Guatemala as part of the
Guatemala Accompaniment Project, and organizing a
local support group to stand behind her in her
continued efforts. Info about GAP and a sign-on sheet
were passed around. Please contact Meredith for more
information.

3. Voices in the Wilderness: Sharon Dorsey discussed
Kathy Kelly’s visit on September 29-30, Monday and
Tuesday. She will be speaking at the YMCA on Monday at
4. On Tuesday there will be a town meeting at the
Champaign Public Library hosted by WILL-Jack Brighton,
to be arranged, including various viewpoints. The
tentative topic is “Liberation or Occupation.” 

4. Farmer’s Market, etc.: Tabling will be done at the
Sweet Corn Festival this Saturday, August 23rd. There
will be no Farmers Market tabling. Volunteers welcome,
a sign-up sheet was circulated. We will work with the
Public I people to jointly person the tables. Farmers’
Market will continue on a week-by-week basis beginning
August 30th, depending on volunteers. Contact David
Green if you wish to be responsible for set-up and
break-down.

5. Calendars: Carol Inskeep volunteered to order
activism calendars for sale during the holiday season,
or before. This was supported and approved.

6. Prospect for Peace – Gabe Stanton is organizing a
Prospect for Peace demonstration for the first
Saturday of every month, beginning September 6th, 2 to
4 as usual. We will be protesting the occupation,
military spending, etc. A sign-making party will be
held in the morning before the event—location to be
announced.

7.  Quad Day: AWARE will participate in Quad Day by
sharing a table with Student Peace Action, August
26th, Monday. Prime hours are from 11:30 to 1.
Volunteers requested.

8.  Labor Day Parade: AWARE members will be joining
the Labor Day parade on September 1, which begins at
Race and High Streets, formation at 9:30. The parade
will end at the Brookens Center. Carol Inskeep will
host a sign-making party for this parade on Thursday,
August 28th, at 7 p.m., at her house.

9.  Video Showing: Also on Saturday, August 23rd, at
7, Meredith Kruse will show “The Color of Fear” at the
home of Jan and Durl Kruse, 2007 George Huff Drive.
All are welcome.

10. Anti-racism: Tentative plan for discussion prior
to AWARE meeting of September 14th, at 3 p.m., with
Dave Roediger and Sundiata Cha-Jua. To be confirmed.






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