[Peace-discuss] flyer for Saturday

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Gentles:- I propose to distribute the following flyer to the pro-war
demonstrators on Saturday.  Comments welcome.  Regards, Carl]


	SHOULD WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS?
	SHOULD WE SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE DOING?
	ARE YOU WILLING TO TALK ABOUT IT?

The anti-war demonstrations along Prospect Avenue this winter have been
organized by AWARE ("Anti-War, Anti-Racism Effort"), a local group in
Champaign County, organized eighteen months ago and open to all interested
people.  We meet Sunday evenings 5-7pm at 218 West Main Street, Urbana.

Some of us from AWARE are trying to organize a series of informal
conversations with "Support Our Troops" demonstrators.  We will meet in
coffeehouses, church basements, living rooms, etc.

Would you be willing to sit down with a small group from both sides to
discuss the issues raised by this war?  If so, call Carl Estabrook at
359.9466 or e-mail him at <cge at shout.net> to find a time and place for a
discussion.

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A STATEMENT FROM THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

"I stand for peace and justice.
	"I stand for democracy and autonomy.  I don't think the U.S. or
any other country should ignore the popular will and violate and weaken
international law, seeking to bully and bribe votes in the Security
Council.
	"I stand for internationalism. I oppose any nation spreading an
ever-expanding network of military bases around the world and producing an
arsenal unparalleled in the world.
	"I stand for equity.  I don't think the U.S. or any other country
should seek empire.  I don't think the U.S. ought to control Middle
Eastern oil on behalf of U.S. corporations and as a wedge to gain
political control over other countries.
	"I stand for freedom.  I oppose brutal regimes in Iraq and
elsewhere but I also oppose the new doctrine of "preventive war," which
guarantees permanent and very dangerous conflict, and is the reason why
the U.S. is now regarded as the major threat to peace in much of the
world.  I stand for a democratic foreign policy that supports popular
opposition to imperialism, dictatorship, and political fundamentalism in
all its forms.
	"I stand for solidarity.  I stand for and with all the poor and
the excluded.  Despite massive disinformation millions oppose unjust,
illegal, immoral war, and I want to add my voice to theirs.  I stand with
moral leaders all over the world, with world labor, and with the huge
majority of the populations of countries throughout the world.
	"I stand for diversity.  I stand for an end to racism directed
against immigrants and people of color.  I stand for an end to repression
at home and abroad.
	"I stand for peace.  I stand against this war and against the
conditions, mentalities, and institutions that breed and nurture war and
injustice.
	"I stand for sustainability.  I stand against the destruction of
forests, soil, water, environmental resources, and biodiversity on which
all life depends.
	"I stand for justice.  I stand against economic, political, and
cultural institutions that promote a rat race mentality, huge economic and
power inequalities, corporate domination even unto sweatshop and slave
labor, racism, and gender and sexual hierarchies.
	"I stand for a policy that redirects the money used for war and
military spending to provide healthcare, education, housing, and jobs.
	"I stand for a world whose political, economic, and social
institutions foster solidarity, promote equity, maximize participation,
celebrate diversity, and encourage full democracy.
	"I stand for peace and justice and, more, I pledge to work for
peace and justice."

*************