[Peace-discuss] 5 years too many

[Randall Cotton]

Got a call from United for Peace and Justice yesterday (they still have me
down as a contact).

They're coordinating and encouraging 5-year observance events for the War
(I refuse to refer to them as "anniversary" events as they do - too many
positive connotations for that word).

One interesting thing is that they are planning direct-action non-violent
civil disobedience in D.C. and also directly encouraging as an option
nationwide. I've been out of circulation for a while, but that comes as a
welcome surprise to me.

They have a new website for this campaign: 5yearstoomany.org .

While they're encouraging events take place March 13th-19th, Spring break
starts on campus on Saturday, the 15th.

The ideas they're throwing out for local events are at:

http://5yearstoomany.org/article.php?list=type&type=5

I understand from Durl there is talk in AWARE (within AWARE Presents,
perhaps) of a readings/testimony event that could be recorded and
broadcast on UPTV. That kind of lines up with one of UFPJ's suggestions:

"Town Hall meeting: This could be a hearing where Iraq and Afghanistan war
veterans and military families present testimony and elected officials are
invited to listen. US Labor Against the War is working with IVAW to
initiate such meetings in a number of cities. Your group could do the same
if one is not being done in your area. Check the US Labor Against the War
website for more information: www.uslaboragainstwar.org."

Perhaps we could join with Martin Smith and IVAW locally to put together
something before Spring break kicks in (I gather that might already be the
timeframe that folks are looking toward).

Just ideas I'm throwing out there...
R