[Peace] AWARE notes 4-7-02

[Peter Miller]

AWARE 4-7-02

12 attending, at the IMC
218 W. Main St., Urbana

Carl's news of the week.  US stance toward Isael has evolved.  The 
president's made demans of Israel, of Arafat, and of arab states.  He 
demanded that Sharon withdraw Israeli troops from Palestinian cities in the 
West Bank,  that he stop all settlement activity in the occupied 
territories, that he end the occupation by withdrawing to secure recognised 
boundaries, and that he stop humiliating ordinary Palestinians.  Secretary 
of State Powell is going to the middle east.

Domestic policy issues are being ignored - employer contributions to 
retirement are declining, e.g.

Carol highly commends Democracy Now! for its coverage of people in distress 
in the occupied territories.  DN! airs Mon-Fri at 4 p.m. on WEFT.

Wilhemine expressed frustration with the lack of US protests against the 
invasion.

What can we do?
* candlelight vigils (Los Desaparecidos)
* letters to the editor
* Presentation by Israeli resistance member (end of April?  David Greene 
knows.)
* Students for Palestine and CIMIC already holds events (e.g. on the quad 
on Friday at noon)
(Send email to cimic at prairienet.org to get on the mosque's email list--low 
traffic, only event announcements.)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:  Carol and Kit volunteered

MUTUAL AID PACT:  last week, some problems were reported.  Who's 
coordinating it?  Sharon Coeurvie has the cards.  Meridith will call Al 
Kagan to find out what's up.

TEACH-IN:
Thanks to all who made it happen!  People thought it was good, but turnout 
was a little lower than hoped.  About 120 attended.  Biggest attendance was 
the Israel-Palestine debate and the media debate, mid-Saturday.  9:30 am 
Sat was low attendance.  Fri evening, 37 attended.  Many of those attending 
were the 'already converted'.   Maybe individual events (like an evening 
lecture) rather than all-day events will be better for drawing people 
out.  CLAW (Church Ladies Against War), Susan P's effort to have direct 
contact with church groups--including conversation--is promising to 
some.  Flyers were posted, cards were mailed, press releases went out, 1/4 
page flyers were placed on windshields, etc.  Email went out.  High praise 
for the facilitators.  The video night wasn't so well received (hard to 
hear the video or the people with questions, Wayne Weiss didn't contribute 
much, people ended up leaving), but it was worth trying.

Success:  It's easy to videotape the whole day and rebroadcast it on urbana 
public TV.  TV show hasn't been broadcast for the past month, for lack of 
footage.

Future - Conversation series on issues related to the war.  Coordinator 
needed.  Could we address RACISM!?  CIMIC does weekly talks...  Contact 
Ricky Baldwin if you'd like to get this together.

LLAW:  Didn't happen because it conflicted with teach-in and because half 
of the regular people were out of town.

CARL ESTABROOK'S CAMPAIGN:  The first plank of Carl's platform is opposing 
the War on Terrorism.  Fundraiser was held today.  Should AWARE use its 
resources to promote his campaign?  He wants 10,000 (needs 5,000) 
signatures by June 15.  People who want to help gather signautres to get 
Carl on the ballot as the Green Party candidate for Congress from the 15th 
district should contact John Paul Schmidt, 217-337-1125.

COLOMIBA:  Students at UI have $$$ to pay for ransportation and housing in 
Washington, DC.  Leaving 4-18, 4-19, return on 4-22.  IMF, World Bank are 
meeting, mobilization to end the war on Colombia, etc.  Meridith has 
appointments to meet with Rep. Johnson and Sen. Fitzgerald's foreign policy 
aides.  Democratic Senator Dick Durbin (up for re-election in November) 
hasn't responded.  About 7 people are going, thus far.  Call Meridith if 
they want to go along, 352-8721, Meridith's extension.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE:  AWARE agreed to co-sponsor the fair trade coffee 
campaign.  Talk is on May 1, evening at IDF.

CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER GROUPS: Raia will ask for aware at grex.net to be put 
on other groups' lists. (CIMIC, Students for Palestine, PRC, Peace Churches)

Proposal--next week, we'll focus on forums and letter writing.

* Meridith will invite Al Kagan to report on the mutual aid pact.
* Robert will invite a rep from Students for Palestine
* Ricky will invite Aaron Love from the divestment group