[Peace] AWARE notes, 7-13-03

[Charlotte Green]

Randall Cotton facilitated.

Peter Rohloff reported on the political situation in
Guatemala, particularly the upcoming presidential and
parliamentary elections.  

As Carl Estabrook was not present to give News of the
Week, AWARE members reported on news items.  These
included:
--Cost of occupation in Iraq--$3.8 billion/month, more
than U.S. estimated before the war
--U.S. soldiers unhappy about still being in Iraq
after Hussein's ouster
--Jay attended a Quaker meeting in which he learned
that moderate clerics in Iraq told AFSC (American
Friends Service Committee) that anti-war protests
influenced radical clerics to not advocate violence
against U.S.
--A new report on Iraqi deaths during the war
indicates 10,000 casualties.
--Administration admits that Iraq did not purchase
uranium from Nigeria as President Bush claimed in his
State of the Union address.  Condeleeza Rice says that
CIA gave clearance for the speech.  The press seems to
be relentless in pursuing responsibility for these
lies to the U.S. public.
--Large anti-war protests in South Africa.  
--$15 billion promised by U.S. for AIDs relief in
Africa.  Strings attached: 1) have to buy medicines
from U.S. pharmeceutical companies, 2) loan, not
grants, 3) can't buy generic drugs

Working Group reports

Farmer's Market--Volunteer is needed to set up and
take down our table and awning on Saturday mornings,
8-noon for the month of August and last week of July. 
Thanks to David Green, who has been doing this for the
past several months and to Jeff Sowers, who did it
before that.  Contact Linda Evans if you can
volunteer.

New idea for Farmer's Market--Durl and Jan Kruse
discussed an idea for a display and literature at the
Farmer's Market.  They want to enlarge posters, which
are included in a book (don't know name of it).  The
artist redid old WWII posters to express anti-war,
anti-imperialism themes.  Permission is granted in the
book for the duplication of posters.  More info can be
found at antiwarposters.com.  AWARE approved the
project.

Finances--Linda Evans reported $2,301 in our account.

Literature--Al Kagan and others are writing a
three-fold brochure on the connection between war and
racism.

Anti-racism working group will meet on Thurs., July 17
at Aroma, downtown Champaign at 7:30 PM.  Everyone is
welcome.

Champaign Co. Health Care Consumers (CHCC)fundraising
event will be held at Regent Ballroom in Savoy (didn't
get date, sorry).  It costs $40/person or $280/table
(8 people/table).  Linda Evans said that 4 people are
planning to attend.  Adjustments can be made for the
cost if need be.  Contact Randall or Robert Dunn if
interested.

Events of past week:

CIMIC seminar on civil rights on Fri., July 11. 
Included info on Muslim Legal Fund and ACLU.  Similar
to town meeting, hosted by WILL.

Al reported on IMC video presentation on Sat., July
12.  IMC newsreel clips from around the world were
shown.  Future showings are planned.

New ideas/ upcoming events

Program on Iraq--Charlotte Green reported that Sharon
Dorsey is planning a program on Iraq for the fall. 
She is contacting Voices in the Wilderness to set a
date.  AWARE agreed to cosponsor and help with
expenses.

Anti-Racism--Muwata's posting to Peace-discuss list
was briefly discussed.  As most people had not read
the letter yet, we decided to allot 20 minutes to the
agenda next Sunday to discuss anti-racism.

Labor Day Parade--Carol Inskeep has filled out an
application for AWARE's participation in the Labor Day
parade.  Contact Carol if you would like to help.

Al Kagan and Belden Fields are going to a conference
in October sponsored by U.S. Labor Against the War.

The working group on nonviolence will have a potluck
and show a video on Friday, July 18 at 6 PM at Jay
Mittenthal's, 605 W. Oregon, Urbana, (phone-384-6468).
 The video documents Danish resistance to the Nazi
occupation during World War II and is part of the PBS
series on nonviolence, A Force More Powerful.  A
discussion will follow.  
        


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