[Peace] AWARE minutes 5/28/2006

[Robert Naiman]

AWARE Minutes 5/28/2006

1. News of the Week  Carl Estabrook and others pointed out several
noteworthy items from the last week, including:
- UK Independent: underage prisoners at Gitmo
- NYT: US debating talks with Iran; pressure on B Admin, Rice opposed,
fearful of giving too much away
- Senator Warner says he will hold hearings on the Haditha massacre
and the accusations (e.g. ex-Marine Rep. Murtha) of a cover-up by the
Marines. Murtha: no question there was a cover-up, question is how
high did it go.
- Ambassador Khalilizad: too soon to pull out.
- > 1000 British deserters
- some British soldiers have been refusing to serve in the occupation,
have been treated lightly, now there is a parliament bill that would
make life imprisonment the maximum punishment for refusing to serve in
the occupation of a foreign country
- US moved to dismiss lawsuit against domestic spying program, on
grounds it would reveal info damaging to national security
- Saturday News-Gazette ran AP story on the Haditha massacre,
speculation was that military report will come next month, possibly
work to do to make sure this gets the media play it deserves
- Story in last week of Iranian diplomatic initiative to US in 2003,
offering to negotiate nuclear issue, curtail support for Hamas,
pressure Hizbollah to become a regular political party in Lebanon,
accept 2-state solution for Israel/Palestine (the Arab League plan)
etc. etc. all in exchange for the US recognizing Iran's legitimate
security interests in the region, especially not being attacked. US
totally ignored and rebuffed. Former Iranian government official is
telling this story, basic message is that this offer is still on the
table. US still ignoring.
- James Yee book (was chaplain at Gitmo) "For God and Country" – copy
is circulating within AWARE.

2. Introductions (5 minutes) The room was full – an impressive turnout
for a beautiful Sunday on Memorial Day weekend.

3. New Ideas: (15 minutes)

Department of Peace – Illinois Coordinator giving talk at Urbana Free
Library 2pm Sat, thepeacelliance.org. proposal is for 2% of military
budget to go for Dept. of Peace. Stuart L. pointed out that this was a
platform of the Kucinich campaign, and that in K's proposal such a
department would cover all issues of eliminating violence, not just
war but also e.g. domestic violence. Website has list of Members of
Congress supporting.

Just Foreign Policy – new organization, trying to get new people
engaged in esp. internet activism to reform U.S. foreign policy,
especially turning back confrontation with Iran. Official launch in
mid-June. First action petition on Iran. Beta version of website:
www.justforeignpolicy.org. feedback to naiman at justforeignpolicy.org.

Aware website: being reworked, current beta version is visible at
http://www.newsfromneptune.com/aware/.

Jan: request from Walter to have the ballot resolutions (impeach
B/C/R, US out of Iraq) posted to AWARE website.

Jan: $30 sent to University Y for co-sponsorship of Friday Forum.
        $56 in from Farmer's Market.
Net: $2461.28 in AWARE account.

4th of July- the Theme is "Broadcasting Our Freedoms" (apparently some
local radio personality is retiring.) There will be a meeting Monday
June 5 to hash out a plan for AWARE float, etc. 2007 George Huff
Drive, 7pm.

Billboard update: C-U's monopoly billboard company refuses to run
AWARE's billboard "PSA" as proposed, "too explicitly  political" –
won't take "impeach Bush-Cheney." Significant discussion. Consensus:
billboard company's position is totally ridiculous. Group asked Jan
and Durl (and whoever wants to) to meet with BB company again, try to
negotiate text that gets AWARE message across, two proposals for doing
so: either "here are the propositions on the ballot, you decide" or
phrase it as a question, "Should…?" Billboard to run for one month,
early Oct to early Nov.

Saturday, June 3, monthly anti-war vigil, 1 Main, downtown Champaign
(Main/Neil), 2-4 pm.

AWARE presents: Kim Abel nurse with Illinois Valley peace conference
to speak in August about experience working with Iraq vets, psych ward
at Walter Reed; her rap is not explicitly anti-war (tho implications
of her rap are obvious), hope is that this would appeal to vets and
others beyond the "usual suspects," maybe people thinking of joining
the military.

Church presence: postponed for now, no presence June 4.

Anti-Racism: Court Watch demo, Wednesday 1-2 pm.

Yard signs:  Durl showed a mock-up of yard signs to promote the
referendum. Overwhelming support to proceed. High priority, even if we
take a loss. Farmer's market experience suggests good demand. The text
will be something like

|X| Home Now (or "Troops Home" or "Troops Out")
|X| Impeach
Vote Yes Nov 7

Text to be finalized next Sunday. Mull. Note space constraints.
To be printed in union shop.
$544/100
$863/200

5. Last Week's Events

Boilermakers Local 484 (Meredosia/Celanese) members approved a new contract

Anna Balzer interview by Carl Estabrook is available as an audio file
at newsfromneptune.com

6. Upcoming Events

Catholic Worker could use a few more hands for feeding people on
Memorial Day. 317 S. Randolph, 10-1.

AFSCME 698 Informational Picket, Thursday June 1, 2006 at noon
South Side of Illini Union on the Quad, demanding a fair contract.

National Day of Action against Wal-Mart Friday, June 2. Local: Urbana
Walmart, 11-1pm (High Cross and University, US 130/US 150.) Theme:
"Quarantine Wal-mart!" We'll have hazmat suits, caution tape, etc.
contact naiman.uiuc at gmail.com, 344-3354.

Meet David Gill: house meeting/coffee/discussion to talk about his
upcoming campaign for the U.S. Congress. AWARE members and friends are
encouraged to attend. At Webers in Savoy. contact: Webers: 356-2138.

IMC work day tomorrow (Monday.) Just show up anytime after 11.