[Peace] minutes of 11/5/6 AWARE meeting

[Randall Cotton]

Minutes of 11/5/6 AWARE meeting.

(I had to facilitate *and* take minutes, so there's not much detail, sorry).

Very low turnout for today's meeting (like 5 people). The flurry of pre-election
activism work is blamed along with quite a few folks being out of town. The
meeting was consequently more informal than usual.

News of the week:
Carl not in attendance. Among topics discussed:

- the "Appeal for Redress" protest of the war by active duty troops is
attracting more soldiers (now reportedly over 500). See www.appealforredress.org
.

- discussion of Army Times editors attacking Rumsfeld (now he's gone, of
course - still seems a bit surreal).

- discussion of how many neocons now are admitting they were wrong and are also
attacking Bush

New ideas:
Much discussion with an Urbana High School student regarding the prospects for
counter-recruitment and anti-war activism and the school's environment in
general. Perhaps the AFSC "Before you Enlist" video can be shown.

Main Event:
Turnout was small (5-10). Ricky brought the signs. Again, election-work fatigue
and folks out of town probably at play here.

Farmer's Market:
Things went well - traffic was good. That was the last outdoor Farmer's Market
for us this year. Indoor Farmer's Markets are pending.

Anti-Racism:
There has been a troubling incident at Centennial High School where two female
black students (both minors) were physically roughed up by police, jailed and
suspended without apparent cause and without timely notification of their
parents/guardians. More info to come.

Upcoming Events:
Consent Decree 101 with Imani Bazzell
An instructional session on the school equity issue for folks who can commit to
participating as activists in this cause.