Veterans For Peace Local Actions
june 15, 2010
JOIN "THE PEOPLE'S JOURNEY"
Voices from war-torn lands join their call for peace
Two Iraq War vets and an Iraqi refugee began "The People's Journey" on
June 2, 2010 from San Francisco. They are speaking to groups about
their experiences each day as they travel across the US and will be
joined by three women from Palestine two weeks later in Washington DC.
The group of six then travel to all speak in New York City, then in
Detroit at the US Social Forum, reaching the Pacific Northwest by the
fourth of July. Their messages is positive about the possibility of
peace, and does not point a finger at a set of "wrong-doers."
Josh Stieber and Conor Curran (Iraq War veterans and VFP Members), and
Salam Talib (Iraqi refugee friend) have joined forces to spread a
message of peace. For them "The People's Journey," forms a continuation
of a trek Stieber completed last year which he called the "Contagious
Love Experiment." Stieber and Curran, who joined Josh in the middle of
that first cross-country trip, met Talib during their final stop, in the
San Francisco Bay area where they became friends.
"The People's Journey" was conceived by an inspiring group of youth from
Afghanistan as a result of their conversations with Josh and other
young people in Afghanistan, the US, Israel/Palestine and Iraq. It
became very clear that when people truly listen to one another that they
want to hear more and soon get to know each other. This direct
communication - hearing each others voices, their stories of life during
war, and everyone's yearning for peace - led to a level of caring, or
love, that will no longer allow for harm. "The People's Journey" to a
Peace Beyond Dismissal is posted here and is available to all who attend
the tour presentations.
> Tour
route and dates
JUNE 11, 2010
VFP Ch 87's
Action Against Video War Games at the Sacramento Library
Alerted by local veteran Susan W. that the Sacramento Library was
planning a video war game tournament, the Sacramento chapter of Veterans
For Peace researched the proposed video game, Modern Warfare 2, found
it to be one of the worst video war games out there, and then got an
appointment with the library director. While hoping for a good outcome
from our meeting with the Librarian, we also made plans for a
demonstration outside the library at the time of the tournament -
regardless of the outcome of the meeting.
The Library's flyer for the tournament did require gamers to be over 17, but it encouraged gamers to "participate in pure domination," and "go head to head with Library Staff," in a "Hardcore Team Deathmatch."
It was our feeling that a public library was not the place to encourage war gaming.
Our goal was to find out why they were doing this, was their any connection to the military itself, and did they realize just what this game consisted of?
The meeting with the library director was cordial and informative. She assured s there was no actual military involvement. The idea had come from junior staffers as a way of getting young people into the library. A goal we could appreciate even if we faulted the method. The library director was unfamiliar with the game and shared our concerns about it, but was unable or unwilling to cancel the tournament. We informed her that we were going ahead with our protest demonstration. She understood and did not try to deter us.
During all this time leading up to the video war game tournament we were alerting anti-war activists and VFP friends about this terrible use of a public library. Many said they had voiced their opposition directly to the library; some calls came from far away.
Our media release showed up on a number of alternative news sites, and on the day of the tournament we had about eight protestors holding signs and passing out protest flyers to library patrons and passers-by.
The library director magnanimously let me (as VFP Chapter President) talk to the gamers for a few minutes after the tournament was over. I took the opportunity to urge the players not to join the military at this time, and to point out the terrible toll - both physical and mental - that these illegal occupations were causing our soldiers and the civilians in those countries. The response was polite, although one player who was a vet was very supportive of my words.
Although the library has not promised to never have war games again they are looking for non-military competitive games, and it is my belief they will be very reluctant to anything like Modern Warfare 2 again. We will be watching.
* Update - It appears that VFP Chapter 87's comments were taken to heart. The June library game schedule features Skate 2, Rock Band and Street Fighter IV.
JUNE 7, 2010
"COST OF WAR" SIGN GOES UP IN BINGHAMTON CITY HALL
VFP Chapter 090 has been working actively with the "Broome
County Cost of War Awareness Project" in Binghamton, NY to
establish the "Cost of War" sign at the Binghamton City Hall. > See most
recent press release
As you may know, Binghamton has become the first City in the nation to
raise this discussion to a new level. Unfortunately, a few critics are
using the usual tactics to stifle dialogue: calling those who question
our nation's addition to militarism "cowards" and "unAmerican" and
"enemies of Veterans."
They even started a petition online, and the local media is referencing
that as some "objective barometer" of "public opinion."
So let's not remain the silent majority.
Take a moment to sign the petition in support of the Broome County Cost
of War Awareness Project and Mayor Ryan's courageous actions.
> Sign the Petition Online
may 18, 2010
WISCONSIN VFP WILL STAND UP TO MILITARISTIC FAIR
A large-scale event titled LZ Lambeau has been organized for May 21-23 in Green Bay, ostensibly to honor veterans who served in Vietnam. Up to 100,000 people are expected.The event is being sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society, the state Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Public Television, and several veterans organizations
Why now, after almost 40 years? Post 9/11 hysteria has diminished and the American people are finally losing patience with yet another seemingly endless war.
We no longer have the industrial base to manufacture our way out of economic hardship as we did during World War II. The "sucking sound" Ross Perot warned us about has come to pass, as corporations export good-paying jobs and avoid taxes by locating over seas.
The free fall in the value of our homes has also drastically diminished the tax base of all levels of government. Yet our federal government continues to spend an average of $1.1 million a year for each soldier we send to Iraq and Afghanistan. We do this as our infrastructure deteriorates, our education system is no longer competitive, and other basic government functions can no longer be properly funded. Even our food and water are no longer reliably inspected due to budget cuts.
Unsustainable levels of spending on this endless war on terror is economic suicide.
More than 80 percent of the causalities in the war on terror are civilians, most innocent bystanders or "collateral damage," to use the current euphemism. There have been hundreds of thousands of such casualties in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan during the last nine years. Each injury or death may radicalize the family, friends, neighbors and countrymen to take up arms against our country. The war on terror is disastrously counterproductive.
The events at LZ Lambeau (LZ stands for Landing Zone) seem more intended to promote militarism, support for the war on terror, and to boost military recruitment than to honor Vietnam veterans.
The military equipment on display will be current as well as of Vietnam vintage, and clearly is intended to impress the many high school students who will be taken to this event on May 21. The display of pride and camaraderie by aging Vietnam veterans is also ripe for exploitation by military recruiters to impress impressionable young people to join the military.
At 2 p.m. students will be on hand to view a thousand or more veteran and nonveteran motorcyclists, with helicopter escorts, come rumbling along a parade route up to the Moving Wall with the names of Americans who died in Vietnam.
The use of the voice and image of well-known Madison peace activist and Veterans for Peace member Will Williams to promote this event is a classic bait and switch. Will Williams agreed to help promote the event to provide balance to an otherwise pro-war event. So far he is being denied the opportunity to be an integral part of the event at Lambeau field and speak on behalf of peace. As veterans, people of conscience and members of Veterans for Peace, we strongly object.
This column was submitted by nine members of Veterans for Peace, Clarence Kailin Chapter 25, Madison. They are Army veterans Will Williams, Donald F. McKeating Jr., Buzz Davis, Elton Tylenda, Paul McMahon and Dick Grum, and Navy veterans Craig Fabian, Dennis Coyier, and Todd E. Dennis.
> Learn more about the Alternative Make Peace Not War event held in Madison, WI
may 14, 2010
A RIDE TO THE END CONTINUES
Below is an article about Afghanistan veteran member Jacob George and the bike ride is he organizing. Learn more at www.operationawareness.org.
Little Rock, Arkansas - Sunday, May 9, 2010The day began with a Mothers Day service at the Little Rock AR, Unitarian Universalist Church on Reservoir Street. Jacob George and his brother, Jordan, provided the accompanying music. Jacob played banjo, Jordan his new base viol.
After the service they fielded questions from the parishioners and gave out literature about Veterans For Peace. and their mission "A Ride To The End" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The two brothers, and all who wish to join them, are riding to destinations all over the country and plan to keep it up until the wars are over. They were recently joined by a young Air Force veteran named Spencer.
At 1:00 PM sharp they mounted their bicycles and, led by a local activist and cyclist named Chris, rode the seven miles to the State Capitol in Downtown Little Rock.
There they, and their companions, addressed a small group of folks who came out to hear their story and their views on our current wars.
The essence of their message lay in the awakening of folks to the realities, not only of the horrors and injustices of war itself, but to the causes not generally recognized and an increasing threat to national security. Boiled down it comes across like this:
We, the United State Of America, are creating terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq by behaving like terrorists ourselves; by invading peoples villages and homes, by forcing them into the hands of local extremists out of pure self defense. The result is a growing insurgency by people who just want to be left alone, and a new generation of terrorists willing to carry the fight to our shores.
They also discussed the price veterans and their families and friends are paying for repeated tours of duty in these increasing hostile lands.
They made the point that Americans need to hear these things, need to talk to each other; need to develop an informed community of citizens able to exercise their rights and vote for representatives that will represent their interests to the exclusion of the special interests that now control Congress.
Their next stop is Memphis, then New Orleans.
MAY 10, 2010
NEW ENGLAND VFP CHAPTERS HOLD A JOINT CHAPTER SUMMIT
On Saturday May 8 the Smedley Butler Brigade and the Samantha Smith Chapters of Veterans For Peace organized and hosted a Summit of VFP members from throughout New England at the House of Peace in Ipswich Massachusetts. Six chapters were represented with over thirty-five members participating in the day long Summit. Dennis Lane the new national executive director of VFP was in attendance. The title of the Summit was "How to increase our effectiveness? Where we are and where do we go from here?The Summit was called to discuss, plan and strategize potential effective actions to promote peace and oppose these two on-going wars and occupations. The peace movement and vfp members in particular are demoralized, marginalized, frustrated and viewed as fairly ineffective as the body bags keep coming home. The Summit lasted the entire day with members exploring ways Veterans for Peace can work together to effectively oppose these two wars. We had two professional meeting facilitators keeping us on task and guiding us through a process that resulted in some very meaningful strategies that will focus our efforts in the future. We narrowed our focus down to four areas that will be developed over the next few weeks and months.
The four areas are:
1. Direct action and rapid response.
2. Membership development on the local level, incorporating diversity into all publications with high visibility in all presentations, events and actions.
3. Service projects furthering VFP's mission to respond to victims of war to include working with Iraqi refugee families and helping veterans recovery from alcohol and drug addiction to start their own sober homes.
3. Educating young people and citizens at large about the true economic and human cost of war through media such as local cable outlets. local newspapers, speaking engagements, counter recruiting in schools etc.
Not only was a lot of work completed and some meaningful results realized but the coming together as a group of committed veterans for peace was very helpful in developing relationships with other chapters which will hopefully result in future efforts together.
A final report of the Summit is being put together and will be available to other chapters upon request. Send your request to: Pat Scanlon, Coordinator of the Smedley Butler Brigade at: patscanlonmusic@yahoo.com
april 19, 2010
SUPPORT THE "COST OF WAR AWARENESS PROJECT" IN BINGHAMTON, NY
Thanks to individual supporters in Binghamton, NY Mayor Matt Ryan has announced that he is going to
be installing a Cost of War counter on the outside of Binghamton City
Hall.
"Every Mayor in this country is struggling with one of the worst
recessions we‟ve ever seen, and we know better than anybody the negative
impacts of diverting billions of tax dollars away from essential
community needs to reckless wars and excessive U.S. militarism," said
Mayor Matt Ryan. "For the last five years, I‟ve been advocating for a
dramatic shift in spending priorities in Washington, toward what Dr.
Martin Luther King called programs of social uplift. I‟ve also always
encouraged community dialogue around important issues that affect our
daily lives. So I am pleased to support this awareness campaign, and
delighted to see residents take a more active role in one of the most
important issues of our times."
As part of the campaign, the Mayor announced plans to install a "Cost of
War" sign on the exterior of Binghamton City Hall, another example of
his commitment to transparency, accountability and meaningful debate.
Members and sponsors of the BC Cost of War Project paid for and donated
the sign to the City, and also covered the installation costs.
> Learn more about the Cost of War Awareness Project
april 6, 2010
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE PASSES RESOLUTION TO STOP WAR FUNDING
Concerned organizations and individuals around the state have created the Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home as a way to promote the idea that our state's fiscal crisis is in large part due to the current spending on endless war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The current wars and occupations have now cost US taxpayers nearly $1 trillion. Maine's share of that war spending is more than $2.5 billion. We invite you to imagine how that war money could have been spent here in Maine on education, health care, social programs, repairing our decaying roads and bridges, and building a world-class public transit system. The city council of Portland, Maine, host of the VFP 25th anniversary convention, just passed the following resolution by a 7-1 vote.
mARCH 24, 2010
WISCONSIN VETERANS FOR PEACE TURN OUT FOR "SAFEGUARD THE GUARD"
Vets for Peace members from Milwaukee, Madison, Sheboygan, Elkhorn,
Belleville and Mt. Horeb converged on Madison Tuesday, to testify before
the state Assembly's Veterans and Military Affairs committee in support
of AB203, the Safeguard
the Guard bill. The bill would require the Governor to conduct a
legal review of any federal request for troops from the Wisconsin
National Guard, and to refuse any request determined to be unlawful.
Mt. Horeb resident Steve Books, a veteran of the Wisconsin Guard said, "Assembly Bill 203 would help insure that our national treasure, or what our own Governor Doyle called ‘The Greatest Citizen Militia in the World' during his January 26 ‘State of the State Address,' is used with clear thinking and by legal means, especially when called out of Wisconsin for service abroad." Full testimony here...
Jane Hammat-Kavaloski of Dodgeville drew on her experience of 30 years
in public education and her service on a state Task Force on Civics
Education in her testimony. "In that committee we discussed how vital it
was for students to understand and respect the Constitution and the
Bill of Rights. Likewise it is important for students to know something
that all of you know very well - how a bill is created and passed. But
students also must understand that besides these structures and
procedures of government there must be values and ethics. For our
country to remain truly democratic there must be integrity and the rule
of law in the legislative process." Full testimony here...
Those testifying faced tough questioning from Assembly Representative
Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids, who raised concerns that requiring
a legal review would impede Guard deployments overseas.
Also testifying in favor of AB 203 were the bill's author, Representative Spencer Black of Madison, and Mike Fisher, a state Representative in Vermont, who authored the nation's first state-level legislation challenging federal deployments of the National Guard. Rep. Fisher reported that a similar bill in Vermont has attracted the sponsorship of 77 of the 150 members of Vermont's lower house.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill relatively soon. If AB 203 is able to win six votes in the ten-member committee, it will head to the floor of the assembly for a vote. A list of committee members is below, calls and letters from constituents of committee members will be especially critical to the success of the Safeguard the Guard bill.
FEBRUARY 3, 2010
VFP CHAPTER 72 WORKS WITH LACEY HOUSE, A VETERANS HOMELESS PROGRAM
Portland Oregon area Public Access program, "Veterans for Peace Forum," featuring an interview with Mike Bryant, Project Supervisor for Laceys House, Veterans Homeless Program. Mike is interviewed by Dan Shea, Portland area member of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 72. Also included in the conversation is Joseph Holness, an Oregon member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOMELESS VETERANS PROJECTS IN THE PORTLAND, OR AREA:
St Luke Veterans Bridge Fund
(helps with emergency funding for homeless
vets)
6835 S.W. 46th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97219
Gerry Foote 503-246-2325 ext 14
peaceleaves.geraldine@gmail.com
We provide guidance to U.S. Service men and women who already qualify to receive their assistance, set aside by the Government.
Lacey Palmer President 503-757-5655
Mike Bryant Project Supervisor 503-890-9791
mike.laceyshouse@hotmail.com
january 27, 2010
VETERANS TAKE "A STAND FOR PEACE"
Atlanta activists, including members of VFP, stand in silence and turn their backs on General Petraeus at the Ferst Center on the GA Tech campus.|
A Stand for Peace from Artemis on Vimeo. |
january 15, 2010
VFP CHAPTERS TAKE TO THE STREETS TO HONOR DR. KING
One of the chapters marching is the Baltimore Phil Berrigan Memorial Chapter 105 of Veterans For Peace will again be marching in Baltimore City’s annual Martin Luther King Day parade. In addition to marching bands, equestrian contingents like Buffalo Soldiers, Women In Black and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Military Families Speak Out and Vietnam Veterans Against the War marching with us.
january 13, 2010
MIAMI, FL REMEMBER THE FALLEN U.S. WAR DEAD FROM AFGHANISTAN DURING SUPER BOWL WEEK
DATES: 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30th until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7th, 2010
LOCATION:Lummus Park lawn east of Ocean Drive between 5th and 6th Streets, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 (South Beach)
Memorial Services: 5:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 5th through Sunday, Feb 7th, 2010
Call for Volunteers - Please donate time to help setting up this labor intensive memorial.
SET UP: 8:00 a.m. to Noon, Saturday, Jan. 30th, 2010, BREAKDOWN: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00pm , Sunday, Feb. 7th, 2010
DECEMBER 4, 2009
MILWAUKEE VFP "BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS FOR VETERANS"
Men and women who join the military make the ultimate sacrifice. Upon
returning home, however, far too many have far too little to show for their
time. They've helped protect our freedom, but are unable to procure benefits
or provide for a roof over their heads. Many go from the frontlines to sidewalks
and street corners as a result.
In fact, veterans are twice as likely as other Americans to be chronically
homeless. Poverty, lack of affordable housing and difficulty in obtaining health
care and other benefits are among the main reasons that lead veterans to live
on the streets. In Milwaukee, according to the most recent point-in-time census
taken in January, 18 percent of the 919 homeless interviewed were veterans.
Members of Veterans for Peace - Milwaukee are taking on the task of helping these forgotten veterans find a home and in turn, find peace. Through its homeless veterans initiative, the chapter is reaching veterans by visiting meal programs, Repairers of the Breach, Milwaukee's only day shelter, and by scouring the streets. The chapter helps them navigate the Veterans Affairs system, find out their eligibility for benefits and move them from the streets to a secure environment in an apartment or home of their own.
> Read entire article in "Branching Out"
NOVEMBER 28, 2009
VFP CHAPTERS PARTICIPATE IN CALL TO ACTION IN RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN SURGE
You've no doubt seen our "Call to Action" to oppose the war in Afghanistan and Obama's likely decision to escalate it.
Reports now say that President Obama will announce his plan for Afghanistan on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and it is likely that an escalation of troops will be a part of that plan.
But it is not too late to take action in the streets. This is the moment when we can have an impact.
If you have held a "pre-decision" action, consider another. And remember the "Call to Action" includes holding public protest(s) within two days following a decision to escalate the war.
MANY VFP CHAPTERS PARTICIPATED IN RALLIES AND PROTESTS:
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Photo by Meg Lanker From Laramie, WY - "Minus 9 degrees in Laramie, WY as Vets, CodePINK and standUpForPeaceWyoming.org members stamped a peace sign in the snow of the courhouse lawn. We were bundled up like a reenactment of Vally Forge. Bring the troops home now." |
OCTOBER 23, 2009
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER 136 TO HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE CONSTITUTION - Memorial Service for the Constitution
November 11, 2009, Noon
On September 28th, 2009, the Constitution died in St. Augustine, Florida after a ten
plus year battle with an extremely viral strain of fascism. The Constitution was born September 17th,
1787 in Philadelphia with a multitude of congenital problems, including slavery. She endured 27
major surgeries during her brief life, ten immediately after birth. Although she remained severely
handicapped by imperialism and greed, there had been great hopes for what she might have accomplished
in her life. She is survived by her children Freedom and Justice, who are, unfortunately,
suffering from the same virus that killed their mother.
A memorial will be held in St. Augustine in front of Castillo de San Marco on November 11th, at noon, followed by a short funeral procession and graveside service. Everyone who knew the Constitution is invited to participate. Due to her large number of friends and admirers we ask that you contact us if you plan to attend. We ask that you not send flowers but a donation can be made in her name to Veterans For Peace. 216 South Meramec Ave, St. Louis MO 63105.
OCTOBER 19, 2009
MEMBERS IN BOSTON JOIN PROTEST IN COPLEY SQUARE
Veterans For Peace members in the Boston area gathered with hundreds of others in Boston's Copley Square Saturday to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the speakers for the event was Zoya, a representative from the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
Demonstrators gathered in Copley Square yesterday to protest the wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. (David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)
OCTOBER 12, 2009
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Thomas Paine Chapter 152 bannering over Route 22 overpass in Whitehall, PA.
october 9, 2009
TWO VFP MEMBERS HONORED WITH 2009 PEACEMAKER AWARDS BY WISCONSIN NETWORK FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
VFP members Jason Moon and Will Williams were honored with the 2009
Peacemaker awards on October 3 by the Wisconsin Network for Peace and
Justice (WNPJ), a statewide network of 170 organizations.
Jason Moon, 35, is a leader in Milwaukee's chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), a member Veterans for Peace (VFP) Chapter 102 and a board member of VFP's Homeless Veterans Initiative to find and assist homeless veterans in the Milwaukee area. A singer-songwriter, he also uses his musical talents and organizes benefits to promote peace.
Will Williams, 65, a member of Madison's Veterans for Peace Chapter 25, uses his own experience in Vietnam to speak and counsel young people about the realities of military service and challenge promises of recruiters. He has spoken across the state, linking peace, prison reform, and immigrant rights. He and his wife, Dot are part of a singing group called The Gospelaires, which also performs at peace and social justice events.
The Peacemakers of the Year presentations were October 3rd in Madison, WI.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2009
SANTA BARBARA VFP ESTABLISHES "TEEN MEMORIAL"
Veterans for Peace carry on with Teen Memorial
From New PressTV: Hundreds
of tombstones can be seen on the picturesque campus of City College on
the third Friday of every month. Representing a kind of mini-Arlington
West, and put on by the Veterans for Peace, the tombstones represent
only the teenage deaths in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The setting
is chosen to target those youths who are in the same age bracket as the
soldiers who have died. Dr. Gilberto Robledo says he is interested in
helping teens understand they are important and that there are
alternatives to going to war. For more information you may visit:
www.vfpsb.org.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
300 MARCH TO SHUT DOWN THE ARMY EXPERIENCE CENTER
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| Photo by John Grant |
Members of Veterans For Peace were part of a giant march and demonstration against Philadelphia's Franklin Mills Mall this Saturday. They were showing their opposition to the Army Experience Center. A giant pilot facility located within the mall that is a giant video game type war simulator used as a recruitment tool for kids young and old. The Army Experience Center cost over $4 million to create and has over 80 gaming stations and battle simulations.
But the AEC has faced increased opposition from peace activists with the message "War is NOT a game!" Although the AEC remains open, the Army is facing increased public pressure as this two year pilot program enters it's final year. Check out the "Shut Down the Army Experience" website.
SEE RELATED ARTICLES:
Army's Shopping Mall Death Hall Closed
Army's marketing center is a hit
SEE PHOTOS:
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More U.S. Soldiers committed suicide than were killed in combat January - July 2009. *source NY Times Photo by Cheryl Biren-Wright |
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
ARLINGTON MIDWEST
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| Photos by Mike Ferner |
The tombstones marked with the black ribbons were placed at the end of the memorial representing theU.S. military personnel officially listed by DoD as killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since President Obama took office.
It has been erected four times in Toledo, OH as well as during the University of Notre Dame football game, Grand Circus Park in Detriot during a Tiger's baseball game, at Grand Rapids, MI, and at Kent State University.
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Photos by Mike Ferner |
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
THE PENTAGON OF PEACE - VFP PRESENTS "FIVE FOR TRUTH"
Cindy Sheehan, David Swanson, Ann Wright, Ray
McGovern, and Elliott Adams will tour New Mexico this October as the "Five for Truth".
- Taos - Friday, October 9, 2009
- Santa Fe - Saturday, October 10, 200
- Albuquerque - Sunday, October 11, 2009
AUGUST 28, 2009
VFP PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Steve Books and Craig Fabian attended the 2009 National Convention in College Park, Maryland. After Sunday's Nagasaki commemoration, they made their way to the White House with a large peace sign that Steve has been collecting signatures on for quite a while. They took their picture with the sign and even took tourists pictures with it! They were also able to talk to families the use of Depleted Uranium and about "No Child Left Behind" policies and the ability for students to sign the military opt-out form. They were eventually made to move by White House security.
Special thanks to Steve and Craig from VFP Clarence Kailin Chapter 25!
AUGUST 26, 2009
TAMPA BAY CHAPTER 119 TO PROTEST WEAPONS DISPLAY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY
Rep. Gus Bilirakis's Military Fair violates the public school system's ZERO-TOLERANCE policy against weapons.
WHAT: CODEPINK, St. Pete for Peace, Veterans For Peace, and local
activists will protest the use of public school property to display
weapons.
WHEN: 11am to 2 pm, August 29th, 2009
WHERE: Rep. Gus Bilirakis's 3rd Annual Military Fair, East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive, Tarpon Springs FL
The annual Military Fair, hosted by Congressman Gus Bilirakis, is used
to glorify the military to children. Advertised as a "family" event,
the fair includes multiple displays of military machinery and weaponry.
Public schools should be centers of academic and personal growth, we
won't allow them to be used to showcase and glorify the military. At
last year's event, Bilirakis allowed gun dealers on the school grounds;
the dealers brought display guns, and allowed children to point them at
each other.
The law states that if a child so much as displays a plastic pirate
sword during a Halloween party on school grounds, he or she gets
expelled. Yet the military is allowed to set up weapons displays and
invite gun dealers to showcase their weaponry. We will not raise our
children to kill another mother's child, and we refuse to allow our
schools to become centers for military indoctrination.
For more information and exact schedule, please call Heidi Ferrara of
CODEPINK Tampa Bay, (727) 967-7535 or Dwight Lawton at
dlawton2@tampabay.rr.com.
JULY 24, 2009
ANN WRIGHT TRAVELS TO GUAM AND JAPAN FOR SPEAKING TOUR
VFP member Ann Wright is traveling Japan and Guam in an attempt to educate the public about the effects of United States Militariams in Guam. She has traveled to the area with Code Pink Japan.
Read more articles:
Retired Army officer, Japan peace delegation tour Guam
Ex-envoy warns against US plan for Guam
july 24, 2009
VFP SEATTLE CHAPTER 092 TRIES TO KEEP TENT CITY OPEN - RESIDENTS FORCED TO MOVE OUT
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| VFP Members Gerry Condon and Mike Dedrick serving dinner. |
With the amount of homeless growing in Seattle, citizens formed a community they called Nickesville after Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. The Nickelodeons as they are called have been living on the land owned by the State of Washington. On Monday the state issued a eviction notice that all residents had to be removed from the property. The Seattle Chapter of Veterans For Peace, along with other city residents, filed for a restraining order against the city of Seattle and the State of Washington in an attempt to allow the citizens to stay. On Thursday, a federal judge refused to issue a restraining order forcing the residents to pack up and move. Tents and personal belongings were packed up yesterday and the tent city moved to a nearby location rightfully owned by the Duwamish Tribe.
july 17, 2009
CHAPTER 115 SPONSORS 7TH ANNUAL PIGSTOCK!
On July 18th, 2009, the 7th Annual Pigstock: A Gathering for Peace will take place at Windbeam Farm in Hager City WI. Pigstock is a mixture of music, speakers, and community for peace in an idylic location near the Mississippi, just one hour's drive from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
On July 18th, 2009, the 7th
Annual Pigstock: A Gathering for Peace will take place at Windbeam Farm
in Hager City WI. Pigstock is a mixture of music, speakers, and
community for peace in an idylic location near the Mississippi, just
one hour's drive from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
Pigstock is sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Chapter 115
and has a peace-themed agenda. This year we welcome journalists Chris
Hedges and Helen Benedict as speakers. See here for more information
about our speakers and panels.
Also attending are Junkyard Empire, Pocket of Resistance and a variety of
local musicians to our campfire stage to rock us into the wee hours.
See here for more information about our musical program.
JULY 17, 2009
VFP MEMBER GERARD HOSMAN JOINS CONVOY TO GAZA
Gerard Hosman, a member of VFP's Smedley Butler Chapter 009, joined the Viva Palestina convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Veterans For Peace has contributed $1000 as a co-sponsor of this delegation.
> Read more from Gerard Hosman
july 9, 2009
ROGUE VALLEY CHAPTER 156 PARTICIPATES IN PARADE, GRANTS PASS, OR
Veterans for Peace Chapter 156 participated in the Boatnik Parade on Saturday, May 23, '09 in Grants Pass, Oregon. This parade has a 50 year history (one of our members saw the first Boatnik Parade) and was later attested to be the second largest parade in Oregon this year. This was the first time there had ever been a contingent of veterans marching for peace in that parade and the organizers requested we come back next year. Our Chapter President designed T-shirts and baseball caps for such occasions that highlights our Chapter and website.
On July 4th, Chapter 156 will be marching in the Ashland Parade, accompanied by the Women in League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and, potentially, the local Chapter of the Women in Black (although these two groups have common members). This will be presented by Chapter 156 as a family of local peace-oriented organizations behind the VFP banner. It is reported that the 2008 Ashland July 4th Parade drew about 20,000 spectators.
The Rogue Valley VFP156 website is www.rv-vfp156.org; and their toll-free phone system offering factual information to those considering entering the military is 1-866-801-3930.
june 26, 2009
Jeppesen Protest - San Jose, CA
Beautiful San Jose, California is the home of Jeppesen, the Boeing subsidary that plans extra-ordinary rendition flights. VFP 101 members joined the local peace groups that had a protest in front of their office.
JULY 8, 2009
SEATTLE VETERANS CHALLENGE PATREAUS TO A DEBATE
When General David Patraeus speaks at Town Hall tonight, he will be met by military veterans calling for an end to the U.S. occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. "Our troops are killing and dying for a lie," said Gary Davis, President of Seattle Veterans For Peace. "Taking over other countries is a crime that creates more terrorists."
As the Commander of all U.S. military forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, General Patraeus is in charge of the continuing U.S. occupation of Iraq and the quickly escalating U.S. war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Seattle area chapter of Veterans For Peace is challenging General Patraeus to a debate. Veterans For Peace will have a busy day on Wednesday.
Before confronting Gen. Patraeus at Town Hall, they will hold a 12 Noon vigil outside the Canadian Consulate at 4th & Pike in downtown Seattle to protest the Canadian government's plans to deport AWOL GIs. At the same time, the Conservative government of Canada is trying to deport young American GIs who are seeking refuge in that country.
jULY 6, 2009
MEMBERS OF VFP CHAPTER 089 PARTICIPATE IN HONDURAS SOLIDARITY RALLY ON JULY 4
Almost one week after a military coup in Honduras, members of Veterans For Peace have gathered to show their solidarity with the people of Honduras.
APRIL 17, 2009
COFFEE STRONG - FORT LEWIS, WA
G.I. Voice,
an organization made up of recent vets and civilian supporters, recently opened
"Coffee Strong," a G.I. internet café within blocks of Fort Lewis. Weekly movie
nights, concerts, and other events will attract soldiers who live in the
barracks on base and are looking for an off-base hangout.
Coffee Strong serves as a safe space for active duty soldiers, military families, and veterans to discuss issues like stop-loss, PTSD, deployment, war, sexual assault, command grievances, and hardships of life in the military. In addition, the café will strive to spark autonomous organizing among soldiers to improve their everyday lives through challenging military policies like stop-loss.
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| New sign above I-5 funded by VFP members who attended the Seattle Regional Conference |
In addition to serving great coffee, Coffee Strong provides free internet access and hosts weekly films and live music. It is a business, with a goal to be self-sustaining within four years; it is the meeting space for the local chapters of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. Coffee Strong also provides GI Rights counseling, links to VA resources, free post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counseling and post-military employment mentoring.
This project will continue with your regular support!
april 7, 2009
VFP MEMBERS JOIN THOUSANDS IN NYC FOR "A NEW ECONOMY IS POSSIBLE"
Members of Veterans For Peace, including Executive Director, Michael McPhearson, joined United For Peace and Justice as they marched on Wall Street to demand an end to the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to find a fair and just solution to the economic crisis.
This event happened on April 4th to honor the date that Martin Luther King Jr. gave the Riverside Church speech where he addressed the war in Vietnam for the first time, outlining why the war was illegal and immoral. One year later, he was assasinated. See photos from Mike Hearrington and VFP.MARCH 27, 2009
VFP CHAPTER 039 UPDATE ON EFFORT TO OPPOSE THE "VIRTUAL ARMY EXPERIENCE"
During August of last year, Chapter 39 mounted an effort to oppose the Virtual Army Experience after we learned that it was scheduled to appear at the annual Cleveland Air Show. While we were unsuccessful in having the exhibit removed from the show completely, we were able to catalyze sufficient public support to have the minimum age changed from 13 to 17. Last month we began meeting to discuss strategy for getting the exhibit removed from this year's Air Show. We were delighted to learn that on March 12, Representative Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the House Committee on Armed Services in which he requested that funding for the VAE be terminated. (We had asked for his help last year but never actually heard back from his office - it appears now that he indeed heard our message). One of our members called the Air Show organizers and was told that the VAE was, in fact, NOT on this years roster of attractions, a statement which was subsequently confirmed by our local newspaper, the Plain Dealer. You can download a pdf file with a summary of Plain Dealer articles covering these events.
Please share this
email and attachment with the other chapters of Veterans for Peace, along with
our request to other chapters to investigate their local air shows, summer
festivals, or other events where the VAE might be scheduled, and to continue the
effort to have this "attraction" banned. Here's the link to the VAE website: http://vae.americasarmy.com/. At this time there
does not appear to be a current VAE schedule, though our local reporter was told
by Amy Lindstrom, VAE Public Affairs Manager, it visits 40 events a year and
they already have more than 80 requests.
We would be happy to share our
strategy and materials with any VFP chapters interested in challenging the VAE
and we would like to acknowledge the efforts of the VFP chapter in Milwaukee. It
was they who warned us it was coming this way. To learn more, contact Bob Bemer at bobbmr849@yahoo.com.
Since Chapter 39 took action against the Virtual Army Experience, several other VFP chapters have also done so, including in Philadelphia, PA.
MARCH 26, 2009
MEMBERS OF VFP SERVE AS ELECTION OBSERVERS IN EL SALVADOR
The 1992 peace accords ending the brutal civil war in El Salvador
provided for the participation of all parties involved in that struggle
to freely elect leaders to govern their country. One of the guarantees
of a free election was the provision that international election
observers would be authorized to observe the elections.
Veterans For Peace had at least one observer in the first election in 1994 and has had a delegation in all subsequent elections. This year, two delegations traveled to El Salvador to serve as election observers, one for the Municipal and Legislative Assembly on January 18, and another for the Presidential election on March 15, 2009.
READ MORE
March 15, 2009 Delegation [ Report by Wayne Wittman | Report by Lane Anderson]
FEBRUARY 28, 2009
Tabling at a Michael Franti concert, Maryland
Virginia at our table which was next to a nice couple from "Rock the Earth" and had a nice view of Michael from the side of the stage.
At the post concert party after we gave Michael the hat.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009
ACTIVISTS ENGAGE WITH ARMY EXPERIENCE CENTER
At 11:30 AM on Monday, February 16th, around 30 peace and anti-war activists from New York to Washington DC, collected in the food court at the Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia. They pasted pre-printed signs on their chests that said: WAR IS NOT A GAME. At noon, they walked 100 yards to the Army Experience Center and took up positions inside the $12 million experimental Army recruitment store that takes up 14,000 square feet of mall space with 80 video game stations and three shooting simulators, where kids can have fun as a gunner on an apache, a blackhawk or a humvee. [see press release]
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FEBRUARY 4, 2009
TWO RESISTERS DEPORTED FROM CANADA, AREA VFP CHAPTERS TAKING ACTION
Iraq War resisters Cliff Cornell and Chris Teske were both deported from Canada last week as part of the conservative government's efforts to deny refugee status to American war resisters [read article]. Others face deportation soon. This move by the Canadian governenment obviously affects the choices of those who wish to resist the illegal war and occupation of Iraq in the immediate future .
Veterans For Peace Chapters are actively organizing in the area to assist these resisters. Greater Seattle Chapter 92 is holding vigils and providing financial and legal assistance. The city of Bellingham, WA is working to dec;are itself as a city of sanctuary for resisters
Other resources for learning more about war resisters and how to assist them are:
War Resisters Support Campaign
JANUARY 29, 2009
MIAMI HOLDS "STATE FUNERAL - NO VETERANS LEFT BEHIND"
On Saturday, January 24, 2090, VFP Chapter 32 Miami, FL along with Make a Wish Veterans and VetsUnited.org held a state funeral for a slain homeless veteran and four other homeless or indigent veterans. Services were held for Todd Hill, Ernest Holmon, Nathaniel Henry Winger, Pedro Deaguero, and John Joseph Sweet.
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DECEMBER 12, 2008
VFP CHAPTER 132 - CORVALLIS, OR - CONNECTING WITH HOMELESS VETERANS
As I write this, our chapter is volunteering for a week of staffing at
the Corvallis, Oregon Men’s Homeless Shelter. Two of our members staff
the welcome desk from 7-11 pm and another sleeps over from 11pm to 7am.
This is the third year the Corvallis Homeless Coalition, a group of
church and community organizations, have staffed a men’s shelter during
the months of November through March and the third year VFP has stepped
up to help. There is no permanent shelter in Corvallis even though the
homeless population has been conservatively estimated to be over 200. The
winter shelter has historically hosted 15-45 men per night.
This year no downtown location (near soup kitchens and other services)
was available to house the shelter, so a church on the edge of town
offered its space. Ten volunteers (including two of our VFP members)
got qualified to drive the local “Dial-a-Bus” vans which supplement
local bus service for morning and evening runs to and from the shelter.
Not only are we gratified to help the homeless guys find a warm,
dry place to sleep, but we also have occasion to talk with homeless
veterans.
About one in four homeless persons are veterans, as a national
average. The first time I drove the bus, four of the eight
aboard were vets. Then, on a recent night at the shelter, I
had a long discussion with an Iraq war vet who suffers from PTSD, had
bounced around several VA facilities, and was still confused about some
benefits and a pending disability claim. I gave him contact information
for our county veteran’s services officer, my own contact information,
and promised to help find information and solutions.
So these volunteer opportunities have more to offer than just
doing a good deed. In the next several years, the homeless veteran
population is bound to increase at a faster rate than the ‘civilian’
homeless population due to high numbers of young unemployed and often
disabled vets and inadequate VA funding for treatment and transition
assistance. I would encourage all chapters to find a shelter or soup
kitchen to lend a hand to our homeless veterans.
Bart Bolger
VFP Chapter 132, Corvallis, OR
Other resources:
- When I Came Home a documentary about homeless veterans (with a brief appearance by our good friend, the late Dave Cline in the trailer) at: National Coalition for Homeless Veteran:
- VA’s Homeless Veterans webpage
VFP Chapter Actions 2010
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