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Veterans For Peace: Celebrating 25 Years

Call to Action - Afghanistan

CALL TO ACTION AGAINST AFGHANISTAN TROOP INCREASE

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Endorsed by: Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition, National Assembly, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, United for Peace and Justice, Voices for Creative Non-Violence, and World Can't Wait.

Any day will likely come the sickening news that President Obama has decided to escalate the war in Afghanistan .

Here in the U.S. and no doubt around the world people will react in pain, anger and sorrow, knowing what tragedy and suffering will follow. 

  • It will mean at a very minimum that the U.S. will occupy Afghanistan for several more years, sending home dead and wounded soldiers while killing and wounding many times more Afghani people.  The suffering in Afghanistan today will grow by orders of magnitude and the U.S. will be that much less secure in direct proportion.
  • As tragic as it was to see Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" crash and burn on the rocks of the Vietnam war, the stakes are much higher now.  The U.S. economy today still teeters at the abyss.  Escalating the Afghanistan war will not just be the ruin of desperately needed domestic programs but may very possibly destroy the entire economy. 

For those reasons and many more we call upon our members and every U.S. citizen with a love of humanity in their heart to pledge to at least the following actions:

1) Within the next few days, ideally prior to any decision from President Obama, conduct any of a wide range of local activities -- from calling Members of Congress to nonviolent civil resistance and everything in between -- demonstrating our opposition to and disgust with any decision to widen the war in Aghanistan.  To show unity of purpose, we suggest local "March of the Dead" to Federal Buildings, local Congressional offices and government buildings of any sort.

2) On the day immediately following an announcement to escalate the war in Afghanistan, respond again in a variety of ways.  To show unity of purpose, we suggest

a) making an appointment that day with at least one group that you're not already a member of -- a church, union, civic group, etc. -- to go and speak with them about the war 

b) return to the streets and again conduct any of a wide range of local activities -- from calling Members of Congress to nonviolent civil resistance and everything in between -- and be prepared to comment to the news media about the escalation of the war.

LIST OF EVENTS

Seattle, WA

 
gerry condon
Gerry Condon, Seattle, WA
 
pio decano

Pio DeCano

Wyoming

Wyoming, VFP

 Photo by Meg Lanker

Sonoma County, CA

chapter 71

This evening, about 10 members of Chapter 71, VFP, Sonoma County California, gathered in Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square to express our dismay with President Obama's speech last night. It was a cold night. We were joined by about 20 other people, from the local Peace & Justice Center. Here is one photograph, taken by Wendy Weidenhamer.

In the photo, from left to right, is Ed Flowers, Perry Ritenour, and Dennis Drury.

> Read News Article here

Madison, WI

Here are some picture's from 12/2 rally. We had about 70 people show up as we marched up State St in Madison, circled the capital stopping at Sen Kohl's and Rep. Baldwin's office. The rally did net some breif footage from the local CBS and ABC affiliate.  Afterward we went to AlfaLight a local DOD contractor asking them to stop their contract with the DOD. 3 were arrested after refusing to leave and taken to jail each receiving a fine of $429 they were released within three hours. I opted out of the arrest at the last minute and was the only VFP member present at the time. The video of the civil resistance was sent in another email or can be seen here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqM81EoHMw

Madison, WI

Madison, WI

Sacramento, CA - Chapter 87

NAME OF EVENT:  Immediate Response to Afghan Troop Increase
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Arden Mall, Sacramento CA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  If and when the President announces a buildup of troops in Afghanistan VFP Ch. 87 will join other Sacramento anti-war activists in an "Immediate Response" demonstration in front of Arden Mall from 5 to 6 PM that same day, and again the next day from 5 to 6 PM.
TIME:  5-6 PM
DATE:  TBA
CONTACT INFORMATION:  John Reiger
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  87

St. Louis, MO - Chapter 61

NAME OF EVENT:  CALL TO ACTION
LOCATION OF EVENT:  COLLEGE CHURCH - GRAND & LINDELL
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  VIGIL - NOVEMBER 29 AND DECEMBER 6 PLUS CALL-IN AND LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN TO WHITE HOUSE AND REPRESENTATIVES ON DAY OF DECISION.
TIME:  7:00 PM
DATE:  NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 6
CONTACT INFORMATION:  WOODY POWELL 636-271-1312 WOODYPOWELL@GMAIL.COM
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  DON CONNORS CHAPTER 61

Madison, WI - Chapter 25

NAME OF EVENT:  Escalation Announcement
LOCATION OF EVENT:  UW Madison Humanities building (See today in the union)
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Group viewing of the President's announcement followed by discussion
TIME:  7pm CST (may vary)
DATE:  Depends on date
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Craig Fabian 608.843.5817 crgfb@netscape.net
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 25
WEBSITE: http://www.madison.com/communities/madveteransforpeace/

November 30 - Before the announcement, we must let President Obama know our demands
5:00 PM - Gather at Library Mall on campus for procession.  Dress in black if possible
5:30 PM - Press conference - Library Mall
6:30 PM Showing of the movie "Rethink Afghanistan" and panel discussion - Humanities Building, UW-Madison Campus, Room to be announced (See TITU)

December 2 - Response to President Obama's action
11:00 AM - Gather at Lisa Link Peace Park.  (We need volunteers who are dressed in black with black hoods or caps who are willing to be part of March of the Dead.  We need volunteers to carry coffins.)

We will have a somber March of the Dead to the Capitol Square where we will remember and mourn the dead by reading their stories.  We will deliver our demands to Senator Kohl's office and Congresswoman Baldwin's office, calling on our legislators to refuse to fund the escalation

Tacoma, WA - Chapter 134

NAME OF EVENT:  Out of Afghanistan Rally
LOCATION OF EVENT:  38th & Steele
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Show your opposition to escalation.
TIME:  5-6pm
DATE:  Dec. 2, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Dave Dittemore, 2553-952-6893 ddittemore@aol.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  134
WEBSITE:  www. vfptacoma.com

Pittsburgh, PA - Chapter 47

NAME OF EVENT:  Supress the Surge
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Schenly Plaza, Pitt Student Union
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Shake Rattle and Roll the Administration's Surge.
TIME:  6pm
DATE:  December 2, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  David Thomas, Dtv4p@aol.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 47

Evansville, IN - Chapter 104

NAME OF EVENT:  Protest Obama's Afghanistan War Escalation
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Evansville's Four Freedoms Monument
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Rally for speeches, song, poetry, reflection and say NO TO WAR!
TIME:  6:00 PM CST
DATE:  Tuesday, December 1, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Gmay@Wowway.com 812-455-4750
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  104 Evansville, IN
WEBSITE:  www.vfp-evansville.org

Sacramento, CA - Chapter 87

NAME OF EVENT:  Immediate Response to Afghan Troop Increase
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Arden Mall, Sacramento CA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  If and when the President announces a buildup of troops in Afghanistan VFP Ch. 87 will join other Sacramento anti-war activists in an "Immediate Response" demonstration in front of Arden Mall from 5 to 6 PM that same day, and again the next day from 5 to 6 PM.
TIME:  5-6 PM
DATE:  Day of the announcement
CONTACT INFORMATION:  John Reiger, reigers@earthlink.net
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 87
WEBSITE:  www.sacendwar.org

New York, NY - Chapter 34

NAME OF EVENT:  Protest the Escalation of the US War in Afghanistan!
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Times Square Recruiting Station Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Protest the Escalation of the US War in Afghanistan! 6:00 PM Times Square Recruiting Station Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets On Tuesday, Dec. 1, President Obama is scheduled to lay out his plans for Afghanistan. Unfortunately, he is expected to order an escalation of troops. Call the White House (202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 Mon--Fri, 9 am -- 5 pm) immediately, and tell him to CHOOSE DIPLOMACY, not ESCALATION! If a troop increase is announced, Vets For Peace will join NYC-UFPJ, IVAW, Code Pink, Peace Action NYS and many other groups for a vigil in Times Square to protest the surge in troops, as well as more money and lives for endless war.
TIME:  6:00PM
DATE:  Wednesday Dec. 2
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Bob Keilbach, 347-645-1052, rakmet@msn.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 34  

Corvallis, OR - Chapter 132

NAME OF EVENT:  NO SURGE Protest
LOCATION OF EVENT:  In front of the Benton County Courthouse, downtown Corvallis Oregon
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Unpermitted demonstration and march.
TIME:  4:00 pm
DATE:  Day following the Obama announcement--most likely Dec 2nd.
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Leah Bolger, 541-207-7761, leahbolger@comcast.net
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 132
WEBSITE:  www.vfpcorvallis.org

Rockford, IL - No chapter

NAME OF EVENT:  Peace vigil Against escalation
LOCATION OF EVENT:  East State Street and the Rock River, 99 E State Street, Rockford IL
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  A gathering of concerned citizens publically asking to end the war.
TIME:  5:30pm
DATE:  Wednesday, Dec. 2
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Stanley Campbell 815-964-7111 peaceman50@aol.com

Fargo, ND

NAME OF EVENT:  Fargo-Moorhead Peace Vigil
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Veterans Memorial Bridge, Main Ave over the Red River
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  The North Dakota Peace Coalition, Red River VFP Chapter 154, the Presentation Sisters and the Lutheran Peace Fellowship will vigil to remind passing motorists that peace is possible.
TIME:  7 pm
DATE:  December 1, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  David Givers, 218-233-8612, dgivers@gomoorhead.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 154

Iowa City, IA

NAME OF EVENT:  AFGHAN War Protest
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Pedestrian Mall, Dubuque & Washington, Iowa City, IA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  More Troops Won't Bring More Peace Taking a public stand against escalating the war in Afghanistan. Open to the public. Signs available, even better, make & bring your own.
TIME:  noon to 1 PM
DATE:  Dec. 2, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  319 354-0540 flahertyem@aol.com Ed Flaherty

Salt Lake City, UT

NAME OF EVENT:  U.S. Out of Af-Pak Now
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Salt Lake City UT NE corner of 700 East and 2100 South
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Honk 'n' Wave for Peace
TIME:  5:00 p.m. - 5:30p.m.
DATE:  Tuesday, December 1, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Diana Lee Hirschi, 801-486-2558, dianalee@xmission.com

Teaneck, Princeton, and Hackensack, New Jersey - Chapter 21

NAME OF EVENT:  VFP 21, New Jersey
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Teaneck & Hackensack, New Jersey + New York City
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  VFP 21, New Jersey will be supporting four actions on 12-02-09. The first will be our weekly vigil in front of the Teaneck Armory in Teaneck. The second will be in front of Congressman rothman's office in Hackensack, N.J. The third will be in Time Square in New York City (42nd St. & 7th. Ave.). Finally, there will be a protest in Palmer Square in Princeton, N.J.
TIME:  All at 4:00-4:30 pm till 7:00 pm
DATE:  12-02-09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  njvfpken22@aim.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  VFP 21, New Jersey
WEBSITE:   www.vetsforpeace21.blogspot.com