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VETERANS FOR PEACE
CONVENTION A GIGANTIC SUCCESS
Over 360 members and
supporters of Veterans For Peace, Military Families Speak Out, and Iraq
Veterans Against the War gathered in Portland, ME this August to
educate, demonstrate, and organize!
|
Special thanks goes to the Portland,
Maine Chapter of VFP. Their hard work and dedication made this
convention the success that it was! |
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM CONVENTION
The convention was jam packed with workshops, plenaries, poetry, and lots of great food! But some highlights definitely stood out.
Ice Cream! Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's, attended the convention. One of the things he brought with him was a camera crew that interviewed members of VFP about "the costs of war." But more importantly, he brought ice cream! During Saturday's stressful business meeting, Ben took time to hand scoop Ben and Jerry's ice cream and chat with people.
Chris Hedges
Speech Chris gave a powerful speech that got many convention
attendees fired up. Some were fired up because they agreed with his
speech, but others were fired up because they felt it was the wrong
speech for VFP. Either way, it created a lot of discussion and response
and was definitely an intregal part of the Saturday night banquet.
Hedges speech was recorded and can be viewed online.
March, Rally, and Banner Drop!
Hundreds of convention attendees and local folks gathered on Sunday
morning to march and rally in downtown Portland. The speakers were
terrific and included a response to Hedge's speech by Iraq Veteran, Will
Hopkins, singing from emma's revolution, and a call to say "whistle blowing is not a crime" from
Gerry Condon. One of the highlights of the march was a banner drop
on the march route by VFP members asking, "How is the war economy
working for you?"
Workshops There were over 36 workshops that covered veterans' suicides, Gaza, racism, fundraising, Agent Orange, Depleted Uranium and more!
Lobster Bake On Friday evening, VFP road a ferry to a local island where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset lobster bake.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT 2010 CONVENTION
Each year, chapters
and individual members work to draft resolutions to guide and shape the
direction of Veterans For Peace. This year, the resolutions passed
include:
- Ending the blockade of Gaza
- Ending military aid to Israel
- Closing of U.S. military bases outside it's borders
- Support of the Gaza Flotilla
- VFP Membership support the Earth Charter Initiative
- Increasing democracy and openness in VFP
- Condemnation of Israeli Defense Force attack on Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla
- Resolution to sanction Israel in support of U.S. and International law
- Justice for victims of burn pit exposure
- Opposing military intervention in Iran
- Proper recognicition of soldiers who committ suicide
The full resolutions can be found online. Resolutions will be accepted early for the 2011 convention, so start thinking what resolutions you and your chapter might want to present in Portland, Oregon!!
AWARDS
GIVEN AT 2010 CONVENTION
Awards were once again presented to outstanding activists and members of Veterans For Peace who had been nominated by members. The 2010 recipients were:
Peggy Akers - VFP Service Award
Muhammad Ali - Lifetime Achievement
Arlington West - Cost of War Awareness Award
Broome Cost of War Awareness Project, Mayor Matt
Ryan, Sue McAnanama - Cost of War Awareness Award
Ben Cohen - Creative Spirit
Jerry Genesio - Special Service Award
Suel D. Jones - Grunt Award
Michael Kramer - VFP Service Award
Kevin and Joyce Lucey - Service to Veterans Award
Bradley Manning - Courageous Conscience Award
Gene Marx - VFP Service Award
Steve McKeown - Grunt Award
Woody Powell - Lifetime Achievement
Ted Sexauer - VFP Service Award
Will Thomas - Grunt Award
Marybeth Verani, Adeline Koscher - Public Citizen
Award
Bob Wilkinson - VFP Service Award
PHOTOS FROM CONVENTION
See photos from members and supporters!
[ Ellen Rachel Davidson Photos | VFP Flickr Page ]
VIEW
CONVENTION VIDEOS ONLINE
Thanks to VFP
Board Member, Nate Goldshlag, VFP was able to live stream most of the
2010 National Convention. Those live webcasts were recorded so you can
now view them online.
Convention Opening Ceremony | Gaza / Palestine Workshop | VFP's Next 25 Years Workshop | Plenary 1 | Agent Orange Workshop | Banquet (part 1) includes awards and Ben Cohen's Oreo Cookie Presentation | Banquet (part 2)
We were also
lucky to have Asher Platts from "The Punk Patriot" at the convention
interviewing attendees. Below are the links for those interviews.
Gerry Condon | Lisa Savage | Woody Powell | Will Hopkins addresses Chris Hedges | Emma's Revolution & March & Rally | Jerry Genesio | Ben Cohen | Courage To Resist.org :: Jeff Patterson | Geoff Millard | Doug Rawlings | Matthis Chiroux | Col Ann Wright address | Col Ann Wright Interview | Dennis Lane | Ethan McCord | George Williams | Will Hopkins
View a short video of the Sunday march and rally, produced by VFP Membership Coordinator, Jeanette McDermott.
GEORGE WILLIAMS PRESENTE!
One George Williams was a Vietnam
Veteran from the Wally Nelson Chapter 095 in Springfield, MA. He
attended the convention with several members of his chapter and was a
delight to meet. Unfortunately, several days after attending the 2010
National Convention, George passed away of a heart attack. George was
working on a Veteran's Art Show back home when he died. His chapter
carried on his legacy by setting up the art show in his name. You can
see Georg'e interview with The Punk Patriot online.
PRESENTE!
Veterans For Peace, 216 S. Meramec, St. Louis, MO 63105, 314-725-6005
www.veteransforpeace.org
Veterans For Peace appreciates your generous
donations.
We also encourage you to join
our ranks.
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For Peace
Friday, September 17, 2010