New York Peace Network

Alert #148
March 12, 2008
 
40 YEARS AFTER MY LAI,
5 YEARS OF SHOCK & AWE

PEACE DEMANDS ACTION.
DO SOMETHING NOW.
www.peacetakescourage.com
Dear Peace Activist,

On the morning of March 16, 1968, 150 members of Charlie Company, led by Lt. William Calley, committed one of the most infamous war crimes of the 20th Century, the massacre of more than 500 unarmed civilian residents of My Lai, Vietnam.

The events at My Lai were ultimately the subject of numerous investigations, including Congressional hearings, the Court Martial of Lt. Calley and the Winter Soldier hearings by Vietnam Veterans Against the War in January of 1971.

The veterans titled their hearings after the opening words of Thomas Paine's 1776 pamplet The American Crisis #1, written during Washington's retreat across the Delaware, - the famous heartening watchwords of soldiers who bravely stuck it out with Washington through the bitter Valley Forge winter, while many others deserted:
"These are the times that try men’s souls.
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis,
shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

In those first Winter Soldier hearings, more than 100 brave Vietnam veterans gave direct, emotional, and disturbing testimony about the war crimes that they had personally witnessed or had direct knowledge of. Their aim was to prove to the American public that events such as the My Lai massacre were not the random acts of a few bad men, but the inevitable outcome of American policy in Vietnam.

In the 40 years since the My Lai massacre, we have learned a lot, but changed very little.

Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are gathering in Silver Spring, MD this weekend for their own Winter Soldier 2008 investigation. All of the testimony will be available over the internet. For a full schedule and information about how to watch the proceedings, click here: http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier/howtowatch)

On Sunday, March 16, the 40th anniversary of the massacre at My Lai, members of Peace Action New York State in New York City will be gathered at our office (630 9th Avenue, Suite 215, between 44th and 45th Streets) from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm to watch the repeat of history.

But Winter Solider is not this week’s only sad anniversary. Wednesday, March 19th is the 5th Anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. There are events being scheduled around the state. A partial list of Peace Action chapter sponsored events is listed below, and a full listing is available at www.5yearstoomany.org

And finally, it is worth nothing that according to icasualities.org, 3,984 U.S. military personnel have been killed to date in the conflict in Iraq. As we approach yet another grim milestone, watch our web calendar for commemoration events in your neighborhood.

This week, my commitment to peace is a solemn one. I will take part in as many commemorations, funerals, and vigils as I can because each one is important. And I will do everything in my power to make sure I never have to do it again. Please join me.

As always, thanks for all you do.

Cheryl Wertz
 Peace Action Fund of New York State
info@panys.org 

PS – Even if you can’t join us at our Winter Solider viewing this weekend, remember that we are going to be at the Left forum all weekend and we need help staffing a table. For details on the Left Forum see www.leftforum.org. To get in free (in exchange for help), RSVP to Cheryl at Cheryl@panys.org.

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How to watch WINTER SOLDIER 2008
Full list of 5th Anniversary activities
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The Myth of the Surge
by Nir Rosen
Rolling Stone 3/6/08
UPCOMING EVENTS

 
 NYC Metro Area Upstate NY Out-of-State & Nationwide
FEATURED EVENTS
 
Friday, March 14th – Sunday, March 16th.
EAST VILLAGE. Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street
LEFT FORUM 2008. Each spring Left Forum convenes the largest gathering in North America of the US and international Left. Continuing a tradition begun in the 1960s, the Forum brings together intellectuals and organizers to share new perspectives, strategies, experience and vision.
On Saturday, March 15, 10:00 am, Room 114, join PANYS and others in an InterActivist Workshop on resistance to the expansion of US military bases in Europe.www.leftforum.org. Or to help PANYS staff a table (and get in free!) call Cheryl at 646-723-1749.
Sunday, March 16th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
CHELSEA. Peace Action New York State Office,
630 9th Avenue, between 44th and 45th, Suite 215.
VIEWING OF WINTER SOLDIER 2008. “The Breakdown of the Military” Join other PANYS members for coffee and donuts as we support the brave men and women of Iraq Veterans Against the War by listening to their stories.
For more information, contact Cheryl at 646-723-1749.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR (WED. MAR. 19)
 
Friday March 14, 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
THE VILLAGE. Judson Memorial church, 55 Washington Square South.
LIVE STREAMING BROADCAST OF WINTER SOLDIER 2008 FROM DC.
Panel: "Aims of the Global War on Terror: The Political, Legal, and Economic Context of Iraq and Afghanistan," featuring Anthony Arnove, author of Iraq: the Logic of Withdrawal and co-editor with Howard Zinn of Voices of a People's History of the United States; Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! and author of Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders and the People Who Fight Back; Michael Schwartz, Professor of Sociology, SUNY Stonybrook and contributor to Tomdispatch, Asia Times, Mother Jones, and ZNet. Sponsored by: the Campus Antiwar Network (CAN) and Iraq Veterans Against the War. Contact: ccnycan@googlegroups.com, 212-920-6613.
Friday, March 14, 7:00 pm
MANHATTAN. The Quad Cinema, 34 W. 13th Street
SCREENING OF “WAR MADE EASY.” Benefit for Progressive Democrats of America. There will be a post-show reception with authors Laura Flanders and Norman Solomon in the Kaplan Room in the GLBT Center 208 W. 13th Street. Proceeds from this event will help PDA's 2008 organizing efforts in New York Congressional Districts and elsewhere. Tickets are $100. RSVP, more information: Frances Anderson, msfrancesa@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 18, 8:00 pm.
DUMBO. St. Ann's Warehouse, 38 Water Street at Dock (directions).
SPEAK UP! A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR PEACE IN IRAQ & JUSTICE AT HOME. With Laurie Anderson, Antony, Blonde Redhead, David Byrne, Norah Jones, MEN, Moby, Lou Reed, Damien Rice, Scissor Sisters, emcee Richard Belzer, and more. Exhibition of photos from “Alive Day Memories,” portraits of soldiers injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. All proceeds benefit United for Peace and Justice and Iraq Veterans Against the War. Tickets $65, 718.254.8779 [Already SOLD OUT, but watch here for news of SPEAK OUT EVENT to be held "down the street" before the event.] More info: http://www.stannswarehouse.org/current_season.php?show_id=22.
Wednesday, March 19, 11:00 am.
NORWICH.
DELEGATION TO THE UTICA OFFICE OF REP. MICHAEL ARCURI.
The group will deliver messages as  part of a call from Peace Action NYS that visits be made at this time to all our 29 CDs. Send communications for the Congressman to Chris Brunner at c_brunner@roadrunner.com.
Wednesday, March 19, 11:00 am – 12 noon .
STATEN ISLAND. Congressman Fossella's office, 1434 Amboy Road.
DELIVER A PEACE PETITION TO REP. FOSSELLA.
For more information contact John Lawrence, johnwlawrence@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, March 19, 12 noon – 2:00 pm.
BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN. Bay Ridge Offices of Vito Fossella – 85th Street and 4th Avenue
DEMONSTRATION TO DEMAND THE REP. FOSSELLA STOP VOTING FOR WAR AND BRING THE TROOPS HOME. Rep. Fossella is the only Congress Member in Brooklyn to has consistently voted for funding the war in Iraq with no timetable for withdrawal.
For more information, contact Bay Ridge Peace Action at bklynpeaceaction@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, March 19, 4:30 PM: Solemn vigil. 5:30 - 6:30 PM: Gathering inside church. .
GENESEO. St. Michael’s Church, 23 Main St.
 SOLEMN COMMEMORATION OF THE START OF THE 6TH YEAR OF THE U.S. OCCUPATION OF IRAQ. For more information, contact GVCP at 585.271.2678.
Wednesday, March 19th. 5:30pm.
MANHATTAN. Beginning at St. Paul and St. Andrew Church on 86th Street and West End Avenue.
Ending at Verdi Park on Broadway between 72nd and 73rd Street.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ON BROADWAY.
For more details call West Side Peace Action at 212-580-1504.
Wednesday, March 19. 5:00 gathering, 6:30 candlelight vigil
MANHATTAN. Bowling Green Park.
LIVING PEACE SYMBOL.Join the Center of Cultures, the Community For Human Development and others to form a living symbol of non-violence. This act will mark not only a rejection of this senseless war, but of the larger system of physical, economic and psychological violence that underlies it, justifies it, and has allowed it to continue. For more details, contact david@davanaweb.com.
Wednesday, March 19, 5:30 – 7:30pm
NORWICH.Corner of North Broad Street and Main
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL. Distribution of Cost of War info.
For more information, contact Chris Brunner at c_brunner@roadrunner.com.
Wednesday, March 19, 6:00 pm.
BROOKLYN. Prospect Park to Downtown.
Starting at Grand Army Plaza, ending at Flatbush & Livingston.
FLASHLIGHT MARCH AND VIGIL AT RECRUITING STATION.
Email iraq@brooklynpeace.org to help with outreach and organizaing for this event.
Wednesday, March 19, 6:00 pm.
SYRACUSE.
DIRECT ACTION with Peace Action Central New York and the Syracuse Peace Council.
For details, call PACNY at 315-478-7442.
Friday, March 21, 8:30 am.
MIDTOWN. From Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across 42nd Street to 8th/9th Ave.
PAX CHRISTI'S ANNUAL GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS.
Walk with us for the 26th year to remember Jesus' passion and to repent of the way He continues to suffer in people today. Meet at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 8:30 AM on March 21st
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 pm.
ALBANY. West Capital Park.
5TH ANNIVERSARY MARCH AGAINST THE WAR: REMEMBERING THE FALLEN.
Stop the War; Bring the Troops Home Now; Reparations for the Iraqi People; Full Benefits for Returning Veterans; Money for Jobs, Health Care, Education and Community Needs. Sponsored by Northeastern Peace and Justice Action Coalition (NEPAJAC). Upper Hudson Peace Action is a co-sponsor.  Download a PDF flier. More Information: 391-2830, info@peaceact.net.
Saturday, March 22, 11:30am – 2:00pm.
MANHATTAN. 14th Street between Avenue A and 11th Avenue.
RIVER TO RIVER: 5 YEARS TOO MANY! JOIN HANDS FOR PEACE
A human chain from River to River along 14th Street. Grab your friends and family and find a spot anywhere along the south side of 14th St. between Avenue A and 11th Avenue. Bring your signs as we make a strong statement for peace! We will gather between 11:30 and noon, stand shoulder to shoulder until 1:00. Both ends will then march toward each other, converging at 5th Avenue for a march around Washington Square and back up University Place for a rally. Get maps, leaflets to download, and specific meet-up locations of organizations at www.unitedforpeace.org/nyc.
Saturday, March 22, 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
STATEN ISLAND. exact location TBD
GATHERING TO COMMEMORATE 5 YEARS IN IRAQ.
Music, speakers, etc. See www.panys.org/SI for further details.
Tuesday, March 25th (*NOTE THE NEW DATE*)
GENESEO. SUNY Geneseo campus.
DAY OF PEACE ON SUNY GENESEO CAMPUS. Students from Students for a Peaceful Solution in Iraq and Progressive Students Coalition plan a full day of peace activities to commemorate the start of the sixth year of the occupation of Iraq, and also (sadly) the 4,000th reported U.S. military death in Iraq.
New York Metro Area and Long Island Events
 
 Friday, March 21, 5;30-6:30 pm
BROOKLYN. Lincoln Road Entrance to Prospect Park, near Flatbush Avenue
PEACE VIGIL. Sponsored by Prospect Lefferts Voices for Peace and Justice.
For more information, contact Brooklyn for Peace at 718-624-5921.
Thursday, March 27, 8:oo pm.
BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West between 1st and 2nd. WALKING THE WALK: A Palestinian and a Jew report on their travels together in Israel and the West Bank. Spend an evening with Father Khader El-Yateem, pastor of Salaam Arabic Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, and Marcia Kannry, president of the Dialogue Project, as they tell the stories of their unique January trip together to the Holy Land. Co-sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace and Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. Admission Free; donations accepted.
Sunday, Mar. 30, 2-5 pm.
UPPER EAST SIDE. Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue.
GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE TEACH-IN: SAYING NO TO AFRICOM.
In February 2007 the Department of Defense announced the creation of a new U.S. Africa Command infrastructure, named AFRICOM, to “coordinate all U.S. military and security interests throughout the continent.” The Granny Peace Brigade will be observing the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. We view the AFRICOM program as a direct violation of and threat to his dream of peace, social justice and racial harmony. Program participants will include Horace G. Campbell of Syracuse University, Emira Woods, of the Institute for Policy Studies, Frida Berrigan of the World Policy Institute, Sonya Sanchez, of the Philadelphia Granny Peace Brigade and the New York City Step Team for Social Justice. For more information, see www.grannypeacebrigade.org.
Saturday, March 30. (NOTE NEW DATE) 6:00 pm.
MIDTOWN. Chashama, 217 East 42nd Street.
SCREENING OF “OPERATION LYSISTRATA”
On March 3, 2003 over 1,000 productions of the anti-war production Lysistrata were performed in all fifty states and in 59 countries. This documentary is about the production and the worldwide happening for peace that it engendered.
Tuesday April 1, 7:30 - 8:15 am and Thursday April 3, 2:30 -3:30 pm.
BROOKLYN. FDR High School, 5800 20th Ave, south of Washington Cemetery.
COUNTER-RECRUITMENT LEAFLETTING.
Take a concrete step to end the Iraq War: Don't let the military recruit our young people! Join Brooklyn for Peace's counter-recruitment committee distributing information outside Brooklyn public high schools. Next dates: May 6/8 (New Utrecht); June 3/5: Fort Hamilton.
Wednesday April 9, 7:30 pm.
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Friends MeetingHouse, 110 Schermerhorn Street. Trains: 2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall; M,R to Boro Hall; A,F to Jay St/Boro Hall; A,C,G to Hoyt/Schermerhorn
FORUM. WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, HISTORY AND POLITICS OF A DEFEAT FORETOLD.
Speaker: Christian Parenti, journalist and researcher. Co-sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace and Social Action Committee of the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends (Quakers)
Upstate Events
 
 Saturday, March 15, 6:00 – 9:00pm.
ROCHESTER. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Avenue (near Culver.)
PEACE MEAL WITH PEACE ACTION & EDUCATION, A TASK FORCE OF METRO JUSTICE.
Join us for a moment to be together as a peace loving community - to remember who we are, to share a fine potluck meal, and to hear some fine music. Please bring a dish to pass. We’ll have Fair-trade coffees, tea and water on hand. We do have limited kitchen access, so please also bring your own dishes, cups and utensils. We will eat around 6pm then transition to music around 7 till 9:00pm. For more information, contact (585) 325-2560.
Sunday, March 16, 4 p.m. 
Albany First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Avenue.
IS IT THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM? RACHEL CORRIE MEMORIAL LECTURE Featuring Mazin Qumsiyeh, author of Sharing the Land of Canaan:   Mazin Qumsiyeh’s book examines evolution of the conflict in Israel/Palestine  and articulates future directions based on the logic of equality and human rights. 
Monday, March 17, 7-9 pm.
BUFFALO. 1272 Delaware Avenue.
NICARAGUAS AND CHIAPAS MEXICO: DOES PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Latin American Solidarity Committee Coffeehouse. Speakers: DR. TOM POTTS & DR. ARNIE MATLIN Sponsored by the Network of Religious Communities. For more information, contact the WNYPC at 716-894-2013.
Monday, March 17, 7:00 pm.
BUFFALO/ROCHESTER. Exact location, TBD.
INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON RECENT NYS COURT DECISIONS ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
Sponsored by NY Civil Liberties Union & Empire State Pride Agenda.
For more information, contact Todd Plank 585-278-4190
Tuesday, March 18, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. 
ALBANY. At the corner of New Scotland Avenue and Manning Blvd.
RACHEL CORRIE MEMORIAL VIGIL
Sponsored by The Palestinian Rights Committee.
Tuesday, March 25. 7-9 pm.
BUFFALO. Hallwalls, in “Babeville” (formerly “The Church”) 341 Delaware Ave
PEACE ACTION FILM SCREENING: “BRINGING DOWN A DICTATOR”.
For more information, contact the WNYPC at 716-894-2013.
Wednesday, March 26th.
GENESEO. SUNY GENESEO CAMPUS.
DAY OF PEACE ON SUNY GENESEO CAMPUS.
Students from Students for a Peaceful Solution in Iraq and Progressive Students Coalition plan a full day of peace activities to commemorate the start of the sixth year of the occupation of Iraq, and also (sadly) the 4,000th reported U.S. military death in Iraq.
Tuesday April 1, 7:00 pm.
SYRACUSE. Le Moyne College, Panasci Family Chapel
BLACKWATER: THE RISE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL MERCENARY ARMY.
Sixth Annual Rev. Daniel Berrigan,SJ /Ignatian House Peacemaker Lecture.
Speaker: noted author and journalist, and Nation Institute Fellow, Jeremy Scahill.
Saturday, April 19. Time TBD.
SYRACUSE. May Memorial Unitarian Society
 ANNUAL PEACE LECTURE BY PAUL KAWIKA MARTIN OF NATIONAL PEACE ACTION.
For more information, contact PACNY at 315-478-7442.
Tuesday, April 29. Time TBD.
ALBANY.
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE DAY.
This year the Empire State Pride Agenda, LGBTQ advocates and straight Allies will once again be making history in Albany. Last year a record 1,100 people from all across NYS lobbied their legislators on the marriage equality bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). This year the goal is to bring 1,600 change agents to Albany. Make sure that your voice is heard on Equality & Justice Day by planning now to attend this super charged event. www.prideagenda.org OR Early registration can also be done by contacting WNY Field Organizer Todd Plank at tplank@prideagenda.org or by calling 585.278.4190. Scholarships are available based on need.
Saturday, May 31
SYRACUSE. Syracuse Peace Council, 924 Burnet Ave
OPEN HOUSE AT THE SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCIL.

Ongoing Local Events
Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. 
See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm

Out of State & Nationwide Events
March 13-16.
Washington DC.
WINTER SOLDIER: IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN. EYEWITNESS ACOUUNTS OF THE OCCUPATIONS.
Four days of testimony by U.S. veterans giving an accurate account of what it really happening on the ground, day after day. Live television broadcast through Dish Network and public access stations - Friday and Satruday only. Live video stream on the web all four days. Live radio broadcase via WBAI, and other Pacifica stations, Friday through Sunday. Live audio stream via KPFA's website Fri-Sun. More information: www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS: www.5yearstoomany.org