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March 18, 2009
Tomorrow we will observe the sixth anniversary of "Shock and Awe." Six years later, more than 140,000 United States troops - and an equal or greater number of private military contractors - are still occupying Iraq. On February 27, President Obama publicy stated that "by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end." But then he immediately followed up this promise with almost exactly the same language President Bush was using two years ago. From 35,000 to 50,000 "transitional" troops are going to remain in Iraq. They will "conduct counter-terrorism missions" and "protect our ongoing civilian and military efforts." Up to 50,000 troops? That sounds a lot more like a permanent occupation than an end to war. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) requires that all U.S. troops leave by the end of 2011. Obama stated only that he "intends" to meet that deadline. One of the sharpest responses to the announcement remains the Daily Show's March 3rd Mess O'Potamia segment, in which Secretary of Defense Gates explains: "The units that will be left there will be characterized differently - they won't be called combat troops. They'll be called advisory and assistance brigades." There are also unaddressed issues: the huge U.S. embassy in the Green Zone; military and economic contractors like Blackwater and Halliburton; and, of course, the oil contracts. In your five minutes for peace this week, please contact President Obama about Iraq. Let him know that you'll be holding him to campaign promises to end the war. He must keep the United States on track to repair the damage to Iraq, and not "Iraq" Afghanistan. Then, consult the list below for an event commemorating the sixth anniversary, and take the time to join others in bearing witness. Thank you, as always, for your continued efforts for peace. In Peace, Cheryl Wertz & John Bostrom Peace Action Fund of New York State info@panys.org 646-723-1749 |
THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH
BINGHAMTON. 5:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Riverside Drive CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE BINGHAMTON. 7:00 p.m. St. James Church, 155 Main Street, Johnson City PRAYER SERVICE LONG ISLAND. Various times. Congressional Ofices 
BROOKLYN. 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.BAY RIDGE. National Guard Recruiting Station, 4th Avenue and 86th Street. PETITIONING FOR THE SAVE THE GUARD CAMPAIGN. Join Peace Action Bay Ridge in collecting signatures to prevent New York State’s National Guard from being federalized to go to Iraq. Contact bklynpeaceaction@yahoo.com or call Vicki McFadyen, 718-680-2981. LONG ISLAND:
HEMPSTEAD. 2:20 p.m.
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY. Axinn Library TARIQ ALI ON “DANGER AHEAD: AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN” 
Tariq Ali's new book, “The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power”,
weighs the prospects of those contending for power in the aftermath of Benazir
Bhutto's assassination, and demonstrates Pakistan's unique influence on the emergence
of a secure world or global conflagration. Tariq Ali is a writer, journalist and
film-maker. He was born in Lahore in 1943 and was educated at Oxford University, where he
became involved in student politics, in particular with the movement against the war in
Vietnam. For details, contact the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives at
516-741-4360.
LAKE GROVE. 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Smithhaven Mall, Route 25, main entrance VIGIL Join South Country Peace Group in marking the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War. MANHASSET. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 48 Shelter Road. DANGER AHEAD: AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN WITH TARIQ ALI. For details, see 2:20pm Hofstra University posting. For details, contact the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives at 516-741-4360. EAST PATCHOGUE. 7:30 p.m. St. Joseph the Worker, 510 Narragansett Avenue. A SERVICE FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION Everyone is invited to participate in the Procession of the Memorial Ribbons. Sponsored by Pax Christi Long Island. PaxChristi.LongIsland@verizon.net NEW YORK CITY. UNION SQUARE, 1:00 p.m., to TIMES SQUARE, 5:00 p.m. Meet at Union Square (14th and Broadway) March to Times Square Recruitment Center, 43rd and Broadway. MARCH TO THE TIMES SQUARE RECRUITMENT CENTER There will be a rally and music in Union Square. We will be leaving to arrive in Times Square at 5:00 p.m. 
UPPER WEST SIDE. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. International Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave. at West 103rd Street SCREENING OF “OPERATION LYSISTRATA” AND PANEL DISCUSSION WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS. Six years of death and debt. Time to stand for peace. “Operation Lysistrata” is an award-winning documentary film of the world-wide theatrical protest against the Iraq war which blossomed into a unique, hilarious, and passionate international action for peace. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll leave inspired. Food provided. Asking a $10 contribution, but no one will be turned away. For more information contact Cheryl at 646-723-1749. ` ROCHESTER
LIBERTY POLE, 12:00 p.m.
FREE MEAL SHARING With Food Not Bombs. CORNHILL LANDING, 3:00 p.m. To Geneseee Reiver Crossroads Park. . MARCH AND RALLY Meet at Corn Hill Landing, Exchange Street. Then we are marching north from Exchange and State to the Genesee River Crossroads Park. Rally at Genesee River Crossroads Park to include sentencing of George W. Bush and Richard “Dick” Cheney. The sentencing will culminate in a shoe throwing at Bush and Cheney. Please bring a pair of new or gently-used shoes. The shoes will be donated to charity after the event. Hosted by Move Oct/PIA, RAW, IVAW and PADGV. SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL. 5:30 p.m. 265 Flower City Parkway INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, 7:00 p.m. 200 Winton Road South “WAR MADE EASY” FILM AND DISCUSSION SCHENECTADY. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Upper Union Street and Keyes Avenue, Niskayuna PEACE VIGIL Sponsored by Schenectady Neighbors for Peace. 
STATEN ISLAND. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.Recruiting Center at 45 Bay Street DEMONSTRATION: YES WE CAN BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME. Sponsored by Peace Action of Staten Island/ SYRACUSE. 12 noon Billings Park (E. Adams & S. Salina) MARCH TO THE FEDERAL BUILDING to demand the dismantling of the war economy, the U.S. out of Iraq, no troops in Afghanistan, and money for jobs, housing and education, not for war and occupation. WHITE PLAINS. 4:00 p.m. In front of Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office, 222 Mamaroneck Avenue at Maple. RALLY, MARCH AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. there will be a candlelight vigil and the names of the soldiers from NY State who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan will be read. The theme of the rally is the human and economic cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a protest of President Obama’s continuation and widening of the war. Organized by No War Westchester. FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH ALBANY. 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Washington Avenue side of the Capitol Building PEACE VIGIL US out of Iraq and Afghanistan now! SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST ALBANY. 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Washington Avenue side of the Capitol Building PEACE VIGIL US out of Iraq and Afghanistan now! SARATOGA SPRINGS. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Corner of Broadway and Lake in front of the Post Office VIGIL Signs and friends welcome. LONG ISLAND. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Smithhaven Mall, Route 25, main entrance VIGIL Join South Country Peace Group in marking the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War. NANUET. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Corner of Ree. 59 and Middletown Road. SPECIAL PEACE VIGIL 
MARCH ON THE PENTAGONWASHINGTON, D.C. 12 noon. Corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue U.S. out of Iraq and Afghanistan NOW! Money for jobs, housing, health care and pensions – not for wars and occupation. No war on Iran or Pakistan. End U.S. support for the occupation of Palestine. BUSES TO THE MARCH:
ALBANY
2 buses will leave from East Garage (Washington and Eagle Street) in Albany at 11:45 p.m. on March 20th. They will return to Albany after the demonstration, arriving at about 1:00 a.m. on the 22nd. Tickets are $55. Partial scholarships available. For details, contact Joe Lombardo at 439-1968. NEW YORK CITY There are a number of buses leaving from New York City. The Peace Action team will be getting on the bus at the corner of 96th Street and Broadway at 6:15 a.m. Tickets are $40. We will be leaving DC for the return trip at 4:30 p.m. Buy your tickets online or call Cheryl at 646-723-1749. ROCHESTER Buses leaving from Monroe Community College. Call 585-309-3440. $50 per ticket, but scholarships are available. Exact time to be determined. ROCKLAND Bus tickets must be reserved in advance! To reserve seats, send a check for $55 for each person payable to Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Mail to Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter, P.O. Box 662, New Paltz, NY 12561. Please be sure to include your name, town, phone number, email address, and note that you are with the ROCKLAND group. You should also email editor Jack Smith in advance to let him know you are reserving a seat by sending a message to jacdon@earthlink.net with the above information, with a CC: to Peter Titus at pkt650@gmail.com. The pickup location and time will be announced when all Rockland reservations are secured. For questions call (845) 255-5779. SYRACUSE Bus leaving Syracuse at 1:00 a.m. on the 21st and returning around midnight. Seats are available for $40-$75. For information contact the Syracuse Peace Council at syracusenybus@pentagonmarch.org or 315-472-5478 for information. SATURDAY, APRIL 4th 
NEW YORK CITY. 12 noon. Meet at Canal Street. March to Broad and Wall, in front of the NY Stock Exchange. BEYOND WAR: A NEW ECONOMY IS POSSIBLE. Join United for Peace and Justice and thousands of allies in a regional march and rally to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and address the economic crisis by cutting military spending. 
Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.MIDTOWN EAST, NYC. Saint Peter’s Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street A CONCERT FOR PEACE. Join Dr. Maya Sabatello, U.S. legal advisor of B'Tselem Hosted by The Iraqi Student Project, in collaboration with Musicians For Harmony, Saint Peter's Church and the Midtown Arts Common. Featuring the Kinan Azmeh Quartet in a celebration of Middle Eastern music, peace, and the culture of Iraq. Special appearance by ISP student pianist, Karam Salem. This concert is part of a ‘Day for Peace’ at Saint Peter’s Church to mark the 6th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Proceeds will benefit the Iraqi Student Project. To purchase concert tickets, visit this page: http://iraqistudentproject.org/nyc-concert Monday, March 23, 4:30 p.m. DOWNTOWN NYC. DOE Headquarters, Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers St. RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OVER MILITARIZATION Join Us and Demand the DOE Protect Student Privacy & Regulate Recruiter Access to Students. Speakers include: Students, Parents, NAACP, NYCLU, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and more. We Need Your Voice: 6 p.m. Speak Out against aggressive recruitment at Panel for Education Policy (PEP) meeting before they vote on resolution. Contact us to testify. We call on the Department of Education to: Stop overly aggressive military recruitment in school. Regulate recruiter access so they stop targeting low-income students & students of color. Offer more alternatives for higher education and job training. Train staff to help students evaluate the risks & responsibilities of the military. Sponsored by The Students or Soldiers? Coalition, the Ya-Ya Network, NYCLU, NYCORE, NYC-UFPJ & UFTers to Stop the War. Endorsing Organizations: NAACP. For more information contact: Ya-Ya Network at 212-239-0022 or info@yayanetwork.org. To testify at PEP or to endorse to rally contact ebraudy@nyclu.org or 212-607-3361. 
Sunday, March 22, 1:00 p.m.MIDTOWN EAST. The Community Church of New York, 40 East 35th St. between Park and Madison Aves. Downstairs in the Assembly Hall. SCREENING OF “THE END OF POVERTY?” Panel discussion with Q&A to follow the screening. This is event is FREE and open to the public. Please know that the film is being released commercially this fall, so there will be future opportunities to see it if you miss this screening.
Saturday, April 4, 12 noonNEW YORK CITY. Meet at Canal Street. March to Broad and Wall, in front of the NY Stock Exchange. NATIONAL MARCH ON WALL STREET. Join United for Peace and Justice and thousands of allies in a regional march and rally to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and address the economic crisis by cutting military spending. 
Friday, March 20, 7:00 p.m.RHINEBECK. Starr Library, lower level, 68 W Market ISRAEL/PALESTINE: A VIEW FROM INSIDE THE WEST BANK. BY PAUL REHM, CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKER TEAMS. What's it like to live and work in the West Bank - in the ancient city of Hebron or in a shepherd village in the south Hebron hills? Returning from his third trip to Palestine, Mr. Rehm will offer an inside perspective, one you're not likely to hear on the evening news or read in your daily paper. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by: Middle East Crisis Response, Dutchess Peace Coalition, Dutchess Greens. Saturday, March 21, 1:00 lunch, 1:30 meeting GENESEO. Omega Restaurant, 4182 Lakeville Road (Rt. 20A), GENESEE VALLEY CITIZENS FOR PEACE MEETING Sunday, March 22, 1 – 2:00 p.m. UPPER NYAC. Fellowship Of Reconciliation (FOR), 523 North Broadway MEETING OF THE NYACK IRAQI STUDENT PROJECT Enjoy light refreshments while learning about the Iraqi Student Project in Nyack, Q&A with ISP members, and a special piano performance by ISP Student, Karam Salem. 
Monday, March 23, 7:00 p.m.BRIGHTON. Temple B’rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Ave. CONVERSATION WITH COMBATANTS FOR PEACE With former soldier and fighters Yaniv Reshef and Bassam Aramin. They will show a way to stop Brutality in Israel and Palestine. Israeli Yaniv Reshef, whose home is in range of Gaza missiles, was a foot soldier in a sabotage unit of the Israeli Army – and chose to fight no more. Palestinian Bassam Aramin served seven years in jail for planning an attack against Israeli soldiers – and chose no more violence. Just two years ago, Bassam lost his daughter to an Israeli soldier’s rubber-coated bullet. They are members of Combatants for Peace, now over 600 former Israeli soldiers and former Palestinian fighters, working together without revenge to build justice, peace – and playgrounds. 
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.NEW ROCHELLE. Iona College, Arrigoni Center PLANETIZE THE MOVEMENT, A PERFORMANCE BY DREW DELLINGER. New Possibilities for Ecological Healing and Social Justice, public Lecture and poetry performance. For more information see http://www.iona.edu/academic/artsscience/orgs/isi/events/. 
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.EDWARD TICK SPEAKS ON HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR With Dr. Edward Tick, PhD, author of War and the Soul and Founder and Director of Soldier’s Heart. Dr. Tick is a world renowed authority on veterans, survivors of war, violence, trauma and PTSD since the late 1970’s. The event is sponsored by Vets for Vets. Info: Kevin Cotrell, 518-796-3860, doc.cottrell@us.army. 
Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 p.m.New Rochelle. Iona College, Murphy Auditorium PRESENTATION BY NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE, MU SOCHUA Mu Sochua , a Cambodian Freedom fighter exiled for eighteen years, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work in human rights, domestic violence, HIV awareness and the trafficking of women and children, She holds a unique position in her country and abroad, where her voice is listened to and respected. She will be speaking on human trafficking, women's rights, and worker exploitation. Weekend of March 27 – 28. Friday night entertainment at 7:00 p.m. Saturday begins at 9:00 a.m. 
WHITE PLAINS. White Plains High School Auditorium,.550 N. St. Bryant Ave.LOWER HUDSON VALLEY SOCIAL FORUM. The Lower Hudson Valley Social Forum is a response to the various pressing issues that we are all facing. Our purpose is to broaden the "single issue" focus of groups that the non-profit industry has created along with a climate of competition for resources, and build a broad movement locally that is clear in opposing all forms of oppression and exploitation. We will highlight voices that are marginalized and made invisible by the corporate media. With Rebel Diaz, the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Evan Greer, Dr. Robin Kimmerer, Monica Walker, Dada Maheshvarananada and Deepa Fernandes. For more information see www.lhvsocialforum.org or contact Wespac Foundation at 914-449-6514 or info@wespac.org. . 
Friday, March 27, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.WHITE PLAINS. White Plains YWCA, 515 North Street THE COLOR OF OPPORTUNITY: UNDOING RACISM, A COMMUNITY SERIES ON EDUCATION. "Racism cannot be taught away or talked away! Undoing Racism is a verb and requires collective action!" With Monica Walker, Diversity Officer for Guilford County Schools, North Carolina & CORE trainer with The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond; and David Billings, anti-racist historian and Core trainer with the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond. Joining them are White Plains High School Undoing Racism Committee Members Dr. Lenora Boehlert, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources White Plains Central School District; and Imani Bolling, Social Worker. Passages Program Director, White Plains High School. This forum will provide us with an opportunity to examine structural racism and its implications for our system of public education. What can we do for ourselves and the people we work with to transform the system? White Plains High School Undoing Racism Committee members will talk about their journey! Free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call (914) 682-4690 or email AntiRacistAlliance@gmail.com. 
Saturday, March 28, 7:30-9:00 p.m.UPPER NYACK. Fellowship Of Reconciliation (FOR), 523 North Broadway BOOK SIGNING BY RICHARD DEATS Book singing and a reception. In his brand-new profile of Hildegard Goss-Mayr, Marked for Life ($12, New City Press, 2009), Richard Deats tells her story of becoming one of the most important yet unknown anti-war leaders of the twentieth century. 
Saturday, April 11th, 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.SYRACUSE. Women's Info Center, 601 Allen Street UPSTATE UPRISE AGAINST THE IMF & WORLD BANK UPSTATE NY ANARCHIST CONSULTA. Hosted by the Syracuse Solidarity Network. Come to Syracuse to share information and strategies inpreparation for the upcoming meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB). There will be presentations about the IMF/WB, a variety of workshops, food, films, and networking. Come and help build a fighting anarchist community across this broken and angry expanse of stolen land called Upstate New York. Please RSVP by April 4th with how many people are coming, any food allergies or special needs, workshops that can be offered, if childcare is needed, and if overnight accommodations are needed. Sunday, April 19, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. WHITE PLAINS. Asbury Hall, Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue. WESPAC FOUNDATION’S 27TH PEACE AND JUSTICE AWARD DINNER An evening to honor people in our community who are doing outstanding work for social, economic and racial justice: Victor Corona, Dr. Olivia Hooker and Nick Mottern. Keynote Speakers are Sheila Collins and Trudy Goldberg. RSVP by April 10 to info@wespac.org. Sliding scale contributions requested. Please consider a contribution even if you are unable to attend! www.wespac.org. Saturday, April 25, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. SYRACUSE. NY State United Teachers Offices, Brittonfield Park, East Syracuse (just off 481, exit 7) PEACE ACTION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK’S 3RD ANNUAL PEACE CONFERENCE. “A Nuclear Free Future: Confronting Today’s Challenges to Nuclear Abolition” 
12:30 - 1:00 Registration
1:00 – 2:00 Activist Workshop with Linda Gunter, Andy Mager, Pam Jenkins, Jim and Jean Weiss.
2:00 – 2:30 Refreshments
2:30 – 4:30 Keynote speakers Linda and Paul Gunter from Beyond Nuclear with panelists
Congressman Dan Maffei and Larry Wittner, activist and author.
Price $15. For more information contact Peace Action of Central NY at 315-478-7442 or
info@peaceactioncny.org
Sunday, April 26th, 2:30 p.m. ELMSFORD. Greenburgh Public Library, Tarrytown Rd. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ECONOMY Hosted by the Westchester Progressive Forum. 
Monday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. snacks, 7:00 p.m. programALBANY. First Unitarian Universalist Society, Emerson Hall, 405 Washington Ave. CONVERSATION WITH JOAN WILE & BARBARA WALKER FROM GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE WAR IN NYC. Come & Celebrate Granny Peacemakers! Joan Wile & Barbara Walker from Grandmothers Against the War in NYC share their protests, arrests, adventures, songs & why grannies oppose the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.Organized by GRANNIES FOR PEACE www.WomenAgainstWar.org. Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm Saturday, March 21. WASHINGTON, D.C. DEMONSTRATION: U.S. OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN NOW. See above. 
Saturday, March 28. Registration 9:00 a.m.; Program 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.LODI, NJ. FelicianCollege, Obal Hall, 2nd floor PAX CHRISTI SPRING ASSEMBLY, BANISHING THE DARKNESS Speakers include Frida Berrigan, Senior Program Associate of the Arms and Security Initiative at the New America Foundation; Anna Brown, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Saint Peter's College; Joseph Fahey, a co-founder of Pax Christi, USA, and David Robinson, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA. Special Honoree - Edie Cheney – Dorothy Day Peacemaker 2008. Registration Fee: $35.00, Seniors and Students with ID: $20:00 Box lunch included, Seating limited. For the sake of the environment please bring your own mug. For more information contact Kathy O’Leary 908-273-0751 kolearypcnj@gmail.com. Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |