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Dear Peace Activists, Last week, President Obama declared at West Point that he will send an additional 30,000 troops into a war that was never declared by Congress, in a country that never declared war on the United States. This escalation speaks much louder than his rhetoric about "narrowly defining" American goals in Afghanistan. As for his avowed 18-month withdrawal date, the White House has already redefined that date as "a beginning, not an end." The assertion that Obama's strategy is something "new" is belied by the way he framed it, from the outset, as a "successful conclusion" of what Bush started. In fact, saying nothing to discredit the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war, Obama repeated the Big Lie that the U.S. "did not choose" to begin the Global War on Terror, but was forced to do so by the attacks on 9/11. As yesterday's anniversary of Pearl Harbor should remind us, 9/11 was in no way an act of war. Terrorists, by definition, are nothing more than criminals, not nations. In reality, the $3 trillion U.S. military excursion into the oil-rich Middle East has been fueled by an agenda quite different from anything Obama can publicly admit. Yet this Thursday, Obama will receive the Nobel Prize for Peace in Stockholm. He has protested that he doesn't deserve it. Indeed, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi must be turning over in their graves. In response, on Thursday, as President Obama is receiving his award, peace organizations around the state will be taking proactive action for peace - by visiting all seventeen offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. Believe it or not, for the past eight years, neither of our New York Senators have had a publicly stated position on the war in Afghanistan, beyond that they are "studying the issue." On Thursday, chapters and allies of Peace Action New York State will be demanding that our Senators drop this pretense, which conveniently provides the President with with a blank check on military policy, and start doing what the U.S. Constitution says they should do - provide a Congressional budgetary check and balance on the Executive Branch. 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan will cost the U.S. taxpayers at least $30 Billion in the first year alone. Instead of wasting that money on a failed military invasion that only drives more recruits into the ranks of Al Qaeda, our Senators can redirect those funds towards things our communities really need: health care, jobs, education, green energy, and infrastructure maintenance. In Manhattan, Peace Action New York State will visit the office of Senator Schumer at 757 3rd Avenue, just south of 48th Street, at 12:30 p.m.; and the office of Senator Gillibrand, at 780 3rd Avenue, just north of 48th Street, at 1:00 p.m. To participate in visits to other offices, please call the Peace Action New York State office at the number below. If you can't participate in the visits, please take five minutes to contact Senators Schumer and Gillibrand now. Sincerely,
John Bostrom and Cheryl Wertz
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Thursday, December 10, 5:00 -- 8:45 p.m.ROCHESTER. Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF WORLD PEACE 
Friday, December 11 , 6:00 – 9:30 p.m.UPPER WEST SIDE. St. Paul’s St. Andrew’s Church, 263 West 86th Street TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ WARS.  Thursday, December 10, 12 noon. U.N. Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. OBAMA PEACE PRIZE DEMONSTRATION Hosted by the NYC War Resisters League. In Oslo, they are planning a big demo on that day. We will march with coffins and protest shrouds to the military recruiting station on Thursday and flyer along the way. Thursday, December 10, 6:30 -9:30 p.m. PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd Street REPORT BACK FROM FORT BENNING The SOA/WHINSEC continues to train Latin American security personnel in torture and assassination. Graduates of SOA/WHINSEC were instrumental in the military coup in Honduras and atrocities in Colombia. Hear a report back from the vigil at the gates of Fort Benning (Georgia) on November 22nd. Plan ahead for campaign to close the School of the Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (SOA/WHINSEC). Friday, December 11, 7:00 p.m. MIDTOWN. Crudo, 235 W 35th St, between 8th & 9th Ave. A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: A FUND RAISING EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE Tickets are $45 (drink not included). Keynote Speaker: Naomi Wolf, author of seven books, including the New York Times bestsellers “The Beauty Myth”, “The End of America” and “Give Me Liberty” Other guest performers will include Mujeres De Arena, a theatrical work that revisits the testimonies of the families of victims of the femecide in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and a Jillian Maslow fashion show. At 9:00 p.m. there will be a separate live performance by Gabriella Callendar and Left on Red. Ticket price $10 with a two drink minimum. Gabriella Callender is a singer, songwriter and the heart of Mahina Movement’s music. Left on Red runs the musical gamut, but they are primarily a rock duo with Liah on guitar, Kelly on violin, and both on vocals. Monday, December 14, 7:30 p.m. BROOKLYN. For exact location and to RSVP, call 718-624-5921 MEETING TO PLAN A PROTEST THE ESCALATION OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN President Obama has announced a major escalation of troops to Afghanistan. We oppose this decision because sending more troops will cause more death and destruction, driving Afghans into the arms of the Taliban, billions spent on war deprives Americans of funds urgently needed for health care, affordable housing, jobs and schools, this war will NOT make Americans safer and drone attacks (even so-called "smart" ones) kill innocent civilians.  Thursday, December 10, 7:00 p.m. BUFFALO. Upton Hall 230, Buffalo State College FREE SCREENING OF “RETHINK AFGHANISTAN” Friday, December 11, 4:00 p.m. BUFFALO. Holy Cross Church (Gymnasium), 412 Niagara Street. COMMUNITY TOWNHALL: WE MUST SAVE OUR NURSING HOMES! Last week, both Waterfront Health Care Center and St. Francis of Buffalo announced plans to close its doors. If both of these Nursing Homes close, that will bring the total of Nursing Home beds to 1,200 for the ENTIRE CITY OF BUFFALO. St. Francis will displace over 100 residents and over 150 employees will lose their jobs right before Christmas! We need to stand together with the community to let our elected officials know that we must save quality care and jobs in Buffalo. For more information please contact SEIU Administrative Organizer Jenny Applewhite at 982-0540 ext 242. Please wear purple! Friday, December 11, 7:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. Rochester Community TV, 21 Gorham Street off St. Paul St. 
SCREENING OF “THE MUSLIMS I KNOW” BY MARA AHMEDAdmission is free. The events of 9/11 – and more recently, the shootings at Fort Hood - have cast suspicion on all Muslims in America. This documentary breaks stereotypes by showcasing local Pakistani Americans. Both thought-provoking and entertaining, it provides a much-needed platform for moderate Muslims to speak out about world events. Join local producer and director Mara Ahmed for a screening of her film and a journey into a little-known but much talked about American community. Screening will be followed by discussion. Sponsored by Peace Action & Education and Rochester Against War Contact: Doug Noble 585-442-3383 or dxnldc@rit.edu. Saturday, December 12, 1:30pm-3:30 p.m. BUFFALO. Network of Religious Communities, 1272 Delaware Avenue WNY PEACE CENTER’S END OF THE YEAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND INTERFAITH POTLUCK Please bring a dish to share. Monday, December 14, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. GUILDERLAND. Helderberg Meeting Room, Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave. “SCREENING OF “RETHINK AFGHANISTAN” Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking, full-length documentary focusing on the key issues surrounding this war. A discussion after the film will be led by Connie Frisbee Houde, who recently returned from a visit to Afghanistan, and Congressman Tonko’s Top District Aide, Sean Shortell, will attend as Keynote Listener. Free and Open to the public. For additional information call 464-6788. www.guilderland.neighbors4peace.org/rethinkafghanistan. Friday, December 18, 8:00 p.m. TROY. Sanctuary for Independent Media REVEREND BILLY AND THE CHURCH OF LIFE AFTER SHOPPING: SHOPOCALYPTIC REVIVAL 2009 CHRISTMAS TOUR. 
Reverend Billy’s "Blessed are the Jobless! Blessed are the Broke!" Christmas Tour.
The Rev, the choir and members of the Not Buying It band promises our old church a performance we
will not forget. Confess your shopping sins! Cast out the demons of overconsumption! Go beyond
the market to a life
after shopping! Strangalleiuah, children! On this tour there is no room in the inn. We are not
paid much – but our hosts have a lot to share. We’re forced out into public space, nuzzled by cows
and sheep with angels over-head! Out into the commons, out into the new funky Garden of Eden. We’re
starting over!” The Rev says: “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit. Blessed are the jobless
who force us to change the economy. Blessed are the homeless who unlock empty buildings. Blessed are
the evicted who resist with their children watching! Blessed are the broke who re-introduce the
what-can-I-do-for-no-money? Blessed are the re-cycled gifts and home-made art and swap-o-ramas and
farmer’s markets. Blessed is the local Christmas. Local-ujah! Admission: by donation ($10 suggested,
$5 student/low-income)
 Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm  
Dec. 27 & 29, Jan. 1. CAIRO. RAFAH CROSSING. GAZA STRIP. WASHINGTON DC. GAZA FREEDOM MARCH On the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Gaza, individuals and representatives of organizations from around the world will convene in Cairo, attempt to cross into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing on Dec. 29, and march with the residents of Gaza to the Israeli border on Jan. 1. We are working with Israeli peace groups to organize a companion demonstration on the Israeli side on the same day. Meanwhile, back at home, we will stage companion demonstrations in DC and other cities across the nation -- calling on our leaders to do the right thing and use our considerable leverage to pressure Israel and Egypt to end the siege. You can get involved by:
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |