May 17, 2009     Alert #256 Images/links not showing up? View online.

Dear Peace Activists and Friends,

After recent meetings with President Karzai of Afghanistan, President Obama is expected to request an additional $33 billion in supplemental war funding before Memorial Day weekend. In response, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Senator Feingold (D-WI), in consultation with Peace Action, have introduced legislation to force the U.S. to create an exit strategy from Afghanistan.

For nine years, in the name of supporting our troops, Congress has given the Pentagon a blank check on Afghanistan. But they've never debated the purpose or scope of the war on the House floor, passed a formal declaration of war, or required an exit strategy. Approving war funding without those prerequisites is a violation of the Constitution, a waste of public funds, and a betrayal of the troops sent into harm's way.

Now is the time to generate long overdue Congressional debate and bring attention to ending this war. It’s time for Congress to really support the troops by bringing them home.

HR 5015, Rep. McGovern’s legislation in the House, now has 86 co-sponsors, including 9 from New York – Representatives Bishop, Clarke, Maffei, Maloney, Nadler, Serrano, Slaughter, Towns and Velazquez. Neither of our New York Senators are co-sponsors on S. 3197, Senator Feingold’s companion legislation.

In your five minutes for peace this week, please call your Representative.

Ask him/her to support the troops by bringing them home. Urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 5015 if they have not yet done so and oppose the $33 billion supplemental funding for the war. If your Representative is already a co-sponsor of HR 5015, please ask them to urge their colleagues to do the same and oppose the $33 billion in supplemental funding.

Then call our Senators.

  • Sen. Charles Schumer: 202-224-6542
  • Sen Kirsten Gillibrand: 202-224-4451
Ask them both to represent you and the vast majority of their constituents
by co-sponsoring S. 3197.

Thank you for all you do for peace.

Cheryl
Peace Action of New York State
cheryl@panys.org

Featured Events
Thursday, May 20, 12 Noon - 1:30 p.m.
BROOKLYN. Borough Hall Fountain near Court St & Remsen or Montague.
GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE PHONE-A-THON
In our Phone-a-thons, we reach out and empower local pedestrians, offering them use of a cell phone to call their Representatives and Senators on peace issues. We also hand out literature. See www.grannypeacebrigade.org/.
Saturday, May 22, 10:00 a.m.
Highland Falls. Downtown.
PRO-PEACE RALLY COINCIDING WITH
OBAMA'S VISIT TO WEST POINT.
Greet Barack Obama as he gives the commencement speech to the West Point cadets. This is a particularly grave time because fighting is expected to grow dramatically in Afghanistan in the next few months, and violence is increasing in Iraq as the political leaders we have supported struggle for power. In addition, there is the concern that the US may soon be engaged in an attack against Iran. Contact: Nick Mottern.
New York Metro Area Events
Daily, 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
Ralph Bunche Park, First Avenue across from UN,just south of 43rd St.
 NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE MORNING VIGIL
Info: ccnd@gn.apc.org.
Monday, May 17, 2010 - 7:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS. Holyrood Church, W 1 79th St & Fort Washington Ave, (Take A to 181st St)
MEETING: NORTHERN MANHATTAN NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE.
 Discuss plans for Spring and Summer. Contact: David Dubnau, dubnauda@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 12:00 p.m.
DOWNTOWN NYC. 143 Chambers St. btw. West Broadway & Greenwich St.; 1/2/3 train to Chambers (at W. Broadway) A/C to Chambers St. (at Church); R, W to City Hall (at Broadway & Murray)
COUNTER-RECRUITING VIGIL AT CHAMBERS ST. RECRUITING STATION
Sponsored by Vets for Peace. Map: http://is.gd/c6kQ8-/, Contact: rakmet@msn.com.
Tuesday, June 8, 6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
LOWER EAST SIDE. East Fourth Street Theatre, 83 East 4th St.
AN EVENING WITH NOAM CHOMSKY; BENEFIT PERFORMANCE OF "PROPHECY"
6:00 p.m.: Wine Reception. You will have the opportunity to meet and speak with Noam Chomsky. 7:30 p.m.: Private performance of Prophecy. 10:00 p.m.: Talk-back with Noam Chomsky. Cast of Prophecy: Kathleen Chalfant, 2-time Obie, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Award winner, Tony nominee; George Bartenieff, 4-time Obie winner (Acting & Producing), Drama Desk; Najla Said, Author of Palestine, her one-woman play; co-founder of Arab-American theater collective Nibras; André De Shields, 2-time Tony, 4-time Drama Desk, Audelco and Obie winner; Brendan Donaldson. Wine reception only: $100. All three parts: $150. RSVP BY MAY 17 to kitty@panys.org or call Kitty Reddington, 646-723-1749.
Upstate Events
Thursday, May 20, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
DELMAR. Bethlehem Town Hall, 445 Delaware Ave
 BETHLEHEM NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE MONTHLY MEETING
 Stop the Wars! Change the World! What is next for the peace movement locally and globally? How can we stop the wars?  Let's Build A Peaceful, Green Economy ... Help create our upcoming events and actions. Information 439-1968.
Saturday, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
ALBANY. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany , 405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus)
 SCREENING OF "THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD"
The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District continues its 2009-2010 film series with the screening of this uproariously humorous documentary. In this screwball true story, two gonzo political activists, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their way into big business conferences and pull off the world's most outrageous pranks.  From New Orleans to India to New York City, armed with little more than cheap thrift-store suits, the Yes Men apply raucous comedy to a multitude of ways that corporate greed is destroying the planet.  According to journalist Naomi Klein, the resulting film is "hilarious, therapeutic, inspiring."  Don't miss it! The Yes Men Fix the World Challenge. The film-showing -- co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and Upper Hudson Peace Action -- will take place in spacious Emerson Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided by the Honest Weight Food Coop.  Everyone is welcome to attend. Information at 466-1192
Monday, May 24, 7:00 p.m.
GENESEO. Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St.
 THE INFLUENCE OF HAUDENOSAUNEE WOMEN
Sally Roesch Wagner will explore how the woman’s rights movement took form in the territory of the Haudenosaunee, along with all the other “radical reform” movements of the 19th century. Based on her most recent book, “Sisters in Spirit: Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Influence on Early American Feminists”, Dr. Wagner will share her research on how contact with the Haudenosaunee fired the revolutionary vision of early feminists and radical reformers by providing a model of freedom for all based on a balance of responsibilities in an egalitarian system.     Jeanne Shenandoah will describe the world she inhabits as a Haudenosaunee woman.  The democratic governmental system, established long before Columbus and based on peace, provides equality for everyone with a balance of responsibilities between women and men based on a matrilineal clan system. Together the women explore the impact that the Haudenosaunee, living in absolute equality, had on Euroamericans, who came from a tradition of power from above, rather than power with.  Followed by a reception and the opportunity to participate in small group discussions.  
Tuesday, May 25, 12:00 p.m.
CORTLAND. Christ Community Church (formerly Christ Presbyterian) at 292 Tomkins St.
 IMMIGRANT LABOR AND LOCAL AGRICULTURE
Michael McMahon of Homer is among the growing number of dairy farmers employing Hispanic workers.  It is estimated that at least 55% of New York's milk is harvested by immigrant labor. Mike will present an informative program which will demonstrate the benefits to our agriculture and to the Mexican workers and their families at the Social Justice Cluster's meeting. People attending are encouraged to bring their lunch.  Beverages will be provided.
Saturday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.
STONY POINT. Stony Point Center, 17 Cricketown Road
 BUILDING INTERFAITH BRIDGES WITH IRAN: AN OPEN CONVERSATION WITH DR. RASOUL RASOULIPOUR
Join Community of Living Traditions for a rare opportunity to dialogue with one of the leading proponents of interfaith dialogue in Iran, Dr. Rasoul Rasoulipour. Dr. Rasoulipour teaches in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Tarbiat Moaliem in Tehran. He served as director of the Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Organization for Islamic Culture and Relations, Tehran, Iran from 2007-2009 and hosted the first Interfaith Conference of American Jews and Islam in Teheran during a Fellowship of Reconciliation delegation lead by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb and Ethan Vesley-Flad. Dr. Rasoulipour is currently a visiting professor at University of Notre Dame teaching Shiism and Catholicism. Join us for tea, fruit and open conversation. Donation $7.
Monday, May 31, 9:00 a.m.
ROCHESTER. Sister Cities Bridge, Genesee Crossroads Park (behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown.)
 A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE FOR LIVES LOST IN THE WARS IN AFGANISTAN AND IRAQ
A Memorial in Time of War, Remembrance and Hope. A reflection for healing and hope. It only seems appropriate that this Memorial Day service, which is to be a remembrance of all who have died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq be announced on Mother's Day.  Our hope is that the memory of each life be held in an embrace of dignity and compassion, and in that remembrance there is comfort for the grieving and healing for all of humanity so that peace may come. The service will be sign language interpreted
Monday, May 31, 11:00 a.m.
ROCHESTER. East Avenue and Main Street
 MEMORIAL DAY PEACE PARADE
David Dornford has obtained a permit for us to hold the Peace Parade immediately following the Memorial Day parade along East Avenue and Main Street, Rochester. So please save the date and time, and please notify your other peace, social justice and faith-based groups of the importance of their participation in this year’s Peace Parade. As always, it is essential that we have a strong pro-peace, anti-war presence at this Memorial Day event, to serve as an antidote to the glorification of the military that remains typical of the traditional Memorial Day parade.
Ongoing 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 and National Events
All Summmer
NEW MEXICO and other locations.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOMB's DISARMAMENT SUMMER.
Think Outside the Bomb, the largest youth-led anti-nuclear network in the US, is organizing Disarmament Summer near Los Alamos, New Mexico, in partnership with the Tribal Environmental Watch Alliance, TEWA Women United, the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, Products of Atzlan youth group, and the Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum. For further information please check out www.thinkoutsidethebomb.org, call (408) 676-TOTB (8682), or email Rebecca Riley, totbchicago@gmail.com or ForLisa Putkey, lisaputkey@gmail.com.
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php .
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