People for Peace alerts

2007-01-30T06:27:00.000-08:00

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Published on Monday, January 29, 2007 by Reuters

Mandela Calls for Gandhi's Non-Violence Approach

by Nita Bhalla

Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela joined top leaders, nobel laureates and elder statesmen on Monday calling on the world to reinvent Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent approach to solving conflicts. Mandela, who spent 28 years in prison for fighting white rule before leading South Africa to multi-racial democracy as the country's first black president in 1994, said Gandhi's non-violent approach which won India freedom from British colonial rule 60 years ago was an inspiration.

"His philosophy contributed in no small measure to bringing about a peaceful transformation in South Africa and in healing the destructive human divisions that had been spawned by the abhorrent practice of apartheid," said Mandela.

The 88-year-old statesman was addressing a conference, through a satellite link from South Africa, to mark the centenary of Gandhi's "satyagraha" or non-violent movement which began in Johannesburg on Sept 11, 1906, where Gandhi was practicing law. Gandhi lived in South Africa from 1893 to 1914, where he was an active and high profile political activist.

Referring to him as "the sacred warrior", Mandela said the Mahatma combined ethics and morality with a steely resolve that refused to compromise with the oppressor, the British Empire.

"In a world driven by violence and strife, Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence holds the key to human survival in the 21st century, said Mandela.

"He rightly believed in the efficacy of pitting the sole force of the satyagraha against the brute force of the oppressor and in effect converting the oppressor to the right and moral point."

Gandhi, is revered by many around the world for his tolerance and peaceful approach that led millions of Indians to refuse to comply with colonial law, eventually forcing Britain to leave India after around 300 years of occupation.

Sonia Gandhi, president of Indian National Congress which leads the ruling coalition, joined Mandela and calls by former Polish President Polish Lech Walesa, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus to promote Gandhi's values.

She told the some 400 delegates, which include heads of government, senior officials, religious leaders and parliamentarians that the end of the Cold War had not seen peace as was hoped for.

It was natural to question whether Gandhi's philosophy was feasible in today's world, but that it was possible to use it as a tool and adapt to conflict resolution. she said.

"It would be a grave error to write-off the Gandhian approach as irrelevant to our age," she said.

###

This just in: Peace activists needed on Labor day in Wisconsin Rapids

2006-09-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

To: WNPJ Organizational Email List

Dear Peace Organization Leader!

A group of peace activists called the Wood County Impeachment Coalition has placed on the Pittsville, WI Nov. ballot the following referendum question:

"Resolved: The U.S. House of Representatives should start an impeachment investigation
against President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney now."

For the last month or so that small Coalition has been working in WI Rapids conducting another direct legislation petition drive to place the same resolution on the WI Rapids ballot for November 7th.

They urgently need help in collecting the last 400 signatures. As of yesterday they had collected about 500 or the 875 signatures needed. They want to turn in a bit more than 900 and this needs to be done in the next 6 days or so in order to get the resolution on the Nov. ballot as a referendum question.

Can you help this effort by sending this message to your email list of members? We are asking for help tomorrow, Labor Day, and for the next 6 days or so.

We absolutely need your help to put the WI Rapids impeachment referendum on the Nov. ballot. We must act fast.

Will you help by forwarding this email to your email list? I will be glad to answer any questions.

Thank you!
Buzz Davis, Co-Chair, WI Impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home Coalition
608-239-5354 cell #

############################################

Hello All!

Yesterday 8 of us went door to door in WI Rapids collecting signatures on the Impeachment Petition Drive. The WI Rapids team lead by Robert Hoch and Bill Dolan now have 500 of the 875 signatures needed. They have about 6 days left to turn the petitions into the city to make the Nov. ballot deadline.

Tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 4th, the WI Rapids Labor Council is holding a Labor Day Celebration. It is from 11 AM to 6 PM. We need volunteers there to collect signatures. We will also have a team going door to door collecting signatures. Can YOU help?

The plan for Labor Day: We will leave Stoughton at about 8:30 AM and meet Madison area people at the Park and Ride at Hwy. 51 and the South Beltline at 9:00 AM and then leave for Rapids. We will meet at Bill Dolan's home at 11:00 AM, organize ourselves with clip boards, buttons, signs, name tags, etc. And then head out to Labor Fest and to do doors. We will probably return to Madison by 7 PM or so. You will be tired, a bit sunburned but energized by how much people want change in our nation. People at the doors want to know how our nation can be stopped from sliding into oblivion. We tell them impeachment is the answer. And it is!

Contact info for Bill Dolan, 715-423-9359, 481 Two Mile Ave. (near airport), WI Rapids, jobido@charter.net
Robert Hoch's number is 715- 652-3275.

QUESTION: Can you join us? Can you bring your partner or older children or a friend and help us?

We have two slots empty in our car and can also drive another car and carry four more people. Buzz Davis' cell number is 608-239-5354. Email me back today or call by 8 AM or so Monday so we know how many cars we need.

Why so late a request? Since Friday I have been trying to contact the central labor president to find out if a festival is planned. I found out yesterday afternoon that a festival is planned. So we are going to hit it. Hopefully we can get 200 or more signatures but we need volunteers to talk to people. So we ask you to help!

If you are not so good at walking you can sit in a chair, hold an Impeach Bush Here sign and collect signatures as folks walk from the parking lot.

It will be fun, you will meet new Democrats/progressives and help put WI Rapids on the political map for Nov. 2006. The resolution that is on the ballot is at the end of this message.

OVERVIEW OF NOV. 2006. Over 1 million people in WI may be able to vote on Bring Our Troops Home referendums in WI. Is that stunning? ONE MILLION PEOPLE! Possibly no where else in the US will so massive a group of voters be able to voice their opinions at the ballot box on the two most important issues America faces: the wars and impeachment.

13 or more cities, villages, townships and counties will probably have Troops Out referendums. In addition, Pittsville, WI, pop. 900 or so, and hopefully WI Rapids, pop. 19,000 or so, will have impeachment referendums on the ballot.

This amazing situation has taken place because a few, like one, two or three, dedicated Americans is these communities said we need to do something. And they decided to do petition drives. In Milwaukee two or three people met and said how in the world can our small group gather over 21,000 signatures to place a Troops Home referendum on the city ballot. Well, 600,000 people in Milw. will now be voting Nov. on the Troops Out referendum! The Dane county board of supervisors, and we need you help on this one, will hopefully be voting this month on whether to place a Troops Out referendum on the Dane co. ballot. The Sauk county board of supervisors will also be voting on a Nov. Troops Out referendum.

As November nears and the wars get worse and the administration does ever more lying, saber rattling or military strikes against Iran or N. Korea the media will be focusing on WI. What do the people in mid America say? How will they vote on Troops Home? Do people at the grass roots really want impeachment?

BACK TO NOW! That is the big picture but today we need just a few people to volunteer to travel to WI Rapids to help out the dedicated volunteers to have done so much and are so close to victory. We need just 375 more names to get the impeachment referendum on the ballot.

WILL YOU HELP ON LABOR DAY??? CAN YOU HELP ONE DAY DURING THE NEXT 5 OR 6 DAYS???

Thank you very much!
Buzz Davis, Co-Chair, WI Impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home Coalition
608-239-5354 cell #

"Resolved: The U.S. House of Representatives should start an impeachment investigation
against President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney now."

--

Action Alert -- Petition signatures needed for peace activists

2006-09-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Forwarded to us from Marci Reynolds:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Disarm"
To: "Peace Exchange (E-mail)"
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 7:04 AM
Subject: [peaceexchange] FW: Support for Derry anti-war protestors

>> Dear Friends,
>>
>> You may have heard of nine activists from the Derry Anti-War Coalition who

organised a nonviolent occupation of the offices of arms company Raytheon in
Derry during the recent war in the Middle East. The occupation was in
protest at Raytheon's role in arming Israel.

>>
>> The activists have been charged with aggravated burglary and unlawful

assembly and the bail terms imposed on them effectively remove their right
to take part in political activity. Below is a statement which they are
requesting people sign and send back to them to form the basis of a
petition. See the statement and email address below should you wish to sign.

>>
>> ...We're a little late on the Peace Exchange update this time, but it

should be with you in the next week!

>>
>> Yours in peace,
>>
>> Kat and David
>>
>>
>> Kat Barton and David Gee
>> Joint Managers, Peace & Disarmament Programme
>> Quaker Peace & Social Witness
>> Friends House, 173 Euston Road
>> London NW1 2BJ
>> T: 020 7663 1067
>> E: disarm@quaker.org.uk
>> W: http://www.quaker.org.uk/qpsw and http://www.peaceexchange.org.uk

>>
>> Thought for August: The UK government states: 'There is no direct military

threat to the United Kingdom or Western Europe. Nor do we foresee the
re-emergence of such a threat...' So why did the UK spend more on the
military in 2005 than any other country apart from the United States?

>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: resistderry@aol.com [mailto:resistderry@aol.com]
>> Sent: 31 August 2006 16:50
>> To: Disarm
>> Subject: Support for Derry anti-war protestors
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear brothers and sisters,
>>
>> We would really appreciate it if you could add your names -- and short

messages of support -- in solidarity with these 9 people who could face
serious spells in jail for protesting against the presence of U.S. arms
manufacturer Raytheon in Derry. There's now an urgent need to build a strong
international defence campaign and use the trial to expose the arms
industry's actions in the Middle East. Many thanks for your support!

>>
>> The Derry Anti War Coalition
>>
>> *******************************************************
>>
>> SUPPORT DERRY ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS
>>
>> The British authorities in Northern Ireland are mounting a very serious

attack

>> on the liberty and rights of anti-war protestors. Nine activists who took

part

>> in an occupation of the American arms corporation Raytheon's offices in

Derry

>> have been charged with aggravated burglary and unlawful assembly. The bail

terms

>> imposed on them effectively remove their right to take part in political
>> activity.
>>
>> Raytheon is the fifth biggest arms manufacturer in the world. It

manufactured

>> the 100 GBU-28 bunker buster bombs urgently flown by the United States to

Israel

>> at the height of the destruction of Lebanon by the Israel Defence Force.

Among

>> the many services Raytheon has performed for Israel is supplying

electronic

>> equipment for the apartheid wall being built on Palestinian land. The

National

>> Lawyers Guild of the US has accused Raytheon of being 'implicated in the
>> commission of war crime'.
>>
>> On 9 August 2006 the Derry Anti-War Coalition organized a non-violent

occupation

>> of Raytheon's plant in the Ulster Science and Technology Park. This

followed

>> direct action that has been mounted by anti-war protestors against US

military

>> planes at Shannon airport in the South of Ireland and Prestwick airport

near

>> Glasgow. The Derry protestors decommissioned computer equipment used by

Raytheon

>> to produce software for its weapons systems.
>>
>> Nine of them were arrested by the police, among them Eamonn McCann,

well-known

>> as a civil rights activist and campaigning journalist. They have been

charged

>> with aggravated burglary and unlawful assembly. These are very serious

offences

>> that could mean the accused could be denied the right to trial by jury

under

>> British security legislation prevailing in the north of Ireland.
>>
>> The protestors' civil liberties are further threatened by the terms under

which

>> they have been released on bail. They are forbidden to communicate with

each

>> other or with anyone working for Raytheon and may not take part in any

public or

>> private anti-war meeting. These restrictions bear comparison with those

imposed

>> by striking British miners brought before courts during the 1984-5 strike.
>>
>> It is particularly ironic that this attack on the right to protest should

be

>> taking place under the authority of Peter Hain, British Secretary of State

for

>> Northern Ireland. Hain made his political reputation in the early 1970s as

an

>> anti-apartheid activist who organized direct action against tours by the

South

>> African rugby and cricket teams. As a leading figure on the Labour left,

he

>> continued to endorse direct action, writing in 1983: 'the more direct

action

>> there is against nuclear weapons in Britain, the greater the freedom a

Labour

>> government will have to get rid of them.'
>>
>> The Raytheon Nine are facing imprisonment for staying true to the

principles

>> Hain has abandoned. Like peace campaigners elsewhere in Ireland and in the

rest

>> of the world, they took non-violent direct action. Their trial is a threat

to

>> the global anti-war movement. At a time when the clouds of war are

darkening and

>> spreading over the Middle East, the right to protest must be defended. We

demand

>> that all charges against the Raytheon Nine be dropped immediately.
>>
>> Send signatures to this statement and messages of support to

resistderry@aol.com

>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/peaceexchange/
>>
>> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>> peaceexchange-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>>
>> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

Peace Cookbook

2006-01-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Recipes for Peace

An International compilation of recipes, stories, poems and pictures from women who are trying to save the world.

Dear People for Peace,

As you know, I traveled to England last May and took part in a peace conference sponsored by a group called “Women to Women” which is a peace group there. We decided to create a sort of cookbook as a way of remaining connected and inspired. I have a lot of recipes, writings and poetry from women from Wales, England, Japan and the other 3 women from the US, that I will be putting together for this cookbook and would like to include some of our own P4P contributions.

Would you like to have your recipe, poem, or story added to this little cookbook? Could you take a few minutes and just jot something to me via e-mail to be included in the book? Everyone who contributes will receive a copy of the book when it is finished.

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

In peace,

Marci

Ps you don’t really have to be a woman to contribute to the book...

Help create a national Department of Peace!

2005-11-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to learn more about an important national initiative for peace.

Imagine all the people...

October Meeting Minutes of the Waupaca People for Peace

2005-11-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

meeting of people for peace
November 3, 2005
at sandy testin's house
6pm

present: sandy testin, marci reynolds, Kate Saunders, pat reckrey, Jane haasch, Velma, Larry and Lynn Craig, Kathy and Kevin kohl, ted mallusch, Todd mallusch, Louise Pease, Priscilla and ??? _________, Steve g, fran rademacher. ( i think that's it, sandy has attendance sheet, please verify with her...)

after a lovely potluck dinner, items discussed at the meeting were as follows:

1. p4p meetings will continue to be on the 3rd thursday of the month at the chez marche cafe, unless there is a speaker in which case we will seek another venue.

2. Dan Naylor will speak on Nov 17 at a place yet to be determined (editor's note: meeting will be held at the Holly Center, see notice posted here ). Sandy will arrange a place, and get back to Marci who will let Dan know.
Kate Saunders will put a small blurb under community events in the county post. Marci will see if Bonni will write an article.
the following people volunteered to bring refreshments and plates, cups and napkins that evening: Pat Reckrey, Kate Saunders, Larry Craig, and Jane Haasch.

3. We discussed structure and direction for the future of people for peace. after discussion it was agreed that there should be a meeting leader. this position could be rotated.
the purpose of a meeting leader is to:

* keep meetings on task
* initiate agenda
* make sure there is one speaker at a time!

4. and there should be minutes of meetings. this task should also rotate, and minutes should be forwarded to bonni so that she can post them on the website.

5. Also, there will be a new method of notifying for meetings: Bonni will do this monthly via e-mail, Kate Saunders will put the monthly meetings in the paper, and people are encouraged to refer to the new blog/web site created by Bonni. all were supportive of this website idea and thankful to bonni for doing it!
in addition it was acknowledged that it can be stressful to put on events without more recognized organization, and that when people want to do certain projects, they will be responsible and the group will be willing to commit energy.

people felt that what they liked about the meetings and the group was:

* connecting
* free structure
* activities we do are important
* positive effect
* solidarity especially in times of war
* open to other community members

6. we reviewed our mission statement and clarified our basic purpose. differentiation was made between p4p and political groups. many p4p members are in other groups as well, through which political work can be done more directly. the goals of p4p supercede politics.

7. we discussed membership at length and it was felt that we should remain open, that whoever is at the meeting is a member. it was decided not to post the membership names on the website. this topic probably warrants further discussion.

8. adopt a highwauy: kevin presented info on our adopted highway. it is too late this year to go out and clean up, but the sign is up on E. Kevin has all the necessary equipment for the spring cleanup. we can do this activity from april to november. we will watch the instructional video (10 minutes) at the march meeting and then set dates to go out and clean up. most present were interested in this activity.

9. treasurer's report: we have $1590.13 in our account.

10. t-shirts: Louise has a friend that can silk screen shirts for $7 each, and can do short runs. Steve asked about logo. it was suggested that louise and Steve get together and plan this.

11. Pat Reckrey reminded us that in January, the 19th, we agreed to host a speaker on gay/lesbian issues. 1/2 hour presentation. this is our regular meeting night. Sandy agreed to book a room for this. we will communicate on e-mail about the details of this event.

12. also pat followed up on the winchester academy, and all the topics are not real good for us to sponsor. Septmeber 2006 UN day would be a good topic, and there was discussion about getting a good speaker on this and tying it in to the upcoming library exhibit on nobel prize winners that will be borrowed from the Bradford England Peace museum. Pat will look into this more.

13. upcoming history of art in the peace movement display from Bradford will be displayed and cosponsored by the arts board in January. Marci discussed cost and it will be about $320 US to cover postage both ways. Pat will write out a check after marci confirms details f how to send the money with Bradford. the arts bnoard will let us know when they can plan a reception for this event. all seemed interested.

14. peace cafe coming up friday november 11, 7pm, at the chez: marci discussed details, and asked p4p members to attend and someone to take money. cover charge of $5 will be split between p4p and wcab. lineup includes pat reckrey: poetry, barbara hoffman from appleton, folk music; kathryn jeffers, reading from her book about her dad in ww2, and marci beaucoup, peace songs with littl baba. also perhaps barb achtn doing a closing song.

15. lastly louise gave a report on her trip to washington dc, and it was very interesting. she shared alot of literature that she brought back, and reported that she sold over $100 worth of buttons and t-shirts.

minutes submitted by marci reynolds

Dan Naylor to speak at next PFP meeting

2005-11-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

People for Peace will be hosting Dan Naylor on Thursday, November 17, at 7 PM, at the Holly Historical Society at 321 S Main St, Waupaca

Dan is the father of two children who have served in the armed forces in Iraq.

Dan and his wife Mary recently convinced their township to pass a resolution calling for a timeline on the removal of troops from Iraq.

Dan is also a candidate for the 40th district state assembly seat, currently held by Jean Hundertmark, who is vacating the seat in order to run for Lt. Governor.

All are welcome and there is no charge for the event.

Action Alert!

2005-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sent by Jane Haasch

Please post for PFP from Jon Petersen regarding the Sahrawi people. They may be too late to call about this but it updates us on what is going on with this situation. I called this morning and got through.

---
From: Jon Petersen [mailto:jon@usharbor.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:40 AM
Subject: FW: Letter

Hi All:

I just received this e-mail. The hour is late, but it you have time to call your congressman this morning that would be great. Congressman Green's phone number is 202 225 5665. I just called and got through with no problem.

Peace and Joy!

jon

Please join Congressman Pitts and Congressman Payne in sending the following letter to Secretary Rice regarding the issue of Western Sahara. Should you have any questions or if your Member would like to join the letter, please contact Karin Finkler (Rep. Pitts, 5-2411) or Noelle Lusane (Rep. Payne, 5-3436).

Deadline is noon on Wednesday, November 9, 2005.

November 3, 2005

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Secretary Rice:

We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the conflict over Western Sahara and the recent human rights violations committed by Moroccan government officials in the disputed territory. We respectfully request your immediate intervention with the government of Morocco.

As you many know from a previous letter of July 29, 2005, since May 2005 an escalation in the repression by Morocco against the Sahrawi population has been taken place, scores of Sahrawis are in jail, some of them suffering from a prolonged hunger strike. Furthermore, on October 30, 2005, a young Sahrawi, Lembarki Hamdi, died as a result of torture by the Moroccan security forces in El Aaiun, the capital of the Western Sahara. This tragic event is well documented by the international media, Moroccan media, and international and Moroccan human rights organizations.

For the last 30 years, the Sahrawi people have conducted themselves according to international law and legal mechanisms in order to implement their internationally-recognized right to self-determination. They represent an example of resistance that is a model for peaceful protest. Unfortunately, the international community, including the United States, has failed to fulfill its obligations to this population. We are deeply concerned that the passivity and failure of the international community and the United Nations could cause the Sahrawis to become more radical.

The current situation confirms the importance of strongly demanding that Morocco accept the peace plan that was presented by former Secretary of State James Baker and was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council. We call on the Administration to send a clear message to the Kingdom of Morocco that its behavior is unacceptable and that those responsible for the torture be brought to justice. In addition, we request that the Administration direct the UN mission in the Western Sahara to protect the human rights of the Sahrawi people.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,