October 17th anti-war Actions

Greens around the country will be taking the Green Party Peace Message to the streets in a national day of action to protest US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Taken from the GPUS National Discussion List:

OHIO:
The ‘Green Party Stands for PEACE’ will be the sign that will be carried at the peace vigil in Dayton next Saturday. We asking Green National Committee Delegates and party members to participate in some action or event on Saturday, October 17th. Some cities have active coalitions who are mobilizing. But in most cities and towns there may not be any organized effort. In those areas you may want to plan some event or action either in coalition with other groups or as the Green Party. In Dayton, we are planning 2 street vigils/protests. A small action will be better than none.

We hope to have a follow up to Oct. 17 th. with a conference call to talk about the party’s roll in the peace movement and how we can move things forward. We believe peace education and direct actions go hand in hand.

COLORADO:
The GPCO is participating in:

8 Years in Afghanistan: The Human Cost

Join us for Eyes Wide Open, the Human Cost of War, As there are
commemorations all around the world to mark this chilling anniversary, we will be participating in Denver with the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit

Saturday, October 17, 2009
9 am – 2pm

At noon there will be a special remembrance of lives lost in Afghanistan and Iraq, both civilian and military.

The location is the public space between the library and the art museum in downtown Denver. 10 W 14th Ave Parkway

MICHIGAN:
North Country Greens will be having a small action at the post office in Marquette,Michigan on October 17th with signs against the wars and slogans such as “Health Care not Warfare – Green Party.” (We spent September focusing on vigiling for HR 676.) Not muchfoot traffic for leafletting, but lots of car traffic at the intersection to see our signs and two Green Party green banners.

October 17th is an opportunity to get “peace” and “Green Party” connected in folks’ minds, and to point out that both the Democrats and Republicans are war parties, despite
Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize. Even small actions are important. Let’s do it, Greens!

SOA Watch’s Fr Roy in Tucson October 7

GPUS Endorses October 17 actions

The Green Party of Ohio has voted to endorse the October 17, 2009 peace
actions being called by the National Assembly to End the Iraq and
Afghanistan Wars and Occupations.

October 17 Local and Regional Actions (www.NatAssembly.org)

October has several dates with significance for the peace movement.
October, 2009 will mark the eighth year of the U.S. war in Afghanistan and
seven years since Congress passed the resolution authorizing war against
Iraq. In addition, October commemorates the 40th anniversary of the
Vietnam Moratorium that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets to
protest the war.Designate October 17 as a day for mass rallies, marches,
coordinated local and regional demonstrations and other forms of protest
with unequivocal antiwar demands:Immediately and unconditionally
withdrawal all U.S. troops, military personnel, bases, contractors and
mercenaries from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan!End U.S. support for the
Israeli occupation of Palestine! End to the siege against Gaza!U.S. hands
off Iran and North Korea!Self-determination for all oppressed nations and
peoples!End war crimes, including torture!

Motivation

We insist on the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S.
troops, military personnel, bases, contractors and mercenaries from Iraq,
Afghanistan and Pakistan. We demand an immediate end to all U.S. support
for the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the ongoing siege against Gaza
and the Palestinian people. We oppose sanctions,threats of war, and
attacks against Iran, North Korea, Somalia, or any other nation, whose
right to self-determination is under assault by Washington’s aggressive
drive for hegemony. We strongly oppose interference in the internal
affairs of these countries, as well as Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and any
other nation targeted by the U.S. government for political
destabilization. The lopsided vote by the U.S. House of Representatives –
368-60 – on May 14, 2009 approving the Obama administration’s request for
$97 billion for U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan
and the Senate’s follow-up vote on June 18, 2009 approving by a 91-5
majority $105.9 billion for the same purpose make clear the bipartisan
support for continuation of the wars and occupations. It also underscores
why an independent, unified, mass action antiwar movement is needed now
more than ever. We support without equivocation the right of all oppressed
nations and peoples to self-determination, whether in the Middle East or
in other parts of the world, such as Haiti.

We stand in solidarity with working people, their unions and allies, and
so we demand that the trillions being spent on wars and the military be
diverted to the support of homeowners, the opening of plants to create new
green jobs instead of seeing them shut down, and preventing the slashing
of urgently needed social programs.

References

http://www.natassembly.org/

GPUS Reflects on 911

Today members of the Green Party of the United States and our state Green
Parties reflect on a number of personal tragedies resulting from the events of September 11, 2001, and continue to work to prevent further tragedies resulting from these events.

We note the importance of remembering those who died eight years ago and those survivors who work today for justice, peace, and the stability of a sustainable, democratic society.

We urge the Obama administration to fulfill the promises made to reverse the Bush administration policy of waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan in response to 9/11. We challenge President Obama to abandon his plans to commit another 20,000 American troops to the occupation of Afghanistan and demand that he withdraw all troops from Iraq, as he had promised during his Presidential campaign.

We believe that building a strong base of Green officeholders will increase pressure on the local, state, and federal level for more peaceful alternatives to occupation and war. We need your support to run more candidates.

War Supplemental Vote Early Next Week

According to Mainer Bruce K. Gagnon, Coordinator of Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space who talked with Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Military Legislative Assistant, Eric Hansen, the bill is in the House Appropriations Committee now and that it would likely be voted on in the House of Representatives as early as next week.

President Obama had requested $83 billion for the war supplemental but House Democrats have added $9.3 billion to that request to bring the supplemental to now stand at $94.2 billion.

According to Hansen Rep. Pingree would vote on the supplemental and he said that she wants to first “see what form the bill takes” before deciding on her vote. He said that the Congresswoman was wanting to see if bench marks and timelines were included in the bill. So far Obama has not submitted any timelines on ending the Afghanistan occupation.

Hansen said that the war supplemental will also include funds for economic assistance to the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He talked about “soft power” options being important like moving some Pakistan funds from the Pentagon to the State Department’s control for diplomatic purposes and for expansion of counter-insurgency capabilities.

Hansen also said that Rep. Pingree was seriously considering signing on as a co-sponsor to a bill presented by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) that would “require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress outlining the United States exit strategy for United States military forces in Afghanistan participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.”

As of today the cost of the war in Afghanistan to American taxpayers has been more than $172 billion and the Iraq war has cost more than $656 billion.

It is important to remember that Obama has also already requested $130 billion for war funding for fiscal year 2010.

Please make a call immediately to your member of your state Congressional delegation. Urge them to vote against any more war funding.Here is status of the Iraq-Afghanistan-Pakistan war supplemental bill for the remainder of 2009.

According to a report I received from a constituent who talked with Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Military Legislative Assistant, Eric Hansen, the bill is in the House Appropriations Committee now and that it would likely be voted on in the House of Representatives as early as next week.

President Obama had requested $83 billion for the war supplemental but House Democrats have added $9.3 billion to that request to bring the supplemental to now stand at $94.2 billion.

According to Hansen Rep. Pingree would vote on the supplemental and he said that she wants to first “see what form the bill takes” before deciding on her vote. He said that the Congresswoman was wanting to see if bench marks and timelines were included in the bill. So far Obama has not submitted any timelines on ending the Afghanistan occupation.

Hansen said that the war supplemental will also include funds for economic assistance to the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He talked about “soft power” options being important like moving some Pakistan funds from the Pentagon to the State Department’s control for diplomatic purposes and for expansion of counter-insurgency capabilities.

Hansen also said that Rep. Pingree was seriously considering signing on as a co-sponsor to a bill presented by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) that would “require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress outlining the United States exit strategy for United States military forces in Afghanistan participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.”

As of today the cost of the war in Afghanistan to American taxpayers has been more than $172 billion and the Iraq war has cost more than $656 billion.

It is important to remember that Obama has also already requested $130 billion for war funding for fiscal year 2010.

Please make a call immediately to your member of your state Congressional delegation. Urge them to vote against any more war funding.

Gaza 2009: We Will Never Forget

Jan. 25th “die-in” to End Gaza Siege — Seattle Pike Place Market

“SOA 6″ Sentenced to Prison for Nonviolent Direct Action to Close the SOA/ WHINSEC

Today, on January 26, six human rights advocates appeared in a federal courthouse in Georgia. The “SOA 6,” ranging in age from 21 to 68, were found “guilty” of carrying the protest against the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) onto the Fort Benning military base. The six were among the thousands who gathered on November 22 and 23, 2008 outside the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia to demand a change in U.S. policy towards Latin America and the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC.

The “SOA 6″ spoke out clearly and powerful in court today. They made a compelling case for the closure of the school and creation of a culture of justice and peace, where there is no place for the SOA mindset that promotes military “solutions” to social and economic problems. The six spent the weekend preparing for their trials with a team of lawyers, legal workers and volunteers, and today they stood up for all of us working for a more just world.

The “SOA 6″:
Father Luis Barrios, 56, from North Bergen, NJ, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison and a $250 fine
Theresa Cusimano, 40, Denver, Colorado, found guilty and awaiting sentencing
Kristin Holm, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison and a $250 fine
Sr. Diane Pinchot, OSU, 63, from Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison
Al Simmons, 64, from Richmond, Virginia, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison
Louis Wolf, 68, from Washington, DC, found guilty and awaiting sentencing

Support the “SOA 6″

Contact your representatives to support letter to Secretary of State Clinton]

*A group of House members have organized a letter <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3jJAot%2Fw7v%2Fi4QCVwtV9WRCHXbRqPsc5> to Secretary of State Clinton expressing “deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and to request immediate action by the United States to address this crisis.” The letter is being spearheaded by Reps. John Olver (MA), Lois Capps (CA), David Price (NC), Keith Ellison (MN), Barbara Lee (CA), Maurice Hinchey (NY) and Sam Farr (CA). This effort is a follow-up to a previous letter <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=60Fo4qN4oj4uHAFe7IzlKhCHXbRqPsc5> sent to the Bush Administration during the height of the crisis and comes on the heels of strong statements by President Obama this past week, where he stressed his concern for “the substantial suffering and humanitarian needs in Gaza.”
Specifically, the letter urges: the opening of crossings into Gaza, access out of Gaza for critically ill patients, and emergency funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. The letter closes by stressing the importance of United States involvement in achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. View the full text of the letter here <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=J8Uyl%2FLOCVez4yGUcrc3URCHXbRqPsc5>.
The deadline for Representatives to sign the letter is Tuesday, January 27th at 12 pm. *Please send an email to your Representative urging them to sign on* <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qYypTRT%2B0D7HYKnRJ%2FkDwRCHXbRqPsc5>. *
*
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*Text of Congressional Letter to Secretary of State Clinton*
*on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza*
————————————————————————

January 27, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

Dear Secretary Clinton:

First, we would like to congratulate you on being sworn in as our nation’s 67^th Secretary of State. We are very hopeful that this new era in American foreign policy upon which we embark can advance the cause of peace in the Middle East and beyond.

As strong supporters of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, we are writing to express our deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and to request immediate action by the United States to address this crisis. With the ceasefire now in effect, it is critical that the United States play a leading role in alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza and we respectfully urge your assistance in this task.

As you know, the situation on the ground is dire. The flow of humanitarian goods into the Gaza Strip is limited to food and medicine. Yet there exists a real need to allow for the importation of construction materials and fuel, which require the opening of crossings into Gaza. For example, only the Karni Crossing has the capacity for transporting large cargo, such as cement, but it remains closed.
In addition, in order to rebuild civilian infrastructure in Gaza the international community is going to have to make significant monetary contributions. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) estimates financial needs of nearly $350 million just to rebuild their own infrastructure and continue providing essential services to the Palestinians in Gaza.
We also remain especially concerned about the desperate condition of medical services in Gaza. Although Israel has begun to allow limited medical supplies into Gaza, the need far outweighs the availability while hospitals remain understaffed and ill-supplied. One of the most crucial steps that needs to be taken is for Israel to allow critically ill patients to be transported out of Gaza and into Israel, the West Bank and Jordan, where they may receive necessary medical care. We therefore urge you to express this concern directly to Israeli government officials.

In addition to the several thousand individuals who were physically injured during the recent military operations, we can expect to see a dramatic increase in the number of individuals suffering from psychological trauma. In order to help the population to begin rebuilding, we will need to further ensure that funds are used to provide adequate mental health services in Gaza.”

Failure to address this humanitarian emergency has the potential to produce a crisis of even more unspeakable proportions. We therefore respectfully request that the State Department release emergency funds to UNRWA for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. We believe the State Department can make funds available through accounts such as Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) and urge you to facilitate the transfer of funds as soon as possible.

We look forward to maintaining a productive and ongoing dialogue with the State Department and the Obama Administration regarding the United States response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Toward that end we respectfully request that you or your staff share with us the actions taken to date and the strategy you will pursue to address the humanitarian crisis within14 days.

Finally, we know that addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a whole is a top priority of the Obama Administration and we applaud President Obama and you for your early and public commitment to meet this challenge. We also believe that the naming of former Senator George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East is commendable. We believe the security interests of both Israel and the United States will be greatly enhanced by the establishment of a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and that United States involvement is indispensable in achieving that goal. We stand ready to work with you as the Administration furthers these efforts.

Sincerely,

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

Shoes at Bush

YOU TUBE from DC SHOE BUSH actions of 1/19