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February 17, 2010
Alert #245
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Dear Peace Activists, As of today, the death count of American troops in Afghanistan is 991. Many peace groups across the country are planing to observe the point - which could come any day now - when the U.S. troop death count reaches 1,000. For the vigil in New York City, see the Featured Event below. Elsewhere in the state, contact your local peace group. You can also observe as an individual by printing the armbands at right. The main point of this observance is to raise awareness of the cost of war. The 1,000 U.S. soldiers are just a part of the tragedy. We can take this opportunity to remind people that the U.S. military incursion into Afghanistan has also caused over 8,000 Afghani civilian deaths and close to 15,000 serious civilian injuries.* The total money allocated by Congress for the war in Afghanistan is now almost $300 Billion. For every soldier the U.S. sends to Afghanistan, twenty schools could be built with the same funds. Keep track of the death count at www.icasualties.org. Resources including flyers and printable armbands are available from the column at right. In Peace,
John Bostrom |
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THE DAY AFTER THE U.S. TROOP DEATH COUNT REACHES 1000
5:30 P.M. UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN: WEST SIDE OF 5TH AVENUE BETWEEN 49TH & 50TH SOLEMN VIGIL AND BELL TOLLING READING OF NAMES OF NY WAR DEAD  Hosted by Grandmothers Against the War, Granny Peace Brigade, Veterans for Peace, and Peace Action New York State. For further information contact 917-441-0651, joanwile@grandmothersagainstthewar.org
Saturday, February 20 @ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Ave., 88th St. PEACE ACTION NEW YORK STATE 2010 ANNUAL MEETING 
How can we achieve peace in 2010? How do we strengthen the peace movement? Join us for answers, information,
and training sessions to improve your activist skills. Build new alliances and learn new ways to generate
positive, peaceful change!
 Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m. PROSPECT PARK. Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West near 2nd Street, Park Slope CINEFORO: DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION (LATIN AMERICA COMMITTEE) Film screening of “Al Otro Lado (To the Other Side), with a talk by David H. Wilson about immigration, with particular attention to Haiti, where he traveled after the earthquake. A $10 donation is requested, $5 for low-income or student attendees. No one will be turned away! If you have questions, or for more information, please call 718-624-5921 or e-mail latinam@brooklynpeace.org. Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. UNION SQUARE EAST. The Nation, 33 Irving Place RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF STUDENTS FOR A NEW AMERICAN POLITICS PAC The Nation and Katrina vanden Heuvel invite you to a reception in support of Students for a New American Politics PAC to help elect progressive leaders of today while training those of the future. To RSVP please contact Rhiannon Bronstein at rhiannon.bronstein@snappac.org or by phone at (206) 778-6404. Support Students for a New American Politics PAC at http://snappac.org/contribute/ Sunday, February 28, 1:00 p.m. UPPER EAST SIDE. Reidy Friendship Hall, All Souls Unitarian Church, 1157 Lexington Ave at 80th FILM SCREENING OF "KING CORN" The Peace and Justice Task Force and the Ethical Eating Group invite you to a film screening of King Corn (2006 - 90 minutes). Engrossing and eye-opening, KING CORN is a fun and crusading journey into the digestive tract of our fast-food nation. Fueled by curiosity and a dash of naiveté, college buddies Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis return to their ancestral home of Greene, Iowa, to find out how the modest corn kernel conquered America. With the help of real farmers, powerful fertilizer, government aid, and genetically modified seeds, the friends manage to grow one acre of corn. Along the way, they unlock the hidden truths about America's modern food system. Light refreshments will be served. Free event – donations appreciated. Friday, March 5, 8:00 p.m. PARK SLOPE. Park Slope United Methodist Church, 410 8th Street at the corner of 6th Ave. FILM SCREENING OF “THE GREENING OF SOUTHIE” Part of the Environmental Action Film Series at Park Slope United Methodist Church, “The Greening of Southie” tells the story of the ways in which building Boston's first LEED Gold-Certified building turns out to be harder than anyone thought. Yet among the I-beams and brickwork emerges a small cadre of unlikely environmentalists who come to connect their work with the future of their children. There will be a potluck dinner at 7:00 pm, preceding the film screening. If you have questions or would like further information, please call 718-624-5921, or e-mail bfp@brooklynpeace.org Saturday, March 6, 10:30 a.m. CHELSEA. Norman Thomas High School, 111 East 33rd Street CORNEL WEST LIVE Come hear Cornel West speak about the problems and solutions we face in the United States today. Admission is $10, $5 with student ID. Reserve tickets at www.dsausa.org/yds/Feb2010/confreg.html. For more information, please e-mail yds@dsausa.org, call 212-727-8610, or visit www.ydsusa.org. Sponsored by the Young Democratic Socialists. Saturday, March 13, 10:00am-12:00 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. Advent Lutheran Church, 2504 Broadway at 93rd Street, NYC METROPOLITAN NEW YORK’S BREAD FOR THE WORLD GATHERING Bread for the World continues to work closely with congregations and parishes through out the metropolitan area. We are coming together once again to renew our commitment to justice and get the advocacy tools we need to make a difference in ending hunger and poverty! We are calling on old and new congregational partners to come, join us and spread the word about this exciting event, with keynote speaker Art Simon, founder of Bread for the World! Refreshments will be provided. Registration begins at 9:30am. Questions? Contact Samantha McLane at smclane@bread.org or call (212) 665-2504. RSVP and more info at www.bread.org/rsvp. Wednesday, February 24, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. HEMPSTEAD. Hofstra University, Leo A. Guthart Theater, Axinn Library CHALMERS JOHNSON & U.S. MILITARY POLICY Part of the International Scene Lecture Series entitled A Citizen’s Guide to U.S. Forgeign and Economic Policies. Includes a DVD screening of Chalmers Johnson, with commentary by Paul Fritz, Professor of Political Science at Hofstra University. Presented by Hofstra’s Departments of Economics, History, and Sociology, in cooperation with The Center for Civic Engagement, Long Island Teachers for Human Rights, and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Hofstra’s Department of Economics at (516) 463-5595, or the Long Island Alliance at (516) 741-4360. Wednesday, March 3, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. HEMPSTEAD. Hofstra University, Leo A. Guthart Theater, Axinn Library AMERICAN ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND WEALTH DISPARITY Part of the International Scene Lecture Series entitled A Citizen’s Guide to U.S. Forgeign and Economic Policies. Includes commentary by Max Fraad Wolff, Professor of Economics at The New School for Social Research. Presented by Hofstra’s Departments of Economics, History, and Sociology, in cooperation with The Center for Civic Engagement, Long Island Teachers for Human Rights, and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Hofstra’s Department of Economics at (516) 463-5595, or the Long Island Alliance at (516) 741-4360. Wednesday, March 17, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. HEMPSTEAD. Hofstra University, Leo A. Guthart Theater, Axinn Library RESPONDING TO TERRORISM: SHOULD THE WAR ON TERROR BE A WAR? Part of the International Scene Lecture Series entitled A Citizen’s Guide to U.S. Forgeign and Economic Policies. Includes commentary by Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winner reporter, and author of Empire of Illusion: The End of and the Triumph of Literary Spectacle. Presented by Hofstra’s Departments of Economics, History, and Sociology, in cooperation with The Center for Civic Engagement, Long Island Teachers for Human Rights, and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Hofstra’s Department of Economics at (516) 463-5595, or the Long Island Alliance at (516) 741-4360. Sunday, March 21, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive PUBLIC HEARING: TRUTH COMMISSION FON CONSCIENCE IN WAR 
The Truth Commission on Conscience in War, a national gathering of community and religious leaders,
advocacy groups, and artists, will receive personal testimony from veterans and briefings from expert
witnesses about moral and religious questions facing soldiers both before and during combat,
moral and religious criteria of just war, international agreements governing the justification
and conduct of war, and limits of military regulations on Conscientious Objection.
Truth Commission proceedings will launch conversations about just war, international law, and
greater freedom of conscience for our nation's service members, conversations led by the
Commissioners. The Public Hearing will be followed by a Private Session for Commissioners
on Monday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Church and Union Theological Seminary.
For more information see www.conscienceinwar.org.
Wednesday, March 24, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. HEMPSTEAD. Hofstra University, Leo A. Guthart Theater, Axinn Library WHO DECIDES ABOUT WAR AND PEACE? HOW DOES THE PUBLIC INFLUENCE FOREIGN POLICY? Part of the International Scene Lecture Series entitled A Citizen’s Guide to U.S. Forgeign and Economic Policies. Includes commentary by Howard Dean, former presidential candidate, and Carolyn Eisenberg, Professor of History at Hofstra University. Presented by Hofstra’s Departments of Economics, History, and Sociology, in cooperation with The Center for Civic Engagement, Long Island Teachers for Human Rights, and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Hofstra’s Department of Economics at (516) 463-5595, or the Long Island Alliance at (516) 741-4360. Wednesday, April 14, 11:15 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. HEMPSTEAD. Hofstra University, Leo A. Guthart Theater, Axinn Library THE FEDERAL BUDGET IN CRISIS: CHOICES WE FACE Part of the International Scene Lecture Series entitled A Citizen’s Guide to U.S. Forgeign and Economic Policies. Includes commentary by Jo Comerford, Executive Director of the National Priorities Project. Presented by Hofstra’s Departments of Economics, History, and Sociology, in cooperation with The Center for Civic Engagement, Long Island Teachers for Human Rights, and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Hofstra’s Department of Economics at (516) 463-5595, or the Long Island Alliance at (516) 741-4360.  Saturday, February 20, 2010, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. BUFFALO. SEIU Office, 974 Kenmore Avenue WNYPC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Includes a Board & Budget Vote. Saturday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. NEW ROCHELLE. Main Street and Memorial highway, New Rochelle WOMEN IN BLACK VIGIL Followed by conversation with Mike Levinson and others about the situation in Gaza. Sunday, February 21, 2010, 1:00–5:00 p.m. STONY POINT. Stony Point Center, 180 East Main Street SHOMER SHALOM OPEN HOUSE The Community of Living Traditions at Stony Point Center is a multifaith residential community dedicated to nonviolence and peace advocacy in study and practice. It celebrates the opening of the Shomer Shalom House. Shomer Shalom is a network of Jewish individuals committed to the Torah of Nonviolence. Shomer Shalom embraces a compassion centered, eco-kosher, wildly creative, human rights honoring, inter-generational, multi-cultural, queer embracing, text studying, ceremonial making, peace activist vision of Judaism. 1-3 PM Meet, greet and schmooze, 3 PM Affixing the mezuzah with prayers from CLT multifaith partners, 3:15-4:00 PM Teachings from The Torah of Nonviolence with Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, and Islam and nonviolence with Rabia Terri Harris, and 4-5 PM Enjoy CLT hospitality and a delicious meal. 
Monday, February 22, 7:00 p.m.NEW ROCHELLE. New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza “RETHINK AFGHANISTAN” FILM & DISCUSSION Sponsored by Peace Action New Rochelle, Westchester Peace & Justice Coalition, CodePink Westchester. For more information, please call Ted de Soyza at 914 235-1744. If you want to help with publicity, or know of another venue where this important film could be screened, please contact Ted. 
Monday, March 1, 7:00-8:45 p.m.ALBANY. Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue BOMBS AWAY! FREEING THE WORLD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS Upper Hudson Peace Action presents Judith Le Blanc, coordinator for the international NGO conference, rally, march, and peace festival in NYC from April 30th-May 1st that coincides with the opening of the UN Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Come hear about Capital District participation in these activities that will help ban the bomb, in the U.S. and around the world. Saturday, March 20, 1 a.m. ALBANY. East Garage. Bus to Washington, DC BUS TO SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY IRAQ MARCH ON WASHINGTON March 20 is the seventh anniversary of the criminal war of aggression launched against Iraq. The demonstration will demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead of war, we will demand funds so that every person can have a job, free and universal health care, decent schools, and affordable housing. The 7th Anniversary of the war in Iraq is the time to make our voices heard. A bus will be leaving from the East Garage in Albany at 1 AM on March 20 and return to Albany after the demonstration on March 21 around 1:00 AM. Seats are $60 each. There will be partial scholarships available. Reserve a bus seat today. Reservations must be received by March 10. Checks made out to "BNP", can be sent to, BNP, PO Box 473, Delmar, NY 12054 (please include name(s) of bus riders , phone and e-mail address with check). Donations also accepted. Additional Bus Information. Sponsored by several national anti-war groups and coalitions, including the National Assembly. More Information: Joe Lombardo at 439-1968 Thursday, April 29, 6:00 p.m. WHITE PLAINS. Location TBA. WESPAC’S ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER Save the date! We will be honoring our own Ted de Soyza, Felice Gelman, and Mirene Ghossein, among others. For more info, please visit www.wespac.org.  Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm  THE DAY AFTER THE U.S. TROOP DEATH COUNTS REACHES 1000 VIGILS, BELL TOLLINGS, READING OF NAMES OF WAR DEAD Saturday, March 20 Washington DC SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY IRAQ MARCH ON WASHINGTON March 20 is the seventh anniversary of the criminal war of aggression launched against Iraq. The demonstration will demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead of war, we will demand funds so that every person can have a job, free and universal health care, decent schools, and affordable housing. The 7th Anniversary of the war in Iraq is the time to make our voices heard. Sponsored by several national anti-war groups and coalitions, including the National Assembly. Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php . |