NAWC Position on Palestine and the Invasion of Gaza
The Palestinian people, forcibly evicted from their homeland with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, have long standing legitimate grievances that have not been addressed by Israel and the international community.
Since the founding of the state of Israel, the United States government has not been an honest broker or an even-handed negotiator in the region. U.S. inaction in the face of the unresolved grievances of the Palestinian people has been a significant contributing factor to the violence in the region, including the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. military aid to the state of Israel must be stopped because it has been employed continuously over the past 60 years for illegal and immoral collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Unless and until the above issues are resolved, violence in the region will never abate and the victims of violence will continue to grow.
NAWC therefore recognizes the centrality of the Palestinian issue to peace in the region and resolves to make it a focal point of its anti-war organizing efforts.
February 18, 2009
Report on the February NAWC Meeting
Northland Anti-War Coalition Meeting Minutes, February 8, 2009
Minutes taken by Carl S.
Attending: Ellie, Peter K., Burt B., Scott B., Bob K., Adam R., Janice W.
Palestine events report
In the past few weeks two pickets were held against the invasion of Gaza. NAWC held a panel forum on Palestine on January 31 with 4 speakers and 20 in the audience. We also talked with Israeli human rights activist Smadar Lavie, who was passing through on the 31st but would like to come up to speak in March. It was decided to ask her to speak at the March 21 anti-war rally and a forum the evening of the 21st, with a second choice being a forum any other weekend day in March. Bob K. will contact her.
Palestine Statement
Bob K. drafted a statement for NAWC on Palestine. The statement was revised slightly, and it was decided to post the revised statement online for comment and vote on adopting it at next month's meeting. The statement will be forthcoming in a separate e-mail.
March 21 protest
In solidarity with national protests, on March 21 we will hold a march and rally, starting at noon at the Minnesota Power Plaza and marching to the civic center, with a rally in front of City Hall.
Having some kind of skit or street theater for the rally was discussed, possibly using Mary Plaster's puppets. There will be a meeting for anyone interested in working on putting together such a performance this Wednesday at 8:30 PM in the 3rd Street lobby of St. Mary's hospital.
Other speakers we would like for the rally include Brandon Clokey, Tony Cuneo or Jeff Anderson, Deb Taylor, and a St. Scholastica student to MC. Carl S. will look into musical possibilities. We also discussed having the march led by veterans and/or puppets.
Ads - Carl will look into ad costs at the Hillsider and Zenith City, and Carl and Bob will look into getting an interview or article in the Hillsider. $200 was authorized to spend on ads for the protest.
Health Care Not Warfare
Janice from Progressive Democrats of America presented PDA's Health Care Not Warfare campaign and asked people to urge Oberstar to sign onto the John Conyers health care bill. There is a national call-in day February 12.
Iraq Moratorium
It was decided to hold the next Iraq Moratorium at Mesaba Avenue and Central Entrace. It will take place 4:30 on February 20.
Minutes taken by Carl S.
Attending: Ellie, Peter K., Burt B., Scott B., Bob K., Adam R., Janice W.
Palestine events report
In the past few weeks two pickets were held against the invasion of Gaza. NAWC held a panel forum on Palestine on January 31 with 4 speakers and 20 in the audience. We also talked with Israeli human rights activist Smadar Lavie, who was passing through on the 31st but would like to come up to speak in March. It was decided to ask her to speak at the March 21 anti-war rally and a forum the evening of the 21st, with a second choice being a forum any other weekend day in March. Bob K. will contact her.
Palestine Statement
Bob K. drafted a statement for NAWC on Palestine. The statement was revised slightly, and it was decided to post the revised statement online for comment and vote on adopting it at next month's meeting. The statement will be forthcoming in a separate e-mail.
March 21 protest
In solidarity with national protests, on March 21 we will hold a march and rally, starting at noon at the Minnesota Power Plaza and marching to the civic center, with a rally in front of City Hall.
Having some kind of skit or street theater for the rally was discussed, possibly using Mary Plaster's puppets. There will be a meeting for anyone interested in working on putting together such a performance this Wednesday at 8:30 PM in the 3rd Street lobby of St. Mary's hospital.
Other speakers we would like for the rally include Brandon Clokey, Tony Cuneo or Jeff Anderson, Deb Taylor, and a St. Scholastica student to MC. Carl S. will look into musical possibilities. We also discussed having the march led by veterans and/or puppets.
Ads - Carl will look into ad costs at the Hillsider and Zenith City, and Carl and Bob will look into getting an interview or article in the Hillsider. $200 was authorized to spend on ads for the protest.
Health Care Not Warfare
Janice from Progressive Democrats of America presented PDA's Health Care Not Warfare campaign and asked people to urge Oberstar to sign onto the John Conyers health care bill. There is a national call-in day February 12.
Iraq Moratorium
It was decided to hold the next Iraq Moratorium at Mesaba Avenue and Central Entrace. It will take place 4:30 on February 20.
February 6, 2009
Forum: "The Troubled History of Afghanistan"
Sunday, Feb. 8 @ 7pm
UMD Kirby Student Center Room 333
You're invited a forum on the troubled history of Afghanistan. With both the Democrats and Republicans talking about the need to escalate the war in Afghanistan, the corporate media going right along with them calling it the "good war" - it's crucial for activists to understand the history and dynamics of this land, and why we need to oppose this war.
Speaking will be Adam Ritscher. If you are unable to attend, but interested in the topic, email Adam at wainosunrise@yahoo.com for a copy of the speech. This event is sponsored by Lake Superior Socialist Action.
UMD Kirby Student Center Room 333
You're invited a forum on the troubled history of Afghanistan. With both the Democrats and Republicans talking about the need to escalate the war in Afghanistan, the corporate media going right along with them calling it the "good war" - it's crucial for activists to understand the history and dynamics of this land, and why we need to oppose this war.
Speaking will be Adam Ritscher. If you are unable to attend, but interested in the topic, email Adam at wainosunrise@yahoo.com for a copy of the speech. This event is sponsored by Lake Superior Socialist Action.
February 5, 2009
Song for Gaza
On Jan. 31 the Northland Anti-War Coalition hosted a forum at UMD on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking were Joel Sipress, Carl Sack, Bret Thile and Myra Gomez. Bret and Myra, who have traveled to the West Bank several times, have asked that we share this moving song and video about the recent conflict in Gaza. Here it is:
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