by Adam Ritscher
Notes from the December 13, 2009 Meeting of the Northland Anti-War Coalition
In attendance was Steve W., Coly W., Scott B., Joel K., Bob K., Margie N., Dan, Adam R., and Ron M.
1. SOA Report: Margie, Steve and Coly reported that 7 activists from UMD, 15 from CSS and several from the community (for a Twin Ports total of three dozen, plus several from Ashland) traveled down to this year's protest against the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia. There were about 15,000 at the protest. The Duluth Central Labor Body made a generous contribution to help defray travel costs for the Twin Ports delegation. There will be a report back about the SOA protest at the Jan. 14 Central Labor Body meeting, and community report back at a later date.
2. Emergency Protests: NAWC supported an emergency day after protest held on Dec. 2 called by Women in Black to protest Obama's escalation of the Afghan War. Despite being a last minute affair, 25 people showed up for the noon picket. The following Thursday, student activists held a skit protesting Obama's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in the morning at CSS, and in the evening at the intersection of Lake Ave. and Superior St. in downtown Duluth. Two dozen participated in the protest.
3. NAWC Fliers: Joel is going to head up an effort to draft some new fliers for NAWC to distribute.
4. Spring Plans: A plan was presented and approved that NAWC try to send a delegation to the next national anti-war protest in Washington D.C. on March 20. We're shooting to send a couple of van loads of local protesters. Leading up to March 20, we're also going to hold a series of Saturday pickets in Ashland, Superior and Duluth, and then a send off event for the D.C. caravan. Side by side with this we want to do a media blitz where we either take out signature ads in a couple of local alternative papers, and/or take out some radio ads. The March 20 protest will tentatively be followed by a year long petition drive to get an anti-war referendum on the ballot in the Twin Ports.
Students for Peace also announced that this Spring they're going to hold a Peace Art Gallery event, and the second of their annual Activist Summits. More info on both events to come.
5. Steering Committee: We decided to establish a new Steering Committee, empowered to make emergency decisions in between our monthly planning meetings. Joel K., Coly W., Ellie C., and Adam R. were elected to the new body.
6. Martin Luther King Project: The Unitarian church is going to be hosting a series of events around MLK weekend, in conjunction with other events around town. The church is also looking to start up an MLK themed book club. For more info contact Scot Bol at earthmannow@gmail.com
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, January 10 at 2pm in the library of the Duluth Unitarian-Universalist Church on College Street.
Showing posts with label minutes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minutes. Show all posts
January 2, 2010
July 12, 2009
Report on the July 12 NAWC Meeting
Northland Anti-War Coalition July 12, 2009 Meeting Minutes
-Present: Joel K., Scott B., Gary S., Sue D., Ron M., Mark J., Adam R.
-Chair: Scott B.
1. VETERANS FOR PEACE REPORT: Gary reported on the Vets for Peace parade float that has been touring local cities and towns this summer. The response has been far more positive than negative, and the level of opposition to the war seems to be just as high with the Obama administration as when Bush was president. The city of Virginia is the only place that is still prohibiting the Vets for Peace float.
2. PASTORS FOR PEACE REPORT: Joel reported on the July 7 fundraising event held for the Pastors for Peace humanitarian mission to Cuba. 50 people attended, though the event ended up costing more than planned. NAWC voted to donate $50 to help defray the cost of the event.
3. PALESTINE UPDATE: While Bob was unable to be at the meeting, he sent forward a report to be passed on. We are still waiting to hear if the new Minnesota Palestine coalition will be able to come and address our August planning meeting. Feedback is welcome on the Palestine texts that have been sent out over the NAWC email list the past couple of weeks, and the tri-fold brochure that Adam has produced as part of NAWC's ongoing education work on Palestine.
4. FALL PROTEST PLANS: Adam reported that the National Assembly to End the Iraq & Afganistan Wars is calling for local protests against the war to be held round the country on Oct. 17. The National Assembly has also endorsed Oct. 5 (the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan) as a day of action. NAWC will be holding an evening candlelight vigil on Oct. 5 in front of the Army Reserve base on MN Point. The theme of the vigil will be the human cost of the Iraq & Afghan wars so far, and the need to end the Afghan war now to prevent the death toll from getting any higher. We will also hold a march and rally on Oct. 17 around the theme of "Stop Funding the War, Start Funding Human Needs". The Oct. 17 protest will have a panel of speakers addressing different areas that could be funded if it weren't for the wars (health care, anti-poverty programs, education, home foreclosure relief, veterans programs, city parks, etc.). The march will begin at the Lakeplace Park and will culminate in front of the Duluth Federal Building.
5. HEALTHCARE NOT WARFARE: Ron reported on NAWC's history in dealing with the issue of health care. He also reported that he is circulating a petition in support of single payer health care. Email Ron at navyman3269436@yahoo.com
6. GUANTANAMO BAY: Ron also reported on a new national campaign to shut down the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. NAWC will discuss what type of events we might be able to hold around this issue at our next meeting.
7. RALLY FOR LAKE SUPERIOR: Joel reported that the Rally for Lake Superior will take place on July 19. This is to protest the dumping of military waster barrels in the lake in the 1950s. NAWC is a co-sponsor of this event, and will try to have a table there. The event starts at 11am at the Canal Park Maritime Museum, and culminates with a noon rally at Endion Beach.
8. PEACE PROJECT & COUNTER-RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN: Joel reported on a statewide peace lobbying group called the Peace Project. If you are interested in helping with this project, email him at jrkilgour@yahoo.com. Joel also reported that the Truth In Recruiting committee is looking to do some counter-recruitment work this fall aimed at local High School counselors. He will report more about this at next month's meeting.
9. HONDURAS COUP: NAWC voted to oppose the military coup in Honduras, and to call on the U.S. to break all ties with the military government. Joel will draft a NAWC statement on the issue.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Women in Black will be holding a vigil at noon on Wednesday, July 15 at the intersection of Lake Ave. & Superior St. in Duluth.
-The next Iraq Moratorium event will be a 4-5pm vigil at the intersection of Hammond Ave. & Broadway in Superior, followed by a presentation by Bob K. on "Healthcare Not Warfare" at the Amazing Grace coffee shop.
-Socialist Action has issued statements on the military coup in Honduras and the recent turmoil in Iraq. You can view the statement at www.the-red-raven.blogspot.com
-Students at St. Scholatica are organizing a fundraising volleyball tournament on July 25 at the Buffalo House. The event is to raise money for refugees in Pakistan. For more info email Josie at jjohns15@css.edu
*meeting notes taken by Adam R.
-Present: Joel K., Scott B., Gary S., Sue D., Ron M., Mark J., Adam R.
-Chair: Scott B.
1. VETERANS FOR PEACE REPORT: Gary reported on the Vets for Peace parade float that has been touring local cities and towns this summer. The response has been far more positive than negative, and the level of opposition to the war seems to be just as high with the Obama administration as when Bush was president. The city of Virginia is the only place that is still prohibiting the Vets for Peace float.
2. PASTORS FOR PEACE REPORT: Joel reported on the July 7 fundraising event held for the Pastors for Peace humanitarian mission to Cuba. 50 people attended, though the event ended up costing more than planned. NAWC voted to donate $50 to help defray the cost of the event.
3. PALESTINE UPDATE: While Bob was unable to be at the meeting, he sent forward a report to be passed on. We are still waiting to hear if the new Minnesota Palestine coalition will be able to come and address our August planning meeting. Feedback is welcome on the Palestine texts that have been sent out over the NAWC email list the past couple of weeks, and the tri-fold brochure that Adam has produced as part of NAWC's ongoing education work on Palestine.
4. FALL PROTEST PLANS: Adam reported that the National Assembly to End the Iraq & Afganistan Wars is calling for local protests against the war to be held round the country on Oct. 17. The National Assembly has also endorsed Oct. 5 (the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan) as a day of action. NAWC will be holding an evening candlelight vigil on Oct. 5 in front of the Army Reserve base on MN Point. The theme of the vigil will be the human cost of the Iraq & Afghan wars so far, and the need to end the Afghan war now to prevent the death toll from getting any higher. We will also hold a march and rally on Oct. 17 around the theme of "Stop Funding the War, Start Funding Human Needs". The Oct. 17 protest will have a panel of speakers addressing different areas that could be funded if it weren't for the wars (health care, anti-poverty programs, education, home foreclosure relief, veterans programs, city parks, etc.). The march will begin at the Lakeplace Park and will culminate in front of the Duluth Federal Building.
5. HEALTHCARE NOT WARFARE: Ron reported on NAWC's history in dealing with the issue of health care. He also reported that he is circulating a petition in support of single payer health care. Email Ron at navyman3269436@yahoo.com
6. GUANTANAMO BAY: Ron also reported on a new national campaign to shut down the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. NAWC will discuss what type of events we might be able to hold around this issue at our next meeting.
7. RALLY FOR LAKE SUPERIOR: Joel reported that the Rally for Lake Superior will take place on July 19. This is to protest the dumping of military waster barrels in the lake in the 1950s. NAWC is a co-sponsor of this event, and will try to have a table there. The event starts at 11am at the Canal Park Maritime Museum, and culminates with a noon rally at Endion Beach.
8. PEACE PROJECT & COUNTER-RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN: Joel reported on a statewide peace lobbying group called the Peace Project. If you are interested in helping with this project, email him at jrkilgour@yahoo.com. Joel also reported that the Truth In Recruiting committee is looking to do some counter-recruitment work this fall aimed at local High School counselors. He will report more about this at next month's meeting.
9. HONDURAS COUP: NAWC voted to oppose the military coup in Honduras, and to call on the U.S. to break all ties with the military government. Joel will draft a NAWC statement on the issue.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Women in Black will be holding a vigil at noon on Wednesday, July 15 at the intersection of Lake Ave. & Superior St. in Duluth.
-The next Iraq Moratorium event will be a 4-5pm vigil at the intersection of Hammond Ave. & Broadway in Superior, followed by a presentation by Bob K. on "Healthcare Not Warfare" at the Amazing Grace coffee shop.
-Socialist Action has issued statements on the military coup in Honduras and the recent turmoil in Iraq. You can view the statement at www.the-red-raven.blogspot.com
-Students at St. Scholatica are organizing a fundraising volleyball tournament on July 25 at the Buffalo House. The event is to raise money for refugees in Pakistan. For more info email Josie at jjohns15@css.edu
*meeting notes taken by Adam R.
May 22, 2009
Report on the May NAWC Meeting
NAWC MINUTES 5/17/09
Present: Joel K, Scott B, Carl S, Adam R, Peter K, Joan N, Sue D
Walk for the Lake: We voted to sponsor Nukewatch's annual July 19 Walk for the Lake to draw attention to the toxic munitions scrap barrels dumped in Lake Superior near Duluth's drinking water intakes in the 50's and calling for their removal. This includes a $50 donation from NAWC. Also, Joel K is organizing a "Toxic Monster Bash" party on the evening of July 18.
Smadar Lavie: Smadar Lavie is an ethnic minority Jewish Israeli who is a visiting professor at Macalester College in Minneapolis. We have met with her before and agreed to have her up to give a forum on the issue of minorities in Israel and solidarity with Palestine. She is available the week of June 15-19. We determined to seek out a venue, possibly the Friends Meeting House, and confirm a date and time with Smadar. Joel K. will do outreach to local churches, and Scott will outreach to Chum.
Financial Report: Peter reported that we have $1034 in the account and $100 in petty cash.
Minnesota Peace Project: A new state-wide project to lobby Congress against the wars is underway. NAWC agreed to partner with the Minnesota Peace Project in their efforts.
Counter-Recruiting: There will be a counter-recruitment activist conference in Chicago on July 17-18. NAWC approved $160 for assistance to bring two local youth to the conference. Interested parties should contact Joel K.
There is no news on the Duluth School District cutting JROTC. The decision was delayed at the last school board meeting, and a final decision probably will not take place until the June meeting. The committee will work with Progressive Action to meet with school board candidates on the issue and has delivered letters from high school students and parents to board members. More letters are encouraged. Joel K agreed to put some letters on the NAWC blog.
National Assembly: The national organization attempting to untie the anti-war movement will be having its conference July 10-12 in Pittsburgh. We endorsed the conference and approved at least $100 for travel assistance for those going, with the final amount to be determined at the next meeting. We will discuss further what to bring to the Assembly at the June Meeting. Joel and Adam agreed to talk to the Central Labor Body about sending a report, endorsement or representative. It was determined that we will hold a joint report-back session with those going to this conference and the counter-recruitment conference later in the summer or early fall.
Iraq Moratorium: In order to revitalize the third Friday actions, it was determined to hold a summer forum series immediately following the Superior Grandmothers for Peace picket at 5 PM each month. We will switch off locations between the Red Mug in Superior and Amazing Grace in Duluth. June's topic will be Israel and Palestine, hopefully with Smadar Lavie as a guest speaker (update: she is unavailable that evening), and it will take place at the Red Mug. July's will be at 5:15 at Amazing Grace, on Health Care Not Warfare. August will be on Soldiers' Mental Health, location tbd.
Military Families Speak Out: Joan reported that MFSO has taken a position for immediate withdrawl from Afghanistan. After polling, 84% of the membership was opposed to the war in Afghanistan. Joel and Joan agreed to work on some press statements before the deployment of Duluth's 114th Fighter Wing to Afghanistan, Joel agreed to look into getting a banner with the GI Rights Hotline on it, and Adam agreed to develop more literature on Afghanistan.
Fall Project: It's a good bet that the National Assembly will call for October local protests, and we should have one regardless. To build for it, we discussed trying to bring in a big-name speaker on Afghanistan, namely Andrew Bacevich. Joan agreed to try and reach out to him and determine what it would take to get him here. We decided to explore joint sponsorship with the St. Scholastica Center for Peace and Justice.
Announcements: The League of Women Voters is having a meeting on Instant Runoff and Rank Choice Voting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM in the UMD Kirby Student Center Room 311.
Present: Joel K, Scott B, Carl S, Adam R, Peter K, Joan N, Sue D
Walk for the Lake: We voted to sponsor Nukewatch's annual July 19 Walk for the Lake to draw attention to the toxic munitions scrap barrels dumped in Lake Superior near Duluth's drinking water intakes in the 50's and calling for their removal. This includes a $50 donation from NAWC. Also, Joel K is organizing a "Toxic Monster Bash" party on the evening of July 18.
Smadar Lavie: Smadar Lavie is an ethnic minority Jewish Israeli who is a visiting professor at Macalester College in Minneapolis. We have met with her before and agreed to have her up to give a forum on the issue of minorities in Israel and solidarity with Palestine. She is available the week of June 15-19. We determined to seek out a venue, possibly the Friends Meeting House, and confirm a date and time with Smadar. Joel K. will do outreach to local churches, and Scott will outreach to Chum.
Financial Report: Peter reported that we have $1034 in the account and $100 in petty cash.
Minnesota Peace Project: A new state-wide project to lobby Congress against the wars is underway. NAWC agreed to partner with the Minnesota Peace Project in their efforts.
Counter-Recruiting: There will be a counter-recruitment activist conference in Chicago on July 17-18. NAWC approved $160 for assistance to bring two local youth to the conference. Interested parties should contact Joel K.
There is no news on the Duluth School District cutting JROTC. The decision was delayed at the last school board meeting, and a final decision probably will not take place until the June meeting. The committee will work with Progressive Action to meet with school board candidates on the issue and has delivered letters from high school students and parents to board members. More letters are encouraged. Joel K agreed to put some letters on the NAWC blog.
National Assembly: The national organization attempting to untie the anti-war movement will be having its conference July 10-12 in Pittsburgh. We endorsed the conference and approved at least $100 for travel assistance for those going, with the final amount to be determined at the next meeting. We will discuss further what to bring to the Assembly at the June Meeting. Joel and Adam agreed to talk to the Central Labor Body about sending a report, endorsement or representative. It was determined that we will hold a joint report-back session with those going to this conference and the counter-recruitment conference later in the summer or early fall.
Iraq Moratorium: In order to revitalize the third Friday actions, it was determined to hold a summer forum series immediately following the Superior Grandmothers for Peace picket at 5 PM each month. We will switch off locations between the Red Mug in Superior and Amazing Grace in Duluth. June's topic will be Israel and Palestine, hopefully with Smadar Lavie as a guest speaker (update: she is unavailable that evening), and it will take place at the Red Mug. July's will be at 5:15 at Amazing Grace, on Health Care Not Warfare. August will be on Soldiers' Mental Health, location tbd.
Military Families Speak Out: Joan reported that MFSO has taken a position for immediate withdrawl from Afghanistan. After polling, 84% of the membership was opposed to the war in Afghanistan. Joel and Joan agreed to work on some press statements before the deployment of Duluth's 114th Fighter Wing to Afghanistan, Joel agreed to look into getting a banner with the GI Rights Hotline on it, and Adam agreed to develop more literature on Afghanistan.
Fall Project: It's a good bet that the National Assembly will call for October local protests, and we should have one regardless. To build for it, we discussed trying to bring in a big-name speaker on Afghanistan, namely Andrew Bacevich. Joan agreed to try and reach out to him and determine what it would take to get him here. We decided to explore joint sponsorship with the St. Scholastica Center for Peace and Justice.
Announcements: The League of Women Voters is having a meeting on Instant Runoff and Rank Choice Voting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM in the UMD Kirby Student Center Room 311.
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