[Afsckc-peacealert] KC AFSC Peace and Justice Alerts (January 24, 2008)
Ira Harritt
IHarritt at afsc.org
Thu Jan 24 18:29:49 EST 2008
KC AFSC Peace and Justice Alerts (January 24, 2008)
*
Educate Yourself. Share your knowledge. Take Action!
For information about the American Friends Service Committee,
contact us at 816 931-5256 or afsckc at afsc.org
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It is not enough to say we must not wage war.
It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Join us at the next
KC Iraq Task Force Monthly Meeting
Monday, January 28th at 6:30pm
at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
At this meeting we will focus on organizing a Community Festival For
Justice and Peace marking the 5th Anniversary of the start of the Iraq
War. Help us involve youth groups, congregations, social service
organizations, activists, artists and others.
Help us build a stronger more powerful peace movement!
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Dear Peace Supporters,
Thanks for your support of our work to end the violence in Iraq. Below
is information which challenges the so called progress attributed to the
surge.
To date 3931 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq; 28,770 have been
wounded and many thousands of others are returning home with PTSD and
psychological injuries. The toll on Iraqis is far greater with estimates
exceeding 1.2 million Iraq deaths from the war and occupation and 4
million displaced.
It is long past time for a change and though I know that you are weary
and busy I encourage you to find a way to continue to oppose this war
and the next one(s) already in the planning stages.
I invite your help in doing outreach to encourage groups to participate
in the week of peace actions, March 12 to 19th and the Imagine!
Discover! Act! A Community Festival for Peace and Justice on Saturday,
March 15 to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
Our next planning meeting will be on January 28th 6:30pm at 4405 Gillham
Rd., KCMO.
We can use help with outreach to groups inviting them to participate in
the festival and week of peace action
We are inviting group to:
* create a peace event during the week of peace action (We offer to
work with groups to provide local speakers, DVD films on peace topics,
Cost of War display or KS and MO Eyes Wide Open Exhibits, or other
resources which may help them organize an peace action),
* table and set up a booth at the Community Peace Festival to share
your vision of a peaceful and just world (suggested donation $25),
* endorse the event and provide volunteer help (suggested donation
$50- booth space included and listed as endorser) or
* sponsor the event (suggested donation $100- booth space included
and listed as sponsor)
* attend the next planning meeting on January 28, 6:30pm at 4405
Gillham Rd., KCMO.
Scholarships for groups unable to make the suggested donation can be
negotiated.
Copied below is a letter to groups explaining how they can become
involved.
If you or others you know are willing to help make follow up phone calls
on email outreach we have sent to organizations, congregations and other
groups please contact me at iharritt at afsc.org or 816 931-5256. We will
provide lists and talking points for your call.
Thanks for your help!
Ira Harritt
816 931-5256
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Join us in creating a powerful
Dear Hopeful Concerned Citizen,
We invite you and your group to join with others who believe our nation
could be creating a just, sustainable and peaceful future. We encourage
you to participate in a week of peace actions, March 12 to 19th and the
Imagine! Discover! Act! A Community Festival for Peace and Justice on
Saturday, March 15 to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the
Iraq war.
We are continuing our planning, fleshing out the shape of the festival
and week of actions and we encourage you to join us at our next planning
meeting on Monday, January 28 at 6:30pm at the American Friends Service
Committee office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO or contact us to let us know
how you would like to be involved.
During the week of peace action we, working with community, service,
faith, civil rights, student, advocacy, arts and other groups, will
organize and publicize activities in various locations which celebrate
peace and educate the community. We offer to work with groups to provide
local speakers, DVD films on peace topics, Cost of War display or KS and
MO Eyes Wide Open Exhibits, or other resources which may help them
organize an peace action.
One high point of the week will be a Saturday, March 15 Community
Festival for Peace and Justice (location to be determined) with groups
organizing booths, activities and areas for arts, music, theatre, games,
workshops, talks, drum circle, puppet parade, children's activities,
etc. on the theme of moving from a path of war to a culture of peace.
We are working hard to confirm logistics for the location and keynote
speaker and are excited about the many activities which are being
planned: drum circle and peace-drum making for kids, tabling, music,
Interfaith Peace Prayers, Giant Puppet Parade, music, arts, film
festival and much much more!
We would welcome your group's participation in helping to create this
festival. Groups are invited to:
* create a peace event during the week of peace action (contact us
for help with speakers, film or other resources - We offer to work with
groups to provide local speakers, DVD films on peace topics, Cost of War
display or KS and MO Eyes Wide Open Exhibits, or other resources which
may help them organize an peace action),
* create a booth at the Community Peace Festival to share your vision
of a peaceful and just world (suggested donation $25),
* endorse the event and provide volunteer help (suggested donation
$50- booth space included and listed as endorser) or
* sponsor the event (suggested donation $100- booth space included
and listed as sponsor).
Scholarships for groups unable to make the suggested donation can be
negotiated.
Again thank you for your interest and any help you might be able to
provide.
Though some claim that the surge is moving Iraq toward stability a new
report by the National Security Network
http://www.nsnetwork.org/node/244 recognizes that military solutions
will not resolve the conflict in Iraq, "Changes in military tactics can
lead to short term gains, but only a comprehensive political strategy to
bring Iraq's warring factions together can lead to a permanent solution
to the conflict. ...There Has Been No Political Surge Or Progress At The
National Level"
To date 3,926 U.S. troops have been killed and over 28,000 wounded.
Estimates of Iraqi deaths are as high as 1.2 million and over 4 million
Iraqis are refugees. Each day 720 million dollars is spent on the Iraq
occupation, money which could be sent on so many other human and
community needs!
We thank you for working to find a better way for humanity to live
together. Interested persons can call 816 931-5256 or email
iharritt at afsc.org to table, endorse or sponsor the Community Festival
for Justice and Peace or for more information.
Sincerely,
Ira Harritt
KC AFSC / KC Iraq Task Force
"The question is no longer between violence and non-violence;
It is between non-violence and non-existence."
"We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but the
positive affirmation of peace."
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mission and Purpose Statement
Imagine! Discover! Act!
A Community Festival For Peace And Justice.
We are the people we've been waiting for.
Purpose statement: KC Metro Organizations are marking the 5th year of
the start of the war on Iraq by holding a week of peace actions -
* to explore the cost of this war,
* to change the policy of profits before people,
* to overcome war fatigue,
* to engage our yearnings for peace,
* to move from a path of war to a culture of justice and peace.
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Organizers, Sponsors and Endorsers
The Community Festival for Peace and Justice is organized by the
KC Iraq Task Force and the American Friends Service Committee.
Some of the groups co-sponsoring or endorsing the event include:
* Amnesty International-UMKC
* Community of Christ Network to Advance Peace and Justice
* Disciple Peace Fellowship
* Heartland Muslim Council
* Julia's Voice: Moms Against the War
* KC Iraq Veterans Against the War
* Keeler Women's Center
* PeaceWorks
* Physicians for Social Responsibility
* Great Plains Region-Church World Service
* St. James Catholic Church
* St. Mark's Church
* T.W.I.G. (Think, Work Inspire, Grow-environmental justice)
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We can use your help: leafleting and collecting petition signatures,
setting up or transporting Eyes Wide Open or the Cost of War displays;
taking leadership and responsibility for a leafleting event or
coordinating a group of people to bring the Cost of War flags to a
location...
Please forward your reply to this email to mpv3 at swbell.net and
iharritt at afsc.org
Note your availability below
Anytime
Help needed to call congregations and organizations inviting them to
participate in the Community Festival for Peace and Justice
Call AFSC to volunteer at 816 931-5256
January 28, Monday, 6:30pm
KC Iraq Task Force Monthly meeting
4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
The meeting will focus on planning events for the 5th Anniversary of the
start of the Iraq war - creation on a peace festival
The Day After the 4,000th Death is announced in the KC Star
Candlelight Vigil
7:00pm at JC Nichols Fountain
Currently 3,878 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq
Call us for more information.
Ira Harritt
816 931-5256
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Help plan and implement anti-war and peace education,
organizing and advocacy actions!
Come to the
KC Iraq Task Force Monthly Meeting
to build a movement to end this war and prevent the one in preparation!
Monday, January 28th at 6:30pm
at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
or call us to volunteer.
At this meeting we will focus on organizing a Community Peace Festival
marking the 5th Anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. Help us
involve youth groups, congregations, social service organizations,
activists, artists and others.
Help us build a stronger more powerful peace movement!
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Upcoming Peace and Justice Activities
Click on link or scroll down for more information about the peace and
justice activity
Peace and Justice Teach-ins will be on a break. For up to date
information go to: http://peaceandjusticecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/
January 23, Wednesday, 7:30 pm PEACE & JUSTICE TEACH-INS: Justice for
Rio Negro Massacres- The Story of Jesus Tecu Osorio. Video with
discussion led by Craig Lubow, at Unity Temple, 707 W. 47th St., KCMO on
the Plaza, Classroom D.
January 27, Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., BePeace Workshop with Rev.
Rita Marie Johnson, at Unity Church of Overland Park, 10300 Antioch Rd.,
Overland Park, KS
January 28th, Monday, 6:30pm, KC Iraq Task Force Monthly Meeting to
build a movement to end this war and organize a Community Peace Festival
to mark the 5th Anniversary of the start of the Iraq War at the AFSC
office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
January 30, Wednesday, 7:30pm, "Guantanamo Bay and Its Implications for
the Rule of Law" Talk by Lt. Cmdr. Charles D. Swift (Ret.) Mabee
Theater, Sedgwick Hall, Rockhurst University, 53 & Troost, KCMO. It is
free and open to the public.
January 2008, 11-6 Wed - Sat., Photo Exhibit- OUT OF KILTER: SOME VIEWS
ON HOW OUR COUNTRY IS LOOKING AT THIS WAR at The Late Show Gallery, 1600
Cherry, KCMO (It is best to call first 816 474 1300)
February 1, 4:00p.m. Common Table Coalition March in response to the
Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, Revolution Church, 500 W. 40 St., KCMO
http://nominutemeninkc.pbwiki.com/
February 2, 9:00am to 4:00pm United for Justice and Peace Love our
Neighbor Coalition- Summit on Immigration and Racism: Defending our
Rights, Penn Valley Community College,ST 101, 3201 Southwest TRFWY, KCMO
http://nominutemeninkc.pbwiki.com/
February, 3, 10 and 17, Sundays, 9:00 a.m. Classes Exploring the Moral
Complexities of the Death Penalty at East Alton Community of Christ
Church, 16999 East 23rd. St., Independence, MO
February 9, on Saturday, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Love & Activism Valentines
Day Party fundraiser for KC American Friends Service Committee.
Featuring music by Kasey Rausch, good food, good friends and
conversation. 2 East 58th Street, KCMO (corner of Main and 58th 3 doors
from Brookside.)
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EVERY Sunday: Iraq Peace Vigil, 4pm, JC Nichols Fountain, 47th & Main,
Streets, Kansas City, MO http://www.kciraqtaskforce.org/
EVERY Tuesday, JOIN THIS Peace Demonstration Every Tuesday between 5PM -
6 PM in the median strip on the south corner of the intersection at
63rd & Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. For more information email '63rd
Street Patriots' at schwartzkatz at sbcglobal.net
Every Wednesday, 5:00pm, Iraq Anti-War Protest, College and Quivira,
Overland Park, KS (NW corner). Send a message to Sen. Pat Robert that
it's time to end the war!
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American Friends Service Committee
Invites you to the
Love & Activism
Valentines Day Party
on Saturday, February 9th, 2008
from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
at 2 East 58th Street, KCMO
(corner of Main and 58th 3 doors from Brookside.)
Punch, Hors d'oeuvres and Desserts
Enjoy Music by Kasey Rausch
Kasey Rausch, from a long line of artists and musicians, plays music
ranging from honky-tonk and classic country to rockin' punk-a-billy. She
will be featured in Ben Meade's upcoming independent film, "American
Music: Off the Record."
$15 / person suggested donation
R.S.V.P. Roena Haynie 816 523-8242 or Deborah Mellicker 816 931-5256,
via email to dmellicker at afsc.org or send donations to AFSC, 4405 Gillham
Rd., KCMO 64110
Join with others committed to the power of
love and nonviolence for social change!
We thank the following businesses for contributions of roses and
refreshments.
*
Y Village Gardens Florist
Northland:
7803 N Oak Tfwy, Kansas City, MO 64118
816-436-0030
Blue Springs:
650 NW Mock Ave, Blue Springs, MO 64014
816-228-9500
Overland Park:
7214 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 66210
913-661-9339
Westport:
905A Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-756-2727
Y Cosentino's Brookside Market and Sunfresh
14 West 62nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113 816-523-3700
<mailto:Roena_L at yahoo.com>
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January --2008 -- January
PEACE & JUSTICE TEACH-INS
When? Wednesdays, 7:30 pm
January 23: At Unity on the Plaza, Classroom D, 7:30 pm
* Justice for Rio Negro Massacres: The Story of Jesus Tecu Osorio.
Video with discussion led by Craig Lubow. Jesus Tecu Osariowas born
in 1971 in Rio Negro, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. Tecu is a social
activist and advocate for the Achi Maya. In 1982, much of the population
of Rio Negro was murdered. Tecu survived. He witnessed the murder of
most of his family. He spent two years as a household slave to one of
the perpetrators. In 1993, Tecu began legal proceedings to have the mass
grave of Rio Negro exhumed, leading to the prosecution of three of the
perpetrators. As of 2006, this was the only Guatemalan trial for crimes
against humanity committed during the civil war. Tecu has organized four
separate charitable organizations, including a legal aid clinic, for the
Achi Maya people. He also heads an organization that rescues child
soldiers. A discussion will follow the video, including a discussion
about child soldiers.
* January 30: At Rockhurst University, 7:30 pm
"Guantanamo Bay and Its Implications for the Rule of Law" --Talk by Lt.
Cmdr. Charles D. Swift (Ret.) Mabee Theater, Sedgwick Hall, Rockhurst
University, 53 & Troost, KCMO. It is free and open to the public.
Peace and Justice Teach-Ins are supported by: the Alliance for
Democracy, American Friends Service Committee, Greens of Greater Kansas
City, Holy Family Catholic Worker House ... and others. This support
does not necessarily imply endorsement of the views of any speaker or
presentation.. Peace and Justice Teach-Ins are meant to be a free speech
forum for progressive thought. "Peace and Justice Teach-Ins" neither
advocates nor endorses violent or illegal acts. For more information or
to make corrections, or to suggest speakers, call (816) 931-5256.
New web spot -- http://peaceandjusticecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/
<http://peaceandjusticecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/>
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Unity Church of Overland Park and
the Academy for Peace Costa Rica present...
BePeace Workshop
With R e v. R i t a M a r i e J o h n s o n
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 27
at Unity Church of Overland Park
10300 Antioch Rd., Overland Park , KS
Rev. Rita Marie Johnson is the founding director of the Rasur Foundation
and the Academy for Peace of Costa Rica (previously know as the Peace
Army of Costa Rica).
She recently wrote a Ministry for Peace initiative that was embraced by
Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Rev. Johnson also represented Costa Rica at the World Peace Forum and
served on the panel at the International Women's Peace conference.
Currently, she is establishing the Costa Rican model of peace in
countries throughout Central America .
* During this special workshop, Rev. Johnson will demonstrate how to
bring peace to your life.
* The techniques shared will teach you how to begin to "feel peace"
and "speak peace," using the emotionally transforming tools of
HeartMath(r) and the compassionate communication skills of Nonviolent
Communication.
* Together these new skills will help you to function as an
instrument of peace in the world.
Please join Unity Church of Overland Park and the Academy for Peace
Costa Rica as we go deeper in our desire to "Be the change we wish to
see in the world."
The Institute of HeartMath and Center for Nonviolent Communication have
endorsed
the use of their methods by Rev. Rita Marie Johnson and the Academy for
Peace.
For more information, please call (913) 649-1750, ext. 3025, or e-mail
jholder at ucop.org
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Lt. Cmdr. Charles D. Swift (Ret.)
"Guantanamo Bay and Its Implications for the Rule of Law"
Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 7:30pm
For more than a dozen years as a lawyer for the U.S. Navy, Charles Swift
took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Swift was assigned to
defend Salim Ahmed Jamdan, a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay. Swift appealed
his client's writ of habeas corpus petition to the U.S. Supreme Court
and defeated the Bush administration when the court found its actions
violated the Geneva Conventions and the United States Uniform Code of
Military Justice. He will deliver the Alpha Sigma Nu-Vincent Daues,
S.J., Lecture on his experiences.
Lecture begins at 7:30pm and is held in the Mabee Theater, Sedgwick
Hall, Rockhurst University, 53 & Troost, KCMO. It is free and open to
the public.
To register your attendance, call (816) 501-4828.
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United for Justice and Peace Love our Neighbor Coalition
Summit on Immigration and Racism: Defending our Rights
February 2, 9:00am to 4:00pm
Penn Valley Community College,
ST 101, 3201 Southwest TRFWY, KCMO
http://nominutemeninkc.pbwiki.com/
Classes Exploring the Moral Complexities of the Death Penalty
East Alton Community of Christ Church invites the community to share in
a series of classes on the death penalty.
All classes begin at 9:00 a.m. on the Sundays listed below.
Alton Community of Christ Church address is 16999 East 23rd. St.,
Independence, MO (located across the street from MCI hospital [now
closed]).
Feb 3: Tony and Charmains Chvala Smilth, theologians in residence for
the Community of Christ will present "The Bible and Punishment."
Feb. 10: Cathleen Burnett, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice at
UMKC will explore "The Death Penalty: A Broken System."
Feb. 17: Families of victims and those with family on death row will
share their stories.
For more information, contact Ed Martin at
nnanapop at aol.com
<http://us.f833.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=nnanapop@aol.com>
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-Photo Exhibit-
OUT OF KILTER
- SOME VIEWS ON HOW OUR COUNTRY IS LOOKING AT THIS WAR
LOCATION: The Late Show Gallery
Tom Deatherage, proprietor
1600 Cherry
Kansas City, MO 64108
Tel: 816 474 1300
DATES: January 2008
HOURS: 11-6 Wed - Sat
(It is best to call first 816 474 1300)
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OUT OF KILTER
Some views of how our country is looking at this war
The almost 5 year War in Iraq has us "out of kilter". The polls show us
as a people opposed to the War. Yet, it goes on. We don't quite know
how to react or what to do. We feel responsible to try to fix problems
we started in a culture we don't really understand. We support our
troops but aren't outraged to the point of bringing them home. We know
energy plays a role in driving the war, but aren't ready to sacrifice
our own dependence on oil. Protests bring out dedicated long time
volunteers, but few young people. Lists of the dead have moved to the
back pages of papers and there can be an almost chilling indifference to
our losses.
Thanks,
Rusty
Rusty Leffel Photographs
6408 Willow Lane
Mission Hills, KS 66208
Tel: 913 362 9727
Fax: 913 831 2413
e: rcleffel at aol.com
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You can have this
Peace Sign for your home!
Send a message of peace
and support the KC American Friends Service Committee
Friends and supporters of peace,
An 8 yr-old neighbor of mine is willing to make you a peace sign,
similar to the one in the photo, in your choice of white, blue, green,
gold, or red lights. Cost is $25, including a donation to American
Friends Service Committee - K.C.
Send your orders to Roena Haynie at Roena_L at yahoo.com
Please state color preference.
News and Action Alerts
U.S., Iraq Ponder Long-Term Treaty
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18368586
by Steve Inskeep
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4080709> and Guy
Raz <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6597623>
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