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Archive for category Peace

Save Jeju — Island Of World Peace

Dec 1

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— Mary Compton, Greater New Haven Peace Council

On Saturday, October 29, during the Autumn Nor’easter, at the New Haven Public Library, Ms. Youn Ae Park spoke with a strong voice of optimism about the fierce non-violent struggles of the people of Gangjeong Village, to save Jeju Island.  Citizens are risking their lives to stop the construction of a Korean Naval Base which will “become part of the U.S. missile defense system to contain China.” The base is being built on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve and a Geological Park.  UNESCO staff is working relentlessly in Jeju to publicly speak out on this issue.  Citizens claim their consent was not obtained in a fair democratic process.  The Mayor of Gangjeong Village has been imprisoned for over 70 days along with two of his colleagues.

It is so important for you to write to your representative and senator, the U.S. Korean Ambassador Sung Kim, and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. One letter does make a difference, when we all do it. If we are to succeed in saving the unique places on earth and the livelihood of people living in these places, we must work hard together to do all that we can. The treasured places of beauty on the earth are being destroyed by forces of militarism; once they are gone, we will not be able to replace them. We must do all we can to prevent the destruction of places where the earth breathes beauty.

Those imprisoned will welcome your kind words of support. Please write them. Mayor Kang Dong Kyun, Kang Dong-Kyunb, Prisoner #161, Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2dong , Jeju City, Jeju Island, South Korea, 690-162,  Kim Dong-Won, Prisoner #156 and Kim Jong Hwan, Prisoner # 315.  Visit the website www.savejejuisland.org and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/nonavalbase  to deepen your awareness and understanding of this current nonviolent struggle. This event was hosted by the Greater New Haven Peace Council and co-sponsored by War Resisters League/New England and Promoting Enduring Peace.  Information: (203) 230-1312.

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Gandhi Peace Award selection process begins; Peace film series on tap

Dec 1

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— Augusta Girard, PEP Program Coordinator

Promoting Enduring Peace has begun its selection process for the Gandhi Peace Award to be presented in the spring, 2012. The first award was given in 1960 to Eleanor Roosevelt.  She has been followed by an impressive list of recipients including the Rev. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., Dr. Benjamin Spock, Dr. Daniel Ellsberg, Cesar Chavez, Senator George McGovern, and last year’s recipients Rabbis Ehud Bandel and Arik Ascherman from Rabbis for Peace.  Please go to our website www.PEPeace.org and go to Gandhi Peace Award to submit your nomination for our 2012 recipient.

Save the date for PEP’s Film Series. We have set a tentative date for the weekend of January 21 to begin our film series with the documentary Hidden Battles, which asks the question “Does the act of killing change the person who pulls the trigger?”  Hidden Battles is a 65 minute documentary which follows a female Sandinista rebel, an Israeli officer, a Palestinian freedom fighter and two American soldiers as they come to terms with their combat experiences. The film offers unique insight and hope into the internal conflicts that human beings around the world continue to face long after they have left the battlefield.  PEP has joined with Real Art Ways in Hartford to host a screening and discussion and is working to secure a New Haven location. More information will follow in the next newsletter.

Promoting Enduring Peace wants to thank everyone that attended our 2011 Annual Meeting on November 6 at The Thomas E. Golden Jr. Center. It was a great success with 40 people in attendance who got a chance to hear Christian Parenti speak on war and the environment. Refreshments were served while Yale’s Alley Cats entertained the crowd. An important moment was the recognition and plaque awarded to Al Marder for his service over the years to PEP that went above and beyond PEP’s expectations. Please go to PEPeace.org for pictures of the event and remember to subscribe to peacenews.org to keep up-to-date on the peace, social justice and environmental movements.

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Vigil Against This Endless War, Sunday, Sept. 11

Aug 31

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– Monica McGovern, CT Peace Coalition/New Haven

The tenth “anniversary” of the 9/11/01 attacks will feature a nationwide dog-and-pony show with politicians, speeches, flag waving, and patriotic music, set against a backdrop of tearful mourners psychologically reliving that traumatic day. At the WTC site, two presidents will posture and blather about what America is/isn’t and about terrorism around every corner, in every plane, on every website, under every bed. They’ll spew words to shape out thoughts, show images to influence our emotions, and propose “solutions” that will never save us from anything.

These events are designed to re-install the fear and pain of that day as if a full decade had not passed, to keep us stagnant in a mindset where we can be manipulated into a war frenzy (or at least into passive acquiescence). Perpetual fear makes perpetual war possible.

At our Sunday vigil we meet people who are still stuck in their decade-old fear and don’t want to hear anything other than anger, violence, and triumphalism. They are unable to process information such as:

  • Afghanistan never attacked the U.S.;
  • Iraq did not have WMDs;
  • Politicians deliberately tell lies to start wars;
  • Wars have objectives completely different from what we are told.

A decade-long propaganda campaign has worked upon the minds of young people who were only 9 to 12 years old in 2001. These now-grown children have been trained to believe and trust “authorities” and “officials” and “experts.”  Those “authorities” and “officials” and “experts” in turn have been educated and paid to turn those children into military enforcers and cannon fodder in wars waged for others’ interests.

As always – but especially on 9/11 – you are welcome to join us at our Sunday Vigil from 12-1 p.m. at the intersection of Park, Elm and Broadway to counter this propaganda. For more information: email ctpcnh@gmail.com, and visit newhavensundayvigil.wordpress.com.

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International Day Of Peace Celebration Sept. 17 and 18

Aug 31

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– New Haven Peace Commission

Continuing the tradition of New Haven neighborhood organizations commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace, the City of New Haven Peace Commission has announced that two neighborhood organizations are planning public events against violence in the streets tying the issue with the struggle for world peace: Trowbridge Square Renaissance and the West River Neighborhood Corporation. On Saturday, Sept. 17, 1 p.m., the Trowbridge organization will feature the planting of a tree in the historic Square with a granite marker featuring their slogan Striving for Unity. The ceremony will be part of a neighborhood celebration.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, the West River Neighborhood Services Corporation will continue its annual tradition of commemorating the International Day of Peace at the site of the United Nations Peace Garden on the recently dedicated Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The City of New Haven Peace Commission is continuing its effort to have every neighborhood commemorate the global campaign for peace. Newhallville, Dixwell, East Rock and Fair Haven neighborhoods have participated. East Rock Park has been designated a Peace Park.

“The campaign will continue until every neighborhood in New Haven marks its commitment to peace. New Haven was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a Peace Messenger City. It holds the honored seat of President of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities, consisting of over 100 cities worldwide,” stated Alfred Marder, Chairman of the Commission.

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West River Neighborhood International Day Of Peace, 1-5 p.m. Sept. 18

Aug 31

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– Yury Maciel-Andrews, WRNSC

The 6th annual West River Neighborhood Services Corporation International Day of Peace will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, at the United Nations/New Haven International Peace Garden located at the intersection of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard/Legion Avenue/MLK Boulevard (Frontage Road).

The International Day of Peace (‘Peace Day’) provides individuals, organizations and nations the opportunity to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. This resolution was established by the United Nations in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly, and the first ‘Peace Day’ was celebrated in September 1982. Auspiciously, New Haven was designated as a Peace Messenger City in 1985 and the Peace Garden at West River was established in 2000. This is one of very few places in the world where the United Nations emblem is displayed on land not owned and controlled by the UN.

This annual peace-building event is intended to promote respect and understanding among New Haven residents. It will once again feature local talent and community agencies to bring together New Haven neighborhoods in a celebration of peace and acceptance of our roles in promoting harmony in our neighborhoods and the world through music, crafts, meditation, prayer and fellowship. The objectives of this year’s event are to increase participation by including residents from across the city who are stewards in peace, and to remind the community that we reside in a Peace Messenger City.

Performances include reggae band I.N.I.T.Y., post-rock band From the Ashes, and spoken word artists Noble S. Spell and Monique Coward. There will be a Tai Chi demonstration by Dr. Shiyuan Li and meditation exercises led by The Art of Living.

Our sponsors are The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Promoting Enduring Peace, Urban League of Southern Connecticut, City of New Haven Peace Commission, Start Bank and Yale-New Haven Hospital.

A limited number of tables will be provided for peace groups to set up displays and distribute literature. The rain date for the event is Sunday, Sept. 25. For information please contact Stacy Spell at stacy.spell@gmail.com.

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International Day Of Peace Celebration On The New Haven Green Wednesday, Sept. 21. Volunteers needed!

Aug 31

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– New Haven Peace Commission

The New Haven Green will be the site of a dramatic outpouring of New Haven school children’s calling for world peace on Wednesday morning, Sept. 21, 2011, United Nations International Day of Peace. The Green will be bedecked with 6,000 Pinwheels for Peace created in the New Haven schools carrying the children’s messages for peace in the streets and among nations. 1,500 children from the sixth and seventh grades of all the New Haven schools will descend upon the central Green at 10:30 a.m. for a March for Peace and a cultural program commemorating the International Day of Peace. Prior to the event, the schools will be discussing a curriculum dedicated to conflict resolution and peace.

Invited to address the students are Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, former Under Secretary General and High Representative of the United Nations and Honorary President of the UN NGO Committee on the International Day of Peace, Mayor of New Haven John DeStefano, Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo and Peace Commission Chairman, Alfred Marder.

In addition to the New Haven School system “streaming” the event to all the schools in New Haven, the Peace Commission has partnered with Kragujevac, Serbia, a city that suffered from recent war, for a similar event by their school children. The events will be carried out simultaneously. Plans are underfoot to try to “stream” the events via internet to both cities and to the 100 cities of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities of which both cities are Executive Board members.

The 6,000 Pinwheels will set a new record for the number reported globally in celebration of the United Nations’ Day of Peace.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

6,000 pinwheels need to be in place before the students arrive at 9:45 a.m. We need 25 volunteers to arrive no later than 7 a.m. ready to work. Please reply to grnhpeacecouncil3@gmail.com if you can do this!

THANK YOU!

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Peace Summit in New Haven — ‘Stop the Violence for My Sake!’ Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., New Haven

Aug 31

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– Mothers for Justice

Frontline Souljaz, My Brother’s Keeper, Mothers for Justice and members of the New Haven community along with Clifton Graves, a longtime youth mentor and community activist, are working together with youth to push for peace in the city. Our children deserve a chance to live, learn, play and thrive in a safe environment. If interested in being a part of the solution, come join us in working toward a citywide truce. We meet every Monday 6-7:30 p.m. at 298 Whalley Ave. We are working for a significant reduction in gun violence and rebuilding ONE New Haven. End the sense-less violence, trauma and pain that robs us all. For more information call Blest (203) 627-8556 or Remidy (203) 584-2139.

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Peace And Labor Activist Runs As Independent Candidate In West Haven

Aug 31

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– Press Release sent to PAR

Peter Krala will be on the ballot in West Haven for City Council. For years, he has worked with peace, labor and international solidarity groups. From his press release:

My message to the voters was that an independent voice was needed on the West Haven City Council. There are no independents currently on the Council. For too long West Haven politics has been dominated by petty partisan politics. For too long, the serious problems confronting the city have gone unaddressed while factions and cliques waste time sniping at one another and jockeying for position. None of the problems confronting the city will be solved in such an environment. Now is the time to break entirely and completely with the Democratic and Republican parties. We see clearly- national, state and local level- that both parties are bankrupt of any ideas and are without any program that will advance the interests of the working people.

Contact: Peter Krala: 203-407-9156.

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Please volunteer to help plant 6000 pinwheels for peace on the New Haven Green early Wednesday morning, Sept. 21

Aug 25

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Please volunteer to help plant 6000 pinwheels for peace on the New Haven Green early Wednesday morning, Sept. 21.

The New Haven school system is celebrating International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, with a program on the Green. With art teachers the students are constructing the pinwheels. Social Studies teachers are helping students examine the meaning of peace. The music department will have a chorus of students singing a song of peace. There will be a student-created dance performance. The ceremony starts 10:30 AM.

We hope to link up electronically with students in Kragujevac, Serbia, who are also celebrating.

But the 6000 pinwheels need to in place before the students arrive at 9:45 AM.

So we need you and 24 others to volunteer to arrive no later than 7 AM ready to work.

Please reply to grnhpeacecouncil3@gmail.com NOW if you can do this!

THANK YOU!

This may be the largest display of Pinwheels for Peace ever.

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‘Fund Human Needs, Not War’ Month — March 15-April 15, 2011

Apr 1

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By Nancy Eberg, Gr. New Haven Peace Council

A consortium of local community organizations has come together to engage in a series of month-long protests and vigils from 3/15 to 4/15 to emphasize that the federal, state, and municipal budgets cannot be balanced on the backs of the poor and low to middle class workers. Instead, military spending must be reduced and the wealthy must be taxed. A calendar with the most up-to-date schedule information is available at http://bit.ly/hAOAbU.

  • Wednesday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m.—a union solidarity march and rally, Elm and College St.
  • Each Sunday at noon—vigil at Park St. and Broadway
  • Each Monday from noon to 1 p.m.—vigil at Elm and College Streets
  • Each Tuesday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.—vigil at the Federal Bldg, Church St. with Amistad Catholic Workers.
  • Saturday, April 9, noon—Rally and March in Union Sq., NYC—meet at NH Union Station for train to NYC at 8:30 a.m.
  • Friday, Apr.15, noon to 1 p.m.—vigil at 333 Cedar Street with Yale’s Peace by Peace group
  • Friday, Apr. 15—Tax Day leafleting at 50 Brewery St. Post Office—time to be announced

 For more information: grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com or (203) 389-9547.

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Proposal For Daily Public Vigils

Mar 1

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– Henry Lowendorf, New Haven Peace Council

We invite you to join in organizing a full month of daily (March 15 to April 15 – tax day) public vigils/protests/tabling in New Haven to call for an end to the wars and to re-direct resources to local needs.

We propose that different groups/organizations take responsibility for only one day (Sun., or Mon., or Tues., etc.) each week throughout the month to be at locations and times of their choosing with the common theme: The Endless Wars Are Killing U.S.: Fund Jobs, Human Needs and the Environment. Other themes and causes are up to the individual groups.

We propose creating a common calendar that can be shared in the various media so that those wanting to can join an action any day of the week.

We will also put together fliers and postcards groups could use, but each group can decide itself how it wants to organize its vigil/event/action. We do want to pressure elected leaders to commit to take clear action on this — e.g., support the Frank/Paul call to cut Pentagon spending by 25%.

We are also hoping to start and close the Spring Actions with joint publicity/gathering/teach in /action.

The goal is to take advantage of popular anger and frustration over the lack of response of our government to end the wars, fix the economy and deal with the environmental crisis and

  • Agitate and educate the public about the massive cost on ongoing wars (using National Priorities Project, FCNL information, over $1 trillion per year for the military, with wars on Iraq and Afghanistan costing New Haven $83 million for FY 2011).
  • Invite people to do something concrete – post card, come to event, call Congress – for redirecting funds to human and environmental needs.
  • Generate more energy in the antiwar movement and encourage people to turn out on April 9th in New York, for the Tax Day demonstration, or other local events.

If you’re interested in participating or if you have questions, contact Chris Schweitzer at (203) 407-9595 or cschweitzer@newhavenleon.org; or Henry Lowendorf at (203) 389-9547 or grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com.

Let’s do this.

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‘Walking Across America’ The Experiences Of Matt Green

Mar 1

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– The Guilford Peace Alliance

Starting in March, 2010, 30-year-old Matt Green walked 3,100 miles from New York to Oregon. Just to walk. He finished in August 2010 and says the two main things he learned are:

  1. The world is a far kinder and less scary place than we’re told; 
  2. There is so much beauty around us, often right in front of our eyes, that we take for granted.

Matt will talk about his walk across America, why the world isn’t as scary as it looks on the news, and the beauty that we overlook on a daily basis. He will be appearing at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street, on the Guilford Green on Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m. All are invited. The event is free and open. The library is handicap accessible.

A short film of Matt interacting with people he met on his walk can be seen on the Guilford Peace Alliance blog: guilfordpeacealliance.blogspot.com/2011/01/ guilford-peace-alliance.html  or by “googling,” blog guilford peace alliance.

Also all are invited to participate in our weekly peace vigils on the Guilford Green. Saturdays from 11 a.m.- noon. Just show up!

E-mail camsol@comcast.net for more information.

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