KC Iraq Task Force Update
Ira Harritt
"You cannot hope to build a better world
without improving the individuals.
To that end each of us must work
for his or her own improvement, and at the same time
share a general responsibility for all humanity,
our particular duty being to aid those to whom
we think we can be most useful."
-- Marie Curie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear KC Iraq Task Force Supporters,
Thanks for your commitment and work for peace, for a more just world, for our future.
As citizens get more and more involved in the upcoming presidential election please remember that no candidates will create the just and peaceful world we envision unless we support, prod and pressure them to hold true to what is possible. It is our advocacy and work which can reframe the electoral debate and prevent the candidate from succumbing to the pressures of lobbyists and the corporatocracy.
Please join us and support one or more of the KC Iraq Task Force and AFSC actions listed below. You can help bring an end to the Iraq war and create a better world.
ÿ Help educate the public. Sign up to be on call to leaflet, table, hold Cost of War banners or vigil at community events (concerts, festivals, markets). We will contact you when we plan an action. Your signing up will make it easier to turn out enough volunteers to hold a successful action.
ÿ Sign up to be on call to participate in performances of the “Your Tax Dollars for Sale Street Theater.” – Roles do not require great acting skills – enthusiasm helps We will contact you when we plan an action. Signing up will make it easier to turn out enough volunteers to hold a successful action.
ÿ Volunteer to help research war profiteers in the KC metro. We want to identify a corporation profiting from the war and hold demonstrations to draw the public’s attention to the forces which fuel the war machine. –Would require internet searching.
ÿ Volunteer to be a listener in a project to meet with civic, business and other community leaders to discuss with them how the war and war spending impacts their areas of interest. We want to motivate community leaders to recognize the disastrous impact of the war on our community and to speak out.
Contact us at ihar...@afsc.org or call 816 931-5256.
Peace,
Ira Harritt
KC AFSC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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/
June 21, Saturday, KKFI Fundraiser with Scott Ritter, Former UN Weapon Inspector and Early Iraq War Critic and Mini Concert by Recording Artists Lizzie West & Baba Buffalo, VIP Reception with Scott Ritter, 6pm / Concert and Public Discussion, 8pm, All Souls UU Church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO
June 23rd, Monday, 6:30pm, KC Iraq Task Force Planning Meeting. We will work on public education and advocacy actions: utilizing the Cost of War, What is the Best Way to Support the Troops and other exhibits, present the new “Auction-Today: Your Tax Dollars for Sale” Street Theater, organize dialogue sessions on war and the economy and other activities to promote peace and end the Iraq war. Come to the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO for information call 816 931-5256.
July 4, Friday, 10:30am to 2:30 p.m Patriots Picnic Benefit in support of the continuing peacemaking work of the American Friends Service Committee at the home of Sharon Lockhart, 8336 Sagamore, Leawood, KS. Celebrate the Fourth of July, the freedoms of our democracy! Enjoy picnic fare, game for kids and music by Women of the Drum and Barkley Martin. See details below.
-----------------------------------------------
SUMMER Peace And Justice SERIES -- June/July 2008
Hosted by Justice and Peace Committee
Village Presbyterian Church
67th
and Mission
Rd.
Prairie Village, Kansas
Programs will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
A one hour presentation will be followed by a Q and A session. Light refreshments will be served
Village Presbyterian Church
> June 25 - Colombia
Support Network, Kansas City Chapter
"Colombia:
More than a Land
of Drugs"
> July 2 - Ira Harritt, American Friends
Service Committee, K.C. Program Coordinator and K.C. Iraq Task Force Co-Chair
"Iraq:
Choosing the Path Forward"
> July 9 - Rev. Rick Behrens, Grandview Park Presbyterian
"Loving the Immigrant: a Look at the New Sanctuary
Movement."
> July 16 - Bilgehan Yasar, Charter School
Principal
"Introducing the new Math, Science and Technology School
in Kansas City”
> July 23 - Rev. Eric Garbison, Cherith Brook
Community
"Poverty in the Metro Area: Sharing Our Home with the
Homeless"
> July 30 - Eva Schulte, Executive Director
of Communities Creating Opportunity &
Carol Thrane
"Show Me Healthy Communities: Grassroots Training to
Affect Social Change"
There is no registration or fee for these presentations. For more information, please contact mariann...@villagepres.org - phone 913-671-2333.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 schwar...@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!
1st Wednesday of each month, Prayers for World Peace and Group Blessings at 3741 Walnut St - Kansas City, MO (Note new address). Interested persons can call 816-256-4164 for more details.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the
Chalk Project
Marking the 4,000 death of American Troops in Iraq
with Respect and Messages of Peace
Send photos of chalk outlines to dmell...@afsc.org
Click Here to see some of the Chalk Project outlines
Help rouse the
public’s conscience over
the growing deaths in the Iraq
occupation and call for a change from war making to making peace in the world
–through diplomacy, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, supporting
human rights…
Join with others in creating an organic memorial to those who have died in the Iraq occupation by creating body chalk outlines on streets, sidewalks or other locations (it works best working with a partner) and then to chalk the message “Too Many Have Died In Iraq” – and add your own message of peace—for example: Education Not War; Healthcare Not Bombing; Butter Not Bullets; Renewable Energy Not Oil warring, Diplomacy Not Ultimatums, etc.(We ask that you keep it positive. Not curse words or name calling.)
Our goal is for area activists to make 4,000 body outlines spread throughout the city.
We offer this caution-it is possible that creating these outlines may be considered breaking anti-graffiti laws in some places. To help you avoid this make sure you use only chalk and be willing to wash the chalk away if a business or homeowner complains.
We would also like to document the outlines created, messages left, locations and times seen. When you see a Chalk Project body outline we ask that you e-mail your “sighting” to dmell...@afsc.org.
Please include in your email the location e.g. “SW corner of 48th Street and Oak, KCMO), the messages in the outline, and times you saw it. Please also attach a digital photos in jpeg or pict format if you are able to take one. Sightings will be posted on a website to be determined. For info call 816 931-5256.
Click Here to see some of the Chalk Project outlines
Email us sightings of Chalk Project outlines at dmill...@afsc.org !
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is America on a Path to WAR with Iran?
Ex-Marine & Former UN Weapons Inspector
SCOTT RITTER thinks so!
He’s been right before: In March 2003,
Ritter was one of the few who warned that
Saddam did not have WMDs.
SCOTT RITTER with Lizze West & Baba Buffalo
Saturday, June
21
All Souls UU
Church,
4501 Walnut, KCMO
6pm VIP
Reception;
8pm 45 Minute Talk with Q&A
Advance Tickets:
$15 Talk with Q&A
$40 VIP PLUS Talk with Q&A
($20/$40 Day of Show)
Tickets Available:
KKFI (816) 931-3122
Beautiful Day 3918 Broadway
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join us for a
Patriots Picnic
You are invited to celebrate the Fourth of July,
and to support the continuing peacemaking work of
the American Friends Service Committee.
on Friday, July 4, 2007,
from 10:30am to 2:30 p.m.
Let Freedom Ring! Keep the Faith!
Join us and Celebrate the Fourth
with like minded Patriots!
Enjoy hot dogs, burgers (veggie and otherwise), salads and other picnic fare. There will be games for the kids (young and old),
and live music- Including Women of the Drum and
Barkley Martin who will share his organic home grown blend
of folk, jazz and bluegrass
Participate in our July 4th Apple Pie Bake- Off - For more information call us or see entry form below.
at the home of Sharon Lockhart
8336 Sagamore, Leawood, KS 66206
We will provide a chance to learn more about the American Friends Service Committee and to contribute to our important work for peace and social justice.
Suggested donation $25 / family.
R.S.V.P. to Deborah at 816 931-5256 or email dmell...@afsc.org .
Please feel free to bring friends who may be interested in learning more about AFSC.
News and Action Alerts
United for Peace And Justice Action Alert:
In an unprecedented
development last month, the House of Representatives voted down the funding for
the war, but now the Senate has sent the bill back.
As early as tomorrow, June 19th, the House could be voting on the Senate
version, which contains a record-shattering $165 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as some
domestic spending on expanded GI benefits and extended unemployment insurance.
The bill does NOT specify any conditions on the war funding itself -- no
timelines or goals for troop withdrawals, no troop readiness provisions --
nothing to alter or challenge Bush's Iraq war policy in the slightest!
When the funding bill came before the House of Representatives last month, the peace movement lit up the phones and it made a difference. House members need to hear from us again. If this bill passes, it will give President Bush and his successor the unconstrained ability to pursue the war into next summer.
Time is short, so we urge you to act now:
- Email your congressional representative now: Tell your rep to vote against this funding bill, because it's time to bring all the troops home. Tell him or her you support GI benefits and extended unemployment insurance, but it is outrageous to attach them to another year of war. Click here to send an email to your representative. Calls and faxes are also effective -- click here to find your representative's phone and fax numbers.
- Join the Iraq Moratorium -- Friday, June 20 -- Close to 100 events are listed on their website -- join one or plan your own, and focus attention on this upcoming legislation.
- Quickly plan a vigil or protest at the office at one of your members of Congress (House or Senate) and pass out literature that explains what this legislation will cost your district, and the price we and the Iraqis will pay during another year of war. Since the media has focused exclusive attention on the GI bill and domestic spending, most people have no idea that Congress is poised to support another year of war. By being visible, we can alert the public to what is happening. Please be sure to post your activity on our events calendar, so others can join you.
- Copy this message and distribute it widely.
Yours, for peace and justice,
UFPJ Legislative Working Group
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Action for Tomas Young
Body of War -- Take Action for Tomas Young
stumble digg reddit del.ico.us news trust buzz up
Posted June 10, 2008 | 09:06 PM (EST)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-spiro/body-of-war----take-actio_b_106317.html
On April 4, 2004 Tomas Young was shot and paralyzed in Iraq in an unarmored Humvee. He came home to become an outspoken anti-war activist, transforming his anger at the Bush administration into action. Tomas' fight to bring the troops home is deeply personal. His brother Nathan is currently in Iraq, having been stop-lossed (he served the required time of his contract and was then re-deployed). For Tomas, who cannot walk and who struggles daily with basic bodily functions, protesting the war has given his life purpose. Our film, Body of War, has been described as a searingly honest portrait of his journey, both personal and political. Tomas has roused people from their complacency and spurred many to follow in his activist footsteps.
Tomas is a bright light in a dark time.
On May 23 last month Tomas Young suffered a pulmonary embolism in the middle of the night and was found in his home the next day-- in a coma. He has been struggling to get better ever since, and is still able to infuse humor into the scariest and darkest moments.
When Tomas emerged from the coma, he asked to see a doctor. He took a long pause and muttered "Dr. Cornell West or Dr. Dre, please." Then he slipped off to sleep again.
Tomas served as Executive Producer the film's companion album, Body of War: Songs That Inspired an Iraq War Veteran, featuring 23 songs chosen by Tomas, including songs by Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Tom Morello, Michael Franti, Bright Eyes, Lupe Fiasco, Tori Amos, Public Enemy and Serj Tankian. Tomas designated the Iraq Veterans Against the War to receive the profits from this album.
Tomas and his family have been on a medical rollercoaster ride, in an out of the I.C.U., with rapid improvements followed by sudden set-backs. Tomas began to improve and was talking and cracking more jokes when he was struck with an infection that left him back in an unresponsive state in intensive care. When he emerged yet again, he struggled to identify the people in the room. His mom started playing his i-pod and Tomas began to sing. Tomas could barely speak, and his short-term memory was out-of-whack, but he could sing! Hooked up to oxygen, heart monitors and an IV, Tomas sang all the lyrics to Franti's "Light up Ya Lighter" and Vedder's "No More". He also conjured up some Rod Stewart singing "if you like my body and you think I'm sexy, come on baby let me know
While Tomas was in intensive care getting his musical memory back and making nurses laugh their heads off, dozens of Kansas City activists held an anti-war protest in his honor. One protester held a sign that read "We Cherish Tomas Young, a true patriot. Our thoughts are with you. George W. Bush, a mass murderer, we are thinking about you, too!"
When Body of War screened in Los
Angeles, Ron Kovic, the Vietnam veteran whose life was the
basis for the movie Born on the Fourth of July, stood before the crowd and said
"It was Martin Luther King who once said 'a time comes when silence is
betrayal.' A time comes when silence is betrayal...We're not going to be silent
anymore in this country. Because of heroic people like Tomas
Young. Tomas Young
is a hero. Give Tomas your support, give him your love. Give your love and
support to every young man and woman who comes home from this war. We support
our troops, but we want our troops home now! Bring the troops home now. Keep
fighting for peace. Tomas Young is
my hero."
Tomas Young is OUR hero, too.
To help Tomas in his healing process, go to www.bodyofwar.com , click on Take Action and do something in honor of Tomas to bring the troops home, including Tomas' younger brother Nathan.
Please write to Tomas and tell him what you did in his honor :
St. Luke's Hospital, 4401 Wornall,
Kansas City, MO 64111
With hope and optimism,
Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue
For “A DOZEN WAYS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE WAR”- go to: http://www.bodyofwar.com/ and click “Take Action”
********************
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code Pink Action Alert
Mayors For Peace!
Ask your mayor to cosponsor a resolution
opposing military intervention in Iran!
http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4232
While George Bush has been touring through Europe, beating the drums for war with Iran, CODEPINK has been creating -- city by city -- a groundswell of support for peace. Thanks to our initiative, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which is holding its annual meeting from June 20-24 in Miami, Florida, will vote on a critical and timely resolution urging the Bush Administration to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran. The resolution (see below) also asks Congress to prohibit the use of funds to carry out military action against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization. We are delighted to report that 20 mayors have cosponsored the resolution so far.
Is your mayor on the list?
For More Tips,
Check Out Our detailed Guide:
How To Pass a
Resolution for Peace with Iran
Be inspired to call your Mayor by watching this YouTube
For more information go to: http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4232
