KC Iraq Task Force Update
Ira Harritt
As my wife and I harvest the abundance from our yard and garden I know how blessed we are to have the peace and security to sow and plant and be able to benefit from the harvest. Human security is a simple thing many here in Kansas City take for granted, but it is something we must cultivate and nourish.
As you know the Iraq and Afghan wars grind on yielding the bitter harvest of more lost U.S., Iraqi and Afghan lives, more anger against the U.S. and trillions of U.S. tax dollars sustaining war instead of human security.
Though our national priorities are misguided today, we can reorient them toward life sustaining and enriching outcomes. Change may take years but the end result is priceless.
Please join us at the next planning meeting of the KC Iraq Task Force on Monday, June 28 at 6:30pn at the AFSC office. We will plan activities to oppose continued funding of the Afghan and Iraq wars, assure that the Iraq withdrawal is not postponed, work to get legislation requiring an exit plan for Afghanistan and more. Also please participate in the call-in actions below.
Thank you for your efforts toward creating a new vision of justice and peace for our nation.
Peace and Blessings,
Ira Harritt
KC Program Coordinator
American Friends Service Committee
ihar...@afsc.org<mailto:ihar...@afsc.org>
816 931-5256
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P.S. AFSC’s new website is being updated regularly. See the KC page for a showcase of our work at http://afsc.org/office/kansas-city-mo . Some of the things you might want to check out are: Four for Peace, an interview with Sharon Lockhart, Marianne Rowse, Ron Faust and Mike Murphy http://afsc.org/story/four-peace ; Chalk This Art Up for Peace, about Mary Vincent creating Eyes Wide Open combat boot art at the Northeast Kansas City Arts Chalk Walk Festival http://afsc.org/story/chalk-art-peace and Funding Schools, Not War, a story about our In Defense of Public Education Forum http://afsc.org/story/funding-schools-not-war .
P.P.S. Here is a link to information about a new AFSC Afghan Mural project http://afghanistan101.blogspot.com/2010/05/afghan-civilian-memorial-mural-project.html Also see one of the murals below<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/?ae=PreFormAction&a=Forward&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD7SRv5NFPXEZ1aAFAE18pFBwBM%2bv1eTLfUEZ0uAFAE18pFAAAFCkJ%2fAACOANBqlNQNQJoWP4dvrwIjAAAAkx4rAAAJ#Mural>.
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Would you consider joining the NATIONAL CALL-IN TO STOP FUNDING WAR?-- get 10 people to help
CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN AT 1-888-543-5234
SAY VOTE NO TO 33 BILLION $FUNDS FOR WARS supplemental for Afghanistan; Co-sponsor the McGovern-Jones bill, H.R. 5015 requiring the President to establish a timetable for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Afghanistan
To find your Congressman, go to congress.org and fill in your zip code. If you are in a split district you need a 9 digit zip code. You can find this at zip4.usps.com.
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Join us at the next meeting of the
KC Iraq Task Force Planning Meeting
June 28, Monday, 6:30pm
Help plan activities to oppose continued funding of the Afghan and Iraq wars, assure that the Iraq withdrawal is not postponed, work to get legislation requiring an exit plan for Afghanistan and more.
At the
AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
For information call 816 931-5256
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[cid:image0...@01CB1515.88EF45F0]Join us for a
Patriots’ Picnic
You are invited to celebrate Independence Day,
the freedoms of our democracy and
to support the continuing peacemaking work
of the American Friends Service Committee
on Saturday, July 3, 2009,
from 11:00am to 2:30 p.m.
Let Freedom Ring! Keep the Faith!
Join us and Celebrate
with like minded Patriots!
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Enjoy hot dogs, burgers (veggie and otherwise),
salads and other picnic fare.
There will be games for the kids (young and old), and
Kevin Hyatt
Performing American Fingerstyle Six, Seven, and Twelve String Guitar- “a Master of his style!“
“His lyrics brim with the celebration of life and the experiences of real people.”
Women of the Drum
Participate in our July 4th Apple Pie Bake- Off
- For more information call us
at the home of Sharon Lockhart
8336 Sagamore, Leawood, KS
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 Ira at 816 931-5256 or email ihar...@afsc.org<mailto:ihar...@afsc.org> .
Please feel free to bring friends who may be interested in learning more about AFSC.
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Join us at the next meeting of the
KC Iraq Task Force Planning Meeting
June 28, Monday, 6:30pm
Help plan activities to oppose continued funding of the Afghan and Iraq wars, assure that the Iraq withdrawal is not postponed, work to get legislation requiring an exit plan for Afghanistan and more.
At the
AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
For information call 816 931-5256
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You are invited to help plan the
Visions of Peace at the Crossroads
(new name for peace festival)
We are to hold the Festival
during a First Friday Art Walk
in the Crossroads Arts District on October 1st, 2010
We envision a Festival full of storytelling, poetry, music and theater performances on a main stage and in galleries and other venues in the Crossroads District.
We invite your assistance in identifying potential partners in the Crossroads and artists and performers who could address our Stories of Peace, Justice and Hope theme
Contact us at ihar...@afsc.org<mailto:ihar...@afsc.org> or 816 931-5256 to help.
Join us at our next planning meeting on
Monday, July 5, 6:40pm
at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO
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Upcoming Peace and Justice Activities
Click on link or scroll down for more information about the peace and justice activity
June 27, Sunday, 5:00 – 9:00pm, Crescent Peace Society Annual Picnic<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/?ae=PreFormAction&a=Forward&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD7SRv5NFPXEZ1aAFAE18pFBwBM%2bv1eTLfUEZ0uAFAE18pFAAAFCkJ%2fAACOANBqlNQNQJoWP4dvrwIjAAAAkx4rAAAJ#CrescentPeace>, Open to all, Members and Nonmembers. Please join us & share the CPS Picnic with the community, Shawnee Mission Park, Shelter #5, 7900 Renner Rd, Shawnee, KS
July 3, 2010, Saturday, from 11:00am to 2:30 p.m. Patriots’ Picnic<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/?ae=PreFormAction&a=Forward&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD7SRv5NFPXEZ1aAFAE18pFBwBM%2bv1eTLfUEZ0uAFAE18pFAAAFCkJ%2fAACOANBqlNQNQJoWP4dvrwIjAAAAkx4rAAAJ#Picnic>. Celebrate Independence Day and support the work of the American Friends Service Committee. Enjoy picnic fare, games for the kids and music by Kevin Hyatt and Women of the Drum at the home of Sharon Lockhart 8336 Sagamore, Leawood, KS. See details above.
June 28, Monday, 6:30pm, KC Iraq Task Force Planning Meeting. Help plan activities to oppose continued funding of the Afghan and Iraq wars, assure that the Iraq withdrawal is not postponed, work to get legislation requiring an exit plan for Afghanistan and more. AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO 816 931-5256
July 5, Monday, 6:40pm, Planning Meeting for Festival for Justice and Peace<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/?ae=PreFormAction&a=Forward&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD7SRv5NFPXEZ1aAFAE18pFBwBM%2bv1eTLfUEZ0uAFAE18pFAAAFCkJ%2fAACOANBqlNQNQJoWP4dvrwIjAAAAkx4rAAAJ#Festival>, date and location to be determined. The proposed theme this year is “Stories of Justice and Peace.” At the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO. Call 816 931-5256 for more information.
July 22, Thursday, 7:00pm, Peace for the Holy Land: A Christian View by David Wildman, Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice at the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, New York City, and co-author of Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer, will speak at Broadway United Methodist Church, 406 West 74th Street, Kansas City, MO. The event is free and open to the public, and is a rare opportunity to learn more about a conflict that ultimately affects us all.
August 6, Monday, 9 am, hearing on civil resistance—come to the U.S. Courthouse, 401 E. 9th St., KC, Mo., for the 9 a.m. hearing on the June 18 civil resistance at the KC Plant. Bring signs! For info, contact resister Jane Stoever, 913-206-4088, or janeps...@yahoo.com<mailto:janeps...@yahoo.com>.
August 7-8, Hiroshima, Nagasaki—Never Again! PeaceWorks’ annual observance Sunday, Aug. 8, in Loose Park, 6:30 pm potluck, 7:30 pm ceremony. On Saturday, Aug. 7, caravan to current KC Plant and new KC Plant site, Botts Road & Mo. Hwy. 150; leave at 3 p.m. from All Souls UU Church, 4501 Walnut.
August 14-16, KC Nuclear Weapons Plant Conference: Close It! Clean It! Don’t Repeat It! Come to Linwood United Church, 3151 Olive, for 3 days of spirituality, science and resistance to nuclear weapons-making (beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Linwood United) and hear presentations and a concert Aug. 14, 7-10 p.m., at All Souls UU Church, 4501 Walnut. Able to bring food for hungry resisters Aug. 14-16 or offer lodging Aug. 13 and Aug. 16? Contact Jane Stoever.
August 14-16, No Nukes, KC!—Spirituality & Science. Come to Linwood United Church, 3151 Olive, for 3 days of spirituality, science and resistance to nuclear weapons-making (probably beginning at noon Aug. 14, with specifics for the 3 days TBA) and hear presentations and a concert Aug. 14, 7-10 p.m., at All Souls UU Church, 4501 Walnut.
September 21, The International Day of Prayer for Peace 2010- "A Future and a Hope<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/?ae=PreFormAction&a=Forward&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD7SRv5NFPXEZ1aAFAE18pFBwBM%2bv1eTLfUEZ0uAFAE18pFAAAFCkJ%2fAACOANBqlNQNQJoWP4dvrwIjAAAAkx4rAAAJ#Prayer4Peace>." On Earth Peace is inviting faith & community groups to prepare public prayer vigils, prayerful community walks, vespers services, rallies, public art displays, and events ranging from a few minutes to twenty-four hours of coordinated prayer for peace in the International Day of Prayer for Peace.
September 25-26, UNplaza Art Fair, sponsored by PeaceWorks Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m., at All Souls. Come to this annual PeaceWorks fund-raiser and shop early for the holidays!
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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 schwar...@sbcglobal.net
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Our next planning meeting for
Visions of Peace at the Crossroads
(new name for peace festival)
will be on Monday, July 5 at 6:40pm
at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO.
Notes from June 22 Festival Planning Meeting
In attendance: Mary V., Ron F., Jane, S., Vicky B., Lorene M., Jessica F., Cris M. Mike T.(via speaker phone) and Ira H.
1. Review of Current Plans
After introduction Ira reviewed the plans thus far for the festival.
• Location - Wyandotte between 17 & 18 Streets
• Date- First Friday, October 1, 6:00 to 9;00pm
• Activities: Main stage; Community Mural Project; tabling; peace exhibits and performance in other Crossroads venues
2. Concerns From One Crossroads Business Owner
Ira reported on a meeting he had with Peregrine Hoenig, a Crossroads business owner, who voiced some concern about having the event and closing a street on First Friday.
Her concern was that First Friday was already a packed event. She said that the people attending would not give our message the respect and attention it deserved. She felt that we would do better creating an event on another day and could attract people who would be there for our message and be more receptive. She expressed some negative feelings about First Fridays and encouraged us to do things in the Crossroads on other days. Part of her interest was to bring people down to the Crossroads at other times. She also felt that Saturday afternoon events, for example, would be more family friendly.
Ira described to Peregrine the challenge of getting people who were not already actively committed to peace to come to peace events and that the media often did not provide coverage especially before an event. He explained that our intention was to expose at least a percentage of the thousands of First Friday attendees with our message and inspire a stronger personal vision of peace. She expressed a willingness to support us but continued to encourage us to consider another day and thought that there would be artists and business owners who would support such an event. She also suggested we consider a parade. Ira said we would be interested in exploring such an event but that the committee working on the festival had already spent several months building consensus on a First Friday event. She was invited to attend the planning meeting and said she would try but was unable to make it.
The planning group discussed Peregrine’s concerns but affirmed our plan to hold the festival on Firsd Friday on October 1st. The committee felt that exposing our message to even just a percentage of the First Friday attendees was a good thing to do. They expressed an openness to hold an additional following the First Friday Festival as we had discussed holding workshops on the first Saturday or second Saturday, perhaps adding elements with the support of Crossroads businesses and groups.
3. Process for obtaining a permit to close Wyandotte Street
We discussed the process for obtaining a permit to close Wyandotte between 17 & 18 Streets the proposed main stage, mural project and tabling area. The process to “Petition For Street Closure – Festival” includes completing the application; getting all adjacent property & business owners / managers to sign the application petition; create a proposed traffic control and detour plan (a comprehensive manual upon which the plan would be based is at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part6.pdf ); Install and tear down barriers and signs; Clean up
Mary and Ron volunteered to work with Ira on the application process. It was suggested that getting one or more of the friendly businesses to “sign-on” first and then going to the other business would be a good strategy. One or more of the buildings are owned by Shirley Helzberg (some buildings are vacant – I spoke with someone at the KCMO City Transportation Department who said we did not need to worry about getting owners of the vacant buildings to sign the petition).
4. Other Decisions / Discussion
We revisited the name of the event. After discussion and putting out various ideas we agreed upon “Visions of Peace at the Crossroads” We felt that the ideas of multiple visions was good and the multiple meanings of “crossroads” appropriate. Festival will not be in the title of the event. We discussed the need to have a two or three sentence mission or purpose statement for the event. Ira will draft one and Mary will review and help.
We discussed creating a simple piece of literature that asks people to work for peace like “Three Things You Can Do For Peace” (perhaps a general set like – 1. Every day do something to expand peacemaking in your personal relationships? 2. Every week do something to expand your peacemaking in your community. 3. Every month do something to stand for peace in the world.) We also discussed having something in the street going for the full block that listed 1,000 things you could do for peace – could be something people contributed to that night.
Vicky brought up the question about branding the event. We all agreed that the mural them of “Lend Us Your Hands” for peace was good and we will use the image of hands in our publicity and flyers. We briefly discussed the question of “what messages, images, activities will resonate with 30-something people?” (who will make up a large percentage of the crowd at the Crossroads)
5. Activities at the Festival
a. We discussed activities we wanted to have on the Main stage. These include: performers, storytellers, spoken word, poetry, music, video… We proposed that stage performances would be no more than five minutes and that we should “mix it up” with varied kinds of content. Cris suggested that Josh Armfield, an Iraq war vet who has become a CO could tell his story of transformation and would be a good speaker. Vicky mentioned that “1809 Troost” is a place where slam poetry happens. speakers, etc.
We discussed that we would want some chairs set up for the general public maybe 12 or 15 to 20. We would have additional chairs and table for the tabling groups.
b. Ira reported that he and Mike had looked over the street which is sloped and that Mike thought that if we could get permission the Mural should be set up in a parking lot on the west side of Wyandotte. We would construct supports for the 40’ mural perhaps five sheets of 4’x8’ plywood on 2”x4” frames. Mike reported that the final design would be completed next week.
We proposed that Mike design the mural so that his title, “Lend Us Your Hands for Peace, Justice and Hope,” is printed so that when it is displayed at other venues after the event the message will be obvious.
c. We want to encourage all of the Tabling groups to have an interactive activity to engage attendees.
d. We will do video interviews of peoples’ visions and stories of peace, justice and hope during the festival. We proposed that we project some of the video on a screen. Vicky is involved with the Independent Filmmakers Coalition and will seek a volunteer there to take responsibility for doing the videoing. She also will explore using an inflatable screen from Hemingway’s.
e. We thought that Peregrine’s idea about a parade was a good one though it might be more like a “snake” where small groups of people starting at different points move through the crowd in peace themed costumes and instruments, etc. and “snake” their way to the festival area. Mike will contact people who have been involved in the KC Mardi Gras to see if they would be involved.
f. We discussed pre-Festival activities with the Fringe Festival (July 25- August 1) and Youth Fringe (June 23 & 24). Ira will send out an email to recruit people to volunteer to help with making hand-painted Festival posters or just hand-painted “hands” graphics which we will incorporate into festival posters. A final Festival poster may need to wait until we get a confirmation on the street closing. We will also create posters to be painted by kids as summer programs at area churches. (just spoke with Rev. Kirk Perucca, chair of the Heartland Presbytery Peacemaking Committee, who agreed to help get the word out to Presbyterian summer programs and to his church also suggested contacting the Swope Corridor Renaissance organizations which has summer enhancement programs across the city.)
g. We briefly discussed follow up activities. We already want to plan a set of workshops to take place after the 1st Friday Festival perhaps on the next Saturday. We also considered holding them on the 2nd Saturday to coincide with Crossroads Community Association (CCA) tours and other 2nd Saturday activities. Ira will talk with his CCA contacts to see if there would be some synergy with doing this. We also would like to explore the idea that Peregrine suggested working with Crossroads businesses to organize an event.
h. We also briefly discussed the need to consider what to do in case of bad weather. The turnout for First Friday would be greatly diminished so we need to decide if we would have an indoor location, rain date, cancel or make other plans. We will discuss this at out next meeting.
i. Our next meeting will be on Monday, July 5, 6:40pm at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO
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“Lend Us Your Hands” for Peace, Justice and Hope!
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News and Alerts
[cid:image0...@01CB1514.FC05D140]Reality Check in Afghanistan
Dear Friend,
"If Americans pulled back and started paying attention to this war, it would become even less popular," a senior adviser to Gen. Stanley McChrystal says in a recent Rolling Stone magazine article called “The Runaway General<http://support.afsc.org/site/R?i=BibHcKZS9V7lbf7ADMSPFQ..>.”
The article quotes Gen. McChrystal and his staff criticizing President Obama and disparaging civilian leadership, revealing deep divides within the National Security Council. It has resulted in the general’s removal as Commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. But dismissing Gen. McChrystal addresses the symptom, not the disease. A change in command won’t end the war only a change in strategy will, and that starts with the President.
Take action now.
Call your Representative<http://support.afsc.org/site/R?i=xlIuc8sHk9JPdt4h-R-uqw..> and tell them that you support an exit strategy for Afghanistan. Ask them to co-sponsor the McGovern exit strategy bill, H.R. 5015, and to urge other Representatives to co-sponsor the bill.
Wage peace,
Peter Lems and Mary Zerkel
American Friends Service Committee
PS: Those attending the U.S. Social Forum, June 22 – 26 in Detroit, are invited to join us at an AFSC workshop. “Eyewitness to War: Afghan and Iraqi Perspectives” will be held Friday, June 25, from 1:00pm - 5:30pm at Cobo Hall W1-53. Check our blog<http://support.afsc.org/site/R?i=RYJf35WC8a3zExOz1G96Gw..> for updates from the U.S. Social Forum.
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'Americans Don’t Flinch' – They Duck!
by Kathy Kelly and Dan Pearson
Yesterday, accepting General McChrystal’s resignation, President Obama said that McChrystal’s departure represented a change in personnel, not a change in policy. “Americans don’t flinch in the face of difficult truths or difficult tasks.” he stated, “We persist and we persevere.”
Yet, President Obama and the U.S. people don’t face up to the ugly truth that, in Afghanistan, the U.S. has routinely committed atrocities against innocent civilians. By ducking that truth, the U.S. reinforces a sense of exceptionalism, which, in other parts of the world, causes resentment and antagonism.
While on the campaign trail and since taking office, President Obama has persistently emphasized his view that attacks against civilians are always criminal, unless the U.S. is the attacker, in which case they are justified. We heard this again, yesterday, as the President assured the U.S. people that we will persevere in Afghanistan. “We will not tolerate a safe haven for terrorists who want to destroy Afghan security from within, and launch attacks against innocent men, women, and children in our country and around the world.”
In considering the security of Afghan civilians, it’s crucial to ask why, on May 12, 2009, General McChrystal was selected to replace General McKiernan as the top general in Afghanistan. More> http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/06/24-5
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“If I Had a Trillion Dollars” Youth Video Contest
The economic cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is about to reach $1 trillion. Youth are affected by the ongoing cost of the wars and our federal budget priorities (budget cuts, future debt incurred) but are often not part of the conversation or the anti-war, pro-peace movement. National Priorities Project and American Friends Service Committee are teaming up to make sure youth have a voice!
If you work with youth or in schools, this is a chance to get them involved in making a video with the theme “If I Had a Trillion Dollars!”. You can download the IHTD Outreach/FAQ packet and Curriculum by going to: http://drop.io/ihtdmaterials
The Rules:
• Entries must be produced by youth between the ages of 13 and 23.
• Due by July 31, 2010.
• Must be between 1 and 3 minutes in length and address the $1 trillion price tag for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
First Prize - $500 and trip to Washington, DC to show video to home legislator
Second and Third prizes - Flip video cameras
For more information contact mze...@afsc.org<https://webmail.afsc.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>, 312.427.2533
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Ira Harritt
KC Program Coordinator
American Friends Service Committee
816 931-5256
ihar...@afsc.org