KC Iraq Task Force Mailing
Ira Harritt
"I would say that I'm a nonviolent soldier.
In place of weapons of violence, you have to use your mind,
your heart, your sense of humor, every faculty available to you...
because no one has the right to take the life of another human being."
~Joan Baez
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Dear Peacemakers,
We want to thank all those who helped publicize and support or attended the Visions of Peace at the Crossroads festival. It was a beautiful evening for the festival and many hundreds of people came through and participated in the event.
There were too many good things happening at the festival for me to describe them all. KC Academy of Learning, Stone Lion Puppets and Djembe Djane Drummers and others paraded in costume making music and spread peace throughout the Crossroads. Cong. Cleaver inspired participants; The Lend Us Your Hand For Peace mural creation was amazing and produced a beautiful piece of community created art; the musicians, poets and storytellers were great!…
Community support and involvement helped make the Visions of Peace at the Crossroads festival a success. I heard from many attendees that they thought the event was wonderful.
I invite you to attend and ask you to help in publicizing
the Peace Crawl.
It is a follow-up activity to the festival and will take place on
October 16 from 1:30 to 4:30pm.
The event features six peace and justice workshops
at three Crossroads venues.
A flyer is copied below and flyers can be downloaded at http://afsc.org/event/peace-crawl
Below also are a few pictures from the festival and more can be seen by clicking this link > http://www.flickr.com/photos/afsc-iowa/sets/72157625101941484/.
And here are several responses we received on Visions of Peace pledge cards to the question: "What would a world of justice and peace look like to you?"
- "Where race matters but does not count; where war is considered barbaric." ~Cong. Emanuel Cleaver
- "The inner grace to see the wonder and mystery in each"
- "A World with no judgment and acceptance and joy in every moment"
- "A world free of segregation and predetermined hatred"
- " No selfishness beyond one's basic needs"
We have started a Face Book discussion on this topic. To participate or see responses click this link. Please pass on this link to others and invite them to share their visions of a just and peaceful world!
Again thanks for your support and work for a peaceful and just community and world.
Peace and Blessing to You,
Ira Harritt
KC AFSC Program Coordinator
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End the War in Afghanistan Tool Kit for Action
Click the link below for a collection of campaigns, actions and information about ending the war in Afghanistan http://www.endafghanistanwar.com/toolkit/
Democracy is a participatory sport!
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Upcoming Peace and Justice Activities
Click on link or scroll down for more information about the peace and justice activity
October 7, 4:00pm, Presentation of Report Card on the U.S. War in Afghanistan / Press Conference, On the Ninth Anniversary of the start of the Afghan War help educate the public about the futility of our Afghan policy. The presentation will take place outside the offices of the Louis Berger Group at 4050 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO The grades are being announced at this location because the company, in many ways, represents much that is wrong with the Afghanistan war. The Louis Berger Group is currently facing federal criminal and civil investigations of claims of overbilling the government. The Group is also accused of waste, fraud and shoddy construction. The announcement of the “grades” will be followed by a short march to Sen. Claire McCaskill’s Office at 4141 Pennsylvania Ave. just 1 ½ blocks away. Placards with grades will be provided so you can participated. Down load flyer at http://afsc.org/document/report-card-afghan-war
October 1 – 7 Kansas International Film Festival features films on a variety of social justice and environmental issues from immigration, plastic pollution, slavery, genocide, genetically modified foods and religious fundamentalism. The festival takes place from. See www.kansasfilm.com for more details or to buy festival passes or tickets to individual films. -at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, 95th and Metcalf in Overland Park
October 7, Tuesday, Eighth Anniversary of the Start of the War in Afghanistan, Mark your calendar. Planning is in process.
October 6-7, Wednesday and Thursday, KC Peace Planters Events including nonviolent direct action to protest the city’s ownership of NNSA’s new KC Plant, which will make/procure non-nuclear parts for nuclear weapons. 10/6 events open at 1 pm in the Assembly Room of Cristo Rey, 211 W. Linwood, with action discussions, artwork, nonviolence training; 10/6 closes with a festival of hope (music, talks) 7-8:30 pm at All Souls, 4501 Walnut. 10/7 starts at 9 am with Municipal Court hearings at 1101 Locust, Room D, for the 14 resisters who, on 8/16, blocked the path of a huge Caterpillar clearing ground for the new KC Plant. After the hearings, Peace Planters will rally in Ilus Davis Park and march on City Hall. Most bizarre: the city will hold title to the new NNSA campus and is selling municipal bonds (with federal guarantees) for up to $800 million to finance it. Register free with KC Peace Planters: 913-206-4088, janeps...@yahoo.com. Info: kcnukeswatch.wordpress.com.
October 16, Saturday, 1:30 to 4:30, Peace Crawl in the Crossroads, choose from six peace and justice workshops taking place at three venues in the Crossroads followed by a Peace Networking hour! See below for more info.
October 23, Saturday, 2:00-4:00pm, KC Peace Planters Meeting, developing a long-term strategy for resisting the KC Plant. Meet at Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House, 3308 E. 12th St., KC, Mo., just east of Benton.
October 29, Friday, 7:00pm, Pakistan Flood Relief Dinner sponsored by the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church and the Crescent Peace Society to raise funds to alleviate human suffering that continues after the floods. Enjoy Parkoras, Chicken Korma, Beef or Vegetarian Kebabs and more. Minimum donation $20. The dinner will take place at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 7725 W. 87 St., Overland Park, KS Form more information click this link Sara L. Sautter, Director of Congregational Life SMUUC, 913-381-3336
October 29-31, 2010 Peace Colloquy with the theme "Children Cry, We Respond!"at Community of Christ Temple, 201 S. River Boulevard, Independence, MO (see below for details)
November 3-4, Wednesday & Thursday, Peace Planter Protest NNSA's New Nuclear Weapons Production Plant that the city will own; the plant makes non-nuclear parts and has flown under most people's radar, but it makes/procures 85% of U.S. nukes. 11/3 will offer time to train in nonviolence and discuss direct action; 11/3 evening festival of hope will feature the Sierra Club's Scott Dye, well versed in contaminants from the 61-year-old current plant in KC. 11/4 opens at 9am with Municipal Court hearings for the 7 civil resisters to the groundbreaking for the new plant 9/8. Civil resistance and a rally will follow the hearings. Register free with KC Peace Planters: 913-206-4088, janeps...@yahoo.com. Info: kcnukeswatch.wordpress.com.
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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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FBI Raids Anti-War Activists
Did you know...
- The FBI has recently raided the homes of anti-war activists in Chicago and Minneapolis.
- During the searches, FBI agents confiscated computers, cell phones, numerous documents and financial records.
- The rights of free speech and the freedom to associate are being infringed upon and must be protected.
Please take the opportunity to sign postcards at Visions of Peace at the Crossroad, on Friday evening October 1st from 6 to 9pm, that will be delivered to the Kansas City FBI Headquarters at 13th & Summit later in October to indicate your condemnation of these raids, that we hold FBI Director Robert Mueller and President Barack Obama accountable for these actions, and that we will not stand for such treatment of anti-war protesters in the future, especially here in Kansas City!
1) We condemn the raids
2) End harassment of anti-war and international solidarity activists.
3) Return all materials and property seized in the raids.
4) Demand that US Attorney General Eric Holder to stop the Grand Jury subpoenas
of activists.
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Sarah Cool
816-674-4224 (US)
For More information: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/25/us/politics/25search.html?_r=1
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2755588,CST-EDT-edit29a.article
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Join us for a
Peace Crawl
October 16, Saturday,
Choose from Six Workshop-Discussions at Three Venues
Arts Incubator, 113 W. 18 St., KCMO
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1:30 to 2:25pm |
African American Art and Social Change - Ron Chaney, former Ethnic Art Gallery owner, will discuss the importance of African American art for society. |
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2:30 to 3:25pm |
The ‘Art’ of Overcoming Oppression – Jessica Farmer, KC Anti-Violence Project outreach educator, & KC Love youth, will guide participants in art activities and a discussion of internal and systemic oppression and ways individuals can overcome them. |
Crossroad’s Coffee House, 310 Southwest Blvd, KCMO
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1:30 to 2:25pm |
Speaking Peace – Sharon Hannah, mediator and peace educator, will present a “taste” of bestselling author, Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s principle of “nonviolent communication” |
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2:30 to 3:25pm |
Peace Building in Church and Community- Prof. Dick Olson, Central Baptist Seminary, will lead an exploration of how everyday conflicts can be transformed and transformative – information, stories, discussion, and, maybe, a role play |
Mildred’s Coffee House, 1821 Wyandotte Street, KCMO
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1:30 to 2:25pm |
What is a Humane Society? – Ron Faust, peace activist and Mary Vincent volunteer and activist on poverty, hunger and peace will discuss poverty, society’s priorities and how we can uplift the human condition. |
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2:30 to 3:25pm |
Peacemaking in a Time of War-Ira Harritt, American Friends Service Committee KC program coordinator, will discuss times visions of a just future helped transform injustice to justice and how our vision and action can help today. |
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3:30 to 4:30pm |
Peace Networking / Social Hour – join with others interested in peace and justice and share ideas, stories and some coffee or other refreshment. |
For information or to find out how you can get involved contact the American Friends Service Committee, 816 931-5256, afs...@afsc.org or http://afsc.org/office/kansas-city-mo
RSVP to reserve your space encouraged: 816 931-5256 or afs...@afsc.org note workshops you wish to attend.
This event is being held in conjunction with the October 1 Visions of Peace at the Crossroads
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2010 Peace Colloquy
October 29-31, 2010
The Temple
201 S. River Boulevard
Independence, Missouri, USA
Register Online! (closes Thursday, October 28 at 5:00 p.m.)
Registration Form (PDF to mail)
The 2010 Peace Colloquy will run October 29-31 at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, with the theme "Children Cry, We Respond!"
This year's colloquy will focus on peace and justice for our children. Children are suffering the atrocities of war, poverty, malnutrition, and slavery. They lack access to clean water and air, shelter, education, and medical care. Come to the 2010 Peace Colloquy to help us consider how each is called to engage in peace and justice for our children.
Highlights will include presentation of the Community of Christ International Peace Award, workshops, keynote speakers, a prayer retreat, a children's program, and a youth retreat.
Including Friday, October 29, 7:30 p.m. Peace Award Ceremony (open to public) & Keynote: Three Cups of Tea—Greg Mortenson
Watch www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy and future Heralds for more details.
—Brad Martell, Peace Colloquy co-director
News and Alerts
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Attend 10/7 hearings for civil resisters vs. KC nuke-parts plant; march on City Hall!
The KC Peace Planters ask you to “show up for peace!” at Municipal Court, 1101 Locust, Room D, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.
That’s when 14 civil resisters have hearings for opposing the Kansas City Plant, which makes non-nuclear parts for nuclear weapons, including guidance and security systems. The plant is operated by Honeywell for the National Nuclear Security Administration. On Aug. 16, the 14 blocked a Caterpillar leveling ground for NNSA’s new KC Plant at Mo. Hwy. 150 and Botts Road. “Stop building for nuclear war,” the protesters’ sign proclaimed. About 70 others trespassed and then soon left the field. The action stopped work at the field for two hours (wow!). The 14 were arrested and quickly released.
The Kansas City-area resisters from Aug. 16 are Gina Cook and Rachael Hoffman, of Holy Family Catholic Worker; Eric Garbison and Joshua Armfield, from Cherith Brook Catholic Worker; and Beth Seberger and Donna Constantineau, both formerly of Holy Family and longtime peace activists.
After court Oct. 7, join the KC Peace Planters in a noon rally and march on City Hall with help from musicians, spoken word artists and more civil resisters. The city, strangely, owns the new campus for the KC Plant, and the Peace Planters plan to expose that well-kept secret.
The day before, on Oct. 6, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., in the Assembly Room at Cristo Rey-KC, 211 W. Linwood Blvd., KC, Mo., help with artwork for Oct. 7, or join folks who have done or will do civil resistance in discussing the next day’s hearings and further direct action.
Also on Oct. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, KC, Mo., attend a “festival of hope” with music and reflections from a few of the 14 civil resisters. Sing along: “We’re all sick/of Honeywell/making bombs/that create hell.” Gina Cook will share her reasons for doing civil resistance as one of the 14, and Brian Terrell of Maloy, Iowa, another of the KC Peace Planters 14, will explain the great reception a judge gave him and 13 others after their trespass at Creach Air Force Base in Nevada, protesting drones.
KC Peace Planters, a coalition, was begun by PeaceWorks-KC, Physicians for Social Responsibility-KC and East Meets West of Troost, and now includes Holy Family CW and Cherith Brook CW. More info: kcnukeswatch.wordpress.com.
Final note: On Sept. 8, seven resisters were arrested at the protest of the groundbreaking for the new KC Plant. Those seven, including Sarah Cool from Cherith Brook CW and Jim Hannah from Community of Christ in Independence, come to court in KC at 9 a.m. Nov. 4. Hope to see you both Oct. 6-7 and Nov. 3-4. Register for free by contacting Jane Stoever, 913-206-4088, janeps...@yahoo.com.
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U.S. contractor accused of fraud still winning big Afghan projects
By Marisa Taylor and Warren P. Strobel
McClatchy Newspapers Posted on Sat, Sep. 18, 2010 10:15 PM
WASHINGTON | On July 31, 2006, an employee of The Louis Berger Group, a contractor handling some of the most important U.S. rebuilding projects in Afghanistan, handed federal investigators explosive evidence that the company was intentionally and systematically overbilling American taxpayers.
Neither the whistle-blower’s computer disk full of incriminating documents nor a trail of allegations of waste, fraud and shoddy construction, however, prevented Louis Berger from continuing to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts.
In fact, two months after the government learned of the employee’s allegations, the U.S. Agency for International Development tapped Louis Berger — which has an office in Kansas City — to oversee $1.4 billion in reconstruction contracts in Afghanistan.
The decision to brush aside the allegations and the evidence and keep doing business with Louis Berger, underscores a persistent dilemma for the Obama administration in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Cutting ties with suspect war-zone contractors in Afghanistan would threaten the administration’s effort to rebuild the country and begin withdrawing some of the nearly 100,000 U.S. troops there next July. However, as the recession, unemployment and budget deficits prompt belt-tightening at home, the billions the administration is spending to try to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq are receiving increasing scrutiny from Congress and the public.
More> http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/18/2233583/us-contractor-accused-of-fraud.html#ixzz10P0HpBdf
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New Iraq Veterans Against the War Campaign
Operation Recovery Announcement Coming October 7th –
In Commemoration of the start of combat in Afghanistan
The announcement for our first campaign is coming quick.
We want Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to tell us your story to benefit the research team in their work to identify what we can focus on to improve the way we take care of service members. The survey can be conducted personally or over the phone with the research team or anonymously through a surrogate. Let us know what will help you or others participate in this effort.
As part of the announcement we are devising a press release that could have some of this data included to build our case. The announcement will have a national press release element and local action by our members and allies. The time to plan is now and what you plan is based on the concerns of your community. This does not have to be a grand release but contacting the media is encouraged and staging an activity, statement, or gathering is encouraged. Let me know what you're planning so we can share it with each other. One thought is to deliver a message to local leaders and allies in your area to sign a pledge that they will not participate in the deployment of traumatized service members. Identify who would sign that pledge and work with you in this campaign but also challenge those will not and ask them why they will continue to commit our broken troops.
Good Luck,
Will Stewart-Starks
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Plains Regional Coordinator
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"If I Had a Trillion Dollars" Youth Video Contest
****Deadline Extended to November 30, 2010****
The economic cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan reached $1 trillion on May 30, 2010. 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 November 30, 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
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=118557224837620&ref=ts
http://afsc.org/action/if-i-had-trillion-dollars-youth-video-contest
Contact Information:
Ira Harritt
KC Program Coordinator
American Friends Service Committee
816 931-5256