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november 15, 2008
VETERANS OCCUPY NATIONAL ARCHIVES - REMOVED BY POLICE SUNDAY
VIDEOS
Veterans Occupy National Archives Again [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]
Video from the Ledge [ 1 | 2 | 3 ] | Photos from the Ledge
Solidarity Action - Los Angeles VFP [ 1 | 2 ]
 |
|
Archive Action |
On Saturday, November 15, at 8:00 am, at the
National Archives Building on Connecticut Ave., eight military veterans and a
military mother climbed a 9-foot retaining fence and occupied a ninety-foot
high scaffolding to raise two 450 square foot banners stating, "DEFEND
OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!" and "WE
WILL NOT BE SILENT." The same message will also be displayed at
demonstrations in the Los Angeles
area on Saturday.
Members of Veterans for Peace (VFP) chose the
Archives for their nonviolent protest because it is symbolic of their military
oath to "defend the Constitution
of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic." In September they occupied
the Archives for 24 hours, and plan to stay longer this time.
Elliott
Adams VFP: 61, Sharon Springs, NY, VFP President and former Army
paratrooper, Viet Nam
Ellen Barfield VFP: 52, Baltimore, MD, former Army Sgt.
Kim Carlyle VFP: 61, Buncombe County, NC, former Army Spec 5
Doug Zachary VFP: 58, Austin, TX, VFP staff, former USMC Lance Cpl.
Tarak Kauff VFP: 67, Woodstock, NY, former PFC, Army Airborne
Will Covert VFP: 63, San
Diego, CA, VFP lifetime member, former E4 Navy
Elaine Brower MFSO: 54, Staten Island, NY, Military Families Speak Out, National Steering Committee,
mother of USMC Sgt. James Brower on third tour in Iraq
Matthis Chiroux IVAW: 24, Army Sergeant, served in Afghanistan, refused deployment to Iraq
PROVIDING GROUND SUPPORT:
Mike Ferner VFP: 57, Toledo, OH, former Navy corpsman
Debbie Tolson VFP: 52, Potomac, MD, associate member of VFP
Michelle White MFSO: 24, Clarksville, TN, Military Families Speak Out, wife of Iraq war vet
currently serving in Afghanistan
Michael Marceau VFP: 59, Rockville, MD, VP VFP Chapter 16, former Army, Viet
Nam
Bruce Berry VFP: 62, Minneapolis, MN, former SPC 4 Army, Viet Nam
Fred Nagel VFP: 65, Rhinebeck, NY, former SPC 4 Army
Jay Wenk VFP: 82, Woodstock, NY, former rifleman, 90th Infantry Div., WWII
Tony Teolis VFP: 703-402-1763
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
VETERANS FOR PEACE REMEMBERS ARMISTICE DAY
Over 40 VFP Chapters took part in remembering Armistice / Veterans Day. Read their updates and see their photos.
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
TURTLE WOMEN RISING: DRUM THE HEART, HEAL THE EARTH
I was most privileged and honored to take part in helping to manifest Eli Painted Crow's vision for the Turtle Women Rising: Drum the Heart, Heal the Earth celebration, which occurred on the National Mall in Washington, DC from October 10 through October 13, 2008. As coordinator of the Guardians who provided security for the event and created a space of safety for the festivities, I was also most privileged to assist Eli, her sister, Debbie and many members of the local Native American Indian community as well as local members of Veterans For Peace, in setting up and creating the ceremonial circle within which was placed an alter and the sacred fire for the four-day ceremonies of drumming, praying and healing.
NOVEMBER 3, 2008
TO ALL THE ACTIVISTS OF THE ANTI-WAR / PEACE AND JUSTICE MOVEMENTS
Soon our nation will have a new President. The last page of the Bush era will be turned and a new era will begin. Having no idea who will be elected there are a few thoughts I would like to share with you.
OCTOBER 30, 2008
VFP BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S ELECTION 2008
Ballots were mailed out the week of October 22. They need to be returned post-marked by Friday, November 7 to be officially counted. Only verified, veteran members who are current in their membership receive ballots and are allowed to vote in the election.
october 27, 2008
RAISE HELL FOR MOLLY IVINS
TAKE ACTION!
Help organize an action in you home town! We are just regular folks with jobs and all of life's pressures, but we feel a need to speak out and do what we can. Please join our Raise Hell campaign using every peaceful means including the Internet, phone and fax to let the LOCAL office of your Congressional Representative know - The next monthly protest is scheduled for THE FOLLOWING FRIDAYS IN OCTOBER 2008: October 24th and October 31st.
If you cannot attend a physical protest, please WRITE, TELEPHONE,
FAX and EMAIL your LOCAL Congressional Representative's office on that
day!
OCTOBER 23, 2008
FEDERAL JUDGES RULES ON WATADA CASE
On Tuesday, a Federal Judge ruled that 1st Lt Ehren Watada cannot be
retried on three of the five court martial charges. Watada failed to
deploy with his Fort Lewis unit in 2006. Constitutional protections
keep him from being tried again on three counts, but he still could be
court-martialed for conduct unbecoming an officer.
OCTOBER 20, 2008
YOKO ONO DONATES $10,000 TO VFP CHAPTER 093
The
south central Michigan chapter of Veterans For Peace decided
last spring to have a fund raiser for their Peace Studies Scholarship Fund. Bob
Krzewinski, the Chapter Secretary, proposed a music concert with John Lennon as
the theme. It would be on or near John Lennon's birth date. Bob asked for volunteers and he and Bill Shea began to turn the concept into reality. Bob contacted the agent for Yoko and asked permission to use John's name for the concert. Approval was received. Weeks passed and the coordination continued.
Then, in early September, without fanfare, a nondescript envelope was delivered to Bob. It contained a $10,000.00 check from Yoko Ono. Bob, a commercial airline pilot, said "I admit I have not had very many "Oh my God!" surprise moments lately, but I had one that morning".
One of the missions of Veterans For Peace is to abolish war as an instrument of national policy. Several years ago the local Chapter decided that one way to accomplish this mission is via education and the establishment of a scholarship program. The US has many military colleges and war colleges, but few incentives to study peace. Bill Shea, Ph.D., put together an application process and contacted colleges and universities in the state. Since 2005, the Chapter has awarded 7 scholarships. Bill said, "With the donation from Yoko we can help more students focus on nonviolent conflict resolution and help bring John Lennon's vision --"Imagine all the people living life in peace"- into reality."
"Imagine - A John Lennon Birthday Benefit Concert" will be held Friday, Oct. 10th, at 8 PM at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. Admission is $10.00. All funds will be used for the peace scholarships. Many local musicians have volunteered their time to make this event a magnificent happening for peace.
For more information on the concert and to donate to the Peace Scholarship Fund see VFP93.org and/or contact Arnold Stieber, Chapter Coordinator, at 734-475-0740.
OCTOBER 16, 2008
12 MEMBERS OF IVAW ARRESTED AT DEBATE, ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED
rom the IVAW website: One hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign, fourteen members of IVAW marched in formation to Hofstra University to present questions for the candidates. IVAW had requested permission from debate moderator Bob Schieffer to ask their questions during the debate but got no response.
The contingent of veterans in dress uniforms and combat uniforms attempted to enter the building where the debate was to be held in order to ask their questions but were turned back by police. The IVAW members at the front of the formation were immediately arrested, and others were pushed back into the crowd by police on horseback. Several members were injured, including former Army Sergeant Nick Morgan who suffered a broken cheekbone when he was trampled by police horses before being arrested.
More Information [ Series of YouTube Videos | Demonstrators Arrested - The IndyPendent | 15 Arrested Outside Debate - DemocracyNow.org | Iraq Vets left Bloody at Debates - IReports.com | Hofstra Debate: Veterans Arrested ]
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