Syracuse Peace Council Pages
Compiled by Carol
Baum, SPC staff
SPC Responds to Capture of Saddam Hussein
On December 14, the day of Hussein’s capture, the Syracuse Peace Council
immediately responded with a press release and arranged for a media spokesperson.
The press release stated in part that, “We hope his capture will help relieve
the fear of his return to power, a fear which has hindered the Iraqi people
from reconstructing their nation. For many Iraqis the ongoing US occupation
is also a major obstacle to self-governance…The US government now has the
opportunity to continue this process by spelling out a timetable for the departure
of US troops and the end of the occupation…
“From the beginning of his reign, and for many years thereafter, the US
was Saddam’s key ally, providing him with arms and funding. Our nation
must remember this as we continue such ‘realpolitik’ arrangements
today with repressive governments in countries such as Colombia, Cameroon and
Saudi Arabia.
“The Syracuse Peace Council hopes that the capture of Saddam Hussein opens
the way for the Iraqi people to develop their nation as they see fit. While
those words are similar to those from the White House, we continue to believe
that the Bush administration is motivated by a desire to control Iraq’s
oil and gain geopolitical advantages from the creation of a client state in
Iraq. This flies in the face of our nation’s ideals and would not serve
the people of Iraq.”
SPC Office Takes a Break
The office will be officially closed from Dec 24-Jan 2. But people will be in
and out – call first if you need to stop in. We’ll be using this opportunity
to clean and organize the building. Stop by to help on Friday, January 2 from
10-4 pm.
Activists and the Election
SPC’s January monthly program is on “Campaigning for Peace and Justice:
Activists and the 2004 Presidential Election.” Join us for a stimulating
panel presentation followed by group discussion. It’s 7 pm Thursday, January
15 at the Westcott Community Center (826 Euclid Ave, at the corner of Westcott
St.). Refreshments and conversation will follow the free program.
Steering Committee
Steering Committee members’ terms end in December, so come January, SPC
will have a “new” steering committee.
Andy Molloy and Linda Perla are leaving the steering committee, but staying
very connected. Thanks very much to them for their good work.
We’re excited to welcome Gary Bonaparte, Roxanne Hill, Tina Musa, Shirley
Novak, and Carole Resnick to the Steering Committee. Remaining on the committee
are Dik Cool, Doug Igelsrud, Rae Kramer, Emily Moeller, Beth Mosley, Nick Poulos,
Ann Tiffany, and the staff. Thanks to all for taking on this role.
Study Group Starts New Series
SPC’s study group on the US Global Agenda has just finished reading Power
Trip: US Unilateralism and Global Strategy After September 11. The group will
restart on January 12, 7-8:30 pm and will continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month. At the first meeting, we will discuss this PNL’s
cover story on war and globalization. We will also decide on reading material
for future meetings. Contact Carol Baum for more information.
Volunteer Orientation
Wondering how to spend those cold winter days? Come to January’s volunteer
orientation for warm companionship and good work. New volunteers and people
getting re-involved are welcome. It’s Tuesday, January 13 from 7-8:30 pm
at the SPC office.
Weekly Peace Outreach
Please join us Tuesdays 7:45-8:30 am, in public outreach at busy intersections.
We’ll provide the signs. We often have a breakfast together afterwards
– a great way to start the day.
· Jan. 6, Onondaga Rd. and W. Genesee St.
· Jan. 13, Teall Ave. and Rt. 690
· Jan. 20, Adams St. and Rt. 81
· Jan. 27, James St. and Thompson Rd.
Breaking the Ramadan Fast
For the third year, the local Islamic Society invited SPC to break the fast
with them during Ramadan. Participants contributed for humanitarian relief to
Iraq. The next day SPC sent $227 to the American Friends Service Committee to
spend where most needed in Iraq.
As always, we thank the members of the Islamic Society for their gracious hospitality.
Plowshares Craftsfair
A beautiful new banner welcomed all who joined us for the 33rd annual Plowshares
Craftsfair and Winter Peace Festival. Hundreds of people wandered through over
60 tables and booths of diverse crafts and information, meeting old friends
and making new ones. For many, crafters, shoppers, dancers, cooks, and other
Plowshares fans, this annual gathering allows us to enjoy the holiday season
with fellowship and pleasure, far from the maddening (sic) crowds and overwhelming
commercialism. The Rochester Folk Art Guild’s presence was an added treat.
In this shorter issue of the PNL, space constraints limit room for thank yous.
While the Plowshares committee works throughout the year, the work of many others
is one of the ways that Plowshares exemplifies our dreams of community. So...thanks
to the SPC staff, greeters, crafters, cooks, servers, entertainers, stage crew,
set-up and clean-up crew, Southwest Community Center staff, raffle and silent
auction prize donors, ticket sellers, and the folks who prepared and staffed
the SPC info, crafts, and Front Room tables. Thanks too, to those whose help
falls outside these categories — less visible, but appreciated.
We raised about $11,000, that will be well used to maintain and strengthen our
peace and justice work. How wonderful that we can help “earn our living”
while having such a good time!
Fund Appeal a Success
Thanks to everyone who contributed. Since late October we raised $6500. And
it’s not too late to contribute if you haven’t – we depend on
income we receive this time of year to help us get through drier periods.
Your contribution of $50 or more can be tax deductible, make the check out to
the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute, and write “SPC” in the memo area.
Nonviolence Training for Trainers
Thanks to help from a grant from the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute, SPC is organizing
weekend training for nonviolence trainers on April 2-4, 2004. The training is
geared toward activists and organizers with some experience in nonviolent direct
action/civil disobedience rather than to newcomers. Application information
will be available in mid-January. The deadline for registration is February
16. For more information contact Jessica Maxwell.
Bowlathon Coming
Plans are in the works for an SPC Benefit Bowlathon in late February. Look for
more information soon.