Syracuse
Peace Council Pages
compiled by Carol Baum
Staff Email
Addresses:
Andy Mager <andy@peacecouncil.net>
Carol Baum <carol@peacecouncil.net>
Jessica Maxwell <jessica@peacecouncil.net>
Bush Must Go!
Campaign in Full Swing
SPC’s campaign focuses on crucial issues (no matter who wins) while working
to evict the current White House resident. We are wrapping up the Education
Not Occupation phase of our five-phase campaign. The Human Need Not Corporate
Greed phase starts soon. Please join us for a hot summer of activism!
Human Need
Not Corporate Greed: June/July
The Bush administration’s policies on the economy, healthcare, taxes,
trade, federal spending, education and the environment fail to address the most
basic needs of people living in the US and around the globe. Instead, these
policies feed corporate profits and militarization. It’s time to put people
over profit!
Our second educational brochure will be ready in early June. Contact Jessica
to help with distribution. SPC’s June program will highlight Human Need
Not Corporate Greed, and we are planning a local action for late June/early
July. We will also participate in the Boston Social Forum (July 23-25) and Democratic
National Convention protests (Boston, July 26-29). All events and materials
will be posted on SPC’s website.
Bush Must Go! lawn signs debuted at the SPC Birthday Celebration. Pick yours up at SPC (donation requested). We’ll supply you with Protect the Earth and Bye Bye Big Brother attachments later. Photo: Carol Baum
Education
Not Occupation
With over 14,000 copies of our brochures distributed, the Education Not Occupation
phase of Bush Must Go! was a successful launch of the larger effort. Those involved
in door-to-door distribution enjoyed the opportunity to get out and talk to
people about these important issues. The Post-Standard, New Times, WAER and
WFBL radio provided valuable opportunities to share our perspective through
the mainstream media. We made solid progress in integrating the theme into ongoing
SPC programs, including the weekly peace outreach, SPC-TV and our monthly educational
programs.
Billionaires
for Bush Debut
SPC organized a demonstration outside the NYS Republican Convention, which
was held May 18-19 in Syracuse. About 90 people attended, holding signs in a
long line outside the University Sheraton Hotel. A new contingent was Billionaires
for Bush, dressed impeccably in evening gowns and suits, drinking “champagne,”
and tastefully displaying signs such as “Leave No Billionaire Behind,”
“War is Good for Business,” and “Hands Off Halliburton.”
The Billionaires plan more appearances and welcome additional members. Thanks to Andrea Martin and Susan Galbraith for costuming and props, and to John Digesare for the signs. To help out, contact SPC.
Weekly Peace Outreach
Our current focus is Human Need Not Corporate Greed. Please join us every Tuesday
from 4:45 to 5:30 pm.
• June 1: Adams St. and Rt. 81 (Downtown)
• June 8: Thompson Rd. in front of Carrier Corp. (Northside)
• June 15: E. Genesee St. and Erie Blvd. (Dewitt)
• June 22: Rt. 57 and Vine St. (Village of Liverpool)
• June 29: Valley Dr. and Seneca Tpk. (Valley)
• July 6: Geddes St. and W. Genesee St. (Westside)
• July 13: S. Salina and E. Colvin (Southside)
• July 20: Rt. 695 exit ramp to W. Genesee St. (Fairmount)
Youth Action
Fest
The Youth Action Festival on May 23 was a promising beginning for the burgeoning
Youth Empowerment for Peace Group. Although the crowd didn’t fill the Thornden
Park Amphitheater, an intimate vibe spread throughout the peace rally as many
talented acts took the stage. The School of Hearts energized the crowd with
their hip-hop performance, including singing, dancing, and rapping. Additionally,
the band Merit and solo artist Joe Driscoll played wonderful sets with impressive
presence.
Horace Campbell and Khuri spoke about the United States’ current situation
in Iraq and the current challenges faced by the peace movement. During the festival,
members of Youth Empowerment for Peace did a great job of encouraging participation
among the festivalgoers. Although the sun did not shine, there was no rain on
our parade that day. Special thanks go to the organizing committee—Gabe
Barry-Caufield, Risa Stiefel, Tim Stacey, Tina Musa, Johanna Berlin and Emily
Aaron, and to Brian Caufield and Brian Stone for running the sound system.
—Tim Stacey
Grant for Youth
Work
SPC recently received a grant of $8570 from the Gifford Foundation to support
our youth violence work. We believe it is the largest grant ever received by
the Peace Council!
The bulk of the grant supports a joint project with the Dunbar Center to conduct
workshops with youth on issues of violence and nonviolence. The rest will support
the Bikes for Peace project, a series of free clinics to help young people learn
how to fix their bikes. Two clinics have already been scheduled at the Northeast
Community Center – June 8 and 22, from 5-7:30 pm. Contact Jessica for more
information.
The Wonders
of Interns
We have been privileged to have two amazing interns this spring – David
Howe and Risa Stiefel. David and Risa were both key organizers in the Tax Day
Polls at local colleges, and both have been invaluable helping with general
office chores. Risa was also active with the Bush Must Go! campaign, coordinating
much of the logistical work for the Youth Action Festival. David worked diligently
on an informational piece on “free” trade and its impact on CNY and
got involved with the Youth Action Festival organizing (even when his internship
was technically over). Thanks, Risa and David!
And just when we expected it to get quieter, two unexpected interns appeared.
Emily Aaron, an Antioch student, just began a full-time three month internship.
She’s majoring in peace studies, and brings spunk and a willingness to
learn. Lisa Maynard, a design student at Syracuse University, will lend her
talents to help create printed materials and more. David Salati, an SU communications
and political science major, will join us later.
And if you would like to intern at SPC this summer, either formally or informally, contact SPC.
The Fourth World War
SPC’s Monthly Program
Thursday, June 24
8 - 9:45 pm
Westcott Community Center
(corner of Euclid and Westcott, Syr.)
followed by refreshments & discussion
This video documentary reports from the front-lines of conflicts in Mexico,
Argentina, South Africa, Palestine, Korea; “the North” from Seattle
to Genoa, and the “War on Terror” in New York, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
The Fourth World War brings together the images and voices of the war on the
ground – and of those who resist.
Fund Appeal …
So Far
Thanks to everyone who responded to our spring fund appeal. So far the appeal
has raised about $2700! The summer is a traditionally “dry” period.
If you haven’t contributed yet, please consider it. We especially welcome
monthly and quarterly pledges. Help SPC not worry about money over the summer.
To learn more, contact Carol.
SPC’s Birthday
Celebration
Over 100 people attended SPC’s 68th birthday celebration on May 15 at
St. Andrew’s Church. The program provided non-stop laughter at a time when
many of us feel horrified and overwhelmed by the state of the world. Post-Standard
reporter Hart Seely shared poems from his recent book Pieces of Intelligence:
The Existential Poetry of Donald H. Rumsfeld. Each poem was written using excerpts
from public statements by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld (“the Beltway Bard”).
The Wheels of Justice tour spoke about their efforts to educate on the occupations
of Palestine and Iraq through a national bus tour. Their full-sized school bus
attracted much attention during their two-day stop in Syracuse. George Shrub/Dave
Lippman closed the evening with his satirical songs and biting humor on the
“war on terrorism” and US democracy. The program raised about $2500
to support SPC’s ongoing work.
Many thanks to all those who made the evening a success, especially birthday
committee members Janie Garlow, Nancy Hallock, Barb Kobritz, Jessica Maxwell,
Linda Perla and Amy Zamkoff; Karen Hall (for her brilliant emceeing); and St.
Andrew’s Church (for their warm hospitality).
Thanks to Marty
Kelley
Coordinating the many projects, events and campaigns of the Peace Council is
a great challenge for staff. It makes a huge difference when a volunteer has
the skills and time to play a major role in a project. Although she’s been
here only a short time, Marty Kelley has been one of those people.
Marty was one of the core organizers for last fall’s Speak Up: The Bush
Agenda and You, and coordinated staffing of SPC’s table at the regional
market for much of last summer. She regularly does phone calling for SPC from
home and has been our consistent pick-up person for donated goods from Provisions
Bakery. Her warmth and generous spirit have made her a pleasure to work with.
Marty heads off to Maine later this month, and we’ll miss her, but also
know that another peace community will benefit. Her departure leaves holes here
… please help out.
Duck Race Tix
at SPC
The Second Annual Duck Race to End Racism is a benefit for Community Wide Dialogue
to End Racism. Purchase duck tickets ($5 each) at SPC by June 8, and we keep
half.
The race is at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor on Saturday, June 12th from noon
- 4 pm. There will be also be children’s games, food, music, entertainment,
and community groups’ tables (including SPC). Prizes are available for
the winning ducks. For more info about the tickets, contact Carol.
