Peace Council Pages

Are We Done Yet?
A huge majority in the US now opposes the war. Syracuse is about to host the largest anti-war mobilization in Upstate NY since Viet Nam. It involves major labor participation and more student involvment than the peace movement has seen in recent years (most of you will be reading this after the event). Congressman Walsh has declared that it's time to begin a US withdrawal. Does that mean the peace movement can rest?

Absolutely not! While the accomplishments gained through our consistent organizing work are significant, there is still so much to be done.

Now is the time to build on our success. Most of the legislation in Congress calls for only moderate troop reductions, with a continued US military presence for years. We need to press for a complete withdrawal on a rapid time frame, including turning over military bases to Iraqi control and withdrawal of private US contractors.

Jun Yasuda, a Buddhist nun with deep connections to the Onondaga Nation, chants and prays on a dock on Onondaga Lake as part of the “Roots of Peacemaking” event commemorating the UN International Day of Peace on September 20. Kent Lyons, who emceed the gathering is beside her. Co-sponsored by SPC’s Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation project, the event highlighted the contributions of the Onondagas and other Haudenosaunee to the development of democracy. Photo: Andy Mager

Congressman Walsh and many others are blaming the Iraqi people for the lack of "progress" in Iraq. The Bush administration, with the support of Walsh and Congress, is fully responsible for the bloodshed, squandered resources and devastation caused in Iraq. We call for reparations to the Iraqi people. We also need to build stronger coalitions in our communities to shift US priorities from imperialist military interventions to meeting human needs.

So, come out on September 29: 1 pm rally at Everson Plaza, 2:30 pm march to SU, 3:30 pm closing rally at Walnut Park. Panel discussion at 7:30 pm at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University.

Continue the Anti-War Momentum … on to NYC
One of our next steps after the September 29 mass rally and march in Syracuse is to participate in United for Peace and Social Justice's upcoming National Mobilization to End the War in Iraq. Set for Saturday, October 27, SPC is sending one bus (or more) to the demonstration in NYC. There will be nine mass demonstrations at other locations across the US.

Bus seats are $45-70 on a sliding scale. Some scholarship money is available. Reserve your seat(s) now. Donations to the scholarship fund are warmly welcomed. Contact Andy.

Community Re-Use Benefits SPC
The SPC garage sale blitz on September 8 brought in over $1100 in much needed financial support as well as encouraging people to clear out their attics and cupboards. In addition to selling many, many used items, the sales doubled as SPC outreach events with Peace Newsletters, lawnsigns, fliers and other materials distributed.

Kudos to Nate Hughes who helped organize the sales and to hosts Aimee Jurista, Rae Kramer, Cindy Ostuni and Kathy Tryon. Thanks also to the other volunteers who helped in many ways and the dozens of folks who generously donated materials to sell.

Activist Appreciation: Aimee Jurista
Some people contribute to SPC in a very specific way, but Aimee Jurista is truly a "renaissance" activist. This summer she twice provided gourmet meals for SPC workers and guests. She coordinated the food for the SPC

Weekly Peace Outreach

Join us at a busy intersection near you. Bring your own anti-war sign or use one of ours. Help end the war now! Tuesdays: 4:45-5:30 pm Also through October every Saturday 9-10 am in front of the Regional Market on Park St. • October 2 Geddes St. and W. Genesee St. (Westside) • October 9 Rt. 20 (Albany St.) and Lincklaen St. (Cazenovia) • October 16 Teall Ave. & Rt. 690 (Eastside) • October 23 Rt. 11 (in front of Northern Lights Shopping Center, Mattydale) • October 30 Adams St. and Rt. 81 (Downtown)

birthday celebration in 2006 and is signed up for 2008 to prepare food for Howard Zinn and hundreds of others (mark your calendars, Saturday, April 26).

Aimee has several times served as a bus coordinator for trips to DC and New York, recently hosted a garage sale, takes photographs and always responds to our requests with enthusiasm - even when she says no. SPC staff particularly appreciate her deep sense of commitment to whatever task she takes on - we know that if Aimee is doing it, we need not worry!

The SPC Move
Plans are coming together for the renovation and greening of the second floor of the Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice - SPC's soon-to-be home. A new high-efficiency furnace, energy-efficient lighting, air sealing and insulation and some remodeling will prepare the way for us. Unfortunately, the work isn't yet far enough along for us to have a clear timeline - we won't be in before late October. Stay tuned.

SPC's home for nearly half our existence is now up for sale. For only $32,500 you can own a house (or office) at 924 Burnet Ave. with a noble history. The proceeds will be used by #660066 to support the new Center. Don Radke of FM Realty (637-5195) is generously assisting with the effort. Please spread the word. Photo: Andy Mager

Plowshares December 1-2
We are gearing up for our 37th annual Plowshares Craftsfair on December 1 and 2 at Nottingham High School. This year's show filled up faster than ever, with over 110 participating craftspeople and a packed waiting list. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a memorable weekend of entertainment, beautiful locally handmade crafts and delicious food. Also, keep an eye on your mailbox for the Plowshares raffle tickets. The event is also a great way to volunteer for the Peace Council. Look for details in the November PNL.

Bikes 4 Peace Wraps Up
SPC's bike outreach program wrapped up its fifth season working with youth to fix and recycle bikes. We kicked off the summer with two very successful clinics at the Northeast Community Center - working with 40-50 youth. We partnered with two new sites this year: Boys & Girls Club on East Fayette St. and the Brady Faith Center. Attendance at these sites was much lower than others, but we hope to develop stronger relationships in the future.

We finished the year on the Westside with two clinics at La Liga. We gave away four bikes and several helmets at the final clinic, with volunteers staying until almost 8:30 pm to help the last two youth fix their bikes. Thanks to everyone who donated bikes and to the volunteers who make the program work!

This fall and winter, we will be looking into funding opportunities and evaluating our program. If you'd like to help, please contact Jessica.

Membership Changes Put on Back Burner
In the July/August PNL, we reported that SPC would begin to implement a new membership system (the current system being very loosely defined - in effect if you feel like a member, you are a member). There are a number of potentially time-consuming logistical details involved with

SPC’s Monthly Program

Oaxaca and the Roots of Migration Thursday, October 25. 7:30 pm University United Methodist Church (1085 E. Genesee St., enter on University) FREE Featuring: Miguel Angel Vasquez de la Rosa, Founder of EDUCA, a Oaxaca Grassroots Organization "The genesis of the Oaxaca crisis is the structural economic crisis. Over 150,000 people migrate north from Oaxaca each year. That is the individual response to the crisis. But migration is a symptom. It is a symptom of impoverishment and inequality...from the policies of foreign investment (NAFTA) and the IMF.” -Miguel Angel Vasquez de la Rosa

making this transition. Because of the amount of work involved with organizing for the September 29 anti-war mobilization, followed by the effort involved with moving our office (presumably sometime in the fall), we have decided to reschedule the changes until the winter or spring. Sorry for the premature fanfare - look for more information in a future PNL.

NOON Prepares for Onondaga Court Hearing
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, SPC's project in support of Onondaga sovereignty, justice and environmental restoration, has been busily preparing for the October 11 court hearing in Albany (10 am in Federal Court).

Unfortunately, this first opportunity for the Onondagas to make their case in court will focus on procedural and technnical issues, not the true issues of concern.

Join NOON for a candle-light support vigil on Wednesday, October 10 at 7 pm at Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse. People are also encouraged to come to Albany if they're able to express support in and near the courtroom. See "25 Years of Economic Empowerment".