NEWSROOM
Remember the Golden Rule; Humboldt County veterans to put last plank on historical boat (Courtesy of www.times-standard.com)
Fred Ptucha, VFP Member of Chapter 071 - Sonoma/ Santa Rosa - CA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2010
CONTACT: Whitney Smith (Kerry), 202-224-4159
Felix Browne (Brown), 202-224-4543
Alison Mills (Capuano), 617-621-6208
Kerry, Brown, Capuano: Congress Passes Bill Honoring Fallen Randolph Marine
BOSTON - Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, along with Congressman Mike Capuano, today praised the final passage of legislation naming the U.S. Post Office in Jamaica Plain after Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo.
"This dedication will forever honor the courage and sacrifice of Lcpl. Arredondo," said Sen. Kerry. "We hope this memorial serves as a reminder to Arredondo's family and loved ones that his service will never be forgotten."
"No action on our part can approach the bravery and commitment of Lance Corporal Arredondo," said Sen. Brown. "Renaming this post office in his honor will serve as a small tribute to his sacrifice, and I am pleased the Senate has moved forward with this measure."
"This is a small way to honor the memory of Lcpl. Arredondo who sacrificed his life for all of us. He was a dedicated and selfless individual, and my thoughts are with his family, who endured such a tremendous loss," said Rep. Capuano.
Congressman Capuano authored legislation in the House to rename the facility in Lcpl. Arredondo's honor. Last month, Senators Kerry and Brown wrote a letter to Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, urging committee passage of the bill.
Lance Corporal Arredondo, a Jamaica Plain native who later resided in Randolph, was killed August 25, 2004 in Najaf, Iraq while on his second tour of duty. Lcpl. Arredondo received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and the Purple Heart for his heroic actions as a fire team leader who fought enemy forces in Najaf. In the battle leading to his death, Lcpl. Arredondo led his fellow Marines through a two story building, working to clear and secure it. His squad gained control of the building after enduring intense enemy fighting. Lcpl. Arredondo was mortally wounded by a sniper as he checked on the security of his fellow Marines.
The United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood will be designated as the "Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building."
# # #
November 28, 2010
Area veterans fight for peace...
Just before Veterans Day, Woody Powell, a Korean War veteran from Jefferson County, got an e-mail from one of his senators in Washington thanking him for his service.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., probably wasn't expecting the reaction her thank-you note brought.
Powell wrote back that his Air Force service had consisted of enlisting "as an ignorant youngster, being taught to kill, and then put into a situation where I had to kill to stay alive. ...
> read full St. Louis Post Dispatch Article
August 31, 2010
IF WE WERE OBAMA...
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A veteran's
perspective makes it
clear that two major points must be made in response to President
Obama's
announcement regarding combat troops leaving Iraq.
First, there is no such thing as "non combat troops." It is a contradiction in terms. It is internally inconsistent. It is illogical. It is simply not true.
Ask any of the millions of men and women who went through basic training and they can tell you that every U.S. troop anywhere in the world was indoctrinated and trained in the basics of combat. While in Iraq, the transition from mechanics or communications back to combat-ready soldier takes but an order. "Non-combat troops" is simply the latest in a long line of military euphemisms meant to obscure painful reality.The second point can best be made by drafting a section of the President's remarks for him. If Veterans For Peace were to do that it would read something like this.
THE IRAQ DEBACLE: THE LEGACY OF SEVEN YEARS OF WAR
We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, mark the
August
31st partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq with the following
evaluation and recommendations:
- The U.S. occupation of Iraq continues and the reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq can at best be called only a rebranded occupation. While the number of U.S. troops in Iraq will be reduced from a high of 165,000, there will still be 50,000 troops left behind, some 75,000 contractors, five huge "enduring bases" and an Embassy the size of Vatican City.
AUGUST 9, 2010
SEE THE RECORDING OF SATURDAY'S LIVE WEBCAST
Having trouble viewing the recording, click here.
This was a live presentation in St. Louis, MO featuring Justine Sharrock, Andy Duffy, Woody Powell, and moderator, John Chappell. > learn more about VFP's live web cast series
august 3, 2010
VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES SAY PENTAGON STATEMENTS ON WIKILEAKS AIM TO CLOUD REAL ISSUES
Our organizations represent veterans and military families. We have personally carried the burden of the war in Afghanistan, along with wars past. We are glad that the truth about the war is getting out to the public with the recent 92,000 documents on Wikileaks. Hopefully, this will inspire a massive outcry against this war that is wreaking so much destruction to our exhausted and demoralized troops and their families while draining our national coffers.july 27, 2010
WIKILEAKS REVELATIONS WILL SPARK MASSIVE RESISTANCE TO AFGHANISTAN WAR
Today the war in Afghanistan begins to crumble under the weight of government lies at home and criminal behavior on the battlefield.Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan nine years ago, Veterans For Peace has been waiting for the day when internal documents would reveal what we have known all along -- this war is illegal, immoral and we must add, it is bankrupting our nation at a time when millions of Americans have been thrown out of work and thrown out of their homes.
june 30, 2010
VETERANS OF THE KOREAN WAR CALL FOR A REAL PEACE TREATY
As we observe the 60th anniversary of the Korean War of 1950-1953 today, it is time to end this tragic war, not re-ignite it. We urge all concerned parties in the Korean War--both Koreas, the United States, and China--to begin negotiations for a peace treaty and an official end to the war.
JUNE 30, 2010
VETERANS' BANNER TAGS ABANDONED DETROIT BUILDING: "HOW'S THE WAR ECONOMY WORKING FOR YOU"
On June 26, at 2pm, a group of U.S. military veterans hung a large
banner on the abandoned Eddystone Hotel, on Sproat St., between Cass and
Park, to protest and reveal the effect of war spending on American
cities.Members of Veterans For Peace (VFP), attending the U.S. Social Forum, a gathering of over 8,000 activists from across the U.S., created and erected the 10 x 15-foot sign that reads, "HOW IS THE WAR ECONOMY WORKING FOR YOU?" in this city with an unemployment rate of 15 percent and 10,000 abandoned homes on the mayor's demolition list.
Taxpayers in Detroit have sent a total of nearly two billion dollars to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The city's 2011 general fund budget of 1.3 billion dollars contains an estimated deficit of 300 million dollars, even after years of cutbacks in services once assumed to be part of urban life. The budget for Detroit schools has a deficit in the same range.
"Detroit, like so many of our cities, is most certainly in distress," said Mike Ferner, National President of VFP. This crisis is no different than a five-alarm fire and we should respond the same way. Instead, we watch America's cities literally crumble while we pour thousands of lives and trillions of dollars into wars abroad."
John Amidon, President of VFP Chapter 10, added, "It's absolutely criminal that the people who built the U.S. auto industry have to watch their city collapse around them while they send $2,000,000,000 to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is indeed the purest form of madness and it's coming to a city near you."
VFP, with over 100 chapters, is beginning a campaign to work with local government officials to place "war counters" on city halls stating the amount of money each community has sent to the wars. See videos: Cutting Detroit Emergency Technicians and Paramedics: How Is The War Economy Working For You? | "How Is The War Economy Working For You?" Banner Drop: Veterans For Peace | "How Is The War Economy Working For You?" Why Drop The Banner Drop: Veterans For Peace | Abandoned buildings in Detriot
june 4, 2010
JOIN VFP AT THE US SOCIAL FORUM, JUNE 22-26 IN DETROIT
Another World is Possible! Another US is Necessary! A New Detroit is happening!
The US Social Forum is more
than an event, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction
to war and repression. It is a great opportunity to make connections
with other US social movements, cross-fertilize and in turn grow our
peace movement. The USSF also provides an occasion to mobilize and
further
educate our base against militarism and in support of human needs along
with 20,000 other expected USSF participants.
Workshops
Building a Military Resistance Movement: Veterans, Service Members & Allies Organizing Together (An IVAW event)
This workshop will be an
introductory
training on supporting war resisters and being a strong and accountable
ally to veterans and service-members organizing for change.
Thu, 06/24/2010 - 1:00pm - 5:30pm, Event Location: Cobo
Hall: DO-4C
Building the GI Resistance Movement (An IVAW event)
Iraq and Afghanistan War
Resisters
will testify to the struggle and value of resisting militarism and
discuss
what support is needed to build the GI Movement.
Thu, 06/24/2010 - 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Event Location: WSU
Old Main: 103
Veterans and Military Families: Impact of the Wars; Impact on Movements
Veterans For Peace, Military
Families Speaks Out and Iraq Veterans Against the War will hold a
workshop
examining how veterans and military families use their unique voices
and perspectives to end wars and promote peace and social change. This
workshop will include veteran and military family voices sharing their
experiences and thoughts on organizing. There will be small group
breakout
for interactive sharing and discussion.
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Event Location: Cobo
Hall: D2-14
Veterans and Military Families Encampment
Veterans and military families will camp near the Social Forum at 2770 Park Avenue. While restroom facilities will be available, campers will need to provide their own gear. More information TBA. Contact Michael T. McPhearson (973) 666-4605, michaelvfp@gmail.com.The USSF is a movement building process. It is not a conference but a space to come up with people's solutions to the social, economic, ecological and military crisis. The USSF is the next most important step in our struggle to transform this country and change history. Join VFP at the USSF and be part of the real change that the US needs. Don't miss it! See you in Detroit, June 22-26th.
may 31, 2010
VETERANS FOR PEACE RESPONDS TO ARMED ATTACK ON AID FLOTILLA
VFP member Ret. Colonel Ann Wright is one of the members of the Flotilla (see Ann being taken into custody)
The world is reacting in righteous outrage at this moment to Israel's
high seas attack on an
international aid
flotilla,
killing 9 people escorting tons of humanitarian aid
to Gaza in an effort to break Israel's three-year blockade. "Made in
the U.S.A." is stamped on the weapons commandos used to kill and wound
the international peace activists. Reports from the first eyewitnesses
interviewed are that Israeli troops opened fire before boarding the
flotilla.
We are saddened and we are angry. At least one of
our own members, retired Army Col., Ann Wright, is among the 700 people
aboard the boats attacked in the middle of the night. But we cannot
say we are very surprised. Palestinians die quietly and unnoticed
every day in Gaza, the world's largest open air prison, as a result of
Israel's blockade and violent repression.
Veterans For Peace Board Member, Cherie Eichholz,
traveled to Gaza in October and had this to say about the situation in
Gaza,
"Surrounded by a massive wall and a naval blockade, Gazans are
imprisoned, suffering without the most basic of necessities, including
enough food and safe drinking water. The situation on the ground is
grave."
Another Board Member, Elliott Adams, also traveled
to Gaza in October said, "On our Memorial Day we veterans are presented
with
the ugly specter of US citizens having their lives threatened and
being held captive in an act of piracy. Making it more painful, this is
being done with US weapons. While the people of Gaza cry out for
basic humanitarian needs, a neighboring nation is willing to kill to
deny them basic life support."
Many of our 7,000 members in over 100
chapters are already organizing or will soon join the protests being
organized across the U.S. We urge our members to use every nonviolent
tactic available in the streets and in local Congressional offices to
protest this attack. At the same time we demand Congress cut off U.S. military aid to Israel which
has totaled over 32 billion dollars since 1997.
Call (202) 224-3121 to speak to your Congressional Representative and Senator!!
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Democracy Now! - At Least 10 Activists Killed in Israeli Attack on Gaza-Bound Aid Ship
The Guardian - Israelis Opened Fire Before Boarding Gaza Flotilla, Say
Released Activists
Al Jazeera - Israel Attacks Gaza Aid Flotilla
YouTube - Ann Wright taken into custodymay 30, 2010
THIS MEMORIAL DAY: VETERANS REMEMBER SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS THAT DIED
This Memorial Day as we pause to remember the U.S. service members who have died during the nation's wars, we need to think for another moment of the astounding number of civilians who have perished in those wars as well. > Read full statement here.Here are a list of those chapters holding events for Memorial Day:
VFP members know that no one is the same when they return from war, so is no family or nation the same after being laid waste by modern warfare. That is why we gather each year to educate the nation about these costs of war. > Add your chapter event to this list
may 26, 2010
FATEFUL DAY FOR U.S. WAR RESISTERS IN CANADA
The
"VFP
GI Resistance Working Group" is now underway and we invite you to
join!
VFP GI Resistance Working Group will:
|
There are other working groups you can sign up to particpate in too. > Sign up here
Yesterday, Tuesday, May 25, was a very important day for the 200 U.S. war resisters who are seeking sanctuary in Canada. The case of Jeremy Hinzman, the first to do so, was argued in Canada's Federal Court of Appeals. The outcome may decide the fate of Jeremy, his wife Nga and their two young children. The court's decision, which is expected to take several months, may also determine the fate of other young men and women who are facing deportation to the U.S., followed by courts martial and imprisonment.
Also on Tuesday, May 25, the Canadian Parliament held a debate on a bill that would allow Iraq War resisters to remain in Canada. The House of Commons is expected to vote on this bill, C-440, in September.
According to several polls, nearly two-thirds of
Canadians want their government to allow U.S. war resisters to have
legal status in Canada. But Prime Minister Stephen Harper, leader of
the Conservative Party, does not agree. The Conservative government has
already deported several war resisters and is aggressively pursuing the
deportation of others.
This weekend, USA Today published an excellent
article on U.S. war resisters in Canada, including Vietnam War
resisters. It is very much worth reading. There is also a short
video on the USA Today website.
YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR WAR RESISTERS IN CANADA
The War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada is a national network of churches, labor unions, activists and artists, including Vietnam War resisters who are now Canadian citizens. The War Resisters Support Campaign has been supporting our war resisters ever since early 2004, when Jeremy Hinzman arrived in Toronto. We recommend that you send them a note at this time thanking them for taking care of U.S. war resisters.For more information on Rodney Watson, an Iraq War Resister who has taken refuge in a church in Vancovuer, British Columbia, you can visit the website of the Vancouver War Resisters Support Campaign.
MAY 21, 2010
VFP WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS!
At our May meeting, the VFP board voted to fill vacancies left by the resignations this year of Gary May and Pierre Williams. I'm proud to introduce Darcella Craven and Sam Feldman, VFP's two new board members.may 11, 2010
CONTACT CONGRESS: DEMAND NO MORE
FUNDING!
CONTACT CONGRESS |
|
Two ways you can help. Call Congress at 202-224-3121:
1. Demand that they vote AGAINST war funding for Afghanistan! 2. Ask them to support the Feingold-McGovern bill for a time table for withdrawal
|
"Bomb kills 2 US service members in Afghanistan"
"Maryland Marine killed in Afghanistan"
"Drone Strikes Pound West Pakistan"
This is not a war that needs further funding. You can help stop this madness!
By now you've heard about the $33,000,000,000 additional funding for the Afghanistan war that the Obama administration has requested from Congress.
Perhaps you've already called your representative with instructions to vote NO!
Well, here's why you should call again and why you should call today if you haven't:
In January, we sent a VFP Email Blast to all members asking them to support HR 3699. Over 811 VFP members responded by emailing their Representatives. Together, we contacted 295 different Congressional districts!!
Then in February we asked VFP members to
email military commanders in Iraq in support of Marc Hall and 778 of you
responded!
With new technology and good old-fashioned passion,
VFP members are proving more than just the proverbial "drop in the
bucket." We are a strong, loud, authoritative voice demanding
NOT
ONE MORE LIFE! NOT ONE MORE DIME FOR WAR!!
But
good ol' fashion phone calls are still the most effective way to reach
your Representative!
Below are all the back-up facts, figures and
arguments you'll need when you make that call. But the
important
thing is to make that call NOW!
APRIL 29, 2010
CONGRESS TO INTRODUCE "DEFENSE STRONG ACT" TO COMBAT MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Congressman Mike Turner are going to
introduce the "Defence STRONG Act" (The Defense Sexual Trauma Response
and Oversight and Good Governance bill) which aims to improve sexual
assault prevention and response programs within the Department of
Defense.> Read more about the bill and download the full legislation here.
april 28, 2010
Palestinians say "You Are Welcome" - Life Behind the Wall of Colonial Occupation
Between November 29, 2009 and December 21, 2009, Veterans For Peace member Rob Mulford traveled to Palestine visiting the West Bank, Nazareth, the Goland Heights, and Ramallah where he was able to be witness strength and courage of the families who live there. He has written this very moving piece about his travels.
APRIL 22, 2010
GI RESISTER MARC HALL IS A FREE MAN, VFP & IVAW HELPED TO ANCHOR SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
GI resister Marc Hall is now a free man. Under pressure from his
supporters, the U.S. Army has backed down from their plans to give him a
kangaroo court martial in Iraq. Instead they have granted him a
discharge. Marc Hall is known as the GI "rapper" who recorded a song
against the Army's "Stop-Loss" policy last July. But his real troubles
began in December when he filed a formal complaint with the Army's
Inspector General about the poor quality of the Army's evaluation and
treatment of his PTSD. Five days later, the Army arrested the Iraq
veteran and charged him with 11 counts of violating the good order of
the Army (Article 134).Veterans For Peace played a significant role in supporting Marc Hall. When VFP called for emails to be sent to the Army on behalf of Spc. Hall, 643 members of VFP did so. One hundred and ten VFP members forwarded the action alert to friends, and 113 contacted newspapers on behalf of Hall. Iraq Veterans Against the War also mobilized its members in support of Marc Hall. > Read full article
april 2, 2010
GREETINGS FROM THE NEVADA DESERT EXPERIENCE
We are on the road to the Nevada Test site. These are the upcoming
Sacred Peace Walk events, happening near Las Vegas, Nevada. We are
hoping to have a large number of folks at the Nevada Test Site at 10 AM
on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010 when some will choose to cross the line
in an act of civil disobedience. (A line is painted on the road and
when you cross you are guilty of trespassing and are arrested.) There
is also have a vigil planned for Creech Airforce Base in Indian springs
on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 10 AM. It is possible some may choose
additional forms of civil resistance at this time also. Please spread
this message as it will help to raise consciousness about the (always)
understated dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear waste and the
untold killings of high tech assassins with the Predator and Reaper
unmanned aircraft. The walk is going well. My best from the Nevada
Desert Experience. Thank you! Paz, John
>
Learn more about the Nevada Desert Experience
march 31, 2010
WAR CRIMES TIMES RELEASES SPRING 2010 ISSUE!
The "War Crimes Times" releases it's Spring 2010 with articles like, "Trivializing War" and "McChrystal admits Afghanatrocities, press yawns." You can read it online or subscribe to get a hard copy of it for only $12!
> See the "War Crimes Times" website
march 23, 2010
2010 COMMEMORATION OF THE WAR AND OCCUPATION OF IRAQ
This year marks the beginning of eight years of occupation and war on Iraq. Once again, VFP chapters will mark the day by honoring those who have died, support those who are resisting, and work hard to end this war and bring our troops home now!
> See pictures and reports from weekend events here
mARCH 3, 2010
VFP SPONSORS "IRAQ MEMORIAL TO LIFE"
The Iraq war has been a travesty for both the Iraq people and for
the "on ground" soldiers. Much healing is required. True peace will
take time and effort. Full reconciliation is in the distant future.
Nonetheless, peace and reconciliation is beginning now with individuals
and small groups facing the realities and the personal stories of the
conflict, which is still happening. People from Iraq and people from
the United States are facing each other and sharing the experiences,
are working to heal wounds, both physical and psychological. This must
grow into political, economic, and international healing.
Given this reality, The Iraq Memorial to Life represents the aspirations for peace and reconciliation within the hearts and souls of all peoples. The Memorial is a silent presence. The silence brings forth the desires for healing within us. No matter what stance one has about the war, no matter what role one plays in this drama, no matter where one comes from, the silence touches the deepest within. The Iraq Memorial to Life is a place of silence to listen.
The memorial will include markers for up to 100,000 deaths for which record keepers have verified the date and place of death of those killed as a result of the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces March 19, 2003. Several sources estimate the loss of life to be over 1,300,000 people. You can learn more about the many sources of information covering the events occurring in Iraq here.
march 1, 2010
U.S. DEATH TOLL IN AFGHANISTAN REACHES 1000
Nine years into the war on Afghanistan, the number of U.S. casualties that have resulted in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the operation in Afghanistan, has reached 1000. As President Obama plans on escalating the war in Afghanistan, Veterans For Peace will also increase its opposition to this and all wars as an instrument of foreign policy. VFP has been working hard to resist this war and will continue to do so.
> View ICasualties.org
> Activists in Boston Observe 1000 Deaths
Veterans For Peace would also like to remember those thousands of men, women, and children who have died in Afghanistan as a result of the war and occupation. We encourage people to learn more about the struggle of Afghanistan through the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
FEBRUARY 18, 2010
PEACE OF THE ACTION LETTER FROM CINDY SHEEHAN TO VFP
Dear Friends,
Veterans For Peace (the organization and the members) and I go way back--way before Camp Casey in the Summer of 2005.
Exactly five weeks after Casey was killed in Iraq, his dad and I traveled six hours down the coast to attend Arlington West in Santa Barbara after I saw a report on CNN that featured the monument and Veterans for Peace.
The night before I went to Crawford to demand a meeting with George Bush, I spoke at the VFP convention and you all know what happened next--Bush did not meet with me, and we set up Camp Casey. I could not have done that or the rest of my activities since then without the help of you Vets and Veterans for Peace.
Now, my new organization, Peace of the Action (www.PeaceoftheAction.org) is setting up and anti-war camp on the lawn of the Washington Monument in DC called, Camp OUT NOW. Camp OUT NOW (named by VFP member, Ward Reilly from Baton Rouge) will be a sustained camp and we will perform daily acts of civil resistance until our demands are heard and met.
I am writing to invite you to all or part of this courageous and audacious action.
I am once again honored by the support of Veterans For Peace and I look forward to being involved in Camp OUT NOW with you all.
In love, peace and solidarity,
Cindy Sheehan and the Peace of the Action Team
FEBRUARY 15, 2010
VETERANS FOR PEACE PROUD TO INTRODUCE DENNIS LANE, YOUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Soon, Veterans For Peace will not have Michael McPhearson's hand on the tiller. We will all miss his steady presence, clear thinking and ability to see a way forward in virtually any circumstance, no matter how difficult it appears at the outset.
But be assured that VFP will not go adrift.
I am really pleased to announce that we have just hired a new Executive Director, Dennis Lane. The unanimous vote to hire him was cast by a board clearly excited by what he brings to VFP. Dennis begins work on February 16, which means he and Michael will be on duty together for two weeks.
> Read entire statement
> Read Dennis's bio
FEBRUARY 5, 2010
SPECIAL THANKS TO VFP MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING MARC HALL!
Veterans For Peace members and supporters showed amazing support for Spc. Marc Hall by sending over 800 emails in just four days to LTC Eric Bloom with the U.S. Army. Another 128 Letters to the Editor were emailed to various news media outlets around the nation.
Because of the pressure from members from VFP and others - Marc was excpected to be put on a plane to Iraq, but now his superior officers are rethinking their options. Marc has still not been transferred to Iraq.
january 25, 2010
VETERANS FOR PEACE WELCOMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS
At the board meeting in St. Louis this past weekend, three new board members were sworn into office: Cherie Eichholz, Joey King, and Mike Hearington. > Read their bios |
january 15, 2010
VETERANS FOR PEACE REMEMBERS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR IN 2010
As our nation celebrates the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, it is important to remember the breadth and depth of his the message and vision. In the era of the first Black President, it would be easy to say King's dream has been fulfilled and now it is time to move on to new challenges. But this is a misreading of current events and his words.
In his 1967 Riverside Church speech, Beyond Vietnam: Time to Break Silence, Dr. King talked about three major demons; racism, materialism and militarism. Today these triplets continue to haunt us. In fact they have become more entrenched. In the speech, King spoke of youth challenging his disapproval of their use of violence when the U.S. was "...using massive doses of violence..." in Vietnam. He called our government, "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today." This continues to be true as our nation is conducting global military operations and occupying two countries with eyes on one or two others. The U.S. is the largest weapons exporter in the world and has the largest military budget, nearly outpacing all other nations combined.
january 5, 2010
ELLEN BARFIELD RELEASED FROM JAIL AFTER 25 DAY SENTENCE
"A great big THANK YOU to all of you who wrote me and/or sent good wishes my way during my 22+ days of incarceration, ended this morning at 7:30, on a 25 day sentence for telling the Senate to stop spending BLOOD MONEY to kill Afghans and Pakistanis. The guards and my sister inmates were of course amazed at the nearly 100 pieces of mail I received, as many as 25 in one day. I'll be writing about my experience and sending some individual notes in the coming days, but I just wanted to stop the flow of mail anyway!" Peace, Ellen Barfield
Ellen was sentenced to 18 months of probation, 75 days in jail, all but 25 suspended. This means she began serving her 25 days today. Should she be arrested within the next 18 months, or violate terms of her probation (which includes a stay away from the entire Capitol complex), she will be hauled before Judge Liebovitz who pledged to give her the other 50 days. > Read the original action story
> Read Ellen's statement to Judge Liebovitz:
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