April / May / June 2014

HIGHLIGHTS A PUBLICATION OF THE PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

PAGE 2 UVM Considers Affiliating with a Truly „ From the Center New workshops, new Board members, New Fair 3rd Party Monitoring Agency Jim Crow, and membership renewals. BY Carmen Solari, Peace & Justice Store/Fair Trade Programs Manager PAGE 3 „ Letter to UVM’s BOD he Peace & Justice Center spent certified and circulated. In researching the PJC asks UVM to rename Perkins Hall. Perkins ‘ T the summer educating ourselves socially responsible clothing movement, work was directly related to the forcible and the greater Burlington commu- we came across Alta Gracia, a clothing sterilization of members of the Abenaki . nity on the politics of the garment factory based in the Dominican Republic. industry. Through this effort in collabora- Their products are not fair trade certified, PAGE 4-5 tion with other activists groups, we but it is apparent they are doing every- „ Canaan Fair Trade successfully convinced UVM to thing in their power to „ Strides in the Cocoa Industry purchase their apparel from uphold fair trade responsible fair trade principles. PAGE 6 sources. There are multiple „ The Peace ROTC Fair trade is about certifications As recruiters for peace, our aim is to make workers’ rights. It ensuring a product sure students are aware of other ways to creates fair, sustain- is fair trade serve one’s country. able practices for certified. We producers and cannot overlook PAGE 7 artisans who have companies who „ Security for a Just Society been marginalized by have chosen not Our vision is a community-based response to the free trade market. to have their conflict, where people will have the option to It is a movement products certified seek help from a trained peace team. concerned with ethical simply because they behavior in business. are personally PAGE 8 The global market’s accountable and „ Robin’s Nest growing desire for cheap, independent in their at- Women and Equality: Reflections on the fashionable clothing has created a tempts to operate under a fair 100th Anniversary of World War One. phenomenally large line of convoluted business model. With a bit of research, it and fragmented production to meet the is relatively easy to determine whether a PAGE 9 demand for these clothing items. The company is genuinely responsible. „ Internat’l Law or Real Politik? garment supply chain involves every- Alta Gracia, was formed by Knight The US is committed to undermining the thing from cotton production to fiber Apparel after the previous sweatshop authority of international law when we find it manufacturing to actually cutting and BJ&B was unexpectedly shut down in bothersome. sewing the final product. With such an favor of moving production to a country extreme lack of transparency, we felt where labor costs less. Workers at Alta PAGE 10 overwhelmed with where to start in Gracia are unionized; earn a livable wage „ Calendar tackling this complex issue. that is three times more than the minimum While fair trade clothing is on the rise wage; receive healthcare; and work in PAGE 11 from companies like Maggie’s, Indig- safe working conditions. Their factory „ Fly Kites, Not Drones enous, Marigold, and Prana, production manufactures collegiate apparel and does not yet exist on the scale that say, „ A poem about drones fair trade bananas or coffee are being Fair Trade continued on page 4

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From the Center

„ PJC Developing Workshops PJC welcomes new Board members: I am excited to announce that the PJC is develop- EDITORS ing in-house curricula for both social justice and „ Marlee Ford Wendy Coe peace building workshops. Soon we will be a Marlee Ford brings both a professional back- Rachel Siegel consistent, reliable resource for community ground in law, human rights, and community PUBLISHED members, businesses, governmental groups, and organizing and a perspective 4/year (See form on page 12) other non-profits who seek trainings and work- informed by her lived shops on the following and more: experience with unjust CIRCULATION z 1,200 cultural competency systems and institutions. As z non-violent communication a Soros Justice Fellow, she The opinions expressed in z non-violent action and four South Bronx youth the articles, including z military policy and security co-founded Bronx PrYde, an those by staff, are those z of the authors and not conflict resolution award-winning community necessarily those of the z anti-oppression organizing project. Her peace & justice center. z comprehension of identity-issues and experience with many of the oppression issues, systems, and institu- Marlee Ford These are all topics we cover already but often tions under which disenfran- contract the work through other fabulous people. chised youth and women struggle begin when she While these collaborations are productive and was born to a Korean sex worker and a US soldier. much-appreciated, it is time for the PJC to have She immigrated to the US via adoption at age the ability to offer our own programs, specific to three. A tumultuous childhood included foster 60 Lake Street #1C Burlington, VT 05401 Vermont communities. Please be in touch if you care, life on the streets, shelters, group homes and 802.863.2345 have special areas you hope we will cover! family court. Marlee currently teaches human fax: 802.863.2532 rights at Champlain College. She holds a J.D. from www.pjcvt.org [email protected] „ PJC Honors “No Call” Requests New York University School of Law. We recently hosted our annual phonathon. Some „ Jake Schumann BOARD OF DIRECTORS of you with lapsed memberships did not receive a (alphabetical order) phone call because you have requested no calls. Jake’s experience includes working at the Peace & Linda Ayer Your support means a lot to us and we don’t want Justice Center as the Volun- Marlee Ford Jake Schumann to lose touch with you. Please feel free to send teer Coordinator and Assis- David Shiman renewals to our mailing address (60 Lake St, tant Store Manager. He is Nathan Suter Burlington, VT 05401) or renew online at currently the Store Manager Andrea Swan Judy Yarnall www.pjcvt.org at ReSOURCE in Burlington. We are also encouraging monthly donations. If Jake is the founding director you are interested in sustaining our work in this of Mwangaza Partners, US. STAFF Rachel Siegel way, please contact us to discuss the options for He also has worked at Wendy Coe doing so at (802) 863-2345 x1. Vermont Association of Krista Panosian Kyle Silliman-Smith Your support means a lot to us! Business, Industry, & Carmen Solari Thanks to everyone who we did reach during Rehabilitation. Jake Schumann the phonathon. It was great to connect with those In his time there he received PJC MISSION of you I personally spoke to. I hope you all know recognition from the Business Account Managers Our mission is to create a that I am reachable by phone and would love to as the most active of a 63-member coalition in just and peaceful world. meet you. The offices are in the back of the store developing strategic community partnerships. He To this end, we work on – please come say hello when you are here. currently lives in Burlington, Vermont. the interconnected issues of economic and racial justice, peace, and human „ The New Jim Crow rights through education, PJC to host Common Read program of “The New advocacy, training and non- violent activisim, and Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of community organizing, Colorblindness” by Dr. Michelle Alexander. since 1979. Participants in this program will receive a free copy of the book and join us for a two-part conversation. If you are interested, please contact [email protected]. Time and place TBA.

research z policy z action April/May/June 2014 3 UVM’s Perkins Hall Harkens Eugenics Mastermind To Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont:

Below is an excerpt from the UVM website on the principles that tions performed. Often, those who had been institutionalized or UVM faculty and staff align themselves with: confined to prisons would be offered freedom in exchange for The University of Vermont’s aspirations reflect its values, which their consent to sterilization. include a commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry and critical thinking, and a willingness to address difficult societal issues The Abenaki population was highly impacted by this law and with honesty, civility, and practicality. This University community many hid their heritage to avoid persecution. These practices values respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and continue to negatively impact Abenaki people. Because of this responsibility and promotes the intellectual capacity to engage persecution, their sense of identify has suffered and they have had in ethical decision making. difficulty establishing their own separate personhood under the regulations of the state. The Peace & Justice Center is similarly committed to the prin- ciples of social justice described above. We hope that you will Clearly, this is a shameful period of history. This research and the follow through on your willingness to address difficult societal actions that it inspired, completely contradicts UVM’s mission. issues as well as engage in ethical decision making when Therefore, to continue on as if these atrocities did not happen considering the issue we are addressing. We request that the would be to engage in willful ignorance which would only further board of trustees consider renaming Perkins Hall. Although the alienate the Abenaki people. Accepting the name of Perkins Hall, Hall is named for George Perkins, a long-time zoologist and with full knowledge of the atrocities committed by Henry Perkins professor at the University of Vermont, the name Perkins is perpetuates unexamined privilege, and symbolically continues a associated most often with his son Henry F. Perkins. tradition of exclusion.

The research that Henry Perkins devoted his time to while under The Peace & Justice Center therefore asks that you remove this the employment and support of UVM is now contrary to the symbol of racism and injustice from your campus. The argument mission of UVM. Throughout the 1920’s and into the 1930’s, can be made that the building is not named specifically after the Mr. Perkins was an influential lobbyist and supporter for Eugenics man who was so influential in the Eugenics movement local. policies and laws in Vermont, and his work is directly related to However, the outside perception is one of UVM revering a man the forcible sterilization of members of the Abenaki population. who is an undisputed catalyst to the justification and commitment In 1925, Henry Perkins organized the Eugenics Survey of of the vilest of human rights abuses in Vermont state history. In Vermont. This survey was not scientific but instead was based on addition to the abuses committed here in Vermont, Henry the reputations of the people within their communities, and Perkins’s work is also directly connected to the atrocities commit- served to identify specific families as “degenerate.” Those with ted in the concentration camps during World War II. learning disabilities and poor school performances were classified as “feebleminded” and considered unfit. Members of the survey We understand that the process may be daunting and that the team focused largely on families of Abenaki and French-Canadian Board of Trustees is very busy. However, this is an issue of justice. descent. These people were targeted because Mr. Perkins and his Changing the name of this building is an act that will exhibit the fellow Eugenicists considered them a burden on society, as well University of Vermont’s unwillingness to silently support historical as considered their lifestyle to be inappropriate and “unhealthy to wrongdoings. An action such as this will validate that as an children.” Henry Perkins was later the President of The American institution you are committed to social justice both in principle Eugenics Society, and his research was adapted to Adolf Hitler’s and action. own agenda of Eugenics. Sincerely, It was Henry Perkins’s commitment to Eugenics that gave a basis for the passage of “A Law for Human Betterment by Voluntary Amanda Sanderson, Rachel Siegel, Sterilization” in Vermont. This law was enacted in 1931 and was Racial & Economic Justice Intern Executive Director, intended to cut government spending on social services for the Peace & Justice Center poor and disabled. The idea was that people who had been labeled feebleminded or degenerate would produce offspring Sent March 24, 2014 who would also be “unfit” members of society; therefore sterilization would eliminate the “defective” genes within Vermont. Despite the law maintaining that sterilization would If you share our hope that UVM will rename Perkins Hall, please remain voluntary, the number of Vermonters who were sterilized contact the Board of Trustees. under this law remains unknown because of the forcible steriliza-

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serves. The Canaan Scholarship Canaan Fair Trade Fund gives scholarships BY Grace vonRabenstein, PJC Intern annually, 40 thus far, to the children of farmers and future leaders of their communities. s an Environmental Policy major at The Trees for Life program A Champlain College, fair trade is gives olive tree saplings to commonly a topic of discussion in farmers, many of whose trees my classes. My education has shown me were destroyed or uprooted by how fair trade is an ideal business model. the Israeli military. While nearly Environmental stewardship, safe working 60,000 tree saplings have been conditions, gender equity, transparency, distributed, the program is also the list goes on. On the surface, the restoring hope to the farmers benefits of fair trade are undeniable and who have faced many chal- easy for me to support. Yet I have lenges maintaining their struggled to put my support for the livelihood. movement into action and apply the Canaan was the first and principles to my purchasing and con- Mustafa & Shafaq Jarar continues to be the leading fair Canaan Fair Trade Olive Oil Producers, Jarar Family Farm sumption habits. trade supplier of olive oil. Along Through my internship at the PJC, one farmers, are being economically with olive oil, Canaan Fair Trade of my goals is to transform my personal marginalized and culturally isolated. produces almonds, honey, spreads, soap behavior. I am reaching a deeper under- Historically, farming and olive harvest and dried foods. Nasser Abufarha, standing of how fair trade improves the have been a great source of pride and founder and director of Canaan Fair Trade lives of individuals and communities livelihood for these communities. How- and founder of the Palestine Fair Trade around the world. As I learn more about ever, the plummeting prices of olive oil (as Association, said in an interview, “Being the vendors in the Peace & Justice Store, low as US$2) caused many farmers to good should always be good for busi- I am becoming more mindful of the impact abandon their farms. Through a combina- ness.” This concept is supported through ethical consumption has globally. tion of education and training, organic Canaan’s motto “Insisting on life” and is Our vendor, Canaan Fair Trade, has and fair trade certification, and commu- confirmed through an impact study that made the necessity to alter my behavior nity empowerment programs, Canaan Fair was done in 2011, evaluating the impact tangible. Canaan is a Palestinian fair trade Trade is providing women and farmers of Canaan in fulfilling its mission to company working towards economic long-term access to global markets. empower small and marginalized Palestin- stability for rural communities in Pales- Canaan has developed several ian producer communities caught in the tine. Under Israeli occupation, these programs that demonstrate its commit- midst of conflict. Palestinian communities, especially ment to empower the communities it

Fair Trade continued from page 1 by a respected independent organization interest of the multinational corporation works with over 800 campuses in the US, called the Workers Rights Consortium they are representing instead of the including the University of Vermont (WRC). The WRC is an independent labor workers. (UVM), who currently has a disappoint- rights monitoring organization started by The Fair Labor Association (FLA), ingly small selection of Alta Gracia United Students Against Sweatshops to which currently holds a contract with Apparel available. challenge the status quo in the textile UVM austensibly to ensure UVM With the help of UVM student groups industry. branded apparel is not made in sweat VSTEP, Fashion Club, and Amnesty The clothing industry’s supply chain shops, is controlled by a board of International, as well as the Fair Trade too often allows for factory owners to directors that is comprised of representa- Burlington Network, we brought workers manipulate and abuse the lack of trans- tives from the corporations they are from Alta Gracia to UVM to talk about the parency to their benefit. It is common serving. This includes repeated labor difference that working for a socially practice in the industry to cut workers’ rights offenders like Adidas and Hanes responsible clothing company has made wages to a bare minimum, force overtime, brands. Amidst other failures to protect in their lives, with the hopes that their and cut corners on health and safety the rights of workers, FLA colluded with experience would inspire the University standards. Third party labor rights Nike and Reebok to cut and run from their to source even more clothing from this auditing organizations attempt to assure contract with the BJ&B factory (now innovative label. We learned that not only large retailers the work they are home of Alta Gracia) after its workers does the factory have accountability outsourcing is not violating basic unionized and demanded higher pay in through the unionization of their workers, workers rights. Unfortunately, many of 2007. According to United Students but that their practices are also monitored these monitoring organizations have the Against Sweatshops (USAS), this

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terminate “the worst forms of child Making Strides in the Cocoa Industry slavery” though The Harken-Engle Protocol. Unfortunately these bench- BY Hillary Walton marks have not been honored. A surface promise is far from the goal of a thorough hanks to increased consumer much closer to the day when we see an shift. We need to keep an eye on the T demand, Lake Champlain Choco- atrocious violation of international labor companies to ensure that integrity is lates (LCC) has begun to purchase laws put to an end. maintained within fair trade labeling. As Fair Trade cocoa. “Our hot chocolates The virtuous shift in corporate consumers, the pressure we place on are certified by Fair Trade USA, and our behavior is a triumph in the push to companies by voting with our dollars is in organic bars are certified Fair for Life and eradicate the “worst forms of child labor,” many ways the most effective form of over 95% of the chocolate we use is Fair as defined by the International Labor vehicle of change. Trade certified for all of our products,” Organization. These forms include At the Peace & Justice Center we are said Meghan Fitzpatrick of LCC. Fair trafficking, slavery, debt bondage, and currently working at increasing pressure Trade certification, among other things, is exposure to dangerous work environ- on Ghirardelli, owned by Lindt. They an assurance that forced child labor is not ments that harm the health and safety of have suggested an approaching shift and employed. children. it is our intention to make sure this The primary cocoa source of LCC is When consumers understand the happens. GlobalExchange.org provides a Barry Callebaut. We are likewise excited reality behind chocolate, many choose printable letter of support for this to find that Barry Callebaut has begun to not to fund the system. This is what the movement. If you are interested, we source and distribute Fair Trade cocoa. industry notices. If we choose a socially would love your support in the fight for a Changes in this and other companies responsible route, companies will notice fair Ghirardelli. practices are examples of corporate that non-fair trade chocolate is not If our goal is to eliminate child slavery behavior changing as a result of public selling. Where we place our dollars, we from the cocoa industry then we need to education and pressure. place our votes. Thus, we have gone from get everyone on board. What are we In addition to this demonstration of the child slavery permeating the cocoa funding and encouraging? What are we awareness, Barry Callebaut has also industry to a promising future of an saying is okay? Where is your chocolate begun campaign “Cocoa Horizons.” This ethical system. Our tool is the strength of coming from? Tell a friend. Tell a local campaign includes a movement to our consumer voice. Our consumer merchant. Tell a corporation. Send a educate farmers in an array of topics from choices yield tremendous results, as seen letter. Vote with your dollars. Let them literacy to women’s empowerment. though the increase of fair trade certified know you care and influence them to care “Support child labor sensitization chocolate on the market. as well. activities” is last to be listed within the Because of the Fair Trade cocoa curriculum. Despite its placement, this movement, we have seen large players of mention is honorable. It moves us that the cocoa industry set timeframes to

Fair Trade continued from page 4 gathers annually to consult the board of protect the rights of marginalized textile decision left 1,600 workers unemployed directors on policies and practices, workers. without severance pay. Out of frustration allowing every institution a voice in In conjunction with the aforemen- towards the repeated failures of labor accountability. tioned community and student groups, rights monitoring organizations, USAS The WRC ensures transparency by the PJC has been working to encourage helped to create the WRC in 2001 as an making all of its audits and factory UVM to affiliate with the WRC since the alternative to the corporate-controlled reports public with a comprehensive Summer of 2013. After accruing over 500 FLA. online database that can be searched by signatures on our online petition and The WRC aims to change business as university, country, or licensee. They also many days spent tabling and talking to usual in the textile industry, and is take many additional steps to guarantee students, our voice was heard and we currently focused on auditing the that their audits represent the rights of began talks with the University in the Fall factories where collegiate apparel is made. workers. In addition, the WRC supports of 2013. Thanks to community support, In order to affiliate with the WRC, unionization; their auditing visits are UVM is on track to become affiliated with universities must pay an annual fee; unannounced; and workers are inter- the WRC by their next fiscal year starting provide a list of supplier factories; and viewed away from the work site so as not July 1, 2014. UVM has a good deal of adopt a code of conduct for factories that to feel pressure to please management. purchasing power and we are confident the WRC will then ensure they adhere to. Given these genuine efforts to uphold that affiliating with the WRC will posi- Universities then select a representative labor rights standards, we saw the WRC tively impact the lives of workers world- for the WRC University Caucus, which as an obvious choice over the FLA to wide.

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alternatives, such as the Peace Corps and The Peace ROTC Job Corps. And then there are the BY Marlee Brown, PJC Intern buttons. What would we do without the buttons? o be quite frank, enlisting in the US Physically and mentally tough. I am a My first ever counter-recruitment and T Armed Forces never crossed my guardian of freedom and the American recruitment for peace tabling visit mind. Instead, college was always Way of life. happened a few weeks ago at Colchester an expectation, a path I would be silly not Although having seen commercials High School. Our table was located in the to follow. I realize now – two months from like these a number of times before, I had front lobby, near an entrance to the my college graduation – that not all high never critically examined their messages. cafeteria. Most of the students stopped school students will have the same The aggressive delivery of discipline, at the table between classes. We would situation as me, the same privileges, the solidarity and strength left me more get their attention by asking, “Would you same expectations, nor the same pas- uncomfortable than I remember feeling like a button?” In fact, that is how we sions. That’s what makes my Peacework before. For example, I stand ready to connected with the first student who was internship at the Peace & Justice Center deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies considering enlisting. this spring doing military counter- of the United States of America. Destroy? One student grabbed a button from my recruitment and recruitment for peace at Enemies? When was war made so basket. I watched nervously as he walked local high schools especially challenging. simplistic, so straightforward? Does the away; he had grabbed one of our “Re- It started when I was in the third barking of I am Army strong! justify this cruiters Lie” buttons. A few steps down grade. The trips happened every three language? the hall, I see him turn to his friend and years, first to Clarkson, then to Skidmore While I never visited recruiting offices, say, “Wait a minute. I don’t agree with and eventually SUNY Potsdam to drop I do remember the military coming to my this button!” my older brothers off at their first semes- high school and setting up their tables in His friend was the one that came to ter of college. By the time high school the cafeteria. There were times when past chat. We learned that he was considering rolled around for me, I began preparing to graduates would come in to represent joining the military, mainly to follow in the follow in their footsteps. Junior year came their rank, drawing more students to the footsteps of his father and grandfather. with college visits, senior year with table with their familiar faces. I would We spoke for about ten minutes. When applications, acceptances, and eventually watch as confident students – mostly he left he appeared committed to talking my choice to come to Vermont for my male – approached the table to attempt frankly to his family about the reality of undergrad. the pushup challenge. In front of the combat which had not previously been That was four years ago. Today, as I packed cafeteria, they would line up one- discussed; he was prepared to use nervously approach my graduation this by-one to showcase their physical caution when speaking with recruiters; May, I can safely say I have given more stamina. At the time, I saw their attempts and his perspective had changed notice- attention to the military and its recruit- as acts of cockiness. Never, however, did ably. ment tactics than ever before. To make I question the intention of the recruiters In the two tabling visits we’ve had something clear: no, I am not considering who stood there watching, with arms thus far, there have been only two enlisting. Rather, I am visiting high crossed and faces blank. students who approached the table schools to talk with students about One of the pieces of literature we have saying they were interested in enlisting. alternatives to the military and to ensure ready for the PJC counter-recruitment There are probably other students we they are knowledgeable of nonviolent table stars Sergeant Abe the Honest engaged with who have considered it but ways to serve their country. Recruiter, the animated character who remain unsure. In both cases, our chats Through my internship, I helped takes students through a military contract gave these two students more perspec- organize and lead a recruitment for peace to point out tricky sections that recruiters tive and made them question their own and counter-recruitment training. The often don’t make reference to. Abe tells motives. event brought together a total of eight readers, “This is not a normal job, and not As recruiters for peace, it is not our people. Our aim was to chat about a normal contract. You can’t quit, for one. intention to tell every student that they approaches to counter-recruitment, The military can extend your enlistment should never join the military. Rather, our keeping in mind what high school without your consent.” The document aim is to make sure they are aware of the students are likely to find appealing goes on to mention things like military reality of combat and that there are other about enlisting. training not always translating to the ways to serve one’s country. We encour- We started by jotting down a few civilian world, the suffering of long-term age them to attend our nonviolence words that came to mind in terms of the physical and mental damage, high risk of trainings and explore active nonviolence military’s “draw.” This made for a nice sexual harassment and rape, as well as as a way of standing strong against segue to the screening of a US Army faulty veterans benefits. oppressive forces. If they’d like, they commercial that reinforced some of these In addition to documents like these should join what I think of as the Peace ideas. I am a warrior and a member of a and War Resisters League brochures, we ROTC. team, one soldier says. I am disciplined. also make sure to have sheets promoting

research z policy z action April/May/June 2014 7 Re-visioning Security for a Just Society

BY Mica Stumpf scholarships are available. Contact hat would it look like to have [email protected] or 802-863-2345 x6. W security obtained through means Mica Stumpf and Peijman that were aligned with our ends of a Kouretchian have a passion for peaceful society? What kind of action is nonviolence, teaching it to everyone required to get us beyond the horrific from youth groups to incarcerated abuses of a broken power structure veterans. Mica received her B.A. in toward a world where we all feel secure Peace and Conflict Studies from with the presence of security personnel, U.C., Berkeley. In 2013 she spent six regardless of our skin color? To para- weeks working with an international phrase Martin Luther King, Jr., it isn’t Trainers: Mica Stumpf and Peijman Kouretchian peace team in Jeju Island, South enough that we exercise non-cooperation Korea. She and Peijman also work as with evil, we also need to cooperate with consciousness of the interconnectedness Kingian Nonviolence trainers with East good. And if the good doesn’t fully exist of all life we will have the power to Point Peace Academy. Both Peijman and yet, then we need to create it. implement a new system for addressing Mica have trained in restorative justice Recently I read a news story about an conflicts, one that can fully represent the and mediation. Peijman has five years of unarmed father, Luis Rodriguez, being term justice. To reach that end, Emer- experience in high conflict entertainment beaten to death by the local police gency Conflict Transformation has security, mediating within diverse outside of a movie theater in Oklahoma. developed a two-day training that is open populations in times of overt violence. In While I tried to recover from the brutality to anyone who has an interest in reclaim- 2013 they co-founded a new domestic of the incident, I had this thought: until ing their power to successfully transform peace team: Emergency Conflict Transfor- we are able to radically change our their own conflicts. To truly replace our mation. ECT is a member of the Shanti concept of security in this country, this is violent security systems which control Sena Network of domestic peace the kind of news that can be expected. As people through fear, we will need to teams. far as I see it, the most direct path to a invest in just as much nonviolent conflict humane and just future lies in a commit- training with just as many people who ment to self control and community believe in offering dignity and self centered security. determination to those in conflict. So if This is why Peijman Kouretchian and I you too believe a better way is possible, started Emergency Conflict Transforma- please let us know you are listening and tion. Our vision is a community-based share your voice in the chorus. response to conflict, where instead of calling the police, people will have the „ Nonviolent Conflict option to seek help from a peace team of Intervention Skills Training local individuals who are trained in June 29 & 29 nonviolent de-escalation and mediation. This two day training is presented by Our team is unarmed and prepared to hear Emergency Conflict Transformation, an all sides of any conflict, with a goal of Oakland, CA based organization that opening the space for healthy debate and offers assistance to those with immediate negotiation, seeking an outcome that need for conflict de-escalation. It will serves as many needs as possible. Our cover the theory of nonviolence and how belief is that a long term solution cannot it can be actively applied in heated come from one party forcing their will on interpersonal conflicts. The skills covered another, but through each side recogniz- will include: how to behave in the face of May 3 is Pete’s Birthday! ing that they have shared interests with direct violence, how to de-escalate heated Learn the songs of Pete Seeger and their opponent and everyone will benefit conflicts, determining when to intervene other “freedom fighters”! from a plan that addresses the needs of or not, choosing the best method for Experience the power of singing together. each side. intervention, and mediation techniques. Share it with the next generation! In the words of peace scholar, Kenneth There will also be materials geared toward Boulding, the greatest lie is the you and I lower levels of conflict. All who seek to 20% off May 1-7 at the are separate; that your suffering could further their conflict competence are Peace & Justice Store contribute to my happiness. Once we are welcome! You must committ to the two to celebrate Pete’s life. able to achieve a level of collective days , 10am to 6pm. The fee is $60 , but

research z policy z action 8 April/May/June 2014

Robin’s Nest Women and Equality: The Three Revolutions: Reflections on the 100th Anniversary of World War One

BY Robin Lloyd

n the great trajectory of I humanity’s evolution towards a just society, two revolutions in the rights of women to participate in society on an equal basis with men have moved that evolution forward: the first, of course: the right to vote, in 1920; the Europe to the US in the fall of 1914. On a was that those women were proposing second, the right to reproductive freedom national speaking tour she begged not just to end war, but how to create a in 1972, where women’s demands for Americans to urge President Wilson to democratic society with equality between dominion over her own body were legally propose mediation to end the war before men and women, so that there would be recognized. And now the third, possibly it ground down to a vicious end game of no recourse to war. The congress worked equally spectacular revolution: the right destruction. out an alternative, non-violent form of to equality in foreign policy decisions; ie In response, concerned women, conflict resolution, calling for a process the decisions to make war or keep the meeting for the founding session of the of continuous mediation to be imple- peace. Women’s Peace Party in January of 1915, mented, without armistice, until peace This anti-war movement began almost were galvanized when they got a telegram could be restored among the warring 100 years ago and will be celebrated next from physician and activist Aletta Jacobs nations. The innovative aspect of this year at a conference at The Hague, the from the Netherlands urging them to conference was that a politically power- Netherlands: Women’s Power to Stop come to a women’s conference to stop less group used this opportunity to draft War. It started with the effort of a small the war. concrete proposals for a new interna- group of courageous women who Forty-seven women, including Hull tional legal system; proposals which went organized to stop WW1. House founder Jane Addams, and my far beyond issues directly related to the We all know the moment of conflagra- grandmother, Lola Maverick Lloyd, war. tion that started the war, which, from the crossed the Atlantic, during wartime, to And they and their sisters and perspective of 100 years, was astonishing meet with some 1200 women from 12 descendants held tenaciously to this in its destructiveness, given that modern countries from April 28-May 1, 1915. vision of a way to stop war through out weapons of mass killing (ie nuclear During this week, only 104 miles away, the first world war, and the second, and weapons, et al) had not been invented one of the most violent battles of the war Korean and Vietnam war until finally (to yet. took place, at Ypres, where massive make a intriguingly long story short) the On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a amounts of chlorine gas were used by the Security Council of the United Nations Serb nationalist, shot and killed Archduke Germans for the first time. heard their demand and passed SCR 1325 Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in In three days they made two decisions: in 2000 on Women, Peace and Security Sarajevo. Exactly one month later, the One, that they would hold an interna- which mandates women’s participation in nations of Europe fell in line like domi- tional meeting at the same time and same all aspects of peacekeeping, peacemaking noes, and the shooting war began. place as the peace settlement conference and peace-building (ie before, during and Will it be commemorated, grieved or that they assumed would conclude the after war). celebrated? It was, after all, the war to end war, with the goal of presenting proposals Under Hilary Clinton, the US State war. The numbers who died are brain to the conference. Secondly, they would Department has issued a National Action numbing, especially when compared to appoint envoys, right then and there, to Plan or NAP to implement the resolution. current military actions. 2,175 soldiers travel to both the belligerent and neutral Has anything changed since this died in action in Afghanistan over 11 countries and ask them to actively offer commendable resolution was passed 14 years: in the trench battles of 1914-1918, mediation to the combatant countries. years ago? Where these directives are that number of soldiers might die in a day. And that is what they did. All to no being used to challenge the status quo? And yet, boys continued to merrily march avail, although one head of state said In the last few months, Madeleine Rees, off to war. “these are the most sensible words I have the Secretary General of WILPF has been A Hungarian woman, Rosika heard spoken in this room for the last involved in fast-paced feminist diplomacy Schwimmer, brought word of the cata- year!!” insisting that women have a right to be at strophic conditions of war prevailing in So what’s the big deal? The big deal the Peace Table when the future of Syria

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settled by one of two ways. By force International Law or Real Politik? (producing festering resentments which BY Judy Yarnall, PJC Board member make such “resolutions” temporary) or by diplomacy. Now adjudication by the ICJ, better known as the World Court, offers ecently I spent several unpleasant familiar. an effective third alternative. We showed late-night hours at Dulles Airport – R Russia has, in fact, broken interna- our contemptuous disregard for it in 1986, that place where we introduce tional law by annexing the Crimea – when Ronald Reagan was President. foreigners to the US by making them pay specifically, it has violated its obligation Nicaragua, whose Sandinistas we were for luggage carts in currency they don’t as a UN member to refrain “from the then covertly battling, accused the US of yet have. CNN was on multiple screens threat or use of force against the territo- mining the harbor at Managua. The World overhead, with the words “Obama says rial integrity or political independence of Court accepted the case and ruled against Russia violates international law” and any state.” A referendum with soldiers us. When we were required to pay “Hillary calls Putin, Hitler” streaming waiting in the wings is not a true test of damages it was up to the Security Council beneath the images. Already irritated by the people’s will, even though the to enforce this penalty, and we used our my flight’s delay, I felt outrage building majority of this particular people was of right as one of its five permanent mem- within me. Who was Obama to be making Russian ethnicity. We need to remember, bers to veto the enforcement resolution. pronouncements about international law? however, our own disrespect for interna- Since then, we participate in the World Hadn’t we invaded a sovereign nation, tional law, not only in Iraq but more Court only on a case by case basis. To Iraq, for no reason other than that we had recently in Pakistan and Yemen, countries stretch the point, you could say that the felt like it and convinced ourselves that which our drones have bombed. US is committed to undermining the this action was necessary and just? And International law as a general concept authority of international law when we why was Hillary Clinton, who could be is only about a century old. Before 1920, find it bothersome. Such is real politik— considered the dean of American diplo- when the League of Nations established a exactly the hand Putin’s been playing. mats, using such intemperate language? court which the UN’s International Court But recognizing our hypocrisy is only Why, for that matter, was CNN stoking of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague has suc- a first step. What could we as activists be American belligerence? It all felt too ceeded, disputes between states were doing to make the world a more lawful place? Robert Naiman, the director of Just Foreign Policy, suggests that we urge members of Congress to call on the WWI continued from page 8 Obama administration to cease boycott- is discussed. As it is, US and Russia have To return to WW1, President Wilson, ing talks in the UN Human Rights Council important seats, and the guys with guns, in 1917, said that one reason he brought on US drone strike policy. He also but no members of women’s groups or the US into the war was to have a seat at suggests that we press our government civil society have been permitted to take a the peace table. Jane Addams contested to honor our obligations under interna- seat. Rees has found funding to bring that perception, saying that if he had tional humanitarian law by protecting women who are doing the work of peace- offered to convene a neutral conference Iranian civilians’ access to needed building on the ground in Syria to Geneva engaging both sides of the conflict a medicines from US sanctions. (You can to knock loudly on the door. She has much more humane settlement than the sign a petition about that at written, Versailles Treaty could have been www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/iran-meds) “There is nothing like a war to force a implemented, and WW2 might have been Most of all, we need to create a loud retreat into gender stereotypes; a avoided. and well-organized campaign to revise the narrative of warriors and victims, of To petition the US government to truly United Nations Charter. Just one firm power which is of the violent and implement SCR 1325 and open the door to tweak – revoking the veto power of the destructive kind wielded by men with women’s participation in Peace Talks, Security Council’s five permanent whom other men must engage to control please write to Secretary of State Kerry’s members – would make a tremendous it. It’s as if the Security Council Resolu- assistant, Catherine M. Russell who is difference. tions which reflected the need to bring the United States Ambassador-at-Large In a world with nuclear weapons, real the voices of others into the discourse for Global Women’s Issues, at the State politik does not hold the trump card of were passed in a vacuum, that our minds Dept., 2201 C St, NW, Washington, DC. wisdom about humanity’s future. Interna- could not actually catch up with what tional law does. And in the long run, it is they purported to bring about, i.e. a *Read more at http:// more realistic. fundamental shift in the medieval www.opendemocracy.net/5050/madeleine- narrative. This is true not just of those rees/syrian-women-demand-to-take-part- engaged in the fighting, but of those who in-peace-talks-in-geneva drive the politics and therefore the direction of that conflict.”*

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CALENDAR

Thursday, April 10 z Rally and March to Protest Drones at Hancock Field Air National Guard z 7pm Native Rights and the Struggle Against the Tar Sands with Clayton Base, 2pm. The Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars Thomas-Muller, Member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation of Northern presents Dr. Cornel West, speaking on “Connecting the Dots:Poverty, Manitoba, co-director of Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign, and organizer for Racism and Drones” at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY. Defenders of the Land and Idle No More. He will focus on how the Canadian Following the talk we will have presence at Hancock Drone base entitled Tar Sands Project threatens the land and lives of communities across the “The Peoples Order of Protection Against Drone Terror”. Carpool from PJC: continent. Silver Maple Ballroom, Davis Center, UVM. Sponsored by the Will contact [email protected] or 863-2345 ext 6. Miller Social Justice Lecture Series. z 2pm A Performance Piece. Robin Lloyd talks with her grandmother: Monday, April 14 WWI and the 100th Anniversary of the women’s peace movement. In celebration of WILPF’s 99th anniversary. Free. Refreshments will be served. z 6-8pm Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel meeting at PJC. BCA Center, 2nd floor, Church St, Burlington. More info: 862-4929. z 7pm Fed Up VT meeting at RU12 every Monday. Fed Up VT is a radical grassroots women’s rights coalition. [email protected] Sunday, May 4 z 12-1 Vets for Peace live call-in show on Channel 15. Also June 1. Tuesday, April 15 z Day of Action Against Military Spending! The PJC will be tabling Tuesday, May 6 on Church Street with Veterans for Peace to raise awareness about how z 6pm: Peace & Popcorn at PJC. Peace & Popcorn is a casual movie night much of our income tax dollars go to the military and how little goes to open to the public. This is a great way for people who are interested in other important government programs. Stop by our table and participate in peace, racial justice, the environment, economic justice, international an activity to share where you want you tax dollars to go and be entered in issues, politics, etc. to watch a documentary they normally wouldn’t make a raffle to win a one-hour massage from Silliman Massage & Bodywork. time for, and to connect with people of similar interests. We serve popcorn, and it’s free! Good films and good company. All are welcome! Saturday, April 19 z 10am Veterans for Peace, Will Miller Green Mountain Chapter meets Thursday, May 8 monthly in Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Usually the third Saturday, z 5-6:30pm Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom but check with President Adrienne Knapp at [email protected] (WILPF) meeting at the Peace & Justice Center. 862-4929. Also June 12. Sunday, April 20 Saturday, May 10 4:00-5:30pm Film: “Spies of Mississippi.” Spies of Mississippi is a journey z World Fair Trade Day! Stay tuned for more information on this event. into the world of informants, infiltrators, and agent provocateurs in the Burlington City Hall Park. If you are interested in helping with this event heart of Dixie. The film tells the story of a secret spy agency formed by the contact Carmen at 802-863-2345 x3 or [email protected]. state of Mississippi to preserve segregation and maintain “the Mississippi way of life,” white supremacy, during the 1950s and ‘60’s. The Film House, 3rd Monday, May 12 floor, 60 Lake St., Burlington. Followed by snacks and conversation in the z 6-8pm Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel meeting at PJC. PJC. Also June 9. Wednesday, April 23 Saturday, May 17 z 6pm: Drones Film and Talk. Montpelier’s Savoy Theater. Learn about the z 10am Veterans for Peace, Will Miller Green Mountain Chapter. See 4/19. legal controversies that surround the use of drones internationally and Also June 21. domestically. 1) presentation by Lydia Bates on the current status of drones, 2) screening of the short film Wounds of Waziristan by journalist, Madiha Tuesday, June 3 Tahir, and 3) discussion of what actions can be taken to spread awareness z 6pm: Peace & Popcorn at PJC. See 5/6. and help prevent more transgressions. Saturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29 Sunday, April 27 z 10am – 6pm. Nonviolent conflict intervention skills training. Location z 10am - 6pm: Nonviolent Communication Seminar, lead by John F. Reuwer, TBD. See article on page 7. This training will cover the theory of nonvio- MD at the Peace & Justice Center. If you wish you could find more peace lence and how it can be actively applied in heated interpersonal conflicts. within yourself, or have more energy and skills to make peace with people The skills covered will include: how to behave in the face of direct violence, you love and people you don’t, this seminar is for you. The “language of how to de-escalate heated conflicts, determining when to intervene or life” has been used as a description of nonviolent communication, developed not, choosing the best method for intervention, and mediation tech- by Marshall Rosenberg, and adapted here by Dr. Reuwer. There is a $90 fee, niques. Must commit to both days. There is a fee of $60 but scholarships but scholarships are available. To register: [email protected] or 863-2345 ext 6. are available. Contact [email protected] or 863-2345 x6.

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Fly Kites Not Drones The sky is falling BY Lydia Bates, PJC Intern Drones, droning, droned arch 20th marked the A common grammatical shift M first day of spring, as From noun to verb well as Nowruz (New An important moral shift Year) on the Persian calendar. Murder In celebration of Nowruz and State sanctioned assassination. in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, the Peace & No young warrior you won’t face enemy fire Justice Center hosted a day of Get in your car and commute to the office. kite flying at Burlington’s Game for eight hours. Waterfront Park on March 23. Be home for cocktails Nowruz is celebrated Your commute is your biggest threat worldwide by 300 million people and in 2010 was Amazon wants to deliver a package recognized as the International Exactly what a terrorist wants to do Day of Nowruz by the United Don’t go to your doctor about the buzzing in your ears Nations due to its promotion Look out the window, you’re being droned of peace, solidarity and It may be a police drone, or that of your exes lawyer. neighborliness. In Afghanistan the holiday is celebrated by kite fighting, a practice that involves many skilled competitors Drones are owned by kids, farmers, the CIA attempting to slice the strings of the other kites. Being the best They come in all sizes kite fighter in ones neighborhood is a very sought after and Smaller than a humming bird, larger than a jet respected achievement. In order to increase ones odds of Does the second admendment give us the right attaining such a status, kite fighters will sometimes coat their kite To own armed drones, what about magazine size? strings in rice glue and shards of glass, however, nylon is now preferred. Get ready Supreme Court From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban government banned kite flying This is coming your way on the grounds of it being “un-Islamic.” Despite reinstitution as You will be asked to shove the toothpaste one of Afghanistan’s most cherished pastimes “Afghans are Back in the tube more used to the presence of UK and US armed and surveillance Best of luck drones flying overhead” than kites (Voice for Creative Non- Violence UK). The country has since become the “drone capital” Frank Edmonds of the world due to the UK’s 547 strikes in the past 5 years and a Alburgh VT similar, yet unspecified number of US drone strikes. A lack of Submitted in response to an article in a previous transparency within the US drone program leads to uncertainties Peace & Justice NEWS. in the number of strikes and civilians deaths. While the US is at war with Afghanistan there are still violations of international humanitarian law being committed. The Drones Film: Wounds of Waziristan Fourth Geneva Convention, created in 1949, was designed to protect civilians in a time of war. However, despite their touted Wednesday, April 23, 6pm: Interested in joining the accuracy, drones have been causing countless unnecessary conversation about drones? Come to Montpelier’s Savoy civilian deaths, which are far too often deemed “collateral Theater for an evening of education and discussion damage.” Estimates gather that in 2013 the number of civilians centered on this political and moral issue. Learn about the killed in drone strikes increased threefold, therefore accounting legal controversies that surround the use of drones interna- for 40% of the total number of civilian air strike deaths. In light of tionally and domestically. The evening will begin with a the remote control aspect of drone warfare there is very little presentation by Lydia Bates on the current status of drones, sympathy for or connection to one’s perceived enemy, therefore continue with the screening of the short film Wounds of allowing for unfettered killing and a completely transformed face Waziristan by journalist, Madiha Tahir, and conclude with a of war. brief discussion of what actions can be taken to spread The Fly Kites Not Drones event highlighted these unfortunate awareness and help prevent more transgressions. truths while simultaneously exalting the rich culture that has remained resilient throughout the war. To watch the video, go to http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/5003793

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