Their Son Taken to War, Ordered to Kill, Killed in Action

Central New York Voices for Peace and Social Justice September 2005 745

Your son taken to war, Ordered to kill, Killed in action. Isn’t that your worst fear?

Their son taken to war, Ordered to kill, Killed in action. Isn’t that their worst fear?

My son taken to war, Ordered to kill, Killed in action. That is my worst fear.

Our boys not taken to war, Not ordered to kill, Not killed in action. That is my deepest prayer. –Kaz Tanahashi

Published by the Syracuse Peace Council – Founded in 1936 PEACE NEWSLETTER CONTENTS SPC STAFF Carol Baum, Andy Mager, Jessica Maxwell, Paul Pearce Syracuse Peace Council in Action ...... 3 (SPC Press/TV) Stopping the War Machine by Jessica Maxwell ...... 5 Madame Cynthia’s Travels by Paul Frazier ...... 7 SPC STEERING COMMITTEE Telling Truth about the Iraq War by Jessica Stewart ...... 9 Carol Baum, Gary Bonaparte, John Burdick, Joan Con- ley, Dik Cool, Barbara Humphrey, Andy Mager, Jessica Betty Bentley: A Voice for Peace Remembered by Elizabeth Quick ...... 10 Maxwell, Beth Mosley, Shirley Novak, Mike Pasquale, Let Us Go Forward Together by Rose Viviano ...... 11 Carole Resnick Internationally-known Visitors to Syracuse ...... 12 Questions and Answers on Dr. Dhaﬁr by Magda Bayoumi...... 13 PEACE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Syracuse-Area Activist Contacts ...... 15 Carol Baum (coordinator), Rae Kramer, Donna Muhs- McCarten, Melissa Osgood, Sara Smits. Layout: Andy It’s Not Over Yet! by Tarki Heath and Thane Joyal ...... 16 Mager, Lisa Maynard, Christopher Secor. Onondaga Nation Presses Forward with Land Rights Action ...... 17 REVIEW: In Praise of Slowness reviewed by Eileen E. Schell ...... 18 On the Road with the Lil’ Grease Beast by Kimberley McCoy ...... 19 Keep in Touch Via Email! SPC Announcements is the Peace Council’s email service REVIEW: Sundance reviewed by Donna Muhs-McCarten ...... 21 which sends a few announcements each week about up- Community Calendar ...... 24 coming activities. Subscribe at the bottom of our webpage: [www.peacecouncil.net].

About the Cover ISSN 0735-4134 The graphic is from Earth Creations: The Environmental Answer for Apparel (www.earthcreations.net). The poem is by Kaz Tana- October PNL Deadlines hashi who will be in Syracuse on September 19. See page 12 for Article submissions: September 8 details. Advertising: September 15 Calendar items: September 20

The Peace Newsletter (PNL) is published monthly by the Syracuse Peace Council (SPC). The PNL is the newsletter of SPC as well as a forum for articles which discuss Central New York Voices issues of concern to the peace and justice movement. The opinions expressed in the for Peace and Social Justice PNL reflect the diversity of opinions within SPC itself. SubscribeSubscribe toto the the PNL PNL StillOnly only $15 $12 a yeara year for for 11 11issues! issues! Syracuse Peace Council Name:Name: ______Statement of Purpose Address:Address: ______City:City: ______The Syracuse Peace Council (SPC), founded in 1936, is an antiwar/social justice organization. It is community-based, autonomous and funded by the contributions State: ______Zip ______State: ______Zip ______of its supporters. Phone:Phone: (____)______(____)______SPC educates, agitates and organizes for a world where war, violence and Email:Email: ______exploitation in any form will no longer exist. It challenges the existing unjust power relationships among nations, among people and between ourselves and the EnclosedEnclosed is is $15 $12 for for a aone one year year subscription subscription environment. As members, we work to replace inequality, hierarchy, domination to the PNL. to the PNL. and powerlessness with mutual respect, personal empowerment, cooperation and EnclosedEnclosed is is an an additional additional donation donation of of $___ $___ a sense of community. forfor all all your your great great work! work! Present social injustices cannot be understood in isolation from each other, nor PleasePlease contact contact me me about about volunteering. volunteering. can they be overcome without recognizing their economic and militaristic roots. SPC seeks to make these connections clear. We initiate and support activities that AddAdd me me to to SPC’s SPC’s email email announcements announcements list. list. help build this sense of community and help tear down the walls of oppression. A fundamental basis for peace and justice is an economic system that places human This is a new subscription need above monetary profit. We establish relationships among people based on This is a renewal cooperation rather than competition or the threat of destruction. My address has changed Our political values and personal lives shape and reflect each other. In both, we are committed to nonviolent means of conflict resolution and to a process of Syracuse Peace Council decision-making that responds to the needs of us all. 924 Burnet Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13203

2 Peace Newsletter September 2005 March 2005 Peace Newsletter 11 SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCIL Educate, Agitate, Organize 924 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203 (315) 472-5478 SPC IN ACTION [email protected] compiled by Jessica Maxwell www.peacecouncil.net shima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks was a OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 10 am - 5 pm From Crawford to DC: Stop Wed. til 8 pm the War Machine! tremendous expansion over recent years. The Peace Council joined four other groups Staff email addresses: Bush is preparing to return to Washington, in organizing a March for a Nuclear-Free Andy Mager [email protected] DC after a ﬁve-week stay at his ranch in Future: American Friends Service Com- Crawford, TX during which the peace mittee, Citizens Awareness Network, Pax Carol Baum [email protected] movement was galvanized by the persistent Christi, and Peace Action. Jessica Maxwell [email protected] vigil of Cindy Shaheen. He’ll ﬁnd no relief in the nation’s capitol, however, as and the extensive media coverage thousands travel from around the the March generated. This year’s country for four days of strategic Hiroshima day activities have laid anti-war actions, including a mass a solid foundation for building a march on September 24 and civil local grassroots movement to stop disobedience on September 26. The the US nuclear weapons and power Syracuse Peace Council is organizing programs – and the proposal for busses and carpools. Sign up soon a fourth nuclear power plant in – seats are going fast! See page 5 Oswego. for details. –Tim Judson

Cazenovia Anti-War SPC’s Peaceful New Activism Sidewalk Nearly 40 demonstrators from Thanks to the hard work of Herman the Syracuse Peace Council and Bieling, Daniel Bowers, Lanny Cazenovia Youth Activists (CYA) Freshman, Ronnie Unger and David gathered on Tuesday, August 2 for Unger, SPC has a beautiful new SPC’s weekly peace outreach, the sidewalk – complete with a peace second such demonstration held in This year’s procession to mark the atomic bombings of Hiroshima sign stenciled just before the walk Cazenovia this year. Attendees shared and Nagasaki was the largest in years, building on the March for a to our front door. The required time a potluck dinner at Bob Skellan’s Nuclear-Free Future which preceded it. Photo: Tammy Crandall home, followed by a roundtable discussion at Common Grounds Beginning near the Oswego nuclear continued on next page coffeehouse. power plants on August 5, a total of 35 “Our goal is to keep reminding people people marched through Oswego, Fulton, that Bush said that the war was going to be Baldwinsville, and Liverpool into Syracuse. MONTHLY PROGRAM quick and simple…It’s been more than two The march concluded on August 9 – the Putting the Iraq War on Trial years,” said CYA President Liz Marris. anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing Reaction to SPC’s presence was over- – with a 150-person procession through Thurs., Sept. 15, 7-8:30 pm whelmingly positive despite the late arrival downtown Syracuse. Westcott Community Center of a small group of counterprotesters. The The procession’s route reflectedanother (826 Euclid Ave.) evening discussion gave rise to a newly- significant show of progress. It began at formed satellite group called “Cazenovians Syracuse’s City Hall, where Mayor Mat- On September 19 in Binghamton, NY for Peace,” which will hold its own weekly thew Driscoll had signed the international four Ithaca peace activists will be tried peace vigil every Thursday night at rush Mayors for Peace resolution, calling for in federal court for an act of nonvio- hour on the main road through Cazenovia. an end to nuclear weapons by 2020, and lent civil disobedience committed just For more information about the group, call ended at the Federal Building where a before the invasion of Iraq. The same Aimee Jurista at 655-2804. contingent of marchers delivered a copy of day, activists will begin a simultaneous –Aimee Jurista the resolution to the offices of our federal trial of the US war on Iraq. Come hear representatives, Congressman Walsh and from some of the activists organizing Marching for Senators Clinton and Schumer. this extraordinary effort. The turnout for the procession was a Nuclear-Free Future the largest in many years, in great part Free. Open to the public. Refreshments This year’s commemoration of the Hiro- due to the coalition’s ambitious organizing will be provided.

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 3 SPC / continued from previous before you come. At this first meeting of the fall, we’ll Weekly Peace Outreach and labor, especially Herm’s, would have discuss what to read next. Join us at busy intersections to say cost hundreds of dollars if it hadn’t been What has the group been like? We are generously donated. We couldn’t have pos- “End the Iraq War.” Every Tuesday, sensitive to people’s time pressures and 4:45-5:30 pm. sibly found a better crew to do the work. keep reading “assignments” reasonable. Our staff, volunteers and neighbors all We share facilitation, and opening and • September 6: Rt. 695 exit ramp love it – especially those of us with bikes closing (including making coffee), and ask to W. Genesee St. (Fairmount) and strollers! for a dollar or two (if possible) to • September 13: Adams St. and Rt. help pay for the space. Participants 81 (Downtown) come from a wide range of previous background knowledge, and • September 20: Rt. 57 and Vine conversations have been respectful St., Village of Liverpool and interesting. • September 27: Seneca Tpk. and Please try the group out! S. Salina St. (Valley) Everyone is welcome; no experi- • October 4: James Street and ence necessary – just a desire to Thompson Rd. (Northside) learn, willingness to discuss ideas respectfully, and general support of the SPC Statement of Purpose Wendy displayed a copy of the Two (see page 2). Contact Carol with Row Wampum that represents the original questions. 17th-century agreement between European settlers and the Haudenosaunee to co-exist Want to Work for as equals. Both women discussed the roles of Peace? personal freedom and consensus in Haude- Want to do something for peace nosaunee governance and spoke about the and social justice but aren’t sure leadership and influence of clan mothers, where to start? Or have you been who select new chiefs and are consulted involved but want to learn about when the chiefs make critical decisions. other activities? Are you curious Many thanks to Freida and Wendy for Twenty-five people came out to “stand with Cindy about SPC? this informative session. Sheehan” in a demonstration in front of the “Armed Forces If so, come to SPC’s first ori- –Ellen Edgerton Career Center” in Mattydale. Cindy’s stand has brought entation of the fall – on Tuesday, new people out to the streets. Photo: Betty DuBose September 13, 7-8:30 pm at SPC’s office. We’ll talk about what SPC Activist Appreciation MAEP Goes Back to School is working on, how we operate, answer In early spring and summer, Jackie Hayes questions you may have, and help you put in many hours each week at SPC help- The Military Alternatives Education Project get started working with SPC if you’re ing with general office work, newsletter is gearing up for another school year of interested. Contact Carol. layout, posting flyers, organizing events outreach and education. We have a core and working with the Military Alterna- of volunteers trained to offer draft and tives Education Project. Her creativity, Selective Service counseling to military Haudenosaunee World View energy and enthusiasm helped contribute and draft age youth and parents. We plan On July 12, Neighbors of the Onondaga to the success of the SPC birthday event to continue our tabling efforts at local high Nation (NOON) hosted an educational – she designed our program and made all schools, informing students of their rights program with Onondagas Freida Jacques of the phone calls for ads! It also made it and providing crucial facts about military of the Turtle Clan and Faithkeeper Wendy more fun to be at the office during those service and recruitment. Check out our Gonyea of the Beaver Clan. More than 30 hot summer days. Thanks, Jackie! webpage (www.peacecouncil.net/MAEP) people attended this wide-ranging discus- or contact Jessica to get involved. sion of Haudenosaunee perspectives on the earth, the important role of women, Bikes 4 Peace at Jump into the Fall with the and the history of their relationship with Westcott Street Fair European and American settlers. After offering free bike clinics for youth SPC Study Group Freida began the meeting with an ab- all over the city this summer, Bikes 4 SPC’s Study Group on the US Global breviated version of the traditional Haude- Peace will wind up its program at the Agenda will restart Monday, September nosaunee Thanksgiving Address. Frieda, Westcott Street Cultural Fair. The core of 12. We meet the second and fourth Mon- the home/school liaison for the Onondaga biking enthusiasts, recycling advocates and days of the month from 7-8:30 pm at the Nation School, discussed the history of Na- energetic peace activists who coordinate Friends Meeting House (821 Euclid Ave.). tive American boarding schools and their You don’t have to attend every meeting negative emotional impact on generations – we just ask that you try to do the reading of young Onondagas. continued on page 6 4 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Stopping the War Machine

Jessica Maxwell The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU, composed of 12 in- dustry trade unions), the Federation August began with the most devastating of Workers Councils and Unions of roadside bombing that US troops have Iraq (FWCUI) and the General Union experienced since the beginning of the of Oil Employees recently agreed invasion in March 2003. Even the Defense on the following statement with US Department’s (under)estimate of US troop Labor Against the War (USLAW): fatalities is now racing towards 2,000. “The occupation must end in all its Headlines about increased “violence” (a forms, including military bases and word generally used in the US mainstream economic domination.” media to refer only to acts committed by those opposed to the US occupation) ap- Graphic: Mike Flugennock of sinkers.org pear daily alongside headlines of Bush’s plummeting approval rating - as low as From Crawford to DC: 38% according to one poll. Galvanizing the US Resistance Stop the War Machine: Those paying most dearly are, of Opposition to the war among people in course, the Iraqi civilians whose casualties the US has swelled to a level impossible COME TO DC! exponentially exceed those of US soldiers. for even the mainstream press to ignore The Peace Council is sending busses to Ironically, Bush’s pitiful approval rating (even if they do continue to distort). The DC on Sept. 24 (leaving Syracuse at 2 and the increased anti-war sentiment in peace movement was galvanized recently am and returning early Sun. am). Seats the US don’t seem to be rooted in the il- are sliding scale, $45-75. If you can’t legal, immoral nature of the occupation or by Cindy Shaheen’s vigil outside of Bush’s ranch in Crawford, TX. Her persistent and make it to DC, consider a donation to the staggering devastation that US forces reduce the cost for others. have carried out against the Iraqi people. simple demand for answers from Bush Rather, more and more people in the US generated an ever-growing base of support and media coverage. Tickets: [email protected] or are frustrated by the growing US casualties 315.472.5478. and are beginning to realize that this war Thousands will converge September SPC will also coordinate carpools and is not winnable. With resistance to the oc- 23-26 in Washington DC to escalate ef- cupation growing in both Iraq and the US, forts to end the illegal and immoral US support for those who want to stay can the US war machine be stopped? occupation of Iraq. A mass march and rally longer and participate in direct action. on September 24 will be accompanied by aggressive lobbying and strategic direct For more information: The Iraqi Resistance: What the action on the 26th organized by the United www.peacecouncil.net/sept24 US Media Ignores for Peace and Justice coalition (of which www.unitedforpeace.org While the mainstream media focuses on SPC is a member), the Iraq Pledge of www.septemberaction.org Islamic extremists and violent attacks Resistance, Clergy and Laity Concerned against US forces, the Iraqi opposition About Iraq, Military Families Speak Out to the occupation is more diverse both and numerous others. Divisive Split or Strategic politically and tactically. For example, as The weekend of antiwar events also Cooperation? ordinary Iraqis work every day for peace coincides with a major global justice mo- At this crucial juncture, fundamental dif- and stability in their nation, 126 of Iraq’s bilization in DC against the World Bank 275 National Assembly members have now ferences threaten to polarize the US peace and International Monetary Fund. With movement. Differences in tactics and focus signed a petition stating in part: “In line Iraq-war architect Paul Wolfowitz now with our historic responsibility, we reject have arisen among groups interested in heading the World Bank, the connections the legitimization of the occupation and planning direct action during the weekend. between militarism and economic domi- we repeat our demand for the departure As a result, there are two main coalitions of the occupation forces...” nation couldn’t be clearer. An enormous organizing direct action: UFPJ and the opportunity exists for peace and global September Action Collective. justice activists to join forces to expose the UFPJ and other organizations focused Jessica is a staff person at SPC. She is active true nature of the US occupation of Iraq in the global justice movement as well as and escalate the pressure for an immediate local anti-violence and justice efforts. withdrawal of US troops. Continued on next page

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 5 SPC in Action / continued from page 4

Bikes 4 Peace, will provide bike ﬁx-it demos as well as activities for youth. The Fair is scheduled for Sunday, September 18, noon-7 pm (rain date is September 25). Bikes 4 Peace has completed seven free clinics – working with about 100 youth! We have one more regular clinic scheduled before the Street Fair - Wednesday, September 14, 5-7:30 pm at St. Lucy’s gym (425 Gifford St.).

SPC History Video In conjunction with the Peace Council’s 70th anniversary next year, work has begun on a video history of SPC. A DeFran- cisco Heritage Grant, through the Cultural Resources Council, provided start up funds for the project. Tim Brachocki of the Syracuse Alternative Media Network is coordinating the project, working with a committee of Peace Council folks. If you have memories you’d like to share or suggestions of people we should interview (including yourself) let us know. We’ll also need many hours of help transcribing interviews, a The Downtown Arts & Craftsfair is a great annual outreach opportunity great at-home task. Contact Andy. for the Peace Council. This year we sold about $1200 worth of progressive buttons, bumperstickers and t-shirts, as well as distributing lots of free information. We’re always looking for help with this type of Talk To Us! outreach. Contact Jessica to help. Photo: Tammy Crandall Got creative ideas? SPC’s program committee is solicit- ing proposals for SPC’s program work from individuals and organizations. All proposals should be submitted to SPC by Sept. 24 / continued from previous September 26 so that they can be shared at an open meeting on October 5. We welcome all SPC supporters to come help primarily on Iraq met in Philadelphia August 13-14 to gener- SPC clarify its program priorities. For background on how this ate a unified call to action for mass civil disobedience at the proces developed, see page 11. Full details are available at our White House on September 26. The call includes a detailed website (www.peacecouncil.net/proposals) or by contacting vision for the action. That same weekend, the recently-formed Carol or Jessica. September Action Collective, which includes many groups focused on global justice issues, met in DC to generate a proposal for decentralized direct actions encompassing a range Laughing Out Loud of targets and tactics. They identified four primary actions About 100 SPC supporters enjoyed an evening of hilarious that the coalition will organize, including an action at the political humor thanks to political satirist Barry Crimmins. Pentagon and another focused on the International Monetary Originally from Skaneateles, Crimmins was the featured Fund. Whether the diversity of actions becomes a strength or cover story for the July 31 edition of the Stars magazine in weakness will depend in large part on how the various efforts the Sunday paper. He contacted SPC in early July and offered relate to each other, and how they frame the weekend for the to do a benefit performance for us to take advantage of the public and the media. free publicity. Given Barry’s success in the infamous Boston While a unified vision for the weekend has not emerged, comedy scene and his long history of supporting politically some crucial steps toward solidarity have been made. UFPJ progressive causes, it seemed like a perfect match. The event and A.N.S.W.E.R. have now agreed on a joint march and rally netted about $1000 to help SPC through the slow summer on September 24 after initially issuing separate calls to action. months! If you missed the show, you can catch Barry’s work The September Action Collective has proposed that there be by listening to the Randi Rhodes Show on Air America (www. support and solidarity for all of the weekend’s actions, even if airamericaradio.com), for which Barry is a writer, or check out they are organized separately. UFPJ has committed to “share his website: www.barrycrimmins.com. information, co-coordinate legal support, and work in solidarity with those who participate in nonviolent decentralized/autonomous actions on September 26,” and recently issued a revised call to action expressing “solidarity with activists who may act elsewhere [September 26] in a nonviolent manner.” How well the different organizations work together during the actions remains to be seen. Regardless, most of us organizing in the US are asked to make infinitely smaller sacrifices than the Iraqi people – and in the end, we are really working in our own self-interest as well. How can we not continue to Hiroshima/Nagasaki Procession, August 9, 2005. Photo: Tammy Crandall actively oppose the US occupation? 6 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Madame Cynthia’s Travels: From Griffiss to Baghdad and Beyond Paul Frazier bombings on Japan, and I’ll never forget in their vigil’s call for the release of Mor- that description. My brother was a soldier dechai Vanunu, an Israeli who became a then and he remembers being taken on a whistleblower in 1986 by exposing Israel’s “I remembered a funny little section of a trip to Nagasaki after the bombing. Japan production of nuclear bombs, in clear vio- dream about Cynthia Banas. She was driving had been sending out feelers to surrender, lation of UN resolutions against making us somewhere in a big old car with such but the US pushed ahead, believing that nuclear weapons. I met the late Sam Day fierce determination and fearlessness. She bombing would save American lives.” who coordinated the efforts to free Vanunu. slid into impossibly tight spots, Through these connections I using fenders and bumpers to became part of the delegation ‘nudge’ the vehicles around that met at the prison gates in her. For my part, I was in awe, Jerusalem when Vanunu got impressed and amused.” out of prison in 2004. Given sanctuary at a church, but My dream-sharing friend had restricted from speaking with encountered Cynthia but once: foreign reporters and from we had met in Ithaca to hear traveling, he now has charges an Iraq presentation and be against him for allegedly with Cynthia. After the pre- breaking these restrictions, sentation we shared a simple imposed after eighteen years bread, cheese and juice picnic, of imprisonment, twelve in then found a quiet Ithaca bar solitary!” for glasses of wine. We may have walked Cynthia to that Cynthia, what brought you trusty, large, old car that gets to Mideast activism? Madame Cynthia from here to there, when busses aren’t “My work as a UNICEF vol- an option and when she is not unteer over the years, selling on a jet heading to places of greeting cards, attracted me discomfort. to the Mideast. Iraq no longer A woman of fiercedetermi- needed help from UNICEF after nation and fearlessness, sliding Cynthia and Kathy Kelly at the recent Geneva (Switzerland) Fast for Economic the quality of life rose in the into impossibly tight spots, and Justice in Iraq. Photo: Cathy Breen 1990s. But in 1996 I learned nudging those around her. Is of the sanctions’ effects on more of a description necessary Iraqi children – a half million to reintroduce Cynthia Banas to readers Cynthia, the librarian from Vernon, NY, dying. Sanctions – a polite word for siege. of the PNL? ties the threads together between the hor- The goal of the sanctions placed on Iraq in rors of atomic bombs, her Army brother’s 1990 was to starve the enemy to death. The I asked Cynthia about her start-up energy stories of Nagasaki, protests at the former sanctions – the siege – against Iraq went for these last twenty or more years of GriffissAir Force Base and calls to action on for 12 years, until the US invasion. I consistent risk-taking for justice and for for disarmament. wanted to find out what I could do to call an update on Mideast justice campaigns. attention to this crime. She tells us “I live only seven miles from Cynthia walks us back to moments that “While lobbying in Washington, DC, I the former Griffiss Air Force Base and stay stuck in her memory bank, near the came into contact with Voices in the Wilder- have been against nuclear weapons. When shoreline for easy retrieval. ness after hearing Kathy Kelly [founder of Cruise missiles were placed at Griffiss Voices in the Wilderness] speak. Since that “I remember when the bomb was dropped in the early 1980s, I met up with college time I have been active with their fine work in 1945 [Cynthia was then a teen]. I remem- students and other activists protesting – first to try and lift the sanctions through ber being happy the war was over, but had these missiles with nuclear warheads on education, and then to try to prevent the no idea about the horror of the bombing. them. My sister and I attended the first and illegal and immoral war.” I read John Hersey’s description of the second disarmament sessions of the UN, and we met 500 Japanese who were also Cynthia talks passionately about her at those sessions. numerous trips to the Mideast. Paul lives in Slocum House (site of Jail Min- “I had gone to Washington often in istry and long-established hospitality house the 80s and would stay at the Dorothy on Syracuse’s west side) and continues his Day Catholic Worker. I would take part support of and for Cynthia Banas. Continued on next page

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 7 Banas / continued from page 7 Truthout (www.truthout.org); Common Dreams (www.commondreams. “I have made eight trips to the Mideast, ﬁrst org); and with Pax Christi, then with Voices in the Wilderness. I made several trips between University of Michigan history professor 2001 and 2003 to Iraq. I was in Iraq during Juan Cole’s blog on Middle East issues the invasion of 2003. In 2004 and 2005, (www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole). I traveled to Israel and the occupied ter- • “There are signs that the United States ritories. I haven’t gone back to Iraq since Empire is crumbling. The US spends more 2003 because the Iraqi people tell me it is than all other countries combined on its too dangerous to go there now. military budget. More than two years after “In all, I spent about a year in Iraq and “Shock and Awe,” the 8-mile road between the Mideast at different times. And because the center of Baghdad and the airport has of my past work in Haiti and Guatemala, I not yet been secured. There will be endless have come to the conclusion that the issues war in Iraq as long as the United States are similar – the US overthrows govern- does not change its policy of world domi- ments, overtly or covertly, or attacks or nation to control natural resources. This is invades to further its domination of the the message that we must communicate. world’s resources.” A Truth and Reconciliation Commission needs to take place in the United States. Cynthia was asked to comment on groups The United States needs to acknowledge its with which she works. crimes against Iraq if there is any chance “I connect with Voices in the Wilderness, for peace.” the local Pax Christi groups in Syracuse and the Mohawk Valley, the Syracuse Cynthia demonstrating in Israel with nuclear What should the future hold for Iraq to Peace Council, School of the Americas whistler blower and longtime political prisoner see signiﬁcant, healthy changes? Watch and the campaign to free Mordechai Mordechai Vanunu. Photo: Kathy Boylan Vanunu. I also encourage people to look “The Iraqis need to rebuild their country. up the Center for Constitutional Rights in During the last two weeks of June I took • New York City, which is doing great work “About Iraq? Any time you hear some- part in a fast and vigil in Geneva, Switzer- in investigating prison torture in Iraq. The thing not the truth, call up the radio sta- land with Voices in the Wilderness. As a allegations of torture may very well be true tion and tell them what the facts are. The means of working toward economic justice because the people who are now policing government is whitewashing; things are for Iraq, we presented demands with these in Iraq have been trained by the New York not getting better in Iraq, they are getting three key elements: (1) A new UN Security City Police Force, which trained the brutal worse by the hour. Council resolution which cancels all unpaid war reparations already imposed on Iraq. Haitian army. • “Make a continuing effort to educate (2) No economic conditions to be imposed “We used to train people at the School people about how illegal and immoral this upon Iraq by the international community. of the Americas...to be used as death squads. war is. The attack on Iraq was an act of (3) Full funding for the reconstruction of I see that the Israelis and the Americans are aggression against a country that never Iraq which focuses on the social needs of not bringing the Iraqis here to be trained attacked us. This needs to be emphasized the Iraqi people, is directed by Iraqis, and but are training the Iraqis, in Iraq, to be over and over again. The cruelty of the war has no strings attached. policemen – but you see that more and more itself against a defenseless nation and the “These conditions are needed for they are killing their own people. continuing cruel occupation of the Iraqi economic justice and there is not peace “There will be no peace in that land people is a crime against humanity and a without economic justice. I encourage until there is security and there is no security betrayal of the United Nations Charter. I peace and justice people to advocate for by killing everyone.” refer readers to the website of the World these conditions.” Tribunal (www.worldtribunaliraq.org) which has an excellent analysis of the War Without prompting, Cynthia offers these So what is it, Cynthia, that keeps you going? suggestions to the readers of the PNL. against Iraq and the crimes of the United States and its ‘coalition of the willing.’ What is the source of your energy? • “The Syracuse Peace Council has been “I have been around for a long, long time a strong voice for peace since 1936 and will • “Readers need to keep informed by checking out these websites regularly: and have come to the conclusion that continue its vital work. I urge you all to sup- compassion is the meaning of any religion. port the work of the SPC by educating people Democracy Now! (www.democracynow. Every person in this world is my brother and by speaking truth to the powers. org); or my sister, and I believe that love is the • “Continue to give priority to counter- reports from ‘unembedded’reporter Dahr strongest force.” recruitment work. It is only when young Jamail (www.dahrjamailiraq.com); people know enough to resist illegal, im- To know Cynthia is to stand in awe, not Voices in the Wilderness (www.vitw.org); moral and cruel wars that there will be a unlike the awe of dreams, and bow chance for peace. Electronic Iraq (www.electroniciraq.net); to her tenacity. 8 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Telling Truth about the Iraq War

Jessica Stewart

On September 19, four parents, Teresa Grady, Peter De Mott, Clare Grady and my partner, Danny Burns, will go on trial a second time for trying to prevent the Iraq war. They are charged with Conspiracy, to impede – “by force, intimidation and threat” – an officer of the United States, and three lesser charges. If convicted, they face up to six years in prison, a period of probation and $275,000 in fines. On March 17, 2003, just before the US “shock and awe” invasion of Iraq, the four entered a military recruiting center in Lansing, NY and poured their own blood carefully around the center’s vestibule. Their act of nonviolent resistance was in concert with over 7,000 people arrested nationwide and millions who demonstrated worldwide in hopes of preventing the war. The four went on trial last year in state court. Representing themselves, they The St. Pats Four: (left to right) Danny Burns, Peter De Mott, Teresa Grady and Claire Grady all of convinced nine (out of twelve) jurors that Ithaca. Photo: Stephen Schweitzer their actions were legally justified. After twenty hours of deliberations the trial ended in a hung jury. Following the first trial, the they went to the recruiting center. How can for Peace, Ray McGovern, Camilo Mejia, federal government decided the four should the twelve jurors make a fair judgment of Liz McAllister, Medea Benjamin, Rep. be re-prosecuted. In February, 2005 they guilt or innocence if they are not allowed Maurice Hinchey and Rosalie Bertell. A were indicted on federal charges. This is the to hear the whole story, if the defendants thousand jurors of conscience are needed. only case stemming from the pre-invasion are not allowed to present their case? Check website for location. civil disobedience actions that the federal In answer to this, a Citizens Tribunal government is re-prosecuting. on Iraq will occur concurrently with the • Hospitality: Meals and floor sleeping The presiding federal judge, Hon. trial. Please join us as we put the war on space will be available for those wishing Thomas MacAvoy, has ruled that the “war trial during the week of September 18th, to come to Binghamton and offer support on Iraq is entirely irrelevant to this mat- 2005. during the week of the trial. Please let us ter.” According to this ruling, they won’t For more information, please check know in advance if you would like sleeping be able to offer evidence about how the out the website at www.stpatricksfour. space. war was not approved by the UN, was org. I can be reached at 607-280-0329 or • Outreach: Bumperstickers, buttons and based on lies and therefore was an illegal [email protected]. war of aggression. They won’t be allowed yard signs reading, “Stop the Iraq War, Acquit to offer evidence about duties, under the the St. Patrick’s Four” are available. Call • The Trial: It will begin Monday, Sep- 607-277-6932 if you would like some. Nuremberg Principles, which transcend tember 19th at 9am at the Binghamton, obligations of national obedience. They NY, Federal Building on 15 Henry St. in • Speaking Engagements: The four are won’t be allowed to show how causing a downtown Binghamton. A photo ID is available to speak to groups. Please email small harm (a mess) in order to prevent a required for admission to the court. The [email protected] or call 607-280-0329 to much greater harm (illegal war) is legally community is invited and encouraged to set up a speaking engagement. justified. He has even said they will not come and be a witness both inside and • Donations: Financial support is des- be allowed to present evidence about why outside the courthouse. perately needed to help with outreach Jessica has been involved in organizing for • The Citizens Tribunal on Iraq: The expenses. Donations can be received justice and peace since she was a teenager. tribunal will occur during the evenings of through the website (www.stpatricksfour. She has two sons, ages 2 ½ and four months. September 18th-22nd at 7pm in Binghamton org) or by mail (Ithaca Catholic Worker, She and her partner, Danny Burns, are trying and will articulate the moral and legal PO Box 293, Ithaca NY 14851). Please in their own small way to create a just and ground for nonviolent resistance to this make checks payable to Ithaca Catholic peaceful world. war. Participants include Gold Star Families Worker, memo St. Pat’s Four. September 2005 Peace Newsletter 9 Betty Bentley: A Voice for Peace Remembered Elizabeth Quick member] does not merit more money than [the female staffer] and the fact that he is a man is utterly irrelevant. Ardent feminist, Work for peace and social justice requires say you. Possibly, but I don’t think that many hands and many voices. As we look feminism is my sole reason . . ..” back at those who have shaped this work, Betty didn’t get the reaction from too often we remember only the most Whitney she had hoped for, but reflected, famous or the most published or the most “I guess I felt that while [Whitney] gave vocal. Yet, peacemaking involves countless everything to the SPC, he probably wanted individuals, contributing many important everything in return; and I thought it was gifts and talents. This is true of the Syracuse hindering the Peace Council not to let other Peace Council – many have shaped SPC people have some initiative, too.” to become the local force for peace and She was active elsewhere in the com- justice it is today. Norma Elizabeth (Betty) munity as well – as a leader in the Hemlock Bentley is one individual who played an Society of Central New York and a member important, though less visible role. of the Central New York Library Resources Betty grew up in a well-to-do Syracuse Council Board of Trustees, serving as Board family. A graduate of Radcliffe College at President from 1973-1974. “Betty had a a time when few women received higher life-long concern with race relations,” education, she taught English, first at Syra- recalled fellow Quaker Lisa Mundy, and cuse University, and then for more than two was involved in Youth Opportunities Un- decades at Cazenovia College, where she limited, an organization which provided eventually chaired the Division of Arts and educational and career opportunities for young people in the 1950s and 60s. Betty Betty in 1963. Courtesy of the Cazenovia Sciences before her retirement in 1981. College yearbook. Betty was an early member of the was involved with the Syracuse Memorial Quaker Meeting in Syracuse, and from Society and the Fellowship of Reconcili- this springboard became involved in peace ation. She was president of the YWCA of SPC, Oxfam, the Central New York Library activism. She, as well as other Quakers, Syracuse and Onondaga County, and after Resources Council, the American Associa- was an early member and organizer in the her retirement from the YWCA, the Betty tion of University Women and the Sierra Syracuse Peace Council. Bentley Employee of the Year Award was Club, among others. SPC’s archives document Betty’s bold created in her honor. Betty was a regular financial supporter voice within SPC, calling for accountability, Betty passed away in April 2005 at age of SPC (current records start in 1967), miss- working for reform and challenging leader- 88. Her friends and colleagues remember ing only one year before illness prevented ship to maintain high standards of equality her as shy and quiet, but also articulate it. In her passing, she left a generous life and responsibility in running SPC. In 1947, and motivated, a “passionate supporter of insurance policy to enable the Syracuse writing to SPC’s leading voice Norman peace issues.” She loved the Adirondacks, Peace Council to continue its work long Whitney, Betty’s mastery and sharp use loved reading and libraries, and being an after her death. We thank her for dedication of language is clear. “I am fairly sure,” activist. Bentley’s passion for social justice to peace and justice during her lifetime, and she writes, “that the time has come for the is evident from the organizations she chose for her vision in supporting our peacework Peace Council to change drastically, or as to support, which include, in addition to in the years to come. gracefully and quietly as possible to cease existence. No gnashing of teeth, wringing of hands and tearing of hair. Quite frankly Remember I should prefer adjustment to suicide.” Betty was very concerned about the financial stability of the Peace Council, and the Syracuse Peace Council urged ways for reform. She was especially upset by the salary of a new male employee, with a bequest or life insurance policy. and protested that it was equal to the salary of two female staff members combined. She Your commitment can support activist work long into the future. wrote Whitney, “Certainly [the male staff

Elizabeth is a United Methodist pastor serv- Contact Carol at 472-5478 or [email protected]. ing a congregation in Oneida, NY. 10 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Let Us Go Forward Together

Rose Viviano • figuringouthow to use staff/“non- staff” time and SYR Neither snow nor sun kept us from our ap- energy more ef- ACUSE pointed task. We shoveled out and sacrificed fectively. warm days with friends. We exuberantly The discussions cooked and ate together, laughed, argued surrounding these and ultimately made decisions we could issues were often all agree to. Why? To try and re-shape lively, sometimes our future. confusing but al- Members of both the Steering Com- ways informative. mittee and other active committees of the We discovered dif- Syracuse Peace Council met six times from ferences of opinion COUNCIL January through April of 2005. We met to and a variety of create a plan which would affirm SPC’s political experiences primary goals, guide general program among us and strove diligently to reach • increase our work on local issues, con- direction and identify the organizational consensus. No idea was dismissed, although necting them to an understanding of changes needed to achieve those goals. some became “loose ends” passed on to national/global political and economic To accomplish this we evaluated our past the Steering Committee to resolve, such as issues. work, challenged political assumptions revising the Statement of Purpose. • use our resources in a productive and prioritized our direction. Discussing organizational issues led way. Our first meeting centered on brain- us to develop a number of goals to meet The statements in the form of ques- storming. Just how did we see social change within the next few years. Of course, we tions are to be asked of each program happening? What would we do if we had spent time trying to decide how to stabilize idea. They address intent, potential and unlimited resources? That was fun. More (and increase) our funding base but were approach, providing a helpful way to as- realistically, we outlined what we could clear in our commitment to remain a basi- sess our work plans. do with just a little more time and money, cally grassroots funded organization. In TALK TO US! The guidelines will be while acknowledging that we could make addition, changes are needed to help the put to the test this fall. The SPC Program changes with what we currently had. Those office run more smoothly and boost staff Committee wants your ideas on how to changes involved evaluating our program morale. But ultimately, we focused on the work for change. Information about how work, both the issues we work on and our need to create a more participatory and to submit your proposal to SPC is at www. approach to them, and taking a hard look inclusive organization. To do this our goal peacecouncil.net/proposals. We hope at our organizational structure. is to increase the diversity of SPC activists, many will respond by the September 26 We developed a list of questions to look at how we label people (replacing deadline and will attend the open meet- generally address both program and organi- words like “volunteer” and “staff”) look ing scheduled for Wednesday, October 5 zational issues. The resulting ideas became at how leadership is selected, consider (location TBA). the focus of this series of meetings: open meetings to encourage contact with As a Program Committee member, I • addressing our need to bring a local leadership, and decide just what it means feel I could not have spent my winter and focus to global issues; to be a “member” of SPC. spring in a more productive way, claiming • developing a more creative approach As a result of our meetings on program my stake in this organization and with it to educational work while balancing it work, we identifiedwhichissueswewanted my responsibility for helping to make it with agitating and organizing; to address and how to prioritize them. Lo grow and create a new way of living and behold, a set of guidelines was born, • in a chaotic world. increasing funding without compromis- guidelines for determining what issues/ ing our work or our ideals, or becom- actions/programs SPC will work on (the ing dependent on institutional funding infamous moniker of “IAP Guidelines”). Peace Council sources; The IAP’s are both statements and questions. Open Program Meeting • moving our office from 924 Burnet The statements address our overall goals Ave. and understanding what relocat- for program direction. We want to: to consider Program Proposals ing would mean to our outreach into • create a political, economic and social Wed., Oct. 5, 7 pm the community; system based on principles of equality, Westcott Community Center • outlining how to make SPC a more nonviolence and social justice and to 826 Euclid Ave. (corner of Euclid Ave.) inclusive, diverse organization; increase the number of people who will act collectively to change the larger Proposal deadline is September 26. system while also acting to improve For full information see: Rose is a member of SPC’s Program Com- their own lives. www.peacecouncil.net/proposals/ mittee and a stained glass artist.

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 11 Kazuaki Tanahashi Benefit September 19

Kazuaki Tanahashi, artist, Zen scholar, traditional Zen composition. Some of his worker for peace and environmental peace poems will be sung by Syracuse jazz change, and prolific author, will be in singers Marcia Rutledge, Connie Walters Syracuse from September 15-21 for a and Kate Woodle; others will be read to week-long residency at the Zen Center. the accompaniment of drummers in a peace To take advantage of his presence, the circle; still others will be set to music by Syracuse Peace Council, the Zen Center Society for New Music composers. and Peace Action of CNY have teamed up During his visit Tanahashi will also to organize “A Brush with Our Time: A conduct a calligraphy demonstration at the Benefit Performance of Tanashashi’s Art Everson Museum, give two public lectures and Songs for Peace and the Environment” at Syracuse University, and lead a day-long for Monday, September 19 from 7-9 pm at brush workshop at the Zen Center. Onondaga Valley Presbyterian Church (275 Tickets for “A Brush with Our Time” W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse). Tickets are are available from the Zen Center (send $30 in advance, $50 at the door (sliding check with contact information to 266 W. scale available). Proceeds will benefit the Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13207); three groups. the Syracuse Real Food Coop, SU’s Schine Tanahashi is an internationally-known Student Center Box Office, and at Syracuse painter and calligrapher, as well as author Peace Council and Syracuse Real Food of over 25 books. During 2002 and 2003 Coop booths at the Westcott Street Festival he wrote 150 “Peace Poems” and invited on September 18. friends to set them to music. To date, fifty For information on his other events check have been set by composers in classical, the calendar on page 24 or contact: folk, world, choral and new music. • Sherry Chayat 492-9355 or 479-9355; Kazuaki Tanahashi at work. Although known “A Brush with Our Time” will feature [email protected] for his large one-stroke brush paintings, he also works in smaller formats. Tanahashi’s poetry and art. He will create • Bonnie Shoultz 443-4323 or 469-6029; large-scale paintings and calligraphies [email protected] as a bamboo flute Grand Master plays a –Sherry Chayat

Joanna Macy Visits Syracuse September 26-28 Eco-philosopher and social activist Joanna work helps people transform despair and 9 am – Dharma talk by Joanna Macy will be visiting Syracuse, where she apathy, in the face of overwhelming social 9:30 am – Open reception lived in the 1970s as she completed her PhD and ecological crises, into constructive, Syracuse Zen Center, 266 W. Seneca Tpk., in Religion at Syracuse University. She is collaborative action. It brings a new way Syracuse a respected scholar of Buddhism, general of seeing the world, as our larger living systems theory, and deep ecology, with body, freeing us from the assumptions and Wednesday, September 28 several books and publications on these attitudes that now threaten the continuity 1:30-3pm – Discussion topics. She is also a committed activist of life on Earth. Farm House, Common Place Land Trust, using her experience and wisdom to help Although Joanna’s visit to Syracuse 4211 Rt. 13, Truxton guide our society toward the creation of a will be largely to see personal friends, there 7-9pm – Workshop/Discussion University life sustaining, peaceful planet. will be several opportunities for others to Methodist Church, 1085 E. Genesee St., Interweaving her scholarship, compas- meet Joanna and learn from her years of Syracuse sion, and four decades of activism, she has wisdom and vision. She has graciously created both a groundbreaking theoretical agreed to welcome the CNY peace and Thursday, October 6 framework for personal and social change, social justice community at these times 7 pm – Follow-up Gathering and “how to” manuals for peace and envi- and places: Women’s Information Center, 601 Allen ronmental activists. These manuals provide St., Syracuse Monday, September 26 instructions on how to guide others in 7-9 pm – Discussion powerful workshops designed to help our Women’s Information Center, 601 Allen world heal and evolve toward sustainability. All gatherings are free, although St., Syracuse Over the past twenty years thousands of donations are welcome. For directions or people around the world have participated Tuesday, September 27 questions: Cindy Squillace 422-9633. in Joanna’s workshops and trainings. Her 8:30 am – Zen sitting (silence) –Cindy Squillace 12 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Questions & Answers on Dr. Dhafir Magda Bayoumi government piled on charges of Medicare had submitted fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion. They a request for charged his wife with lying to a federal its own tax-ex- Who is Dr. Dhafir, and why was he on agent and threatened her with jail time, if empt status to trial? she didn’t plead guilty. the IRS in Au- Dr. Rafil Dhafir was born in Iraq and im- gust 2002, but migrated to the US in 1972. He has been a How did the US government’s obsession the request US citizen and Central New York resident with “terrorism” affect Dr. Dhafir? was put on for almost 30 years. A prominent physician, On the day of Dr. Dhafir’s arrest, federal hold by the he was the only oncologist in Rome, NY. prosecutors called a major news confer- FBI. Even if Dr. Dhafir served as the spiritual leader ence insinuating that they had broken up this charge was (imam) for the Islamic Society of Central a “terrorist” operation. The prosecutor true, the IRS New York for about seven years when called the arrests a good example of the normally set there was no regular imam. He is very Patriot Act in action. Attorney General tles such claims compassionate about his family, work and John Ashcroft stated; “As President Bush with the people involved with monetary religion; about children and his patients, leads an international coalition to end fines. who suffered from cancer. Saddam Hussein’s tyranny and support The money laundering charges relate When he learned about the increased for terror, the Justice Department will see to the doctor’s personal money and donors’ number of cancer cases in Iraq after the Gulf that individuals within our borders cannot money that was transferred to accounts in War and the number of children dying, he undermine these efforts.” Jordan to facilitate the purchase of aid for started Help the Needy (HTN), an organi- the Iraqi people. The government said this zation to aid people in his native land. On How did the local news media handle was done to benefit Dr. Dhafir and that very February 26, 2003 the government arrested the case? little aid went to Iraq. They refused to go Dr. Dhafir and charged him with violating The media jumped at the terrorism bait, to the area to check the facts, claiming that the economic sanctions against Iraq and since nearly all of the Muslim commu- this would have cost too much, while they money laundering. Other charges were nity was scared to speak out. Some of his spent millions of dollars investigating and added later. He was convicted on February patients spoke on behalf of Dr. Dhafir as prosecuting the case. 8 of this year of 59 out of 60 charges. His did some community activists. From the Not hiring an accountant for the or- sentencing has been rescheduled several media’s coverage it looked and sounded as ganization to document everything in an times and is now set for Wednesday Octo- if Help the Needy was a terrorist organi- “American” way also came to haunt him. ber 19 at 10 am at the Federal Courthouse zation. The dramatic drumbeat before any These are the crimes of which he is guilty. in Syracuse. newscast made it sound like we were on Dr. Dhafir wanted to make sure the money the verge of war and the people involved went to help people without overhead How did government agents treat the in the organization were our enemies. They charges, but he took it to the extreme and Muslim and Arab community in CNY also regularly misstated the charges. became the organization’s accountant, in conjunction with this case? manager, fundraiser, etc., on top of his On February 26th, 2003 the government On what charges was he convicted? medical work. This made him much more also arrested five others connected with What generally happens to people who vulnerable to government investigation the charity or its operation, and a couple are convicted for similar crimes? and prosecution. of Muslim men who were held without Dr. DhafirwasconvictedofviolatingtheUS charges. Nine different federal and local sanctions, money laundering, tax evasion Wasn’t he convicted of Medicare or government agencies, including the FBI and fraud, and conspiracy to do so. Medicaid fraud? Shouldn’t he be pun- and INS, interrogated and harassed over Voices in the Wilderness, another US- ished for that? 150 Muslim families, effectively intimidat- based organization doing a similar type of Medicare regulations are complicated and ing the Muslim community. They asked aid work in Iraq, received a $20,000 fine, burdensome, that is why many doctors personal questions of religion, which were which they have refused to pay. No one do not accept patients with Medicare. It unrelated to the case. was jailed. became apparent in the trial that there was The same imbalance is seen in the confusion about the Medicare regulations How was Dr. Dhafirtreatedasheawaited Medicare fraud. According to Medicare related to the charge, even among the trial? regulations, doctors who overcharge must Medicare officials themselves. He was denied bail four times and was pay back the difference, along with a fine in Some say that doctors are rich and treated like a serious criminal, not someone some cases. This has happened in several greedy and overcharge Medicare. However accused of white-collar crimes. Later on, the local cases. when you look at Dr. Dhafir’s history, he The tax evasion charge was related to the was far from greedy. Here is a man who fact that HTN did not have a separate tax- graduated at the top of his class and could’ve Magda is a Muslim community activist who exempt status; rather they worked through serves on the Peace Council Advisory Commit- another non-profit organization. HTN tee along with many other commitments. continued on next page

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 13 Dhafir / continued from page 13 private conversations, and even attempted to plant cameras in his house. They tapped Postscript on Dr. Dhafir’s Case been an even more successful doctor in his phone, intercepted his email and faxes, Sentencing is scheduled for Syracuse, but chose to open an office in and even searched his trash. Wednesday, October 19 at 10 am Rome because there was no oncologist I also got the sense that the prosecutors Federal Court in Syracuse. there to help the people. In addition Dr. and the judge were bit players, while the real Dhafir treated many patients who could decision makers were back in Washington After several delays, Dr. Dhafir is now not afford the fees. They were treated and DC. Attending the trial made me feel that due to be sentenced in mid-October. Prosecu- told to pay what they could later. the people that I should be counting on to tors are trying to link him with “terrorists” or If Dr. Dhafir cared only about the keep me safe, are actually the ones trying suggest that he poses a threat to our “national money, he wouldn’t have kept an office to hurt me. On the positive side, I met security” even when no such link or threat was 40 miles from his house, but would have many wonderful people during the trial mentioned in the trial. In fact, the prosecution established an office closer to Syracuse who came observe the process and support lobbied hard to keep such information out of where doctors like him can make millions Dr. Dhafir. These are the people that will the trial. While it may be legal to bring such of dollars a year. He made half a million keep, not just our country, but the whole allegations at the sentencing phase in a federal dollars a year according to his tax return; world safe. case, it seems like a back door approach at however he and his wife lived in the same demonizing Dr. Dhafir in order to increase house for the last twenty years. He does his sentence. Federal probation authorities not have children, so whatever he was What happened to the others who were recommended a sentence of 14-17 years. making, he was turning around and giv- arrested with Dr. Dhafir? However, prosecutors are asking for 24-30 ing it away. The others all plea-bargained with the years. Defense attorneys for Dr. Dhafir are federal attorney. Let’s remember, they all expected to argue against the truth of the What was it like to attend the trial? had children they wanted to go home to. allegations, and against their application in Attending the trial opened my eyes in many They also felt the power of the govern- the judge’s sentencing decision. This may ways. It showed me how the government ment, and had no hope Muslims could be an uphill battle in that an observer during can manipulate and twist the truth. It also receive a fair trial in the current climate. the trial heard the judge say to the jury that showed me how I could be searched and None of them were jailed; four were fined he usually takes the government’s advice watched anytime without even knowing and put on probation while one still awaits in sentencing. it. The government taped Dr. Dhafir’s sentencing.

�� •Thursday, September 29th, 2005 6:00-8:00PM “An Evening of Healing” ��

•Friday, September 30th, 2005 8:30AM-2:30PM* “Practicing Healing Grace” �� founder of the �� Black Women’s Health Imperative �� Location (for both events): SisterForce™ �� to promote optimum health For further information call: for Black women across �� their life span; physically, �� mentally, and spiritually ��

Funding Provided by Central New York Community Foundation Special Appreciation to Cultural Resources Council Dunbar Association, Inc. Joan Rothenberg Family Foundation Mental Health Association Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation Tucker Missionary Baptist Church Syracuse University - Office of Student Affairs and Unity Mutual The College of Human Services & Health Professionals

14 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Syracuse-Area Activist Contacts

This list of active social change groups CNY Council on Occupational Safety & Health Peace Action of CNY in the Greater Syracuse area is far from (CNYCOSH) 478-7422 [email protected] complete. For a more detailed list, see the 471-6187 Jack Quinlan, [email protected] People Against the Death Penalty CNY Labor Federation, AFL-CIO 476-9634 Bill Cuddy Stonewall Committee’s CNY Community 422-3363 Mark Spadafore, [email protected] Directory. All area codes are “315.” People for Animal Rights CNY Labor-Religion Coalition 488-7877 Linda A. DeStefano, [email protected] 431-4040 Tim Fay, [email protected] People’s Environmental Network of NY Peace Council Projects Center for Community Alternatives 469-5347 Vicki Baker, [email protected] 422-5638 x227 Alan Rosenthal Planned Parenthood SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCIL Citizen Review Board of Syracuse 475-5540 x223 Betty DeFazio, [email protected] 472-5478, [email protected] 448-8750 Felicia Davis ReConsiDer Bikes 4 Peace 478-7815 Nicolas Eyle Jessica Maxwell, [email protected] Citizens Awareness Network (CAN) 425-0430 Tim Judson, [email protected] Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation SEIU 1199 Upstate Carol Baum, [email protected] Citizens Campaign for the Environment 424-1743 x126 Court Bonthius, [email protected] Peace Outreach 472-1339 Dereth Glance, [email protected] Sierra Club Andy Mager, [email protected] CNY Colombia Support Network & Cajibio 492-4745 Martha Loew, [email protected] SPC Press Sister Community Socialist Party Paul Pearce, [email protected] 478-4571 Ann Tiffany, [email protected] 478-0793 Ron Ehrenreich, [email protected] SPC Study Group Carol Baum, [email protected] Community Animal Project Southwest Community Center 438-4227, [email protected] SPC TV: The Peoples’ 60 Minutes 474-6823 Courtney Ramirez, [email protected] Paul Pearce, [email protected] Democracy for America Spanish Action League Youth Empowerment for Peace 252-0947 Vicki Trojnor, [email protected] 475-6153 x211 Kathy McRae Dunbar Association Stonewall Committee SPC-involved Coalitions 476-4269 Sharon Jack Williams 476-6226, Bonnie Strunk Eastside Neighbors in Partnership Student Environmental Action Coalition Bill of Rights Defense Campaign 471-7911 Jim Dessauer 475-9526 Thor Ritz or Jake Eichten (SU) 471-2821 Barrie Gewanter, [email protected] Fair Housing Council of CNY Student Peace Action Network-SU Caribbean/Latin America Coalition 471-0420 Merrilee Witherell 443-6098 478-1592 Paul Weichselbaum Friends of Dorothy Catholic Worker Syr. Alternative Media Network Partnership for Onondaga Creek 471-6853 Michael or Nick, [email protected] 425-8806 Tim Brachocki 478-4571 Aggie Lane Gay, Straight and Questioning Youth Group Syr. Area Domestic Violence Coal. SOA Abolitionists 475-2430 Erin Davies, 425-0818 Arethea Brown 446-2720 Mike Pasquale Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Syracuse Community Choir Progressive Coalition 472-5119 Pastor Bryant L. Gerald, Sr. 428-8724 Karen Mihayli 472-5478, Andy Mager, [email protected] InterReligious Council of CNY Syracuse Community Radio Military Alternatives Education Project 449-3552 x102 Jim Wiggins, [email protected] 426-0850 Paul Melnikow, [email protected] 472-5478 Jessica Maxwell, [email protected] Jail Ministry Syracuse Coop Federal Credit Union 424-1877 Bill Cuddy 471-1116x213 RonEhrenreich, [email protected] Other Community The Media Unit Syracuse Cultural Workers Organizations 478-8648 Walt Shepperd 474-1132 x 111 Dik Cool, [email protected] NAACP Syracuse Greens AIDS Community Resources 422-6933 Preston Fagan 474-7055, [email protected] 475-2430 Will Murtaugh National Organization for Women, CNY Syracuse Real Food Coop Alliance Network 422-7700 Barbara Kirkpatrick 472-1385 Joanne Grisanti 474-0922 Walt Dixie, [email protected] National Organization for Women, Greater Syracuse-La Estancia Hermanamiento (Sister Alliance of Communities Transforming Syr. Syracuse Chapter Community) Rev. Craig French 487-1171 682-5810 Amy Doherty, [email protected] 446-6099 Shirley Novak, [email protected] Alternatives to Violence Project New Environment Association Syr System Shakers Radical Cheerleaders 585-526-5202 Jill McClellan, [email protected] 446-8009 Harry Schwarzlander 422-4924 Kim McCoy, [email protected] American Friends Service Committee NY Public Interest Research Group SU Social Movements Initiative 475-4822 Chrissie Rizzo, [email protected] 476-8381 443-3822 John Burdick, [email protected] American Muslim Council NYS Division of Human Rights Syracuse United Neighbors no telephone, [email protected] 428-4633 Valerie Woods 476-7475 Rich Puchalski, [email protected] Atlantic States Legal Foundation Northeast Community Center Westcott Community Center 475-1170 Sam Sage, [email protected] 472-6343 478-8634 Steve Sussman, [email protected] Beyond Boundaries Onon Co. /Syr. Commission on Human Rts Women Transcending Boundaries 478-4571 Aggie Lane 435-3567 Linda Hall, [email protected] 446-1694 Betsy Wiggins or 687-3551 Danya Wellmon CANOPY Onondaga Nation Communications Ofﬁce Witness for Peace 471-4780 Larry Rutledge or 446-5319 Lee Gechas 492-1922, [email protected] Nancy Gwin 422-4689 CNY Chapter NY Civil Liberties Union Pax Christi Women’s Information Center 471-2821 Barrie Gewanter, [email protected] 476-0048 or 391-4877 Dick Keough 478-4636

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 15 It’s Not Over Yet!

Tarki Heath and Thane Joyal On July 11, nine POC members trav- old Trolley Site in Armory Square, down- eled to New York City to meet with EPA town Syracuse. During large rainstorms, At the site of the future Midland Sewage officials. We were accompanied by two sewage overflows will still occur, and the Treatment Plant in Syracuse, the dust flies representatives of the Onondaga Nation, facility would discharge partially treated around dense metal fencing topped with and a growing coalition of supporters from sewage into Onondaga Creek. barbed wire and sealed with padlocked West Harlem Environmental Action, Envi- On June 29, the POC, Onondaga Na- gates. Residents must walk a mile out of ronmental Advocates of New York, Citizens tion, Onondaga County, and the City of their way around the construction, and cars Environmental Coalition, the Sierra Club, Syracuse presented views and technical go in circular detours. Huge creek rats scurry and Senator Hillary Clinton’s office. We information to the Armory Square Merchants. to find new homes as bulldozers shake the presented the EPA with missing informa- The POC presented an alternative to the ground. At Oxford and Blaine Streets, the tion from its “investigation,” as they had County’s plan, using County-approved location of the plant, the green space is never visited the community or looked technologies. The Partnership’s plan calls beyond the paper record. As for increased, strategic use of sewer separa- a result of this meeting, we tion and storage. This plan distributes the now have a continuing dialog sewage burden equally by involving every with EPA/OCR, and a broad- sub-basin: Midland, Clinton, the Northside ening statewide and national and Harbor Brook. When complete, there coalition. would be NO overflowintoOnondagaCreek. To learn more about this plan, contact the SPDES Public Hearing POC for a copy of A Technical Sheet on On another front, the New Higher Standards. York State Department of To express your concerns about the Environmental Conservation County’s plan call Mayor Driscoll (448- (NYSDEC) has issued a draft 8005) and County Executive Nick Pirro discharge permit which will (435-3516). Use your contacts to inform authorize water discharges to business owners in the Armory Square area Onondaga Creek from Midland. about the POC’s fair, alternative plan. Unfortunately, the proposed permit does not protect water Join the Partnership (POC)! An overflow sign at Onondaga Creek. quality in Onondaga Creek or com- The POC continues to work on a variety ply with the Clean Water Act. The of outreach efforts, including developing gone, homes boarded up, and a feeling of POC, the Onondaga Nation, and others coalitions with the City-Wide Coalition despair and anger hangs in the air. have sent in critical assessments of the of Urban Pastors and with Armory Square It may seem that nothing has worked to permit and have requested a public hearing. merchants. We are not a large group, and protect this community from the County’s Nearly 100 people requested a hearing, can always use extra hands and voices. If determination to build a sewage plant. And including NYS Senators DeFrancisco, you would like to have brochures to pass yet, The Partnership for Onondaga Creek Marcellino, and Valesky, NYS Assembly along to others, or want to contribute your (POC) continues to cry: “It’s Not Over Representatives DiNapoli, Christensen, and time and talents to this struggle in any way, Yet!” Here’s why. Magnarelli, and Syracuse Mayor Driscoll. contact the Partnership at 478-4571 (Ag- Title VI Recently, Onondaga County has lobbied gie Lane), 422-1673 (Louise Poindexter), the NYSDEC, arguing that no hearing or 696-5262 (Tarki Heath). Meetings are In March, 2005, the Environmental should be held. Once again, the County is every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Brady Faith Protection Agency’s Office of Civil Rights attempting to shut down the public process Center. (EPA/OCR) dismissed the POC’s Title VI on this issue. complaint. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Your voice is needed! Please call the Brochures available on request: was intended to prevent the use of federal NYSDEC (426-7403) and insist on the • Healing Onondaga Creek funding on projects which are discrimina- need for a public hearing on this permit tory based on race, color, or national origin (in your message, please refer to SPDES • A Technical Sheet on Higher Standards (which the Midland project is). In recent Permit # NY-0027081). You may also call years, the program has been dismantled • Check out our website at www.ononda- any of the representatives above to support gacreek.org/research and download our by the Bush Administration. As attention their position. on this misused process becomes more PowerPoint presentations on Underground visible, so does Midland. Armory Square: Storage, Environmental Justice, and Chlorine: The Good, The Bad, and The Here we go again! Ugly. Tarki and Thane are very active with the Onondaga County is planning to build Partnership for Onondaga Creek. another ill-conceived swirler plant on the It’s not over yet! 16 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Onondaga Nation Presses Forward with Land Rights Action

The Onondaga Nation’s Land Rights Action (LRA) seeks a healing of the environment and among the peoples of this region. The legal basis for the Onondagas’ LRA, and land claims by other Haudenosaunee nations, is well-founded in treaties with the US federal government, extensive documentation of repeated unlawful land takings by NYS, and in earlier federal court findings. Since the LRA filing, two court decisions have pushed the Onondagas to amend Onondaga Tadadaho (spiritual leader) Sid Hill. Photo: Li-Hua Lan their original complaint. In late March, the US Supreme Court ruled against Oneida Nation immunity from taxation on treaty other Native American nations’ law suits. Amended Complaint points out that it was lands they had purchased in the Town of We do not want to open or operate casinos, not legally possible for Indian nations to Sherrill, NY. This was based on “laches,” as casinos have not resolved any of these file such lawsuits until 1974 at the earliest. meaning the Oneidas waited too long (200 matters for our people. The State has used Laches cannot be used against a party that years) to claim unlawful land takings in them to attempt to divide us.” did not have access to the courts to make court. Attorney Joseph Heath, General Counsel their claim; for New York State to use laches This ruling was taken even further, in for the Onondaga Nation, said that recent as a defense, it needs to show how it was late June, when the 2nd Circuit Appeals court rulings regarding Oneida and Cayuga harmed by the passage of time. In reality, Court dismissed the Cayuga land claim, lands do not alter the legal strength of the the state has benefited tremendously all ignoring an extensively documented 2001 Onondaga suit. The Supreme Court ruled in these years from its original, illegal taking findingbyaUSDistrictCourtjudgethatthe 1985 that Indian land rights cases in New of the lands. Cayuga Nation (under circumstances similar York State were valid, and this decision “At the heart of all of these suits,” Hill to those of the Oneidas and Onondagas) has not been changed: added, “is the search for justice. In taking was NOT responsible for the delay in filing. • Although the federal Court of Ap- our land from us, New York State broke The Circuit Court cited laches and reversed peals for the 2nd Circuit recently ruled that federal law. All of us involved should the lower court’s award to the Cayugas the Cayuga Nation’s claim for damages consider the time that has passed since based on the Sherrill precedent. and other relief was not valid because of these actions, but these wrongs must not In response to these alarming court laches, or a delay in asserting the claim, be ignored or dismissed out of hand. Ev- decisions, the Onondaga Nation amended it is inconceivable that any Indian nation eryone in Central New York would benefit its LRA on August 1, 2005. They maintained could have sued New York State two from correcting these injustices so we can their rights to their ancestral lands, and hundred years ago. live in peace.” stated that “laches” was not applicable • The US Supreme Court’s Sherrill The Onondaga land rights action because the Courts had not been open to decision in March did not reject the Oneida names Honeywell, Trigen, Clark Concrete them until 1985. The following excerpt land claims but only said that the Oneida Company, Valley Realty, and Hanson of the press release describes the LRA Nation, in buying back land in their historic Aggregates as defendants in the suit for amendment. territory, could not take that land off the the environmental damage they have property tax rolls of municipalities and done to Central New York. The havoc The Onondaga Nation repeated its resolve counties. that these and other corporations have to find a just resolution of its historic land “For more than 180 years there was no inflicted on the land fuels the Nation’s rights action today, maintaining their rights court open to the Onondaga Nation where it desire for justice. to their historic territory while repeating could assert its land rights and seek justice,” “We intend to use our rights to this that their suit will not result in evictions of explained Robert Coulter, lead attorney for land as a legal and moral force for the their neighbors in Central New York. the Onondaga in their land rights action. environment and the Earth,” said Hill. “The Onondaga Nation wants this “It is justice that has been delayed, and it “We want to see polluted areas cleaned up action resolved in a way that preserves, is not the fault of the Onondaga Nation or and we want to protect those areas not yet not disrupts, the social fabric of our Na- any of the Indian Nations.” defiled for generations to come.All people tion as well as that of our neighbors,” said The Nation’s attorneys filedanamended of Central New York can benefit from this Sidney Hill, Tadodaho (Spiritual Leader), complaint today, adding statements to the action – our land and health have been Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs. “We Complaint that the Nation has not delayed disregarded by the Albany politicians will not settle for methods used to resolve in taking action on its land rights. The for far too long.” September 2005 Peace Newsletter 17 In Praise of Slowness: How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honoré

Reviewed by Eileen E. Schell and profit. Honoré likens the global slow narrating the problems of living in the “fast movement to the anti-globalization move- lane”: compromised families, health, work, ment, arguing that both critique and seek and the environment. The bulk of the book “There is more to life than increasing alternatives to fast capitalism, which offers addresses ways to achieve slowness through its speed.” a one-way ticket to burnout, for the planet lifestyle changes. Carlo Petrini, founder of –Gandhi and people living on it. Both movements the slow food movement, is one featured want to help people live, work, and con- figure whose philosophy has influenced Are you fed up with the pace of your life? sume at a more reasonable, humane and much of the thinking about living at a Wondering if slowing down might be the socially just pace. decelerated pace. Although the slow food answer? Canadian journalist Carl Honoré movement is about cultivating, cooking, begins his investigation into the idea of and consuming food at a slow pace, it is slowness, speed, and time with a story of a philosophy that reaches into other are- his own obsession with saving time. One nas of life: designing livable, sustainable day while impatiently waiting to catch cities, exercise and medicine; cultivating a flight from Rome to London, he came meaningful sex and relationships; working across an advertisement for a one-minute less and working smarter; rest and leisure, bedtime story. Attracted initially to the and raising an “unhurried” child. advertisement’s promise of streamlining Honoré is clear, however, that he is the bedtime story ritual with his two-year not declaring war on speed or taking a old son, Honoré begins to question his ob- Luddite stand against technology; rather session with saving time. This initial story he advocates finding balance and living sparks his investigation into the time bind at what “musicians call the tempo giusto that permeates our culture. His questions – the right speed.” are three-fold: “Why are we always in such One area not sufficiently addressed in a rush? What is the cure for time-sickness the book is that of politics and public life. [a term coined in 1982 by Dr. Larry Dos- The emphasis throughout is on individuals sey to describe the idea that we must live Throughout the book, two philosophical making alternative personal choices, but and work at a faster pace]? Is it possible, concepts – Fast and Slow – anchor Honoré’s one wonders what the “slow” philosophy or even desirable, to slow down?” analysis of time: “Fast is busy, controlling, would look like if applied to political life, What follows is an investigation into aggressive, hurried, analytical, stressed, public policy, and to efforts to create a more the global slow movement, a worldwide superficial, impatient, active, quantity- socially just world. In spite of this omission, movement that challenges our obsession over-quality. Slow is the opposite: calm, Honoré has provided a readable, crisply with controlling and managing time to careful, receptive, still, intuitive, unhurried, written account that challenges readers to ensure the greatest possible productivity patient, reflective, quality-over-quantity. consider how we might achieve time bal- It is about making real and meaningful ance in our lives. A useful resource list at connections – with people, culture, work, the end of the book provides bibliographic Eileen is Associate Professor of Writing and food, everything.” references and website information on Rhetoric at Syracuse University. The first two chapters are devoted to speed, time, and slowness.

SEASONAL WORK AVAILABLE ! THROUGH DECEMBER NOW positions available in Ain’t nobody data entry/customer service gonna turn & shipping us around! APPLY NOW! •employee discounts •starting $7.50/hr. •enjoyable, alternative work environment

Call for your choice of hours/shifts 474.1132 x2

Syracuse Cultural Workers TOOLS for CHANGE 400 Lodi St.

18 Peace Newsletter September 2005 It’s my first night on the tour and we On the are in need of grease. With a 100-gallon tank in the back of the bus, Becky and Dylan don’t fill up often. Becky prefers Road with grease from Asian eateries because it is low in thick congealed grease and garbage like half-eaten French fries and cigarette the Lil’ butts. A fine grease should flow like and have the color of maple syrup, she says. Grease We find a Chinese Restaurant in a Virginia strip mall that could have been mistaken for being on Erie Blvd. in Syracuse. The Beast owners are more than willing to let us tap their dumpster since they have to pay someone to haul the grease away. By the glow of buzzing parking lot lights Kimberley McCoy we transfer the grease into the tank. Clad Standing outside Terminal C of in rubber gloves and a rain slicker, Becky the Washington National Airport, scoops the grease from the dumpster into a I search for a shuttle bus. Dozens plastic pitcher and hands it to Dylan, who pass me by. But I am not looking pours it into the tank. The tank is divided for just any shuttle bus. I’m after into two sections, a filtered half and an the grandest of any shuttle bus unfiltered half. This set-up allows Becky I’ve ever met: The Lil’ Grease and Dylan to store grease to be filtered Beast. This distinguished mo- on the road as needed. After filling up the torized vehicle is now home to Becky Johnson in front of the Veggie Bus, teaching children unfiltered half, we leave the bus running to (sometimes) Syracuse resident, about clean, renewable forms of energy. warm up the grease. Heat from the engine Becky Johnson. Becky, a Syra- Photo: Kimberley McCoy is passed through coolant lines to a tray of cuse University 2003 graduate, coolant that sits below the tank. The grease purchased the bus in a New Hampshire The interior of the bus is cleverly packed, is heated to 180 degrees, the temperature auction in August of 2004 with the intent maximizing storage space through a creative required for it to have the same viscosity as to transform the diesel-powered engine to arrangement of shelving units, which hold diesel fuel, which allows it to run through one powered by used vegetable oil. Becky the supplies necessary for three months on the engine. Next we filter enough grease now drives on free fuel, liberated from the the road. Over the next week we will drive into the other half to get us back on the grease dumpsters of America. Since May she through Virginia and into North Carolina, road. With a 12-volt pump, we pump the has toured the country, promoting sustain- where we have a number of tour stops al- grease through a felt filter bag. The whole able solutions to the world’s environmental ready lined up. Becky was inspired to start process from dumpster to filtered grease issues, concentrating on clean, renewable this project after reflecting on her experi- takes a few hours of intense work. By the forms of energy. Her bus acts as an example ences as an anti-corporate globalization end we are tired and a bit slippery. and inspiration of just one solution people and anti-war activist. Becky often tells the Over the next week we make a dozen can explore.The hand-painted bus of blue, story of a humbling experience at Syracuse presentations, some to activist bookshops green, purple and yellow adorned with the University during an anti-war protest. As and food coops, but most to school age words “Veggie Powered Bus” pulls up to a group of students chanted “No blood children. We visit an elementary school, a me and the side door flops open. I board for oil” to a seemingly apathetic student private K-12 school, a parks and recreation “The Beast.” I will spend the next week passing by, he replied, “I don’t even have department after-school program, and a traveling with what Becky calls “The Clear a car, do you?” While Becky may not have Boys and Girls Club. Becky has designed Visions Project.” Amongst the clutter of been driving around town in a new SUV a program that teaches youth about the bus pirate flags,aCanadianbobbleheadmoose, from Sam Dell Nissan, she realized he had and how it works, but also teaches about the a trash bin full of composting worms and a point. She and her friends did own cars. larger issue of consumption in our culture. her tourmate/boyfriend, Dylan, I climb They were and are part of the car culture An interactive skit uses the examples of upon the crudely-constructed loft bed that of America. Looking back at the past few food and toys to show the ways in which takes the place of what once were seats. years, most of her car traveling had been resources are spent on transportation. Youth to protests. She was driving eight hours are asked to question their consumption and to Washington, DC to protest America’s think of creative alternatives such as buying locally produced or used products, or grow- Kimberley traveled for a week with the Clear dependency on oil. Realizing the respon- Visions project this past May. She resides at sibility of activists to create alternatives to the Bread and Roses Collective House and the systems they oppose, Becky set out to can be reached at [email protected]. create the Lil’ Grease Beast. Continued on next page September 2005 Peace Newsletter 19 Grease Bus / continued from page 19 Becky and Dylan finished the tour in The problems they experienced were shared mid-July. Looking back they have mixed by every other grease vehicle they met. feelings. Seeing the nation, meeting friends They learned that grease in dumpsters is ing food or making toys themselves. and living on a shoestring budget was quite often not wasted but rather recycled into Youth are excited to see the bus but an adventure, but their excitement about the dog food or cosmetic products. Also, there often saddened by Becky’s poor judgment bus as a sustainable solution is waning. The is not enough grease in the world for all not to deck it out with 20-inch rims and bus ran into a lot of mechanical troubles, our cars to run. Even if we grew crops televisions. The promise of a vehicle that forcing them to drive on diesel fuel rather to produce vegetable oil on every bit of smells like fried food also peaks their than veggie grease more than they liked. fertile land in the US, there still wouldn interest. ’t be enough. What we really need to do is curb our consumption. After a trip across the country and back again, Becky’s advice to us all is to get on a city bus or better yet, get on your bike and pedal.

For more info visit: www.clearvisionsproject.org www.greasecar.com

The ‘Lil Grease Beast. Photo: Kimberley McCoy

Put Your Money Where Your Values Are Invest your money in companies building the kind of future you value. You have the option of choosing companies that demonstrate corporate responsibility.

Hansen’s Financial Services

The Sagacious Investor TM Assisting you in Making Wise Decisions 7067 E. Genesee Street Fayetteville, NY 13066 315-637-5153 800-318-9780 Email: sue@hansensﬁnancial.com Web: hansensﬁnancial.com Susan S. Hansen CFP,CLU

20 Peace Newsletter September 2005 Review SUNDANCE: An opera based on events leading to the trial and incarceration of Leonard Peltier

Donna Muhs-McCarten the story to audiences new to this part of history.. Fol- low-up panel discussions A Sun Dance is a dance of renewal of the are an integral part of the earth and cosmos. Renewed efforts for educational nature of the justice have been recently undertaken with work. Further collaboration the world premiere of Sundance,a two-act came through workshops chamber opera depicting the events leading designed to provide feed- up to the trial and incarceration of Native back on relating the story American political prisoner Leonard Pel- to ﬁrst-time listeners. tier. Performed in the Cazenovia Theatre When asked to ex- on July 7 and 8, many in the audience plain the objectives of the stayed after the performance to reﬂect upon opera, Lenny, responded, Native American issues past and present. “We wanted to tell Peltier’s story in a way and hear me speaking there. With music composed by Matt Walton, a that might appeal to a group that had not political activist holding degrees in both already heard it. In that telling, we wanted We are the voice of the earth, musical composition and political science to help the audience understand the pain, of the future, from Syracuse University, and libretto writ- frustration and lack of hope that Native of the mystery. ten by his father, Leonard (Lenny)Walton, Americans were feeling, based on how Hear us. the opera is a unique experience. they had been treated by the US govern-

The world premier was presented by ment. We are not trying to make an issue If you missed these first live perfor- the Syracuse Society of New Music and of Peltier’s guilt or innocence; it was more mances, you can still be part of the world co- sponsored by the Student Environmental about Native Americans receiving unfair premier via the web. For $5 you may Action Coalition, the Conflict Management treatment at the hands of the government, view the opera for a week – see www. Center, Syracuse University MAYFEST and that Peltier deserved a fair trial.Based xmienevts.com for details. A portion of and SU’s Sociology Department. on the comments we received after the the profits will be donated to the Leonard Lenny adds strong emotional elements performance we think that we achieved Peltier Committee. to the libretto by using the actual words what we set out to do.” It is imperative that as advocates of from events and trial manuscripts, comple- Matt and Lenny hope for continued social justice we actively support those menting them with projections of photos funding to perform live at additional loca- who have been punished and incarcer- from Wounded Knee and the 1969-1971 tions. “Syracuse was a great place to start,” ated for fighting oppression and injustice. Alcatraz occupation. The opera leads up said Lenny, “since it has a large Native Matt and Lenny encourage you to write to the deaths of two FBI men in 1975 on American population and a direct connec- Leonard at: the Pine Ridge Reservation, SouthDakota, tion to many of the incidents portrayed in and the accusation of Leonard Peltier as the opera.” As was mentioned in one of Leonard Peltier # 89637-132 their murderer. Falsification of evidence the panel discussions following the opera, USP Lewisburg by US officials and other legal misconduct the recent Onondaga Land Rights Claim US Penitentiary eventually result in the sentencing of Mr. comes to mind and with it, the importance PO Box 1000 Peltier to two consecutive life terms and his of acknowledging Native American sov- Lewisburg, PA 17837 incarceration for over 27 years for a crime ereignty . It is that collective voice of the he insists he did not commit. Amnesty Native American that must be heard. International has labeled Leonard Peltier a The first act ends powerfully with the Upcoming Performances “political prisoner” who ought to be “im- words of Leonard Peltier sung out: mediately and unconditionally released.” Tuesday, September 27 at 8 pm at …We are your own conscience The singers’ voices, the opera’s scen- Setnor Auditorium in Crouse Col- calling to you. ery and lighting, and Matt’s direction of lege (Syracuse University). $15 and We are you yourself $12 (students/ seniors). Hildegard the chamber ensemble created a powerful crying unheard within you performance that works effectively to tell VanderSluis 468-0246. Put your ear to the earth Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm in Donna is a retired teacher and member of and hear my heart beating there. the Chapel at Colgate University the PNL Editorial Committee. Put your ear to the wind

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 21 MENOPAUSE COACH 1103 Burnet Avenue Syracuse, NY 13203 WISE WOMAN HERBALIST (315) 475-6453 where kids love to learn www.newschool-syr.org GRIEF WORKER Full Day Grade K-6 and After School Program “The New School is small enough to provide personal RESTORATIVE MASSAGE attention yet large enough to have a variety of learning activities. It’s great to have young and old children interacting and learning from each other in this unique school that both challenges and comforts.” -Dik Cool, Karen Mihalyi & Cora Cool-Mihalyi MARIE SUMMERWOOD 315-479-8804 Now Accepting Applications For Fall 22 Peace Newsletter September 2005        :                                                                                        Sunday, September 18, 2005 (Rain Date: September 25, 2005) noon-7 pm 500 block of Westcott Street

Performances by: Tony Trischka, Jacque Tara Washington, Ronnie Leigh, Cornbred, and many more… Sponsors: Cultural Resources Council, City of Syracuse, Syracuse New Times, WCNY, WAER, M&T Bank

www.westcottfair.org [email protected] 703-6848

Bush is Scrambling... 100% to deal with growing anti-war sentiment... of the co-op’s Join SPC in keeping up the pressure. Get electricity is green involved.

Orientation for new folks (or folks 618 Kensington Rd wanting to reconnect) off Westcott Street Tuesday, September 13, 7-8:30 pm Between Euclid & Broad 924 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, 472-5478 Open 7 days 9 to 9 472.1385

September 2005 Peace Newsletter 23 EVERY THURS: Free Legal Ser vic es for people denied un em ploy ment beneﬁts or who have a wel fare hear ing. Westcott Com munity Center, 826 Euclid 11 Ave. 6-8 pm.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT20 4 September 5 6 7 8 9 10 Labor Day at the Fair – 10:15am 3 Days of Peace –Youth Dance Aug 25 – Sept 5 NYS Fair Weekly Peace Outreach: 4:45- EVERY WED: Military & Draft SPC Steering Committee Meet- Deadline for reserving bus Blessing of the Workers (Indian/Iro- (ages 14-18). 7-11pm, Levy Middle Visit the Pride and Alaska Coal. 5:30 pm. Rt. 695 exit ramp to Counseling. 1-3pm. SPC, 924 ing. 7-9pm. SPC Ofﬁce, 924 tickets for Sept. 24 End the War quois Village); 11:00 Parade (meet School. ENIP Youth Action, 471- booths at the State Fair Ctr. Of W. Genesee St. (Fairmount) Burnet Ave. 472-5478. Burnet Ave. 472-5478. Open to in Iraq! March in Washington, at Gate 6); 11:30 Rally (Chevrolet 7911x231. Progress Bldg. 472-5478. SPC supporters. DC. Jessica, 472-5478. Court Pavillion) Syracuse Gay/Lesbian Catho lics & EVERY WED: Open Figure Friends Mass. St. Andrew’s Church, EVERY MON: Morris Dancing. West- EVERY TUES: Partnership for Draw ing Inc. 7-10 pm. Westcott EVERY THURS: Cazenovians for 3 Days of Peace – Steppin’ for 124 Alden St. 5 pm. 636-7726. cott Com munity Center, 826 Euclid Onondaga Creek Meeting. 6 pm. Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave. Peace Vigil 4:45-5:45 pm. Corner Peace Youth Summit. 3-6pm Ave. 7-8:30 pm. 478-8634. For place call Aggie 478-4571. Fee. 478-8634. of Lincklaen and Albany Sts. Caze- Protect Our Kids Lexington Park; also March for the novia. Aimee, 655-2804. Military Recruiters Arts. 10:30am register, walk 12-2. EVERY SUN: Peo ple’s 60 EVERY TUES: Rough Times Live. Start at ENACT (E. Genesee and EVERY WED: SPC Worknight til Minutes. Time Warner Cable Television by, for & about teens. 8 Out of Our Westcott). 471-7911x231. 8 pm. Many di verse tasks. 924 Chan nel 98. 8 pm. Produced pm. Time Warner Ca ble Chan nel Bur net Ave. Jess 472-5478, by SPC. Tape it, share it! 98. 478-UNIT. Schools! EVERY SAT: Sharing the Earth. [jessica @peacecouncil.net]. 10 pm. Time Warner Ch. 98. People for An i mal Rights.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3 Days of Peace – Peace in Our CNY Alliance for Retired SPC Study Group on the US Weekly Peace Outreach: 4:45- Bikes 4 Peace Clinic. 5-7:30pm. SPC MONTHLY PROGRAM EVERY SAT: De moc ra cy Streets City-wide Peace Rally. Americans. 10-noon, PEF/STA Global Agenda. 7-8:30 pm, Friends 5:30 pm. Adams St. and Rt. 81 St. Lucy’s Gym. 425 Gifford St. Putting the Iraq War on Trial Now! w/Amy Goodman. 3-6 pm, Clinton Sq. ENIP Youth Ofﬁce,Butternut St. glotierz@twcny. Meeting House, 821 Euclid Ave. (Downtown) 472-5478. Jessica, 472-5478. 7-8:30 pm. Westcott Community Time Warner Ca ble Ch. 98, Action, 471-7911x231. rr.com. Carol 472-5478. Center, 826 Euclid Ave., Syr. 9 -11 am. SPC Volunteer Orientation. 472-5478. CNY SOA Abolitionists and Ca- Disability Advocacy Film Festival. ACLU, CNY Chapter Annual Meeting Beyond Thinking: Understand- 7pm. SPC, 924 Burnet Ave. ribbean Latin America Coalition Million Dollar Baby, 7pm Watson & Potluck. “The Press: Censorship ing Zen. 3-4 pm, Grant Aud. (SU), Festival of Native Dance. 10am- Joint Monthly Potluck Meeting. 4-7 472-5478. See page 4. Brushwork Prayers for Peace, a 7pm, Onondaga Nation Arena, Theater (SU). FREE. 289-5083 & ProtectingSources,” John O’Brien Zen calligraphy demonstration with free, 492-9355 (see p. 12). pm. Brady Faith Center, 404 South and Joel Kaplan, presenters. 6 pm, 326 Route 11 Via-Nedrow. 498- Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus Arctic Quest Slide Show & Discus- Kazuaki Tanahashi. 12-1:30 pm, Ave. 478-4571. open to interested people. Barrie for 6813. $5. Rehearsal. 7pm, Plymouth Congre- sion. 6:30 pm, Nifkin Lounge (SUNY Everson Museum, free, 492-9355 Sept 16-18 “Seeking Gender Jus- location, 471-2821. gational Church (E. Onondaga & ESF), Refuge adventurer & author (see p. 12). tice” Symposium Syr. Univ., Sue Creating Zen Brush Circle with EVERY SUN: Common Threads, Montgomery St.), 476-4329. Chad Kister. 472-1339. Wadley, 443-1011, www-hl.syr. Kazaki Tanahashi. 10:30-5 pm, Acoustic local music. WAER FM Syracuse United Neighbors/South- EVERY THURS: Womens' Voic es edu/cas-pages/Announcements/ $75. Zen Center, 266 W. Seneca 88. 2 - 5pm. side Coalition Meeting. 7pm. Peyton Ra dio. WAER - 88 FM. 8 pm. RaySmith/GenderJustice.htm. Trnpk. Register asap, 492-9355 Temple (Midland). 472-9077. 20 (see p. 12). Weekly Peace Outreach: 4:45- 18 19 205:30 pm. Rt. 57 and Vine St. 21 22 23 24

(Liverpool) 472-5478. Complimentary Copy $15/yr! Subscribe Now! Only Help support our work Westcott St. Cultural Fair. St Patrick’s 4 Trial Starts. 9am at Exhibition: Freedom Bound. Gal- Come make signs for End the End the War in Iraq! March, Music, Community groups, the Binghamton Fed. Bldg.,15 Henry lery with timeline on Underground War in Iraq March in DC. 5:30-8 Rally and Operation Ceasefire food, fun. noon-7 pm, 500 block St., downtown. Photo ID required. Don’t Drill: Storm Capitol Hill! Railroad. Noon-4 pm T-F, 11-4 Sat, pm, SPC (924 Burnet Ave.). Jes- Concert in Washington DC. Westcott St. Check out booths for 607-280-0329, www.stpatricksfour. Busses to DC for Rally/Lobby Blitz Sun. Onondaga Historical Associa- sica, 472-5478. Bus Tickets $45-75. Jessica, SPC and NOON. 703-6848. Rain org. (See p. 9). to Protect the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. tion Museum, 321 Montgomery St. 472-5478. (see p. 5) Date: Sept.25. “A Brush with Our Time,” benefit for Morgan, 472-1339. FREE. 428-1864. Educate, Agitate, Or ga nize! ga Educate, Agitate, Or SPC and others. Kazuaki Tanahashi's Syracuse United Neighbors/ Women in Religion Forum. 4pm, Skunk City Meeting. Mundy Library, Local Anti-War Demo. Details SEPT. 18-22: Citizens Tribunal art and peace poems set to music 7-9 Pebble Hill Pres.Ch., 5299 James- pm, Onon. Valley Presb. Church, 275 1204 S. Geddes St. 6:30pm. TBA. 472-5478 or www.peace- on Iraq. 7pm. Binghamton. Par- ville Rd., Dewitt. InterReligious council.net. ticipants: Ray McGovern, Camilo W. Seneca Trnpk. $30 advance, $50 at Council, $25-$75. 449-3552x112. West African Dance Class. 6pm. Mejia, Liz McAllister and others. door (sliding scale available). For tix: Westcott Community Center, 826 EVERY THURS: Cyber-Seniors To list your group’s event 607-280-0329, www.stpatricksfour. 472-5478. (see p. 12). The Art of Asian Calligraphy Euclid Ave. $5-$10. 478-8634 Sultana Ensemble, a musical org. (See p. 9). with Kazuaki Tanahashi, 7:30 pm, Computer Class. 10-11:45am. or meeting, call 472-5478 dialogue between East & West Shemin Aud. (Shaffer Art Bldg., SU), Westcott Community Center. Steve, music tradition. 7:30 pm, Hendricks 25 478-8634. or send the info to SPC at Festival of Native Dance. 10am- free. 492-9355 (see p. 12). Chapel (SU), free. Syr. Area Middle End the War in Iraq! Grassroots [email protected] East Dialogue and SU. FREE. 6pm, Onondaga Nation Arena, 326 Lobby Day, Mass Nonviolent Direct Route 11 Via-Nedrow. 498-6813. Action in DC. SPC, 472-5478. 29 Monthly Vigil Against Death 25Syracuse Gay/Lesbian Catho lics 26 27 28 29 30 1 October Greater Syracuse Progressive Pen al ty: Noon. Columbus Cir cle. & Friends Mass: St. An drew’s Ch., Friends of Dorothy Benefit Din- Mary Daly Lecture. May Memo- Charlie King/Karen Brandow Coalition Mtg. 5:30-7pm. CNY Labor Weekly Peace Outreach: 4:45- 637-3344. 124 Alden St., 5 pm. 636-7726. ner. 5:30-7 pm. St. Vincent’s Parish rial UU, 3800 E. Genesee. $10 Benefit Concert for El Salvador Fed., 404 Oak St. Andy 472-5478. 5:30 pm. Seneca Tpk. and S. Ctr – enter on Winton St. friends advance, $15 at door. Gage and Colombia Sister Communities. Salina St. (Valley) 472-5478. PNL Mailing Party. 4pm. SPC, 7pm, St. Andrew’s Ch., 124 Alden Talk to Us! Proposals for SPC’s [email protected]. Fee. Foundation. Tix 637-9511. 924 Burnet Ave. 472-5478. St. $10-25 advance; $12-25 door. program work are due. Carol or Sundance, opera on Leonard Peltier. Joanna Macy Workshop/Discus- 478-4571. Jessica, 472-5478 (see p. 11). 8 pm, SU Setnor Aud. (Crouse Col- sion. 7-9 pm. Univ. Methodist Ch., lege), $15 & $12 (students/seniors). Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation 1085 E. Genesee St. Also, discussion 468-0246, (see pg.21). Events.Walking Tour. 10 am-noon. 25 SPC Study Group. 7-8:30 pm, 1:30-3 pm, farm house, Common Syracuse Peace Council Gage Home, 210 E. Genesee St., An Abolitionist Amble: His- Friends Meeting House, 821 Euclid Joanna Macy at Zen Ctr., 266 W. Place Land Trust, 4211 Rt. 13, Truxton. Fayetteville. $5. Tea with Mary Daly. toric Sites of Syracuse’s Un- Ave. Carol 472-5478. Seneca Tpk. 8:30 am. Multiple events. FREE. Cindy, 422-9633 (see p. 12). Community Calendar: 3-7 pm. Gage Home. $50, reserva- derground Railroad. Walking tour FREE. Cindy, 422-9633 (see p. 12). tions. Mimi Kennedy & John begins at Onon. Historical Assn., Discussion with Joanna Macy, 7-9 Banned Books Read-a-thon. Central Fricke. 8-10 pm, The Redhouse, 321 Montgomery St. 1:30 pm.$12. pm, Women’s Info. Center (601 Allen PFLAG Monthly Mtg. 1st UU Ch. Library, 447 S. Salina St. 9-5 pm. Also SEPTEMBER 2005 201 S. West St. $25 advance, $35 428-1864. St.). FREE. 422-9633 (see p. 12). 250 Waring Road 7:30 pm. Tues. 12-8 pm. 435-1900, FREE. door. 637-9511. 924 Burnet Avenue NY 13203 Syracuse, www.peacecouncil.net (315) 472-5478 Return Ad dress Re quest ed quest dress Re Return Ad