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Home , Code Pink, Global Day of Action, Medea Benjamin, Veterans For Peace

April / May / June 2013

HIGHLIGHTS A PUBLICATION OF THE & JUSTICE CENTER

PAGE 2 Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control „ Frair Trade News Two major organizations, have Upcoming Cost of Series Events launched new campaigns to take Fair Trade into the future. „ Global Day of Action on bands will be provided.

PAGE 3 Military Spending – April 15 7:00pm – speaking at the First Unitarian Universalist Society. Free „ Drone Strikes On this day, people on all continents will (donations welcome). Lead organizer: US policies cause considerable join together in joint actions to focus Colleen: [email protected], 863-2345 x8. harm to the daily lives of ordinary civilians. public, political, and media attention on the costs of military spending and the Richmond: 4-5pm – /Rally. Meet at PAGE 4 need for new priorities. The Peace & the intersection of Main and Jericho Sts. Come dressed in black, holding signs to „ Commission on the Status of Justice Center and other groups are hand out flyers with information about Women organizing events throughout the state, drones to passers-by. Lead organizer: Report from local WILPF member who focused on drone warfare. To plan an Guthrie Smith – call the PJC for more attended the UN session. event, contact Colleen at 802-863-2345 x 8 or [email protected]. information 863-2345 x 8. „ The Invisible Cinema Montpelier: 12-1pm – Bake sale in front Films that are speaking truth about today’s „ Medea Benjamin of the Montpelier Post Office. Bring signs! social justice issues. Medea Benjamin will be Theme: It’ll be a speaking at the First great day when PAGE 5 Unitarian Universalist schools have all the „ Robin’s Nest Society , 152 Pearl St., money they need, Robin was attending the 2013 World Social Burlington. Medea and the military Forum in Tunisia as we went to press. Benjamin is a political holds a bake sale to activist, best known for buy bombs! Orga- PAGE 6-7 co-founding nized by Central VT „ Racial Justice and fair trade advocacy Women’s Interna- Girl Rising; Racism & Death Penalty; Listening group, Global Ex- tional League for to the Voices of Parents on April 25. change. She has been Peace and Freedom. an advocate for social Info: Sandy at PAGE 8-9 justice for more than 30 Medea Benjamin and Robin Lloyd at the 2013 [email protected] „ Inspiring Workshop: Peace is in Tunisia, holding a years. A former econo- WILPF banner. Brattleboro: 10am- Possible mist and nutritionist 2pm. Meet at the „ VTJP Update with the and World Brattleboro Post Office for music, vigil, Health Organization, Benjamin is the and tabling with war PAGE 10 author/editor of eight books. Her latest literature. More information 802-387-2798 „ Calendar book is called Drone Warfare: Killing by or email [email protected]. Organized Remote Control, and she has been by Pioneer Valley War Tax Resistance. PAGE 11 campaigning to get lethal drones out of Manchester: Check the PJC website for „ Campaign Finance Reform the hands of the CIA. more information. Burlington: 6:30pm – Meet at the corner Middlebury: Check the PJC website for PAGE 12 of Church and Main St., silent procession more information. „ Peace & Justice Store ONLINE! up Church St. in memory of the victims of drone attacks. Wear black, or black arm Events continued on page 3

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Fair Trade Campaigns and the Global Movement

BY Kristen Connors, PJC Intern

2013 marks an exciting new step forward in the world of Fair Trade. Fairtrade International (FLO) and Fair EDITORS Trade USA (FTUSA), two major Fair Trade organizations, have both launched new campaigns and strate- Wendy Coe Robin Lloyd gies to take Fair Trade into the future, and to continue to spread the movement around the world! Although the two organizations’ strategies differ in both objective and approach, both aim to make significant PUBLISHED 4/year contributions to strengthening the Fair Trade movement for producers and consumers all over the world. (See form on page 12) FLO will launch a campaign for 2013-2015, Unlocking the Power of Many, in order to increase its impact on producer livelihoods, to bring more people into the movement, and reap bigger and better benefits for CIRCULATION 1,200 those who belong to Fair Trade organizations. Partnerships between producers will also be enhanced by the simplification of certification standards, and the expansion of certification to include not only compli- The opinions expressed in ance with Fair Trade standards, but also for impact and development outcomes. The plan includes four the articles, including different strategies to harness the “Power of Many,” and includes working more closely with smallholders, those by staff, are those of the authors and not workers, citizens and companies in the global Fairtrade network. Uncovering the power, creativity, and necessarily those of the passion of these people will allow FLO to help grow and strengthen the Fair Trade movement over the next peace & justice center. three years. A more detailed description of the campaign can be found at the FLO website, www.fairtrade.net. As the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals gets closer, FTUSA wants to take a proactive step in helping develop a new framework that can reach beyond the Millennium Development Goals to address issues of in the coming years. In September 2013, the UN will hold a General Assembly High-Level meeting to develop a new framework to replace the Millennium Development 60 Lake Street #1C Goals in 2015. The new Fair Trade Beyond 2015 campaign, launched in November 2012, aims to take Burlington, VT 05401 advantage of this small “window of opportunity” before this High-Level meeting to show the UN delegates 802.863.2345 that the world wants to see a new framework that addresses the root causes of poverty, and highlights the fax: 802.863.2532 www.pjcvt.org need to reform current trade rules and practices, and presents Fair Trade as a best practices model for [email protected] development and poverty reduction. Representatives from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Fairtrade International (FLO), and the Fair Trade Towns Campaign were the first to sign the campaign BOARD OF DIRECTORS declaration. (alphabetical order) In the first phase, Fair Trade Beyond 2015 aims to collect signatures from elected officials and civil Linda Ayer Autumn Barnett society organizations all over the world that support the Fair Trade Beyond 2015 Declaration, showing that Spence Putnam they support Fair Trade as a necessary alternative to the current trade model. Secondly, all the signatures Nathan Suter will be sent to the UN before their High-Level meeting. Anyone may participate in this campaign by asking Andrea Swan Judy Yarnall local elected officials and civil society organizations to sign the declaration. Materials and forms can be easily downloaded at the Fair Trade Towns USA website (www.fairtradetownsusa.org). Ed Everts, emeritus With these two new campaigns underway, everyone is once again invited to participate in the Fair Trade movement, whether it is simply choosing to purchase or tea that week, asking the Mayor STAFF or Town Manager to support the Fair Trade Beyond 2015 Declaration, or participating in World Fair Trade Gabriella Ochoa Brenneman day events on May 11th. Showing support for Fair Trade is as simple as speaking to your family, friends, Wendy Coe Colleen Deignan or neighbors about the movement, and everyone has something they can contribute in order to strengthen Kyle Silliman-Smith Fair Trade, and improve the lives of families and communities all over the world. Carmen Solari

PJC MISSION Our mission is to create a Celebrate World Fair Trade Day! just and peaceful world. Join the movement that is giving a voice to small producers around the world. We live in a very unique state with small and To this end, we work on large companies showing support and recognizing the need for companies and consumers to take action for a more the interconnected issues of economic and racial sustainable economic system that honors the environment, the producers and consumers. Our World Fair Trade celebra- justice, peace, and tion is bringing together schools, colleges, parents, activists and many others in our community to celebrate our accom- rights through education, plishments, but more importantly — to connect with new people and new ideas. This is an opportunity to challenge each advocacy, training and non- violent activisim, and other into taking action for justice and for the producers, the environment and all of us as consumers. Join community organizing, the movement, come and learn how you can get involved! since 1979. Saturday, May 11, 11am-1pm, City Hall Park along Main St, Burlington Enjoy free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Jeh Kulu performance . Samples from many fair trade vendors!

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Eventscontinued from page 1 opening its doors to neo-Nazis, white His book “… makes a…strong case supremacists, gang members, criminals of that nothing good lies in the future so „ Matt Kennard Book Tour – all stripes, the overweight, and the long as the American government May 6-8 mentally ill. Based on several years of continues to dissolve its standards of Matt Kennard is a British author and reporting, Irregular Army includes human decency to keep the pipeline filled free lance journalist, whose articles can extensive interviews with extremist with new soldiers.“(Daily Beast). be found in the Guardian, Salon, the veterans and leaders of far-right hate Kennard will be speaking as part of Nation, and . groups—who spoke openly of their the Peace & Justice Center’s Cost of War “Since the launch of the eagerness to have their followers acquire Speaker and Film Series about his new and —now the longest wars in military training for a coming domestic book. American history—the US military has race war. As a report commissioned by May 6th – Middlebury College – more struggled to recruit troops. It has re- the Department of Defense itself put it, info coming soon sponded, as Matt Kennard’s explosive “Effectively, the military has a ‘don’t ask, May 7th – More info coming soon investigative report makes clear, by don’t tell’ policy pertaining to extremism.” May 8th – Burlington – Fletcher Free Library, Community Room, 7:00pm.

Drone Strikes BY Andrew Schoerke spaces without warning. Their presence list.” Developed by the Obama Adminis- terrorizes men, women, and children, tration beginning in 2010, the “Disposi- he US policy for waging the War giving rise to anxiety and psychological tion Matrix” goes beyond former lists, On Terror is simple: Find al Qaeda T trauma among civilian communities. and creates a blueprint for tracking, terrorists and kill them. To do this, Those living under drones have to capturing, rendering or killing terrorism unmanned combat air systems, commonly face the constant worry that a deadly suspects; it is intended to become a known as drones, have become the strike may be fired at any moment, and permanent fixture of American policy. weapon of choice. To date, the indepen- the knowledge that they are powerless to The resources needed to identify, track dent Bureau of Investigative Journalism protect themselves. Third: evidence that and locate terrorists have increased (UK), reports drones have killed 2,629- the strikes have made the US safer overall exponentially. To continue updating the 3,461 people in , including 475- is ambiguous at best. The strikes have list the Pentagon will expand its intelli- 891 civilians; 374-1,112 in Yemen, includ- certainly killed alleged combatants and gence effort by sending as many as 1,600 ing 72-178 civilians and 58-170 in Somalia, disrupted armed actor networks. However, new “collectors” around the world to including 11-57 civilians. serious concerns about the efficacy and ferret out terror groups. The number of By contrast, the CIA believes that counter-productive nature of drone drone bases is also increasing with new drone strikes conducted in Pakistan since strikes have been raised. The number of ones being located in Djibouti, Niger and May 2010 have killed over 600 militants ‘high-level’ targets killed as a percentage as well as Somalia, Yemen, with no civilian fatalities. of total casualties is extremely low – Pakistan and Afghanistan. The justification and success of US estimated at just 2 percent. Furthermore, Drone killing is being challenged and drone warfare, however, is refuted in a evidence suggests that US strikes have will have to answer in court whether it is recently completed joint study by facilitated recruitment to violent non-state legal under US as well as international Stanford University and New York armed groups, and motivated further laws to assassinate alleged terrorists in University which concludes, “First: In the violent attacks.” countries that we are not at war with. The , the dominant narrative Retired General Stanley McChrystal, unanticipated results of drone war are the about the use of drones in Pakistan is of a former commander of the International metastasized spread of al Qaeda and its surgically precise and effective tool that Afghanistan Security Force as well as progeny that are springing up throughout makes the US safer by enabling targeted Joint Special Operations Command-Seals the Middle East and North Africa coupled killing of terrorists, with minimal down- – on January 7th said: “ the use of drones with a virulent hatred of the US in many sides or collateral impacts. This narrative exacerbates a perception of American Islamic countries. The Disposition Matrix is false. Second: US drone strike policies arrogance that says, ‘Well we can fly is evidence that we will remain in a state cause considerable and under-accounted- where we want, we can shoot where we of permanent war for many years to come. for harm to the daily lives of ordinary want, because we can.” civilians, beyond death and physical In a series titled “Permanent War,” the Schoerke, of Shaftsbury, VT, is a member injury. Drones hover 24 hours a day over Washington Post describes the “Disposi- of . communities in northwest Pakistan, tion Matrix,” a database that is reported striking homes, vehicles, and public to be the “next-generation capture/kill

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ringing the doorbell when they hear Commission on the Status of Women abuse. See it here: https://www.youtube BY Peggy Luhrs, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom .com/watch?v=UcL7nxlsV5I&playnext =1&list=PL17CE7B962F802F82&feature his year I was fortunate to be bureaucrats as I would learn from women =results_main T among the L2G attendees at the speaking directly about the problems and There was a short but useful workshop UN Committees on the Status of issues in their countries. The theme this on social media campaigns. There were Women. L2G is the shorthand for local to year was ending violence against women. speakers from South Africa talking about global wherein WILPF chooses local The first Sunday provided a program men becoming involved in ending WILPF members to attend the global of initiatives from around the world. It violence against women. This clearly was meeting in March at the United Nations. opened with girls representing Girl Be a theme of the day and it is gratifying to They also pick a larger number of Heard. Their presentation was done as see that finally some men are understand- practicum attendees who are mainly song, rap, and dance. It was moving and ing how important it is for them to get students, grad students or recently out of effective. We were introduced to the involved in creating a saner version of college or the Peace Corps. We started women heading up the UN Women’s masculinity. out together at an orientation conducted Division. We went on to learn about It was stimulating to attend panels by WILPF staff. The week was packed campaigns against violence going on with women from Nigeria, , Pakistan, with workshops in three locations outside around the world. One that seemed Lebanon, Tunisia, , and Costa Rica the UN. That is where I spent most of my effective or at least had very effective ads as well as North America and Europe. I time. I did tour the UN with the entire was the Indian campaign against domes- learned that Australian women have group. But passes to UN sessions were tic violence called Ring the Bell that formed a Security Council Watch group, limited and I didn’t think I would learn encourages bystanders, particularly men, nearly as much listening to the UN to get involved in stopping violence by Women continued on page 5

serious risk of death and injury, and physically and The Invisible Cinema mentally difficult training exercises, which can BY Medina Korajkic, PJC Cost of War Intern drastically alter the psyche. Bullets and bombs are the primary source of physical injury in war. What It seems to me that nominations, awards, and viral Academy Award. Though it didn’t win the award, we fail to discuss, however, is the cause of YouTube videos have a lot to do with whether or the majority of Americans now know that this psychological damage. Before serving, soldiers not the majority of America will see problems that issue exists through the mere mention of the title commented that they never knew if they would be are happening right in front of our faces. I recall during the awards ceremony. Interested in ready to kill a person, when the time came. After Jason Russell narrating a 30-minute video about hosting a screening? Call or email Colleen at 802- aggressive training programs and fighting in a war, the “Invisible Children” of Northern Uganda and 863-2345 x 8 or [email protected]. they have difficulty coming out of a mindset they the violent actions of the LRA. Photos, posters, are trained to live in; a constant state of alertness, stickers, and buttons, reading “KONY 2012” were „ The Wounded Platoon self-defense, and detachment. This film does a plastered everywhere I looked for a week. After Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), one of the great job representing the struggles people endure only a few days and 95 million hits on YouTube, most recognized mental illnesses diagnosed in a in war and in society. the passion died. It has now been a year since this veteran, is more debilitating than people realize. movement began, yet it seems like ages ago. The effects are not limited to jumping at loud „ The War Profiteers Feeling out of the loop? Haven’t succumbed to sounds and having nightmares. This movie In war, things that were once done by the the instant gratification, short attention-span illustrates the devastating aftermath of three army government are now done by companies. The world of viral videos like most of mainstream friends now serving time for a string of murders. government used to provide food, laundry, America? We’ll fill you in on what you’ve been PBS’s Frontline explores how serious psychiatric housing, construction, and vehicle maintenance, missing when it comes to films that are speaking disorders of veterans can lead to violent and self- but these are all now done by companies and paid truth about today’s social justice issues. destructive behavior. for by our tax dollars. Contractors, such as , Parsons Engineering & Construction, „ The Invisible War „ The Ground Truth DynCorp International, Black Water and CACI, are Fast-forwarding to spring 2013, we are presented Another approach to veterans dealing with PTSD, earning billions of dollars working overseas for the with a whole new dilemma, this one being closer this documentary deals with the difficulties of war. Little did we know that $0.40 out of every to home than we realize. The Invisible War, a reentering society. The men and women in this dollar goes to contractors, all of which is documentary written and directed by Kirby Dick film talk about their lives before, during, and after determined by Congress. This documentary gives about veterans of the Armed Forces who suffered the war, when they realize they can no longer lead us much insight into the way that contactors are sexual assaults by fellow service members, gained a a normal life. The military has a tendency to cover working in the war to gain money and how it is lot of attention after being nominated for an up the harsher aspects of serving, which include being hidden from the public.

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Women continued from page 4 Robin’s Nest an idea US women might well emulate as our government tends to have the most sway in defining UN policy. That last Social Forum 2013: Tunisia sentence tells you why, despite vast BY Robin Lloyd agreement among women at the Forum, there was pessimism about achieving a ere on the shores of the Mediter- crats, set himself on fire. The fire started decent agreement on the Arms Trade H ranean Sea, where the govern- by Mohamed Bouazizi has spread around Agreement. ment of Cyprus may collapse the world. The people gathering here will WILPF leadership including Madeleine thereby threatening the euro currency, or honor him, and through their solidarity Rees, WILPF Secretariat General, held a may revive itself, thereby protecting the will continue the revolution. panel on the trafficking of women in corrupt oligarchs who used it as the This area of the world, the Maghreb, is which they emphasized how war and Mediterranean’s Cayman Islands; where one of the most fraught regions of our emergency situations, where military Italy vacillates in the formation of a new planet. is causing the personnel ruled, created an accommodat- government and where is spell- Sahara to sprawl beyond its borders, and ing atmosphere for sex trafficking. Earlier bound by charges of greed and corrup- is impelling a tsunami of migration, while in the week WILPF held a panel on the tion against former President Sarkozy; patriarchal governments focus on nexus of violence against women and war. where, in other words, the tottering diminishing and undermining the abilities There was little disagreement among the edifice of European capitalism is suc- of the women and young people who women present that we need to sharply cumbing to its excesses; here, on the have the insights and energy to attempt curtail, or better yet, end the arms trade, African shore of the Mediterranean real solutions. but that is as likely to happen as serious thousand of ‘those from below’ are The ‘indignatos’, and Occupiers of all gun control passing in the USA. gathering from March 26-30 for the first countries, their tents torn down by the I was heartened by the impressive World Social Forum in the Arab world. authorities, are meeting here. Will their international network WILPF has and It is in Tunisia that the Arab spring voices be heard? They will make their how important a tool this could be. I was began. On December 17, 2010, a young own news, and they rely on you to also struck, as I was in Beijing in 1995, man, whose dream of a better world had disseminate it. Please follow develop- with how much agreement there is among been continually thwarted by bureau- ments at www.fsm2013.org. women and how much we face the same problems of violence in the home and from war and war related crises. A few decades of feminist academics telling us that we can’t say “women” has not changed the reality of our still incredibly oppressive situation as women. The mostly men ruling the world seem hell- bent on more arms and more wars and ignoring the ecological crisis. Ordinary women can’t ignore those realities on the ground and are likely to be most affected by them. The good news is that each time I go to one of these gatherings there are more women from more countries and they keep getting stronger.

Peace & Justice Center receives threatening phone message On Friday, March 22nd, the Center received a threatening phone message about our “Making Whiteness Visible” event on April 7th in Essex. Our racial justice program works to combat institutional racism and encourage cultural competency. In the message it is clear that the caller misinterprets the focus of the workshop. This event is intended to help include all people in the fight for racial justice. It will not “single white people out as being the problem,” as the caller assumes. It highlights how racism is an injustice we should all be concerned with and that we all are effected by. The caller’s says she will be forwarding the information to a “certain neo-Nazi organization” and she ends the call with a spooky and sarcastic “I hope only friendly people show up. Bye-bye.” We do not take this threat lightly, it is important that people who attend our events are safe. This is a wake-up call that even extreme racism and intolerance are present in our community. It is important that we all join together to fight for racial justice; we will not be defeated by ignorance or hate.

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Racial Justice Educate a Girl and She Will Change the World

BY Morgan Sherry, PJC Racial Justice Intern

t was in the wake of the PJC’s With such different lives to I involvement with the One Billion lead, these incredible young Rising campaign (February 2013), a women share one very movement dedicated to ending violence important goal: They want an against women, that I discovered another education. campaign with a mission to improve the 10x10 partners with policy well being of global women. This cam- leaders to influence govern- paign is called 10x10 and is a global ments and global institutions action campaign that recently produced to enact and enforce laws that the film, Girl Rising. ensure each girl has an equal 10x10 has a simple mission, but opportunity to fulfill her full essential to the success of young women potential. The campaign around the world. Their campaign focuses on the education of women around and wait for others to make believes that by educating girls in because they feel that educated girls change, but we need not wait. developing nations, in due time, the world have the ability to dramatically improve The 10x10 campaign and the producers will change for the better. Through the the well being of their families, communi- of Girl Rising have three major changes power of storytelling and social issue film ties, and their countries. Educated young they seek to make in the world: To change making, 10x10 has created the film Girl women can, and will help reduce world- minds, lives, and policies. These activists Rising. With the help of former ABC wide poverty, child mortality, HIV are forming a strong media presence and journalists such as Kayce Freed infection rates, corruption, and change continuing fundraising in hopes of one Jennings, and The Documentary Group, the conditions that lead to terrorism. day seeing the change they desired. The this incredible idea was transformed into The power of an education mixed with PJC is hoping to have a screening of this a spectacular film that tells the personal the influence of motivated women, is a film locally. If you are interested in stories of nine extraordinary girls from recipe for success in terms of bettering learning more contact Kyle at 863-2345 x6 nine different countries around the world. the lives of women. It is easy to sit or [email protected].

Listening to the Voices of Parents country and throughout the military world. His stories as a real life witness express the true nature Conversations On Race Now (CORN) was founded comfortable talking about race ourselves and with of what it was like, what we see today and what six years a go by Vivian Mason and Susan Linskey others. the vision for our future may hold as we explore as a direct result of attending a weekend seminar undoing racism in our community. by The Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond Susan and Vivian provide a structure, respectful The majority of this event will be hearing from [organized by the Peace & Justice Center]. As guidance and emotional connections. The next parents in our community as they engage in mothers of children of color, their experiences CORN event is the second part of a presentation facilitated dialogue addressing their experiences in with all aspects of racism and feeling a sense of from October, “Voices of Youth” -in a restorative relationship to race/racism in their lives. Kiah Ellis, isolation and silence around race/racism in our circle. This April 25th event will be the “Listening to will be the facilitator, he is an undergraduate culture, drew them together to create a mecha- Voices of Parents” -in a restorative circle, with student, pursuing a history/philosophy degree at nism to create communications. audience participation. UVM, a competitive snowboarder, and was a member of the youth circle in October. This event The keynote speaker is Robert L. Walsh, noted CORN was born from this desire to have folks is free and open to the public. engage in talks about their life experiences and author, graduate of Colgate and MA from UVM. share with one another in a safe, supportive, non- Bob retired from the USMC as Lt. Colonel, served Listening to the Voices of Parents threatening environment. The key element of as a member of the VT House of Representatives, (in a restorative circle) Thursday, April 25, 2013 CORN is to provide safety for people of different adjunct faculty at UVM, and taught African Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect St, backgrounds, ages and ethnicity in order to have American Studies at South Burlington H.S. His life Burlington. 7:15-9:00 pm. More info: genuine conversations. Their goal is to bring experience in these areas has afforded him a wide [email protected]. people together, build community, and become range of experience related to racism in our state,

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Caucasian reveals that there have been The Imposition of the Death Penalty 276 of these cases, which resulted in an BY Jack Mulderrig, PJC Racial Justice Intern execution. Of the 276 executions, 257 cases had black defendants and white n the fall of my sophomore year at Many view the death penalty as a cruel victims and only 19 of these cases, I college, my roommate and I and unusual punishment, others question included a white defendant and a black decided to participate in a civil the punishment’s constitutionality and victim. demonstration, along with members of the some debate it on the basis of morality Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold Peace & Justice Club. The protest began and religious conviction. Yet one compo- stated in 2003, “We simply cannot say we on Main Street and continued along nent of this complex and volatile issue is live in a country that offers equal justice Church Street until we reached our often not recognized. How does race play to all Americans when racial disparities destination, the Federal Building in a role in the imposition of a death plague the system by which our society downtown Burlington, Vermont. Through- sentence? imposes the ultimate punishment”. When out the march we repeated our mantra, According to deathpenalty.org, from considering cases like Troy Davis and his “Free Troy Davis, Free Troy Davis.” 1976 to 2012, 1320 people have been worrisome execution we begin to recog- In 1991, Troy Davis, a man of color, executed in the United States by our nize how someone of color is more likely was convicted of the 1989 murder of Mark criminal justice system. The national to be executed, even when evidence MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah police average cost incurred by taxpayers for presented at trial may seem suspect. officer. Davis maintained his innocence those defendants sentenced to capital These disproportionate statistics show throughout the trial and insisted in a punishment is $2.4 million. Unfortunately, that ethnicity may be a significant factor conversation with Rhonda Cook of the studies suggest that defendants who are when juries and judges decide whether or Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “The people of color are far more likely to not to impose the death penalty. Statistics incident that night was not my fault. I did receive the death penalty than white indicate that only .89% of all homicide not have a gun.” Davis was found guilty defendants. According to the Equal convictions result in a death sentence. upon the testimony of witnesses and, in Justice Initiative, as of 2012, more than An examination of even that small some unknown measure, because Davis half of the 3,120 defendants on death row percentage of convictions shows enough had been charged in a previous unrelated are people of color and 42% of those empirical data and evidence to question shooting. Since the time that the guilty defendants are . Close the role which race plays when a defen- verdict was rendered, in August of 1991, analysis of the cases involving interracial dant is sentenced to death. When racial seven out of nine prosecution witnesses murders up to 2012 in which the people disparity exists we are all diminished and at the trial have recanted their testimony. involved were African American and ultimately equality is merely an illusion. Three of the eyewitnesses have indicated that their testimony had been coerced by the police. Of the two witnesses that stand by their testimony, one has been called into question due to his inability to initially identify Troy Davis as the shooter. The credibility of the other witness has been undermined because he was also a suspect in the murder of Officer Mark MacPhail. In addition, new witnesses have come forward and have identified another individual as the shooter. Despite conflicting witness testimony and a growing uncertainty of Davis’ guilt, on March 28, 2011, the United States Supreme Court denied defendant Troy’s final appeal. Sadly, after twenty years on death row, Troy Davis was executed by lethal injection, on September 21, 2011. His guilt or innocence remains the source of much concern. Capital Punishment is an issue unlike any other. The existence of the death penalty has been debated for years.

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Nonviolence create the quality of connection within and between human beings that enhances the quality of life for everyone. He Inspiring Workshop: Peace is Possible defines nonviolent communication as “a By Taylor Dorn, PJC Intern language that serves as a simple model for understanding ourselves and each In February the Peace & Justice that enhances life, the positive applica- other.” In order to successfully communi- Center was honored to host Dr. tion of power.” Such power is used to cate nonviolently, participants must be I empathetic of their counterpart’s needs John Reuwer who presented his manipulate situations in order to fulfill three-part Peace is Possible workshop individual needs, and some of the and must share their own needs honestly. series. For the last 30 years, Dr. Reuwer different types of power include physical, Dr. Reuwer expanded upon these has studied and taught alternative financial, authority, knowledge, etc. It is requirements of empathy and honesty by methods of conflict resolution and now the application of such power in order to distinguishing between four relevant serves as a faculty member for the satisfy our needs, however, that deter- dyads: observation vs. judgments, National Peace Academy as well as on the mines whether we resort to , feelings vs. thoughts, needs vs. strate- board of Kids4Peace Vermont. These violent, or nonviolent action. gies, and requests vs. demands. He workshops received so much positive Another major aspect of this session stressed that in order to successfully feedback that Dr. Reuwer has agreed to was the discussion of self inflicted navigate these dyads, you must utilize a come back and teach them a second time violence and the importance of mental language that observes the situation as it in April. Among the attendees of the peace. Dr. Reuwer stressed that we are is without the bias of your own opinion, workshops was Burlington City Mayor much more violent with ourselves than recognize and share your feelings and Weinberger as well as other Burlington with other people, claiming that last year needs, and make requests without residents and college students who are there were twice as many suicides as expectations. Such a request, he ex- passionate about ending our culture of there were homicides in our country plained, would have to be a positive, violence and promoting a peaceful future. (38,364:16,259). Such violence is the result time-delineated request that respects the In the Peace from A to Z workshop, the of personal failure to satisfy our needs in opponent’s response and then gives total first section of this three part series, Dr. one way or another. Dr. Reuwer stated freedom to decline your request. Abiding Reuwer covers different types of vio- that our feelings act as stabilizers to by these key instructions, differing lence, strategies to manage conflict maintain a homeostasis of needs balance parties can recognize the others’ needs peacefully, steps to achieving mental in order to ensure that we fulfill our and work peacefully to come to a satisfac- peace, and the underlying root causes of needs. tory compromising of needs. violence. Dr. Reuwer claims that we as However, our culture and educational In the final installment of the workshop human beings all have the same basic system teaches us that only women can series, Non-Violent Action, Dr. Reuwer needs, as is portrayed in Maslow’s have feelings and men cannot express defined the principles of non-violent hierarchy of needs pyramid, but that it is them, as well as instills the notion that action and discussed why it is so much the strategies we use to satisfy these individuals are not allowed to have more effective and powerful than resort- needs and manage conflict that will personal needs and must instead fulfill ing to violence. He explained that the determine if we respond with violence or other peoples need requirements and main principle of active non-violence is to not. The process of conflict management, ignore their own. Quoting Dr. Reuwer, take action through the application of he explained, starts with a conflict which there is “no greater recipe to mental power that does not harm anyone in the leads to negotiation, and from there can illness than to think that you shouldn’t process. Active non-violence, he ex- result in either appeasement, violence, or take care of or acknowledge your needs plained, is much more successful than nonviolent action. Of these, Dr. Reuwer and must take care of others instead.” violence, as studies have found that defined violence as “a power which Ultimately, Dr. Reuwer stressed that it is conflicts are 2.5 times more likely to be diminishes life, starting with verbal necessary to recognize that feelings are successfully resolved with non-violent violence which can either be spoken or clues to guide you towards fulfilling your action than with violence. unspoken.” need requirements and that every There are many reasons why non- He further stated that there are three individual should develop a nonviolent violent action is more effective than different types of violence, including strategy to get their needs met. achieving needs through violent mea- unintentional violence (accidents, natural In the second part of the workshop sures. Non-violent action is more consis- disasters, etc.), intentional violence series, Nonviolent Communication, Dr. tent with our human morals and as such (interpersonal or self directed violence) Reuwer discussed how to successfully is easily accepted by a greater number of and questionably intentional violence utilize nonviolent communication as a people. Also, non-violent action is based (psychological abuse, political repres- strategy for fulfilling individual needs on a more realistic view of power, one that sion, structural violence, etc.). In compari- during a conflict. He explained that the relies on a pluralistic form of governance son, he defines as “a power intent of nonviolent communication is to rather than a monolithic system. Finally, non-violent action is much more cost

research z policy z action April-June 2013 9 effective, in terms of economic, human, and environmental costs. An American soldier costs $100,000 to train and deploy, Nonviolent Communication Seminar whereas a Christian peacemaker costs Lead by John F. Reuwer, MD $15,000. Also, non-violent peacekeeping forces have little to no casualties, If you wish you could find more peace within yourself, or have more energy and skills to make peace whereas the military has enormous human with people you love and people you don’t, this seminar is for you. The “language of life” has been casualties. Additionally, there are huge used as a description of nonviolent communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg, and adapted environmental costs associated with the here by Dr. Reuwer. US military, which is the greatest environ- mental polluter in the world. This work- This highly interactive day will give you the opportunity to develop valuable skills to make life easier and shop made it clear that non-violent action more enjoyable. Areas to be covered include: is much more effective than resorting to violence, but Dr. Reuwer stressed that it 1. Definitions of peace – what does peace mean to you? is essential for us as a global society to 2. What makes human beings tick - what is alive in us that motivates us to do everything we do – start believing in its effectiveness in order an overview of NVC. for it to be successfully utilized. 3. Learning to experience the freedom and power that comes from seeing things as they are Dr. Reuwer expands in greater depth (before we judge how they should be): transforming “should” energy into living energy. upon many of the themes outlined in this 4. Learning the power of feelings – what they tell us, and how we can transform even negative article. To learn more about these issues, emotions into energy for positive change. the Peace & Justice Center will be hosting 5. Our beautiful needs – how they define who we are and where we want to go. Peace from A to Z on April 11, Introduc- 6. Learning to make requests of yourself and others in a manner that creates the peace you want. tion to Nonviolent Communication on 7. Practicing the language of life. How to carry this into your world to make life easier and more April 18, and Introduction to Nonviolent peaceful with anyone you encounter. You will have the opportunity to practice real life situations in Action on April 25. Workshops will be a safe environment if desired. held at the Peace & Justice Center, 7-8:30 pm. Please register beforehand. Individual Where: Peace & Justice Center, 60 Lake St, Burlington workshops are $20/session or for all When: Saturday April 6, 2013, 9am - 5pm (Bring a brown bag lunch) three workshops, the cost is $50. You can Cost: $90 (full and partial scholarships available, application required) register by calling Kyle Silliman-Smith at Register by contacting Kyle: 863-2345 x6 or [email protected] 863-2345 x 6 or [email protected].

The PJC acts as an incubator for many activist groups through Allied Membership. VTJP is one of those members and their message follows:

Support VTJP with a Donation in 2013

Israel’s of Palestine is in its 46th year, and there is no occupation movement. Most recently, we brought Dr. Marc Ellis, a end in sight…but many Americans are waking up to its savagery and leading scholar on liberation theology and activist, to Burlington. injustice. Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/, the leading z An art exhibition & film series on the struggle for freedom in advocacy organization in Vermont dedicated to ending the occupation occupied Palestine. and achieving a just peace, needs donations to fund its community z A public campaign calling on Ben & Jerry’s—yes, our Ben & organizing and public outreach programs. Many of you responded to a Jerry’s!—to stop selling ice cream in Jewish-only settlements in Occupied similar appeal last year. Here is what your donation will make possible: Palestine. Details at www.vtjp.org/icecream/ z Salaam Shalom: Report on Palestine-Israel. The only z Building a more expansive network with New England-based “” television program in New England dedicated exclusively to solidarity organizations. reporting on the occupation. A donation to VTJP goes a long way, and your contribution is tax z Our website ((www.vtjp.org). One of the most extensive in the world deductible. To contribute, make out a check to the: Peace and Justice on Israel-Palestine. Center, 60 Lake Street #1C, Burlington, VT 05401. IMPORTANTANT: z Public engagements across Vermont by VTJP members. Please write “VTJP” in the memo line of the check. Thank you. z Public forums with prominent leaders and activists of the anti-

research z policy z action 10 April-June 2013

CALENDAR

April 2013

[7] Sunday z 7pm Fed Up VT meeting at PJC every Monday. z 12-1 Will Miller Green Mountain Chapter of Vets for Peace live call-in [email protected] show on Channel 15. [7] Tuesday z 1pm Film: Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible with speaker z 6:30 Peace & Popcorn on the first Tuesday of every month. A casual Sha’an Mouliert. Brownell Library, Essex Jct. More info: Kyle at 863-2345. screening of peace and social justice films from the PJC’s library, chosen by [8] Monday the group that night. Join us for a good film and good company. z 6-8pm Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel meeting at PJC. [9] Thursday [11] Thursday z 5-6:30pm Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) meeting at the Peace & Justice Center. 862-4929. z 5-6:30pm Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) meeting at the Peace & Justice Center. 862-4929. [11] Saturday z 7-8:30pm Peace is Possible workshop series: Peace from A to Z. Register z 11am-1pm Fair Trade Day Festival in City Hall Park. with Kyle at 863-2345 x6. $20/sesession or $50/series. Also 4/18 & 4/25. [13] Monday [15] Monday z 6-8pm Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel meeting at PJC. z Global Day of Action on Military Spending. Drone vigils statewide. See p. 1 [18] Saturday z 7pm Drone Warfare with speaker Medea Benjamin. At the First Unitarian z 1pm Vets For Peace meet the 3rd Sat. of the month at the Kellogg Universalist Society of Burlington. Co-sponsored by the UU Social Justice Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Web committee.

z 7pm Fed Up VT meeting at PJC every Monday. Fed Up VT is a radical grassroots women’s rights coalition fighting for economic equality, reproductive rights, and freedom from gender-based violence. June 2013 [email protected] [4] Sunday [18] Thursday z 12-1 Vets for Peace live call-in show on Channel 15. z 7-8:30pm Peace is Possible series: Nonviolent Communication. See 4/11. [3] Monday [20] Saturday z 6:15pm Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad Sister City Committee meeting at z 1pm Vets For Peace meet the 3rd Sat. of the month at the Kellogg Burlington College. Hubbard Library, Montpelier. z 7pm Fed Up VT mtg at PJC every Monday. [25] Thursday [email protected] z 7-8:30pm Peace is Possible series: Nonviolent Action. See 4/11. [4] Tuesday z 7:15-9pm Listening to the Voices of Parents (in a restorative circle). z 6:30 Peace & Popcorn on the first Tuesday of every month. A casual Presented by CORN (Conversations On Race Now). Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, screening of peace and social justice films from the PJC’s library, chosen by 188 N. Prospect St., Burlington. the group that night. Join us for a good film and good company. [10] Monday May 2013 z 6-8pm Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel meeting at PJC. [13] Thursday [5] Sunday z 5-6:30pm Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom z 12-1 Vets for Peace live call-in show on Channel 15. (WILPF) meeting at the Peace & Justice Center. 862-4929. [6] Monday [15] Saturday z 6:15pm Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad Sister City Committee meeting at z 1pm Vets For Peace meet the 3rd Sat. of the month at the Kellogg Burlington College. Hubbard Library, Montpelier.

research z policy z action April-June 2013 11 Supreme Court Takes Campaign Finance Re- Campaign Finance Case form in Vermont

BY Teasella Nguyen PJC Intern BY Jenna Henning, PJC Intern

n February 19th, 2013, the Supreme Court announced that lections lie at the foundation of American democracy. it will hear a case challenging the per-biennial cycle limit As such, it is crucial to ensure the integrity of the O on campaign contributions from individuals. The case of E electoral process and prevent the appearance of corrup- McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission, argues that the tion. A serious hindrance to this is the influence of money in limit on what individuals are allowed to give to candidates politics, or more specifically, campaign contributions. Following (approximately $46,200 per two-year cycle) and parties and PACs the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizen’s United ruling, which allows (approximately $70,800 per two-year cycle) is an unconstitutional for unlimited donations by companies and unions to political violation of the individual donor’s free speech rights. parties, there is little that states can do with regard to contribu- The US Court of Appeals has already ruled in favor of keeping tion limits. And despite the overwhelming popular support in the biennial limits, which have been in place since 1971 and was Vermont to amend corporate personhood and limitless corporate upheld in the 1976 Buckley vs. Valeo case. With the acceptance contributions, there is little political clout for legislation of that of this case, the Supreme Court is stepping into a deeper magnitude. controversial campaign finance case. Just about three years after Instead, the focus seems to be on transparency and account- ruling in Citizens United vs. FEC that corporations and unions ability in campaign financing, a very fine place to start. The can spend whatever amount they are pleased on elections. Vermont Legislature has proposed a bill that makes “miscella- If the court rules against the two-year limits, this would mark neous amendments to campaign finance law.” These amendments the first time that a court has overturned a part of landmark call for an increased frequency in reporting campaign contribu- Buckley ruling that deals with campaign contribution limits. It tions and expenditures, greater disclaimer information, and a would not be a surprise since Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was searchable compilation of this information in a database on the replaced by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court’s Secretary of State’s website. conservative bloc who is opposed to campaign regulation. The text of the bill states that candidates, political committees All campaign finance reformers are calling on the court to (PAC’s), and political parties must file contributions or expendi- maintain the Buckley precedent; they fear that any overturning of tures of $500 or more in their campaign finance reports to the Buckley will lead to the erosion of contribution limits and other Secretary of State: 1) quarterly in the first half of the two-year campaign finance precedents. general election cycle, 2) monthly in the second half of the two Democracy 21 president Fred Wertheimer said in his state- year general election cycle, 3) biweekly from the primary to the ment, “If the Supreme Court reverses its past ruling in Buckley, general election, and 4) two weeks after the general election. This the Court would do extraordinary damage to the nation’s ability is quite a change from the monthly requirement of the previous to prevent the corruption of federal officeholders and govern- statute. ment decisions….It would also represent the first time in history Related to this is the concept of disclosure, which would that the Court declared a federal contribution limit unconstitu- provide access to the identities of donors a well as the amount of tional.” their contribution. By forcing disclosure, voters are better able to A ruling to overturn the biennial limits would not affect the see who is influencing their ballot. And the creation of the amount an individual donor could give to a candidate, but with searchable database on the Secretary of State’s website allows the victory fund, a candidate could potentially solicit a single for this information to be retrieved as efficiently as possible. This contribution from one donor of not more than $3,627,600. is certainly a key factor because what good is the information if it With the expansion of the victory fund, it represents an is not readily available to the public. obvious way of ruling in favor of repealing limits that could affect The only other suggestion I can make is greater penalties for campaign financing immediately. The greater worry for a lot of any violation of the proposed campaign finance law. Without finance reformers is how a ruling against limits could affect future strict application and even stricter enforcement there will not be cases. much in the way of preventing non-disclosure or non-reporting. Transparency in campaign financing is essential to ensuring accountability and public trust in the democratic process. “If the Supreme Court reverses its past ruling Hopefully, the bill will pass political muster and pave the way in Buckley, the Court would do extraordinary for future legislation aimed at even greater campaign finance reform. damage to the nation’s ability to prevent the corruption of federal officeholders and government decisions…”

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