Central New York Voices for Peace and Social Justice November 2005 747 Iraq Anti-War Activism Intensifies “This is What Democracy Looks Like” On August 5, Cindy Sheehan addressed the Veteran’s for Peace Convention in Dallas. She said, “I was hoping to come to the banquet tomorrow night, but un- less George comes out and talks to me, I’ll be camping at Crawford.” With that she went to Crawford, Texas and camped out for weeks, drawing veterans, families Kinane) began a two-week fast outside Syracuse-area anti-war activists heading to and activists to her (including Syracusan the International Monetary Fund Building Washington, DC to join the UFPJ mobiliza- Kathleen Rumpf). in Washington, DC. Among other things, tion. Hundreds of thousands demanded an Camp Casey, named in honor of her Voices called for the cancellation of the end to the Iraq war and the return home of son killed in Iraq, ratcheted up grassroots tens of billions of dollars in debt incurred our troops. Tens of thousands stayed for the efforts to get the US out of Iraq. The by Saddam Hussein, but still supposedly Operation Ceasefire concert and a two-day energy that Camp Casey generated led owed by the Iraqi people. Peace and Justice Festival. Many in Syracuse to the “Bring Them Home Now Tour” Locally, Unitarian-Universalist minister and elsewhere who could not go to DC joined – three busloads of military and gold star David Blanchard began a 28-day fast for in local marches and demonstrations. families, Iraq veterans, and Veterans for peace on September 15. At least 60 others The UFPJ Mobilization went beyond Peace. Each bus traveled a different route joined him in some way. marching. On Monday, 800 people from more from Crawford to Washington, DC to take On September 19 the St. Patrick’s than 40 states visited over 300 Congressional part in the United for Peace and Justice Four began their weeklong federal trial offices in the largest ever pro-peace lobby (UFPJ) Mobilization on September 24-26. in Binghamton. On March 17, 2003, just day. That afternoon hundreds more marched SPC organized a Syracuse tour stop. before the “shock and awe” invasion of to the White House to demand a meeting In late August, Hurricane Katrina Iraq, the four had committed nonviolent with George Bush. Over 370, including devastated the Gulf Coast and exposed civil disobedience in a military recruiting four Syracusans, were arrested (see page the racism in US society. It also exposed center. Their state trial resulted in a hung 3). One of the bus drivers transporting us the economic trade-offs forced by so jury. The federal government decided to to detention promised us he would tell his many resources being diverted to making reprosecute them, adding the serious charge political science major daughter, “This is war. Public support for the war went into of conspiracy. They were found not guilty what democracy looks like.” steeper decline. of conspiracy, guilty only of minor charges It is up to all of us to build on what has On September 13 Voices for Cre- – a victory. been done and get the US out of Iraq. ative Nonviolence (with Syracusan Ed September 24 saw two busloads of – Carol Baum Published by the Syracuse Peace Council – Founded in 1936 Thanksgiving: An Ancient View We are grateful for the following two pieces from friends at the it is our duty as humans to Onondaga Nation. give thanks to all that we depend on. When people first ar- What would life on earth rived from Europe they would say we were “wor- be like without...? shipping” the sun, the Thanksgiving, the American holiday, is coming once again in moon, etc. This is not true; a few weeks and I have been asked to give a Native American the word “worship” does perspective to add to the usual fare about it. Right from the time not fit. It is an expression humans first existed on earth, humans were given the duty to be of thankfulness. thankful. So, when folks ask me what I think of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day is I say, of course this is a good occasion, one where people are one day out of the year that being thankful. Americans gather together In our Thanksgiving address, that we open and close formal to be thankful for all that gatherings with, we bring our minds together as one and send they have. I’m all for it. our thanksgiving, love and respect to all the parts of creation Enjoy your turkey. that follow their instructions each day. We benefit from Mother – Freida J. Jacques is Earth, the water, the medicines, the berries, the free animals, from the Onondaga Nation the birdlife, the life-giving foods, the trees, the winds, the thun- and serves on the SPC derers, the sun, the moon, and the stars. We give thanks to the Advisory Committee. messengers that brought lessons to earth to help human beings live together in peace. Reflect with me: what would life on earth be like without the water? All life depends on water. What would life on earth Human Time or Earth Time? be like without the sun? Would there be life? What would life People don’t operate in the world’s time, or the time of the on earth be like without the trees? Trees provide oxygen. Would mountain; they operate in the time of the human being. And we survive in an oxygen-depleted world? What would life on that’s probably not a good idea because the time of the human earth be like without having the moon in the night sky? There being is rather short. wouldn’t be a system of tides. How would the oceans react? Our people were always spiritual people…Our first instruc- What would life be like on earth without humans? tion was the ceremony. Humans depend on all parts of creation. We depend on the What you were instructed to do was give thanks for what waters to drink. We depend on the life-giving foods to sustain our is given to you here, to be appreciative…The Pilgrims got hold bodies. We depend on the sun. We depend on the moon. What of it and they called it Thanksgiving. kind of air would we be breathing if the winds didn’t come and Respect is learned through ceremony, as a process, and so clear the air? We would be lonesome without our dogs and kitties. thanksgiving comes as a natural way of being, not something that How would we note the seasons if the geese did not head south? you do occasionally. It’s something that you do all the time. We are totally dependent on these parts of Creation following – Onondaga Chief Oren Lyons, their instructions. Therefore, it makes a great deal of sense that from a 1991 interview with Bill Moyers. The Peace Newsletter (PNL) is published Subscribe to SPC’s weekly e-newsletter: See the monthly by the Syracuse Peace Council (SPC). bottom of our webpage, www.peacecouncil.net. The PNL is the newsletter of SPC as well as a forum for articles which discuss issues of PEACE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE concern to the peace and justice movement. Carol Baum (coordinator), Rae Kramer, Donna The opinions expressed in the PNL reflect Muhs-McCarten, Melissa Osgood, Elisha Peck, the diversity of opinions within SPC itself. Sara Smits. Calendar: Melissa Osgood, Candace Subscriptions are available for $15/year at Saunders. Layout: Andy Mager, Christopher 924 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203. Secor About the cover: The cover photographs SPC STEERING COMMITTEE are from the September 24 March and the Carol Baum, Gary Bonaparte, John Burdick, September 26 civil disobedience action in Joan Conley, Dik Cool, Alanna Gothard, Barbara Washington, DC. It was designed by Lisa Humphrey, Andy Mager, Jessica Maxwell, Beth Maynard; photos by Aimee Jurista, Tarki Mosley, Shirley Novak, Mike Pasquale, Thor Heath and Ann Tiffany. Ritz, Candace Saunders 2 Peace Newsletter November 2005 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 a panel discussion on OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 10 am - 5 pm Dr. Dhafir’s case. The Wed. til 8 pm panelists (and SPC) Staff email addresses: believe there has been Andy Mager <[email protected]> a serious miscarriage Carol Baum <[email protected]> of justice. Dr. DhafirisaSyra- Jessica Maxwell <[email protected]> cuse-area Muslim and physician, who was homes with holes in their roofs and moldy arrested in February walls. Aid from FEMA and the Red Cross 2003, and charged with is not reaching vast areas, and grassroots violating the economic organizations are scrambling to fill in the sanctions against Iraq enormous gaps. The people of New Orleans and money laundering. need activists from across the nation to He was held without bail help meet immediate needs and to fight Ed Kinane was arrested along with over 370 other anti-war activists for for 19 months, awaiting for their rights and their neighborhoods. trying to ask George Bush about the Iraq War on September 26 outside trial, during which time There are a number of amazing organiza- the White House. Photo: Ann Tiffany other charges were added. tions working to help New Orleanians He was found guilty of return, rebuild and fight massive police SPC Goes to Washington 59 of 60 charges. repression and gentrification programs. It was a damp, chilly night outside National The panelists – Magda Bayoumi, To help, contact jessica@disconnection. Park Service headquarters in the crime- Linda Bergh, Barrie Gewanter and Gay org or 423-4783.