Report on UFPJ National Assembly March 17, 2005 Leslie Cagan United For Peace And Justice e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
With all the organizing work we've been doing for the two-year anniversary of the Iraq War, we're just now sending you a reportback from our National Assembly in mid-February. Almost 500 people from at least 275 member organizations of United for Peace and Justice converged in St. Louis. Over the course of three packed and inspiring days, the assembled delegates took part in wide-ranging discussions about how to end the Iraq war and build a diverse and broad-based movement for peace and justice, and made a series of key decisions for the coalition. All of the documents and decisions from the Assembly -- along with four pages of photographs -- are now available on our website at _http://www.unitedforpeace.org/assembly_ (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/assembly) *New Strategic Framework: The Assembly adopted a new Strategic Framework, which outlines the broad parameters for UFPJ's work in the coming period. It defines UFPJ's immediate goal as working to end the war in Iraq, and outlines ways that we will work to link the war to a broad range of connected issues, both foreign and domestic. The text of this document can be found at _http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1872_ (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1872) *Program of Action: Delegates approved a range of proposals which, taken together, constitute an ambitious and strategically focused program of action for the coming 18 months. A summary of the program proposals approved at the Assembly is at the bottom of this email; you can find the full text of the proposals online at _http://meetups.radicaldesigns.org/proposals.php_ (http://meetups.radicaldesigns.org/proposals.php) We will be contacting you soon to get your input on implementation priorities among these important campaigns and projects. *New National Steering Committee: Delegates elected a new 41-person Steering Committee to serve for the next 18 months. The new Steering Committee represents a diverse mix of local and national groups, and a wide range of constituencies; it is 56% people of color, 61% women, 17% youth, 12% queer, and 51% local/regional groups, 49% national organizations. Because the required percentage of youth (20%) and LGBT people (15%) were not met the new Steering Committee will be adding several other people to this body. A list of the new Steering Committee members and the organizations they represent can be found at _http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1874_ (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1874) *Revised Structure Document: Delegates approved a number of changes to UFPJ's structure document, including adopting a requirement that member groups make an annual financial contribution based on their ability to pay; outlining the responsibilities and expectations of Steering Committee members; and mandating the creation of a web-based system for member groups, to be used for reporting, surveying, information and resource sharing, as well as discussion and debate. The full text of the revised structure document can be found at _http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1873_ (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1873) Throughout the weekend powerful cultural presentations added another dimension to the gathering. In music, poetry and dance, the urgency of the issues was expressed and the emotions that so many of us feel were tapped into as an energizing force. In a way rarely experienced at a gathering like this, there was a powerful interweaving of art and politics. Cultural presentations were made by a troop of student dancers from Los Angeles, rap artists 144K Collective, poets Suheir Hammad, Kathy Engel and Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz, and by musicians/singers Tiye Giraud, David Lippman, David Rovics and Ukalalies for Sanity. And in a last minute change of plans, we were able to combine our scheduled evening with Danny Glover with a presentation at St. Louis University by Angela Davis. In addition to skill- and alliance- building workshops and several time slots for networking, the Assembly also featured a range of excellent speakers, including Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, Michael Hoffman from Iraq Veterans Against the War, Mr. Konishi who is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the following panelists: "What Will It Take to End the War in Iraq - A Strategic Discussion" Moderated by Felicia Eaves of Black Voices for Peace and Amy Quinn of the Institute for Policy Studies, presentations were made by Nancy Lessin of Military Families Speak Out, David Cline of Veterans for Peace, Fred Mason of the DC/MD AFL-CIO and co-convenor or US Labor Against the War, Maleena Lawrence of Organized Community of United People in Oakland, Terry O'Neill from the National Organization for Women, Rahul Mahajan of Third Coast Activist Resource Center and Tom Hayden, activist and author. "Building Alliances - Challenges to Our Movement" Moderated by Damu Smith of Black Voices for Peace, presentations where made by George Friday of the Independent Progressive Politics Network, Cliff Suk-Jae Lee of Young Koreans United of USA, Angela Sanbrano of CARECEN in Los Angeles, and Howard Wallace from Pride At Work. "The Artist and Social Change" Moderated by Rev. Osagyefo Sekou on the UFPJ National Staff, this session was a discussion between three artists/activists: Danny Glover, Suheir Hammad and Tiye Giraud. All told, it was an exciting, powerful weekend; a gathering that re-energized everyone and gave new focus to our work to end the Iraq War and resist the Bush Administration's agenda. Without a doubt, the anti-war movement is becoming broader, more diverse, and more strategic -- together we will bring the troops home! from the National Staff, UFPJ ---------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY OF PROGRAM PROPOSALS APPROVED AT THE ASSEMBLY At the United for Peace and Justice National Assembly in St. Louis, Delegates at the United for Peace and Justice from UFPJ member groups approved the six Level #1 and fourteen Level #2 proposals. Level #1 proposals are programs and campaigns that will form the main work of UFPJ in the coming period. Level #2 proposals are campaigns organized and led by member organizations or allies of UFPJ, which we will support through website publicity, email announcements, and/or other similar means. Level #1 Proposals: GRASSROOTS EDUCATION CAMPAIGN A full-scale education campaign to reach potential new allies and expand our base. It launches with teach-ins on March 24, 2005, the 40-year anniversary of the first Vietnam War teach-in. An education working group will be created to develop the long-term educational strategy to reach new constituencies. OPPOSING THE USE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD IN IRAQ A campaign of state-by-state local organizing and action focusing on the deployment of the National Guard. Tactics will include local resolutions, referenda, and hearings before state legislatures and other local/state political bodies on the local impacts of the war in Iraq. This organizing is designed to highlight the many local costs of the war and build local/state-based pressure to oppose the use of the National Guard in the Iraq War. SUPPORTING CLERGY AND LAITY CONCERNED ABOUT IRAQ A campaign to extend and strengthen antiwar work with faith-based institutions, leaders, and communities. The campaign will include support for Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq; organizing or co-sponsoring a series of faith-based activities; and highlighting the moral bankruptcy of the war through printed materials, website content, and email alerts. HIGHLIGHTING THE LOCAL COSTS OF THE WAR A community-based education and direct action campaign to raise awareness about the indirect costs of the war in Iraq as reflected in reduced funding for basic human needs in our communities. Antiwar activists will create alliances with local groups whose programs are facing cuts or closure, in order both to save the programs and educate the public about the impact of the war on their local community. PRESSURING CONGRESS & ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME A campaign of street protests, sit-ins, face-to-face lobbying, call-in days, and other actions to pressure Congress and other elected officials to oppose the war in Iraq. A working group will be formed to design and carry out this campaign, developing creative materials to assist member groups in this work, sharing relevant information, and coordinating with ally organizations that do legislative work. SEPTEMBER MOBILIZATION AGAINST THE WAR A major grassroots mobilization in New York City to demonstrate the breadth and depth of U.S. popular opposition to the Iraq War, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations and the Millennium+5 Summit, which will bring heads of state to New York City. Level #2 Proposals: STOP TORTURE NOW Provide website publicity and support to the efforts by the Center for Theology and Social Analysis, via the STOPTORTURENOW.ORG website, to promote direct action around the issue of torture and illegal detention. Support might include nonviolence training. WAR TAX RESISTANCE Support the Hang Up on War telephone tax resistance campaign through website publicity, endorse the use of the Peace Tax Return, and issue a call for protest actions at IRS offices and post offices on April 15. TAXES FOR PEACE Endorse the campaign for a Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund, extending the right of conscientious objection to taxpayers, and provide publicity to local and/or national campaign actions. COUNTERING RECRUITMENT IN THE SCHOOLS THROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY RESOLUTIONS Encourage member groups to take an active role in promoting school district and city resolutions to ban military recruitment in schools and make opt-out forms and military alternatives available to students. COUNTER-RECRUITMENT CAMPS Endorse and publicize the series of counter-recruitment camps being organized by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition in early summer 2005. TENT STATE UNIVERSITY Endorse and publicize the "Tent State University" actions being organized nationwide in April 2005, which oppose war spending and demand full funding for public higher education. "CHALLENGING HOMELAND REPRESSION" CONFERENCE AND MOBILIZATION Provide publicity and support for a fall 2005 conference and mobilization to build bridges of solidarity between existing human rights groups, civil liberties groups, and affected communities. GLOBAL JUSTICE ACTIONS 2005 Endorse, publicize, and bring an anti-war focus to key global justice actions in 2005, including the IMF/World Bank mobilization (April 15-17); Bio-Dev Actions Against Bio-Weapons and War (June 18-20); G8 Summit (July); FTAA meeting (November); SOA Vigil and Direct Action (Nov. 18-20); national call-in day on WTO takeover of energy services; and the WTO Ministerial (December). PEOPLE'S RATIFICATION OF THE KYOTO GLOBAL WARMING TREATY Publicize and support the Climate Crisis Coalition's grassroots petition campaign in support of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty. YEAR OF REMEMBRANCE AND ACTION FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE WORLD Support and publicize the World Mayors' Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons; issue a call for nationally coordinated days of action on August 6 and 9; and support a U.S. delegation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the August 6-9 commemorations. TAKING THE "NO BLOOD FOR OIL" SLOGAN TO THE CAR COMPANIES Providing listserv and email publicity for the twice-annual days of action at Ford dealerships organized by the Jumpstart Ford campaign, highlighting the links between America's oil addiction and the Iraq War. WEAPONS WATCH Support and publicize the "Weapons Watch" campaign and actions being organized through the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Jewish Voices for Peace, and others, including the April 13 National Day of Action Against Caterpillar. ENDING THIS WAR AND PREVENTING ANOTHER: CUBA EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN Promote and publicize educational activities and materials about aggression against Cuba and other countries threatened with pre-emptive strikes by the United States. SOLIDARITY WITH THE DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLES OF THE HAITIAN PEOPLE Provide website and email publicity to campaigns and days of action developed by the Haiti Action Committee in solidarity with the struggles of the Haitian people. Peace No War Network, ActionLA Coalition and National Immigrant Solidarity Network are member organizations for the United For Peace and Justice ============================================================= Peace, No War War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate Not in our Name! And another world is possible! Information for antiwar movements, news across the World, please visit: http://www.PeaceNoWar.net Please Join PeaceNoWar Listserv, send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/peacenowar Please Donate to Peace No War Network! Send check pay to: ActionLA/SEE 1013 Mission St. #6 South Pasadena CA 91030 (All donations are tax deductible) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> *To Translate this page to Arabic, please visit ajeeb.com: http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/default.asp?lang=1 *To Translate this page to French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese, please visit Systran: http://www.systransoft.com/ <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> **"Report From Baghdad" CD-ROM** Pacifica Radio KPFK Los Angeles Reporter Lee Siu Hin's July 2003 trip to U.S. occupied Iraq. An interactive CD-ROM with articles, photos, audio and video interviews includes: people of Iraq, U.S. military, human rights workers, religious leaders and more! Please Visit the Website: _http://www.actionla.org/Iraq/IraqReport/intro.html_ (http://www.actionla.org/Iraq/IraqReport/intro.html) Each CD costs: $15.00 plus $3.50 S/H (work both PC and Mac) The CD sells will be benefit the Baghdad Independent Media Center, ActionLA, and PeaceNoWar.net *Additional donations are welcome, and it will be tax deductible. For more information, tel: (213)413-1778 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL: www.ActionLA.org Send check/money orders to: ActionLA/SEE 1013 Mission St. #6, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! 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