Peace Council Pages
Educate, Agitate, Organize SPC IN ACTION compiled by Andy Mager |
Syracuse Peace Council 924 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203 (315) 472-5478 SPC@peacecouncil.net www.peacecouncil.net OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 10 am - 5 pm STAFF and INTERN Email Addresses: Andy Mager andy@peacecouncil.net Carol Baum carol@peacecouncil.net Jessica Maxwell jessica@peacecouncil.net Aly Wane aly@peacecouncil.net |
Meeting with Walsh
As PNL readers know, the Local Cost of the
War Committee has been gathering petition signatures calling for an immediate
withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. On April 10, a Peace Council delegation delivered
over 1500 signatures to Congressman Jim Walsh at the Federal Building. The delegation,
made up of Jim Resti (Peace Action), Sandy Sanderson, Menno Heinreichs, Michelle
Feak, and John Burdick met with Walsh for 40 minutes.
During the meeting Walsh stated he wanted the troops out of Iraq and that he
agreed with the basic intent of the troop withdrawal bill just passed by the
House. He did not agree with that bill's key features - announcing deadlines
and cutting off funds. But he offered no alternative. The delegation did an
excellent job of reminding Walsh of the parallel to Viet Nam: for six years
an enormous number of soldiers and civilians died because the US prolonged the
inevitable. Walsh did not deny the comparison with Iraq. At the end of the meeting,
he said he was open to future visits.
The committee is developing plans to turn petitions in to Senators Schumer and
Clinton and continue efforts to end the war. (See www.peacecouncil.net/iraq
for a specific proposal to end the US occupation.) -John Burdick
May Day Candle Light Vigil
Come out to oppose the Iraq War on Tuesday, May 1 at
8 pm for a candlelight vigil at the intersection of E. Genesee St.
and Salt Springs Rd. on the eastside of Syracuse.
History tells us that sustained grassroots pressure can force policy makers
to change. That's what is required to bring the bloody and immoral Iraq War
to an end. Join us in shedding light on the terrible suffering and recommitting
ourselves to ending the war.
SPCs
Monthly Program
|
VIDEO:
WHY WE FIGHT Thursday, May 17, 7 pm Westcott
Community Center Filmed during the Iraq War, this documentary dissects the US military machine with a keen eye to answering the question: Why does the US engage in war? Winner of the 2005 Sundance Grand Jury Award. followed by refreshments & discussion. FREE |
On-street parking is available on Salt Springs Rd. and nearby side streets. Carpooling, biking and walking are encouraged.
Dylan Tribute to Benefit SPC
Every year Jamie Notarthomas organizes a tribute night on Bob Dylan's birthday
- May 24. This year's tribute will be larger
than ever and held at the Palace Theatre, 2384 James St., Syracuse at 7
pm. Jamie has generously offered to share a portion of the proceeds
with the Syracuse Peace Council. Come out for an
energizing evening of amazing music!
Tickets at the door: $10-15 sliding scale, $5 for 15 and under.
Activist Appreciation: Dik
Cool
Over SPC's 71 year history only a few people have
played as vital a role as Dik Cool. Joining the SPC
staff in 1971 shortly after being incarcerated for two years in federal prison
for draft resistance, Dik was a major force in SPC's
development over the next decade and more. The expansion of the Peace Newsletter
to magazine format, the Peace Calendar and NVS (Nonviolent Studies) Films were
all Dik's "babies."
A playful moment in the early years of SPCs Burnet Ave. office, July 1974. Dik Cool is second from right. Also pictured Chris Murray (far left) and Barb Kobritz (far right). Photo: Alex Gottwald |
His passion for linking the power of culture with organizing and
activism, grappling with burnout and wanting to work on a national level led
Dik to leave SPC in the early 1980s to form the
Syracuse Cultural Workers (SCW).
In the aftermath of 9-11, Dik played a key role in SPC's
revitalization, serving on the Steering and Finance Committees and always looking
for ways SCW and SPC can collaborate to mutual
advantage.
Work for Peace
The Westcott Community Center has an Americorps* VISTA position open for an
Outreach Development Coordinator to be placed at the Syracuse Peace Council.
Tasks include enhancing SPC's outreach to youth
on nonviolence and alternative career opportunities, website development and
partnering with community organizations.
To apply, contact Kora Ebling: koraebeling@yahoo.com
or 218-0218.
Bikes 4 Peace Kicks Off Year Five
SPC staffer Jessica Maxwell shows a young person how to patch a tire at a Bikes 4 Peace Clinic on June 8, 2004 at the Northeast Community Center. The program, which is entering its fifth year, always needs more hands, both skilled and unskilled. Photo: Lisa Maynard |
The Syracuse Peace Council's summer bike program
worked with over 100 city youth last year - helping some fix their own bikes
and working with others to fix up donated bikes to give away. This year's free
clinics will start on Tuesday, May 29 and
run every other Tuesday until September 4.
Anyone interested in working with the program or learning more is invited to
a volunteer training on Saturday, May 12 from noon-2
pm. Contact Jessica.
There's a Place for You!
With the multitude of projects buzzing through the SPC
office, we always need additional hands and hearts to join in the work to make
our community, nation and world a peaceful and just place. Some particular areas
where help is needed right now are:
staffing outreach tables at community
events - variable time commitment,
office staffing assistance (phones,
helping with projects, etc.) - at least three hours per week during office hours
coordinating Peace Newsletter
mailing parties, always a fun event - five hours per month
helping with ongoing committees
(Local Cost of the War, NOON, Military Alternatives Education Project, Caribbean/Latin
America Coalition, Plowshares, Peace Newsletter, Finance, Facilities...
To lend a hand, email spc@peacecouncil.net
or call 472-5478.
SPC on the Move
PNL readers are aware that the Peace Council
will be moving to the new Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice in the
coming months. While there is no precise timeline, we expect the move to occur
this summer. SPC looks forward to relocating to
a more central, visible facility and sharing quarters with other organizations.
(See www.syracusecenter.org/ for
more detail.) To help us prepare for the move, lend a hand at a cleanup day
at our current office on Saturday, May 5 from 11 am
- 4 pm, 924 Burnet Ave. Wear work clothes, and we'll provide a healthy
lunch. Contact Andy.
Weekly
Peace Outreach
|
Congress
won't listen unless people make more noise. Join the noise! Tuesdays:
4:45-5:30 pm Carpooling available from SPC May 1:
Rt. 57 and Vine St., Village of Liverpool |
New Look for SPC's E-Newsletter
Feedback on the revised weekly E-Newsletter has been very positive. SPC
staff is overjoyed that Rose Viviano has taken on this detailed task with her
usual gusto and responsible follow through. Sign up to receive it at the bottom
of our webpage: www.peacecouncil.net
Welcome to SPC's New
Bookkeeper
Last December Nina Wickett agreed to be SPC's new
bookkeeper, but due to previous commitments could not start immediately. With
tax season behind her, she can now begin. Nina - often seen on SPC's
bus trips to national marches - brings enthusiasm, a cooperative spirit and
bookkeeping expertise to the work. She has already been helpful in updating
our bookkeeping software and systems. We very much look forward to working with
her.
We cannot thank Chris Riley enough for filling in as bookkeeper from December
through April. She reorganized our systems and created a manageable job for
Nina. SPC is fortunate that Chris will continue
to serve on the Finance Committee.
Onondaga Creek Struggle
for Justice with Gets Notice
At press time the Partnership for Onondaga Creek was busy pressuring the Syracuse
Common Council to amend the backroom deal made between Mayor Driscoll and County
Executive Nick Pirro last month (see
April '07 PNL).
Their efforts received a boost by the timely publication of a feature article
in the spring issue of Ms. Magazine, "The Dirty Saga of Onondaga County"
by SU African-American Studies Professor Linda Carty. Check it out at www.onondagacreek.org.
Thank You NewStandard
On April 23 we received word that due to financial shortfalls the NewStandard
would cease publication. This important online source of news coverage, born
here in Syracuse, will be sorely missed. We appreciate the staff, particularly
Brian Dominick and Jessica Azulay with whom we've had the opportunity to work
over the years, for their pioneering work.