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.

SPC’s Monthly Program
VIDEO:
WHY WE FIGHT

Thursday, May 17, 7 pm

Westcott Community Center
826 Euclid Ave.

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 SPC’s 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!
Bring the Troops Home”

Tuesdays: 4:45-5:30 pm

Carpooling available from SPC

May 1: Rt. 57 and Vine St., Village of Liverpool
May 8: Seneca Tpk. and S. Salina St. (Valley)
May 15: Rt. 257 (Fayette St.) and Rt. 173 (E. Seneca Tpk.), Manlius
May 22: James Street and Thompson Rd. (Northside) May 29: S. Salina St. and E. Colvin St. (Southside)
June 5: Rt. 695 exit ramp to W. Genesee St. (Fairmount)

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.