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| On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011, over 60 people gathered on the north shore of Onondaga Lake for NOON’s Circle of Peace and Hope to express appreciation for the Onondaga Nation’s leadership on environmental restoration and social healing. Photo: JT Lee |
Onondaga Nation Partners with NOON on Two Row Wampum Campaign
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation is thrilled that the Onondaga Nation has agreed to partner with us on the Two Row Wampum Campaign (2013 marks the 400th anniversary of the Two Row Wampum Treaty). We are planning a broad, statewide educational and advocacy campaign to commemorate the first treaty between the Haundenosaunee and European settlers, and an “enactment” of the treaty concept.
Canoes (Haudenosaunee) and boats (settlers) will travel side-by-side down the Hudson River from near Albany to New York City over a two week period in the summer of 2013. The action will provide a graphic illustration of the meaning of the Two Row—two peoples living side-by-side in peace and friendship and not interfering with one another’s societies. We are beginning to connect with people throughout New York State to build this campaign, which will ultimately seek to change policy toward the Haudenosaunee, getting our governments to live up to the treaties which have been violated for hundreds of years. Contact Andy.
No Frackin’ Way!
NOON’s work to protect us from hydrofracking continues and will expand thanks to a $6,000 grant from The Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The grant was the result of a partnership with WESPAC (wespac.org) in White Plains, NY. In the past 12 months, we’ve collected nearly 3,500 signatures on a petition to ban hydrofracking, most of those gathered single-handedly by the unrelenting Tara Rush.
The NYS DEC extended the comment period on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) until January 11. Although they offered no reason for the extension, we assume grassroots pressure played a role. For assistance writing your comments, see the NOON website (peacecouncil.net/noon). Regardless of the comments to the DEC, the ultimate decision lies with Governor Cuomo, so messages to him are extremely important. Write a letter today asking him to stop the destruction of our air, land, and water (see page 9). Send a copy of your comments to your state representatives as well.
NOON continues to have anti-fracking material available, including lawn signs (look great on top of a snow bank), bumper stickers, buttons and educational handouts. To get involved, check out the NOON web site or call Jack Ramsden, 315-424-1454.
Occupy Syracuse Ready for Winter
It’s two and a half months in, and our local occupation is going strong. If you haven’t been down to visit recently, we encourage you to check out the well-organized camp that now includes a large army tent with hand-made bunk beds and a pallet floor, as well as sturdy carports for the camp kitchen and info tent.
In addition to maintaining a 24-hour presence at the camp, occupiers and supporters drew attention to city tax breaks for Bob Congel’s Destiny project—with both a mic check at the mall on black Friday and a mic check at the Common Council chambers during a meeting of the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency, which was well covered by the media. SPC continues to offer resources and support.
Check out occupysyracuse.org to view a calendar of upcoming events and meetings and read general news from the camp. Or better yet, head down to Perseverance Park (on Salina between Fayette and Washington) to visit one of the longest-running occupations in the country.
*A mic check is a human sound amplification system, where the crowd repeats what the speaker says so everyone can hear.
Leftist Lounge
Back by popular demand! We hope that like last spring, Leftist Lounge will be a place for activists to meet, talk sans-agenda, and share informally about the various issues and projects we are working on, putting the social in social movement. We’ll provide the coffee and tea, you bring yourself, maybe a friend, maybe a snack to pass. Spend your Friday with SPC and friends at the Leftist Lounge on January 20, 8-10 pm, in the Center’s Community Room (2013 E. Genesee St., straight through the back door).
Hancock 38 Verdict
On December 1, Judge Gideon announced his verdict to a packed court room in DeWitt. He found the Hancock 38 Drone Resisters all guilty of “obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic” and “refusing to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse,” both low-level violations. He disregarded the free speech and international law arguments made by the defendants.
The sentences were immediate, somewhat arbitrary, and harsh, given the nature of the violations and how difficult the judge claimed his decision-making had been. The 26 defendants present each received a fine of $250 plus a court fee of $125. In addition, most were given community service (up to 25 hours) and one-year conditional discharges. Four people got jail time, from four to 15 days. Two of the four seemed to be singled out as leaders, even though the protest was planned collectively with no hierarchical leadership. The other two spoke very critically during their sentencing statements, but so did others who did not receive jail sentences, even when they asked for jail in solidarity with their fellow protestors.
Before the verdict and sentencing, the Hancock 38 held a well-attended news conference, stating that the verdict is indeed in—the drones are illegal.
Another court date is ahead. Come and support the Hancock 38 once more—Wednesday, February 29 at 5 pm at the Town of DeWitt Court House. Four people will be sentenced (Col. Ann Wright, Veterans for Peace President Elliott Adams, Dorothy Day’s granddaughter Martha Hennessy, and Jules Orkin); Kathy Kelly will appear for her trial; and anyone who has refused to pay their fines and/or perform their community service must appear before the judge.
Thanks to videographer Nick Papatonis, the judge’s statements, the closing arguments and everyone’s sentencing statements are on SPC’s YouTube channel. There are also transcripts of the closing arguments (see peacecouncil.net/drones or upstatedroneaction.org). To get involved with SPC’s Ground the Drones Committee, contact Carol.
PeaceSongsCNY
Help select the final four songs for SPC’s first PeaceSongsCNY CD. We’ve partnered with the Syracuse New Times to create an online poll which opened on December 21 and will close on Martin Luther King’s Birthday, January 15. Check out peacecouncil.net/songs for the link to the poll and to listen to the 13 songs which have already been selected. Stay tuned for information on the CD-release party later in the winter. Contact Andy.
Skillbuilding: Nonviolent Direct Action
Flash Mobs, Mic Checks, Blockades, Die-Ins and More! The Peace Council wants to make sure that activists have the skills and knowledge needed to work for social change. Nonviolent direct action has been part of our work since the beginning, so this month SPC organizers invite folks to a brief overview on planning and carrying out nonviolent direct actions. We’ll look at some recent actions, both local and national, and discuss what makes an action work well. We’ll also practice some basic skills and review topics that are covered in a full direct action training. People with all levels of experience (and inexperience) are welcome. Join us at 7 pm on January 26 at 250 S. Clinton St., the new office of SEIU 1199. Contact Jessica or Carol.
A Green Energy Future for NY
SPC is working with a new statewide alliance of groups pushing for a Carbon-Free, Nuclear Free NY. In December, the alliance hired Jessica Azulay (a former SPC staffer) as a part-time staff person. She’ll be working out of the Citizens Awareness Network/Syracuse Greens office in the Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice. Look for upcoming events and actions in late winter. Contact Jessica Maxwell to support SPC’s involvement.
SPC in Good Financial Shape
Thanks to the hard work of the “FUN” (Fundraising/Development) Committee, a very successful Plowshares and a tremendous 75th anniversary year, SPC ends the year in good financial shape.
Our Pledger Campaign seeking to increase the number of monthly/quarterly pledgers to 75 in honor of the 75th anniversary has gone very well, but at press time we’re still two short of our goal. Please consider joining this important group of SPC supporters. It’s easy, you can pledge via check by mail, credit card or bank/credit union transfer. This dedicated committee would also welcome an additional member or two. Contact Andy.
Retreat!
SPC’s annual retreat will be held the weekend of February 4-5 at Alverna Heights in Fayetteville. Anyone who serves on an SPC committee, works on an SPC project or is otherwise regularly involved is welcome to attend. Our Steering Committee is still planning the agenda, which will be available by mid-January. We generally meet Saturday from 10-5, with a break for lunch, and Sunday from 10-4. We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks to keep everyone going. Participants can come just for the day, or we also have an overnight option. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Jessica.
Winter Peace Outreach
The drones are impervious to the cold, and so are we! The first Tuesday of each month through March we’ll be at the main entrance to Hancock Air Base (E. Molloy Rd. between Thompson and Townline Rds.) from 4:15-5 pm to catch the shift change.
Next Peace Outreach: Tuesday, January 3. Contact Ed or Ann, 478-4571.
Activist Appreciation: Ron Van Norstrand
Even though he had been involved with SPC before, my first real introduction to Ron Van Norstrand came on April 22, when in a moment of desperation I called him about irregularities during the Hancock 38 Drone Resisters’ arraignments. Ron, an attorney, had attended a meeting the night before as a legal resource person, little knowing that 24 hours later his dinner would be interrupted by a quick trip to the court house. That weekend he spent countless hours visiting people in the jail and helping sort out the next steps in the legal process.
Ron was an important part of the legal team, offering his services free of charge. The legal situation was complicated—31 people in a joint trial, nine of whom he represented (sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the stage of the process), one represented by another lawyer, and 21 representing themselves.
From the beginning, Ron was supportive but unobtrusive in offering his services. As much as others were grateful for his help, he expressed even more gratitude for their actions and spoke of feeling humbled. His grace, patience and professionalism through the ups and downs of many court appearances through the spring, summer, fall and now winter were inspiring.
I saw Ron recently at the Occupy Syracuse site. Turns out he is working with an Occupy activist who was recently arrested. It was a little surprising, since he is overdue for a breather, but then again, it’s not surprising at all.
Thank you so much, Ron, for who you are and the work you do.
– Carol Baum on behalf of the SPC community
Youth Outreach Beyond the City
Youth and Militarism had another active semester of tabling—staffing informational tables in all four city high schools throughout the semester to inform young people of their rights and non-military career/educational options. Next semester we’ll scale back on the frequency of our city tabling in order to reach out to rural schools. We also hope to schedule presentations in senior Participation in Government classes to facilitate discussion on social movements. Contact Andy or Jessica to get involved.
Intern Goodbyes
Interns have become an integral part of the scene at the Peace Council office! In December, we said goodbye to another talented cohort of interns who worked with the SPC staff collective on specific projects, as well as random tasks needed to get things done. Alison Clark and Eunji Kim (SU) worked with the PNL editorial committee. Katie Finnegan (Le Moyne) worked on PR and the Birthday Dinner. Lindsay Rexer (Le Moyne) staffed Youth and Militarism tables at local high schools and drafted the weekly e-newsletter. Ryan Beech (SU) and Andrew Gleason (Le Moyne) designed outreach materials, organized events, and translated materials for the Caribbean/Latin America Coalition.
| SPC Monthly Program |
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One Family in Gaza Wednesday, January 18, 7 pm CNY Working for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel will show the powerful short video “One Family in Gaza,” by Jen Marlowe. We’ll also show video footage of the recent Palestinian freedom rides and discuss what we can do to change US policy toward Palestine and Israel. |
Interns expand our ability to organize effectively, add youthful perspectives to our work and provide an entry point to the movement for students. We greatly appreciate working with them. Visit peacecouncil.net/intern to learn about the variety of internship opportunities with SPC.
Thanks, Community Choir
The Syracuse Community Choir honored SPC with the People’s Peace Award at their recent Winter Solstice Concert. Longtime SPC activists and elders Sam Feld and Mary Ann Zeppetello, along with younger activists Amelia Ramsey-Lefevre and Leyana Dessauer, accepted the award on our behalf. We received a framed copy of the song the Choir commissioned Charlie King to write in our honor, a beautiful statement of friendship and appreciation from the Onondaga Nation and a set of 99% and anti-hydrofracking mugs.
The Choir and SPC are both part of the fabric of the peace and social justice movement in Syracuse. We deeply appreciate the Choir’s work and were honored by their celebration of us. What a wonderful close to our 75th anniversary year!
