Subscribe and More Information: http://www.warcrimestimes.org/
October 2012 Edition: http://www.scribd.com/doc/107521506/WCT-Fall-2012-IV-4-Final
Action Alert: Petition To Stop Use of Depleted Uranium
Petition link: http://www.change.org/petitions/change-the-us-un-vote-on-depleted-uranium-weapons-this-fall
Video, When The Dust Settles, has more information: http://youtu.be/UlGPtBX0IRY
Depleted uranium (DU) weapons are chemically toxic and radioactive conventional weapons designed to pierce armor.
Keep Space For Peace
International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space
October 6-13, 2012
Satellites: the eyes, ears and brains of modern warfare.
Imaging satellites capture the visual images of the targets (including individual people) that warmakers wish to destroy. Signals satellites pick up voices and other sounds which further identify a target, while the GPS system provides the gunsight or bombsight which directs the bullet or bomb to its destination. All these same orbiting instruments of war help the Pentagon assess damage, often leading to more strikes repeating the same process. The addition of drones and other new age weapons bring us close to having no human being in the loop at all.
There is a perception among those aware of space that most orbital activity in the past five years has shifted to the private sector, and that federal government satellite activity has declined during the Obama administration. While civilian government agencies like NASA are facing cutbacks, satellite launches have kept up with a Bush-era pace. The satellites that manage spying, navigation, targeting, and military communications are launched by agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office and the Defense Information Systems Agency, whose budgets are larger than ever, but whose activities take place largely out of the public eye.
While the satellites orbiting miles above our heads may be out of our sights, the ground stations they depend upon, in locations such as Menwith Hill, UK; Pine Gap, Australia; and Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado are vast bases that play a large role in local economies worldwide.
–FROM http://www.space4peace.org/actions/ksfpw12.htm
Keep Space for Peace Week is co-sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (UK), Swedish Peace Council, and the Drone Campaign Network (UK).
CALIFORNIA ACTIONS
Santa Barbara, California (Oct 18-21) Challenging Robotic Warfare Technology: Education, Organizing, Strategy & Resistance Statewide Conference tierralinda@live.com
Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 22) Back country non-violent resistance action to occupy Pentagon’s global drone and missile nerve center. tierralinda@live.com
Shooters walk free, whistleblower jailed
VIDEO REPORT about Bradley Manning: http://daserste.ndr.de/panorama/media/panor165.html
Oct. 7 Gathering at Vietnam Memorial in New York
Members of the VFP Direct Action Team are organizing a gathering at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza in New York City Oct. 7 at 6 pm. Our intention is twofold:
1. Nonviolent direct action to challenge and address the illegitimacy and weaken one of the prime pillars of the oppressive state–New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “private army,” the heavily militarized NYPD. This is based on their many abuses of power but in this case, specifically the decision enforced on May 1 to deny veterans and others the right to peacefully assemble after 10 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. And directly related to that:
2. As Vietnam veteran Paul Appell eloquently said, “War veterans, loved ones of the fallen, and certainly those living in war zones do not have the option of closing down their memories at 10 p.m. … Some of us are not going away at 10 p.m. or any other time. If they do not like it, maybe they should have thought of that before they sent us to war.”
On this day and at this place, our demands will be straightforward:
▪ Demand an end the the 11 year war in Afghanistan
▪ Demand an end to all U.S. wars of aggression
▪ Remember those who have fallen
▪ Stand up for our right, and duty, to assemble and organize
This is not intended as a mass public gathering, where we expect or want thousands and are articulating all the many ramifications of corporate militarization, nor is it a public education project. This gathering at the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial on Oct. 7 is intended as a very specific veteran-led direct action opposing war and the arbitrary use of force by the NYPD.
We are focusing on are the direct, long lasting-and immediate effects of war–where and to whom it happens–death, destruction, permanent injury and trauma to those in the war zone, and our inalienable right to assemble to address those very specific grievances.
Veterans, especially those who have been directly affected by war, affirm our peaceful purpose: Remember the fallen, get out of Afghanistan, end all wars and don’t tell us where and when we are permitted to assemble and exercise our fundamental human rights.
October 7 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be a time to remember soulfully and with dignity those who have fallen in every rotten war America’s manipulative leaders have involved us in since the beginning.
__________
PHOTO: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillburning/
Brian Wilson speaks at the tracks where he was run down by a train
WATCH VIDEOS
http://youtu.be/DqWoNjB6jdA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WHHIqaOQiQ&feature=share&list=UUS7Oszxmy3ZTWk4YaVb2Slw
Saturday, September 1, 2012
AT THE TRACKS — CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION
The 25th Anniversary of Brian Willson being run down and nearly killed by a US Navy Munitions train while engaging in Nuremberg Actions nonviolent blockade in protest of weapons shipments to Central America.
Arlington West Protest Shifts Focus To Iran
Read the article in the Independent: http://www.independent.com/news/2012/feb/12/arlington-west-shifts-focus-iran/#commenttoggle
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Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonsphotos/
The Invisible War Screening September 15
THE INVISIBLE WAR
is a groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best kept secrets: the epidemic of rape within our US military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire with the number of assaults in the last decade alone in the hundreds of thousands. View Trailer: http://youtu.be/gflcgdfj82Q
September 15, 2012
6:30 pm
Presented by Veterans For Peace, Ventura County and Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions
Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura
5654 Ralston St., Ventura, CA
More Information: (805) 258-6499
Note about Veterans For Peace International Convention
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”– Albert Einstein
PEACE. It is a powerful word, isn’t it? I thought I truly understood its power until I attended my first Veterans For Peace International Convention as Executive Director of this organization this month in Miami, Florida. I can honestly say it was both inspiring and humbling for me to witness the patriotism and brotherhood (and, of course, sisterhood) of our membership as they took part in workshops, shared stories, leant support to those who needed it and listened – with open hearts and minds – to Phil Donohue, Alice Walker, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Carlos and Melida Arredondo and many others whose remarks about the need for a new course in America rang true.
This convention broadened the reach of VFP as members from the United Kingdom, VFP’s newest international chapter, flew “across the pond” to be a part of the conversation.
Our theme this year was “Liberating the Americas: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean”. Our speakers, world-class experts on this vital part of the world, brought our members up-to-speed on the effects of war and unwanted American involvement in places like Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Columbia, Mexico and more. The truths they brought are unlike the censored information passed along through the standard media.
Presenters brought information to attendees on topics as far reaching as meaningful efforts for the people of Haiti to influencing Congress on the agenda of peace.
The biggest takeaway for me is the influence we can have, as an organization – with a membership that spans the entire 50 states and internationally. Our combined voices can make a difference in our country and in the countries we learned about in Miami. Your support – as a member and with your tax-deductible gift – ensures that our efforts will go on….until the message of peace is heard all throughout the country.
Please make your gift to Veterans For Peace today. Your gift supports the work of VFP as we work for an everlasting peace. Please remember that every gift matters and every gift to VFP is valued. Together we stand strong and together we can make a change.
In peace and solidarity,
Mike Reid
Executive Director
Graph of U.S Forces Abroad
Graph of U.S Forces abroad: http://www.vetfriends.com/images/Active%20Duty%20Dec31st%202011.jpg
From Leah Bolger: August 23 2012
Keeping in Touch—23 August 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Veterans For Peace,
The 2012 VFP convention is now history, and was a big success by all accounts. I think everyone was impressed by the quality of the speakers and workshops, and my biggest worry—the business meeting–was long, but very productive. The membership passed amendments to the bylaws, which will move the voting process for the remaining bylaws and all of the resolutions, out of the convention. This means that every eligible voter will receive a ballot in October that will allow them to vote for the board candidates, bylaws amendments and resolutions. I am particularly gratified that this passed; I believe that is a giant step in the right direction, is much more inclusive and democratic.
I have appointed a committee of three board members who are working to compile all the pertinent information about the bylaws amendment proposals and resolutions, which will be available on the VFP website soon. We will also be scheduling more live debates/discussions via our webinar service. Now that every eligible member will have the opportunity to vote, I expect that there will be a lot more participation in the debate and discussion.
There are a lot of things going on with VFP these days—and we are trying to make better use of VFP “Action Alerts” to keep the membership aware of all the different projects and issues that we are working on, and that we are encouraging all of you to get involved with as well. I hope you will check the VFP website frequently—we are trying hard to update it often.
Next week is the RNC in Tampa, and the DNC in Charlotte the week after that. Today VFP released this article as a press release: “Why Veterans For Peace Will be Protesting the RNC and DNC” http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-Veterans-For-Peace-Wil-by-Leah-Bolger-120823-193.html
VFP is teaming up with Courage to Resist in calling for coordinated actions in support of Bradley Manning on September 6th at Obama campaign HQ offices around the country. You can contact Gerry Condon at projectsafehaven@hotmail.com to let him know what you or your chapter is planning. http://www.veteransforpeace.org/files/5513/4548/9247/free_bradley_manning_rally_sep62012.pdf
The Veterans Peace Teams/Action Team are working on plans for a VFP-led action in New York City on October 7th—the 11th anniversary of the U.S. war on Afghanistan. The details are still being worked out, but the plans promise to be quite powerful. I plan to be there, and I hope many of you will be able to join me.
The most pressing issue that we are working on is the threat of war on Iran. Our Iran working group, led by Faraz Azad has been working hard on developing resources that we can all use to express our opposition to the sanctions on Iran as well as a military attack by either Israel or the U.S. VFP is also working with United For Peace and Justice and coordinating with their “Pledge of Resistance” campaign. We have issued several very strong statements, the most recent one being an appeal to the Non-Aligned Movement nations to do everything in their power to stop an attack on Iran. The NAM will be meeting in Tehran next week, bringing together dozens of heads of state and high-level diplomats, including Egyptian President Mosri. I urge you to stand up and speak out against a military attack on Iran which would be illegal and catastrophic. I also urge you to speak out as Veterans For Peace, about the immorality of the economic sanctions that our government has imposed as collective punishment on the people of Iran. Just yesterday I attended a town hall meeting with my own Congressman, Rep Peter Defazio, who is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, opposes the WTO, and advocates for the prosecution of banking industry officials. When I challenged him on his position on Iranian sanctions (he was an original co-sponsor along 363 others), he told me that President Ahmahjinedad had been acting “irresponsibly” and even cited the mis-translated quote about Iran threatening to wipe Israel off the face of the map. I pointed out that unlike Israel, Iran was a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and asked him when was the last time that Israel had allowed IAEA inspectors into their country…? He then cut me off and said he wasn’t going to discuss it anymore. This was extremely disappointing to me—Peter Defazio is a very smart man who generally challenges the system, yet he is buying into this propaganda whole cloth. To make matters worse, our local paper wrote a lengthy article about his town hall, but made no mention of our exchange: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/defazio-hosts-corvallis-town-hall/article_df060ab4-ed9e-11e1-aabe-0019bb2963f4.html
But what this means, is that I have to work harder to point out the immorality and hypocrisy of his position…of our government’s position…on Iran in particular, and our foreign policy in general.
As I said at the convention, if a military strike is launched against Iran, will I be able to say that I did everything I could…did VFP do everything it could…to keep it from happening? As difficult as it may be to avert war, it will be exponentially more difficult to end it once begun. Let’s make sure we are doing everything that we can.
In peace and solidarity,
Leah
Leah Bolger
President, Veterans For Peace
541-207-7761
Organized Locally
Recognized Nationally
Exposing the true cost of war and militarism since 1985
Recognized Nationally
Exposing the true cost of war and militarism since 1985
Calling for Nationwide Actions on September 6 to Free Bradley Manning
Letter from Scott Olsen to Fellow VFP Members
Calling for Nationwide Actions on September 6 to Free Bradley Manning
Dear Veterans and Friends,
Since Army PFC Bradley Manning’s arrest in May 2010 for allegedly sharing the “Collateral Murder” video and other evidence of war crimes and government corruption with the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks, many have wondered “Why hasn’t President Obama supported Bradley?”
After all, in May 2011 President Obama declared, “In the 21st Century, information is power; the truth cannot be hidden; and the legitimacy of governments will ultimately depend on active and informed citizens.”
On Thursday, August 16, I took part in an action organized by the Bradley Manning Support Network, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, March Forward and others in Portland, Oregon, Oakland and Los Angeles.
We successfully occupied Obama 2012 campaign offices and sent a letter of demands to the Obama campaign’s central office.
Our demands included that Bradley be freed, given he has already endured 800 days of pretrial confinement including 9 months of treatment called “inhuman and degrading” by the United Nations Rapporteur on Torture. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a reply from the President. However, the response from our community and the media was nothing short of inspiring.
Please join me, along with the Bradley Manning Support Network and Veterans For Peace in a nationwide effort to hold actions at many more local Obama campaign offices on September 6th, the day of Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.
President Obama needs to hear loud and clear from veterans and concerned citizens across the country that the American people want amends for the unlawful torture of Bradley Manning, and believe he should be freed.
We want to overwhelm Obama campaign offices with messages of support for Bradley from coast to coast! Please forward and spread the word!
Free Bradley Manning!
-Scott Olsen, VFP Chapter 69
This call-out also comes from the Bradley Manning Support Network, Afghans for Peace, SF Bay Area Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Veterans For Peace.
VFP chapters and members who wish to help organize actions on September 6 are encouraged to contact Gerry Condon, Co-Chair of our GI Resistance Working Group and member of the Steering Committee of the Bradley Manning Support Network, at projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, or 206-499-1220.
*To find out if other activists in your area are planning September 6 actions, contact emma@bradleymanning.org. Emma can also provide you with organizing plans used in the successful actions on August 16.
Reports, photos, and videos from the August 16th West Coast events
Bradley Manning Support Network: http://www.bradleymanning.org/
September 6 Events: http://events.bradleymanning.org/
Update on Bradley Manning’s case August 28: http://www.bradleymanning.org/news/update-82812-kevin-gosztolas-courtroom-hearing-blog