February 12, 2005

Mediation and Facilitation Center

Augusta, Maine

Gretchen Noyes-Hull facilitating

Next meeting - March 12, M&F Center (tentative). Janet Caldwell organizing, Robin Spencer facilitating

Robin reports that we raised $700 to send a representative to UFPJ national conference; only Peter Stewart is going as Janet is unable to attend.

CHECK-IN

     Bridges for Peace (Gretchen N-H) working on getting folks out March 19th: http://www.peacebridges.org/

     Waterville Area Bridges for Peace (Ron Turcotte): vigiling and videos on public access TV

     Boothbay P&J (Susan Mello): Finding way right now, meeting twice/month; letters to editors - helping change dynamic of local paper

     Radio Free Maine (Roger): taping events, working with Harry Browne on peace and justice festival (July?) and Biddeford Public Access

     Island & Peninsula P&J (Tony Ferrara, Tim Sullivan): Kucinich visit; Committee to End the War; counter-recruitment; war tax resistance

     Veterans for Peace (Rita and Richard Clement, Tom Sturtevant): Occupied Snowe's office; standing in Augusta; MeVFP retreat, Feb 21

     Students Against the War (John Woods): Organizing for Augusta March 19th rally: http://www.nsaw.us

     PeaceWorks (Marga Huntington): Focus on budget cuts; Peter Kellman coming to speak on corporations; Jeff Melchen with Reclaiming Democracy coming to speak; H2O group working on privatization issue; working with legislative group on corporate power

     Waldo P&J (Peter Stewart): Film series

     Winthrop People for Peace (Tom Sturtevant, Carol Brewster): booklets on bullying going to guidance personnel

     Women in Black (Ruth Gabey): Augusta vigil, Perry O'Brien (conscientious objector) spoke in Winthrop

     Lincoln P&J (Jon Olsen, Gretchen N-H): Brought Cindy Sheehan (Gold Star Families for Peace) to Maine

     Let Cuba Live (Janet, Steve Burke): Challenge trips to Cuba (Pastors for Peace, Vinceramos Brigade

     Midcoast P&J (Steve): Focus on organizing one thing at a time to adapt to crisis, new issues, etc; social security; prison industrial complex

MARCH 19TH

Bridges for Peace 12-2pm; see http://www.peacebridges.org/ for updates Augusta rally and march see http://www.nsaw.us for updates Discussion on logistics Endorsement from Coalition Discussion on central vs local actions Folks encouraged to stay after meeting to work further on rally logistics with John

UFPJ ASSEMBLY

Peter spoke about the need to reach out to other groups across US; Peter will be available to speak to groups about the assembly (Feb 19th) - contact Peter at 589-3552 or hhat@pivot.net

COMMITTEE TO END THE WAR (formed by Peninsula P&J)

Focus on cost of war; VFP display in library

Congressional visits planned

Names project

Penny poll on Nat'l budget

De-emphasize military

Surveys and interviews

Guerrilla postings

Tent city

Tony Ferrara called for folks to go to Bangor to welcome home Maine troops returning and be there with signs emphasizing war's cost

SANCTUARY TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Jon Olsen spoke about efforts in Hawaii to do this during Vietnam, and suggested consideration of it.

August 21, 2004

Held at Mediation and Facilitation Resources, 11 King St, Augusta

--COUNTER-RECRUITMENT IN SCHOOLS

Tom Sturtevant started by explaining why he is involved with
counter-recruitment, that America dominates the world's wealth and has
driven and killed off indigenous populations here.  America is imperialist
and militaristic.  Tom felt he needed to work on stopping this attitude in
schools.  $2-4 billion is spent on recruitment by the military.  "Recruiters
are walking, talking billboards".

Janet Caldwell mentioned that there are lots of Nat'l Guard members in her
school district where she teaches.  They don't see the problems of joining
the military.

Debby Atwood showed a PowerPoint presentation on militarism in American and
counter-recruitment, while Larry Dansinger narrated and expanded on the
ideas presented.  More information is available from the Nat'l Network
Opposing Militarization of Youth (?).  Many sign up for the "poverty draft",
for better economic opportunities.

Six high schools in Maine have JROTC; proposals are in other schools across
Maine.  $222 million is paid for by local taxes.

NCLB (No Child Left Behind act) requires schools to report various
information on students to the DOD.  Opt-out forms are available.  September
30th is cut-off date for reporting.  Suggested to write letters to papers
and put up posters by allied students.

GI Bill - 6% receive the promised $50,000.  Reserve/Guard - 40% of US forces
are in Iraq.  Recruitment fraud - Military spends $11,500 per recruit.
Catch clause @ end of new recruit form denies recruit from holding recruiter
responsible for false promises.  Recruiters are offering more incentives to
join.

How to help:
-Be there when recruiters are
-Not an alternative to college
-The military is not college
-Mobilize students
-Look at JROTC curriculum

Larry believes the draft is unlikely to pass through Congress.  He handed
out flyers on the draft and adopting schools.

--ANNOUNCEMENTS

Richard Clement said that the crosses float he built (which was at the head
of the March 20 Augusta march) is available for various events.  Contact him
at 582-4787 or randrclement@yahoo.com .  The Augusta vigil is continuing,
despite police and Bush supporter harassment.  Richard also announced the
Deer Isle Peace Picnic (see http://www.sullboat.com/MEPJ/peacepicnic.htm).

July 10th, 2004 (Kennebec Journal article)

May 8th, 2004

Held at Mediation Center Augusta

Attending (in no particular order): Tim Sullivan, Larry Dansinger, Jacqui
Deveneau, Robyn Spencer, Joy Grandbois-Gallup and Roger Leisner

1. Treasury report - $50.00 in savings account

2. The group discussed the situation of prisoner abuse in Iraq.

3. Meeting time and participation:
After a brief discussion around meeting frequency and if Saturdays worked
for everyone, it was determined that the meetings were definitely needed for
face to face planning, especially with so many summer events upcoming.  Some
recommendations included.
-  make better use of the e-list for between meeting planning
-  sending out requests in advance for agenda items - folks are more likely
to attend if something important to them is being discussed
-  attendance is up when there is a planned speaker - look into doing some
more of this

4. Visibility - with the recent developments in Iraq people are asking
“Where is the peace movement?”  What can we do to help visibility?
- Gretchen offered to take up the task up updating the vigil lists and
sharing it with coalition members who wish to post it on their websites
- discussion of York County and some folks asking what is going on there
-  many opportunities coming up for visibility - Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Day,  Dem/Repub Conventions, ANSWER June
5th call to action, etc

5. The draft possibility and ROTC in schools.  Discussed actions taken in
Portland (aside from Joy - this weeks Forecaster has an article on the
Portland school committees actions on this) and Bangor.
- Much concern over getting word out to parents on what their rights are
around allowing their children’s information to be released to military
recruiters
- Adopt-a-School - Larry has done work with this.  He will find out about
presenting a workshop on this in August just before the new school year
starts.  Get local people involved.

6. Memorial Day Activities - ME Veterans for Peace is Marching in the Bangor
parade.  Bridges for Peace will do a vigil of mourning the day before
(Sunday)

7.  Leafleting:
There are a lot of non-peace related events that go on around the state
during the summer (International Music Festival in Portland, Old Port
Festival, Wednesday night concerts in Augusta, Bangor Folk Festival, etc) 
We would like to provide some leaflets via the website that people can
download, copy and share at these events.  Some possible topics include:
- military in schools
- know your rights
- cost of war in Iraq
- why stand for peace
- depleted uranium
- vigil listing
Decided that items found could be forwarded to Tim and he can get .pdf’s up
on the website.

8. Chautauqua - Tim would like to organize a Chautauqua for the peace
community over labor day weekend.  Also would like to get local labor groups
involved.  Music, workshops, teach-ins.    More information to come…

April 10, 2004

Community Mediation Ctr, King St., Augusta

Attending (in no particular order): Ruth Gabey, Tim Sullivan, Larry
Dansinger, Janet Caldwell, Tom Sturtevant, Tony Aman, Tony Ferraro, Carolyn
Coe, Arthur Whitman, Steve Burke, Dan Kennedy, Peter Baldwin, Julie
Sawtelle, Roger Leisner, Gretchen Noyes Hull, Peter Stewart, Greg Field
(recording).

1. The group reviewed the March 20 rally in Augusta. Thanks to all who
helped and especially to Tim and Tony A for their hard work on the
logistics, legal aspects, etc of the rally and march.

Media coverage was generally positive, with newspaper and TV coverage. Tim
was interviewed/grilled on the conservative weekend talk show on WGAN on
Sunday March 21.

Veterans for Peace folks Tom S and Arthur noted that they have hopes for use
of their org’s rows of crosses to be used in future parades such as Memorial
Day.

Tony F said he thought more entertainment at some points of future rallies
will help.

Legal aspects were reviewed: legal efforts continue to try and recover our
fees paid to the city of Augusta.

2. Long range planning: Tony A urged us all to consider how we multiply our
efforts and reach people outside our usual networks and member groups. Some
discussion followed as to what is the next Big Rally/March/Event. Peter S
wanted us all to consider how to build sustainable actions-that don’t drain
resources. Julie likes the way that big rallies can be used to foster future
actions.

Larry D returned to the broader issue of long range vision and suggested we
still need to consider how this group works as a complement to the local
member groups. Do we initiate actions or do we support the work of local
member groups?

Steve observed that coordination is a key role: the coalition should be
flexible enough to respond and initiate actions when needed that can turn
out new people but also ready t accept initiatives from member groups.
Others discussed this, though no definitive course was set out for the
group.

A tangible example was brought up: Bike to Demilitarize, May 8. How can we
as a coalition help? Sense of group seemed to be that we could get info from
coalition that we can then bring to our own groups and urge each group to
offer whatever aid it is able to the students doing the Bike effort.

[Another example came later in mtg: rather than the Coalition trying to
table at various events, all member groups are encouraged to have a pile of
coalition brochures ready and in a prominent place on their own tables. Tim
encouraged everyone to review the brochure]

3. Memorial Day. can the coalition coordinate some info about groups engaged
in Meml Day parades or other grps that have been denied access to their
local parades? Ditto for 4th of July. Tony A suggested using March for Truth
website as clearinghouse for this type of info. Tom S, Peter S, Roger made
suggestions about ways to speak to issues on a day like Meml Day (use of
wreaths as symbols, grieve for lives lost, op-eds or ltrs to editor on the
issue of lives lost in war).

4. Gretchen outlined plans for some Earth Day events and the 3d annual
Mothers without Borders march in Bath scheduled for Mothers’ Day. She
encouraged anyone interested to get in touch with her.

Meeting adjourned so most of those attending could get over to State Capitol
for emergency rally due to escalation of violence in Iraq.

Next Meeting: May 8th, 10am, Mediation Center, 11 King St, Augusta

March 13  2004

Maine State Employees Association office, Augusta
Scribe: Gretchen D. Noyes-Hull peacebridges@peacebridges.org  

Present   Tim Sullivan, Carolyn Coe, Larry Dansinger, Jacqui Deveneau, Gretchen Noyes-Hull, Tom Sturtevant, Robin Spencer, Joy Grandbois, Ruth Gabey, Zach Heiden (Maine Civil Liberties Union), Lynne Williams, Greg Field

March 20: Waldo County Peace and Justice is giving $50 for the March- Maine Coalition P and  J also will contribute $50.  Robin will make the deposits.
Injunction is being filled with Me. Civil Liberties as council to reduce or eliminate permit fee. PAM has offered their account as bond for insurance if necessary.
Last year we paid $400 last year for permit- with insurance and use of rotary, this year it is 2100!
Poster thanks to Natasha Mayers of “Anti-war Forum and Action Workshop” at Umaine Augusta following the rally was distributed

Bridges for Peace report: In support of the rally and march in Augusta, others are urged to bring the Global Day of Action to the attention of other communities by taking to the bridges that day from 12-2!  New impetus to return to weekly bridge vigils from 12-1 on Sundays also reported. New bridges in Kittery and other communities are gathering.

The march will begin with either Women in Black or Veterans for Peace
Meeting from 10:30 at Me. State Library for Peacekeeper preparation is planned.
Larry and Tim will send out general announcement to seek peacekeepers from different organizations.

Publicity
Tim reported that Tony Ferrara has suggested we do a brochure, trifold or quadrafold containing information on Coalition to hand out. Included would be name, basic graphic, mission statement , goals, member organizations, with e-mails and contacts for those organizations. Also a donation and membership form. It would be stressed that it is important to join the member organizations first.  Tim will work on a simple prototype in time for the 20th!
We have 40 endorsing organizations for March 20.

Request from Karen D’Andrea to sponsor a speaker on “leftist anti-Semitism” was considered. Jeremy Weir Alderson would like to address issues relating to :Rising Menace of Left-wing Antisemitism”.  There was a good discussion about whether the issue should or could be separated from the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict.  It was felt that we need to have a more balanced point of view. Instead it was proposed that we possibly consider including this speaker in a forum on that would approach the problem from different perspectives. It was suggested that we contact Mehrene Larudee (Bates)  (who will also be doing a presentation at the post rally Forum on March 20) to seek help in setting up a forum. We need to decide whether to focus on anti-Semitism or on the Middle East. Organizations such as Tikun and Peace and Justice Israel- Palestine were suggested as contacts. Tom and Gretchen expressed interest in helping on this project.

Earth Day  Larry handed out flyers on the 10th annual Hope Festival on April 17th. Earth Day itself in on April 22, and it was suggested that we have a State House Press conference on that day to call attention to the rapid degradation of environmental protection under the present administration. Gretchen will contact Me Council of Churches and others to see what is being planned for that day ( and hopes to hear from other coalition members on that subject!) It was suggested that the Environmental Health Strategy Center in Portland and Bangor could help and Greg will contact them. We will make an announcement about Earth Day on March 20. Tim will send Gretchen other contact information that he has.

Miami Video Showings:  Ryan Conrad, student from Bates, has videos from Miami that he would like to present to interested groups. His contact is rconrad2@bates.edu  .
Maine Fair Trade Coalition:  The bill has been recommended out of committee and goes to the floor of House and Senate  (LD 1815).

Boston Social Forum  http://www.bostonsocialforum.org Larry talked about the forum planned to proceed the Democratic Convention from July 22 to 25 on the UMass campus.. As the World Social Forums have done, it will address other kinds of social and economic systems than what we now have.
He asked for the endorsement of the coalition. Veterans for Peace also has their annual convention in Boston at the same time. Larry proposed that we should have a local caucus around this event, in order to plan and to follow back in Maine afterwards. Caroline suggested that regional caucuses might be the way to go and said she would head one up on the ‘Peninsula’. Larry will talk to Susan Husted who is already working on this. We wondered whether films of the World Social Caucuses might be available. Gretchen will contact Tim Anderson about that also.

Lithgow Library, Augusta

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These are the suggestions which surfaced during the discussion:

     -change the name Coalition Against the War to Maine Coalition for Peace and Justice.  We would welcome established organizations and peace and justice groups, and foster new ones around the state, working together building a climate of peace with justice.

    -a web site for one bank of information

    -develop media outreach and communications networks

    -one day a month, representative from each group would come together to discuss necessary actions.

    -demonstrations and vigils would continue to keep us alive within the media

    -a list of suggested topics for discussion each month:  elections, boycotts, ongoing demonstrations, civil disobedience, demilitarization...

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