Streetvibes September 2006 Edition

Page 1

September 2006

STREETVIBES

Cover Story

Declare Peace by Elizabeth Byrd & Curt Braman Later this month Cincinnatians will join the national call for a Declaration of Peace. Since July 4, 2006, high profile fasts, marches, rallies and acts of civil disobedience have surfaced across the country as opposition to the war in Iraq. Oppostion continues to grow with more Americans recognizing the staggering costs of the war. These Americans are telling U. S. Senators and Congressional Representatives tobring the troops home, close all the bases in Iraq, undertake a real reconstruction plan for Iraq’s infrastructure and use redirect the massive amount of money now spent to occupy Iraq and kill its people to pay for health care, education, job creation and affordable housing. They are asking Congress to pass legislation accomplishing these goals by September 21, the International Day of Peace. Finally, in the absence of Congressional action, they are committing to a week of increased Anti-War activity (September 21 - 28). Kristen Barker of the Cincinnati Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC), the organization coordinating the local effort, has noticed the noticed activists’ increased concern for the domestic costs of the war. “The Declaration of Peace Coalition has multiple goals for the week: to highlight the local cost of the war; to draw attention to the growing opposition to the war (a CNN poll taken August 9th showed that 60% of Americans oppose the war); and to involve faith based communities and all people of good will in witnessing against the war.” Barker added, “Not only does military spending lead to cuts in existing social services, but the potential of a “Peace Dividend” redirecting resources from the war to providing economic security and opportunity is immense.” The U.S. Government Budget Office and non-government sources agree that the cost of the Iraq war will exceed $300 billion by the end of September. At the same time, the administration and its supporters in Congress pledge further cuts in necessary social, educational, and health programs to offset the cost of the war.. The U.S. economy has been operating with record deficits that has negatively impacted funding for essential services. Programs for Veterans have been attacked while the unprecedented use of the National Guard and Reserve Forces as combat troops has reduced manpower in vital emergency services and has left communities less prepared to respond to natural disasters. The Center for Defense Information, the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the War Resisters League all report that military spending amounts to nearly half of the federal budget. The National Priorities Project estimates that over $11 billion Ohio tax dollars have gone to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Cincinnati’s share has been nearly $300 million. Statewide, the money could have been

spent for 1.5 million people receiving health care, 102 thousand affordable housing units, 12 hundred new elementary schools and 1.6 million university scholarships. In an effort to bring these issues to the front of ongoing Congressional campaigns in the area, The Declaration of Peace Coalition has invited Congressional Representatives Geoff Davis, Steve Chabot and Jean Schmidt as well as their challengers, Ken Lucas, Victoria Wulson and John Cranley to participate as panelists at a Town Hall Meeting to be held September 18, 6:00 pm at St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center. The focus of the meeting will be on local citizens giving testimony regarding the impact of the war in Iraq on the community. Georgine Getty, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless will moderate the event and offer a keynote presentation. Getty thinks all the candidates would benefit from hearing directly from constituents who are advocates, social workers, educators and others affected by budgetary policies. “The American public is way ahead of members of Congress in recognizing that stable housing, employment and health care should take priority over war.” Getty said, “Policy makers should take advantage of hearing from the people whose vocation is seeking economic and social justice for all of us.” Members of the local religious community are organizing a week of fasting prior to the September 21 deadline. The invitation sent to faith based groups in the area explains: “Fasting has been an important part of all faith traditions. Through fasting, we are able to carve out a space within ourselves to focus on prayer. This prayer is that God’s Spirit would transform the conscience of our lawmakers to sign the Declaration and make concrete steps to peace making.” Without a clear legislative mandate endorsing the Declaration of Peace, organizers in Cincinnati and throughout the nation are planning

multiple events during the September 21-28 time frame. Banners with pro-peace and economic justice messages are expected to hang from locations above city streets and roadways. A Tent City will be built around the Peaslee Neighborhood Center at 215 E. 14th Street featuring a peace fair, a cost of war display, workshops, information sessions and films. Leaflets will be distributed at schools, military recruiting stations and other public locations encouraging people to contact congress. A rally and march will proceed from the Federal Building to Congressional offices and nonviolent acts of civil disobedience are in the planning stages. In Lexington, the week will feature a march to Representative Ben Chandler’s office asking that he sign the Declaration. The Louisville Peace Action Community will continue distributing materials and engaging in dialogue from their booth at the Kentucky State Fair. Frankfurt’s chapter of Code Pink will rally at the State Capital Rotunda. Events in Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana are being planned. The supporters of The Declaration of Peace hope that these events will move our nation closer to ending this costly military endeavor, and closer to committing the resources needed to eliminate the serious inequities so many Americans face everyday. They call on individuals and religious, labor, peace and economic justice groups who share this hope to Declare Peace and to let policy makers know of their determination to change course. To get involved in Declaration of Peace activities contact Kristen Barker at IJPC: 513.579.8547; email: kristen@ijpccincinnati.org or fill out the on-line form at www.ijpc-cincinnati.org.

Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.