(PHOTOS) Families Stand for Peace: The Truth About Iraq.

[unhappycamper]

Thursday evening, July 28, 2005, the Cape Codders for Peace and Justice sponsored a public forum at the Cape Cod Community College in Hyannis. The forum was titled: “Families Stand for Peace: The Truth About Iraq.” Here’s a link to the CCPJ web site: http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/


Program

• "Eyes Wide Open", a 4-minute video presentation from the American Friends Service Committee, link: http://afsc.org/
  
• Welcome: Stephanie G. Wall, MD, CCPJ, Moderator ..
  
• James Kinney; CCPJ: The Local Costs of War
  
• Bob Silverberg, Veterans for Peace
  
• Mimi Evans, Military Families Speak Out
  
• Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace
  
• Kathy Kelly, Voices in the Wilderness
  
• Question and Answer period
  
• Closing: Stephanie G. Wall
  

The Panel:


(James Kinney & Bob Silverberg)


(Mimi Evans, Cindy Sheehan, Kathy Kelly)

The Moderator:


(Stephanie Wall)


The Speakers


Kathy Kelly helped initiate Voices in the Wilderness (VITW) to end the UN/US sanctions against Iraq. For bringing 'medicine and toys' to Iraq in open violation of the sanctions, she and other VITW members were notified of a proposed $163,000 penalty, threatened with 12 years in prison, and eventually fined $20,000, which they have refused to pay. VITW organized 70 delegations to visit Iraq between 1996 and the beginning of "Operation Shock and Awe" warfare. Kathy has been to Iraq 22 times since January 1996. In October 2002, Kathy joined Iraq Peace Team members in Baghdad where they maintained a presence throughout the bombardment and invasion.

She most recently returned from Iraq on 8 January 2004. Kathy has been arrested 60 times for peace actions, the first for planting corn on a missile silo. Kathy has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times for her work. She recently published Other Lands Have Dreams: From Baghdad to Pekin Prison. http://vitw.org/



Cindy Sheehan was an "average American mom" until her son, Casey, was killed in action in Iraq on 4 April 2004. She cofounded Gold Star Families for Peace, works tirelessly to expose the deceptions the Bush Administration used to invade Iraq, and brings a face to a faceless war. Cindy recently testified at Rep. John Conyers' hearing on the Downing Street Memos. She lives in Berkeley, CA with three other children: Carly, 24, Andy, 21, and Janey, 19. http://www.gsfp.org/



Mimi Evans, a member of Military Families Speak Out, has worked and lived on Cape Cod for the last two years, since moving here from New York City. She is a professional fundraiser who has worked for Williams College and Trinity College in New England, and the US Fund for UNICEF in New York. A single mother since 1982, Mimi has raised three children. Her older. son is a humanitarian aid worker who returned in May from two years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her younger son, a Captain and JAG lawyer in the US Marine Corps, will be deployed to Fallujah in August. In addition to her full-time job, Mimi is one of the producers of a concert planned for this winter in New York City that will benefit injured civilians in Iraq. http://www.mfso.org/



Bob Silverberg is a Barnstable resident, poet, WWII combat veteran of WWII, and member of Veterans for Peace. Bob read two of his poems, “Don’t look, Don’t See” and “Okinawa 1945.” “Don’t look, Don’t see” completely blew me away. Here’s a link to that poem:
http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/index.php?q=silverberg
And a link to VFP: http://www.veteransforpeace.org/



James Kinney was the first speaker. He pointed out the dollar costs of the war, the actual costs for selected towns on the Cape and the burden it has placed on future generations. You can watch the $$ clock tick at http://costofwar.com/



The bottom line -- if these folks come to a place near you, it would be well worth your time and gas to go see them.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. I was crushed that I had to work. I've heard

Bob's poems at some of the local Cape Codders For Peace and Justice
demonstrations and vigils. They are passionate and so moving.
He is a tireless, kind soul and such a motivator for the movement.

The photos are AWESOME! Thanks so much for sharing!

[kliljedahl]

2. Great shots, thanks

I'm here in one of the reddest of the red states, so I probably won't get to see or hear them live. Were you allowed to record it? Audio would be interesting.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[unhappycamper]

3. There were three cameras rolling during the forum.

I would be very surprised if a video were not made available. I'll keep checking the CCPJ site & will post a link if they put one up.

FYI, on my way out I told Cindy Sheehan "thank you" & got a big hug in return. It really made my week.

[katinmn]

4. Thanks for posting the pics and summary

I believe some members of this same group were here this week and I missed them since I had to go out of town.

I wish their message could be heard by more Americans instead of the one-sided, filtered messages they're getting.

[Tigress DEM]

7. Is there a detailed schedule of events for 9/24-26 in DC?

I see you have one of their stickers in your tag line. I'm going to DC but I don't know exactly when anything is happening.

[katinmn]

9. Here ya go!

http://unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=91

UFP&J, ANSWER, Code Pink and a couple other groups are all organizing participants. While each has its own list of activities (some have activist or interfaith workshops and lobbying planned as well as the march) I hope that the groups will cooperate and converge at the Washington Monument for the march. In any case, there will be lots of action taking place.

This is on UFP&J's website:

Some people have urged UFPJ to consider a joint demonstration with the Sept. 24 National Coalition, initiated by A.N.S.W.E.R., which is also organizing an anti-war protest on September 24. We take seriously the concerns from local organizers about the potential for confusion if there are two separate marches on September 24. Therefore, we have agreed to US Labor Against the War's proposal to convene a meeting with A.N.S.W.E.R. to work through logistical issues about the day, including the possibility of bringing the marches together. We are committed to working in good faith on this process. But because of our different approaches to organizing and how demands are articulated, we are not proposing a “unified” program that day. (See our May 23 memo to our member groups for a more detailed explanation.)

We urge all those who seek to bring this war to an end -- from national groups to local organizations to concerned individuals -- to put maximum effort into bringing new people and organizations into the nation's capital for September 24-26. The streets of Washington, D.C. are big enough to contain all of our events and movements that weekend. The important thing is that the streets be filled with as many people as possible, all holding the Bush Administration and Congress accountable for the continuing devastation of this illegal and unjustified war.

I've signed up with UFP&J but I'm following what the other groups are planning.

Don't forget the DU mega gatherings. Looks like there will be one on both Friday and Saturday evenings! http://www.brainshrub.com/dcdumeetup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=148&topic_id=619&mesg_id=619

[katinmn]

10. There's a bus going from Minnesota

It might be organized by WAMM. I can't handle being in a moving vehicle that long so I'm flying.

[Tigress DEM]

14. I got a good price on flight, but...

It gets in around noon, so I have to deal with the logistics of drop the luggage off quick and get to the protest ASAP.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. In my opinion

all of these people are true patriots and very brave. And wow a WW2 veteran!

[babylonsister]

6. Thanks kindly for sharing, uhc! While sitting here in my

hot but luckily airconditioned universe, it's good to know people out there are fighting! And it's good folk like you that make it real for me! Nominated! :toast:

[intheflow]

8. So great to have the photos.

Puts faces on the "faceless" (read, "ignored") people who are doing the real work of peace. I'm so frustrated that they need to speak out, but I am so touched by their willingness to do so. Thanks for posting.

[AuntiBush]

11. I am in Humble Awe...

I have a lot of nerve. Wish I lived near them to lend them all the hands one can offer. All of them, I salute each and everyone of you. All of us need to do more, self included.

And Kathy: "...has been to Iraq 22 times since January 1996. In October 2002, Kathy joined Iraq Peace Team members in Baghdad where they maintained a presence throughout the bombardment and invasion.

She most recently returned from Iraq on 8 January 2004. Kathy has been arrested 60 times for peace actions, the first for planting corn on a missile silo. Kathy has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times for her work.

Amazing... as I ask myself, "what am I afraid of as I sit here typing, rather then heading out to find anyone that will listen?"

I am in humble awe.

[AuntiBush]

12. Cost of War for Cape Cod: 195 MILLION!

And that's just for starters. How many cities/towns exist in America? Anyone care to guess?

From: http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/

[dxstone]

13. Very inspiring post!

Real people at the podium, instead of all the paid liars they endlessly parade before our culture...
Kicked and nominated!
I wonder if this is the same Bob Silverberg who is a famous science fiction author? His poems are wonderful!
d

[dxstone]

15. Kickin' it up! n/t

[etherealtruth]

16. Thank you so much for this post! n/t