Peace Arena » Peace action

Gotta go to Groovefest – event rescheduled

Rena — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:45:32 +0000

Update. This just in: Due to the weather, GrooveFest has been rescheduled for June 13.

I’ve been in Oklahoma since 2003, and haven’t been to this event yet. It sounds like one of the most progressive things in the state, but then, that’s relative, and it’s Norman.

What is Groovefest?

Groovefest is Norman’s one and only Human Rights Music Festival. Each spring and fall, the community comes together to raise awareness about human rights, listen to some talented musicians, and have a great time! Established in 1986 by the OU chapter of Amnesty International, Groovefest has since been under the guardianship of the Norman Groovefest organization. This year, OU Amnesty International will host the festival once again.

(links added)

Anyway, hopefully — life and weather permitting — I can get down there and correct the oversight.

OKC Rally against Citizens United Ruling, photos and thoughts

Rena — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:33:35 +0000

Today’s “We the People” rally featured some great speeches from activists local and national. Too bad there was such poor attendance — about 150, I estimate. Rev. Robin Meyers’ speech was very thoughtful, Rep. Pittman was like a preacher herself with some great motivational oratory(despite the unfortunate habit of calling the SCOTUS justices “justices of the peace”), and Max Blumenthal and David Cobb, the out of towners, set the Citizens United ruling in historical and social context. The content from the podium was as good as any rally I’ve attended/viewed in D.C. or elsewhere.

I wish I wasn’t so depressed and stressed, I could do more than complain about the progressive scene in Central OK. Thanks to Barbara McKay, Susan McCann, Steve Hunt for getting the event together, and to all others who organized on this end. Rev. Robin Meyers, Rep. Anastasia Pittman and Reggie Cervantes were locals who spoke and did a great job rallying the sparse troops, giving a lot of motivation and energy with their tireless commitment and passion. And thanks to Max Blumenthal and David Cobb who made the trip here for what must have seemed pretty lame turnout, even for a state as red as OK.

There continues to be a lack of communication tools for getting turnout to such events, but without enough folks with sustained energy and will to fight against the tide, nothing will change.

We The People Rally

I was told that most of the speeches were taped, and hope to be able to listen to them again, because they did the job of a rally speech quite well. Maybe with a recording, we can at least spread their message to all those Oklahoma progressives who weren’t there — and make them sorry enough to have missed it that they will be sure to make it to the next one.

Susan McCann posted this note on the Facebook page for the event:

TODAY we reached beyond Party and Administration on an issue that transcends and requires urgency of action. We were honored to have such a diverse, interesting and informed group of speakers and want to thank each of them for attending.

Photos and Video will be posted tomorrow and emailed to all.

Thanks from Change Oklahoma and We the People- Oklahoma.

Susan McCann

SOS from Crawford Peace House

Rena — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:46:28 +0000

Friends,

Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore are among those who have posted this message from the owner of the Crawford Peace House, who needs help if he is to keep it beyond this Tuesday. It would be wonderful if we could save it and turn it into a peace museum and resource center. In my opinion, it would need a new owner and management, but that’s an issue to take up if we can save it. I just cringe to think of how an unfriendly buyer will turn the place against the movement that created something powerful there in 2005!

I thought you might want to know the situation, and possibly want to help and spread the news — but time is of the essence. There’s an email address for Johnny Wolf, the house’s owner, in his letter below, which you can use for contact and/or to send a donation via Paypal.

FROM JOHNNY WOLF:

The Best investment I ever made

Seven years ago, I made a down payment on a house in Crawford Texas. On Easter Sunday 2003, it became the Crawford Texas Peace House.

We committed to being there until Bush was out of the White House, and we kept that commitment. Those years were important years for me and for the peace movement.

For a little over a year we have had a new administration and the wars we set out to stop continue and have to spread to Pakistan and still threaten Iran. The relevance of Crawford’s Western White House and our resistance has all become a significant part of history.

No, the mortgage did not get paid. I have not been able to meet my financial obligations on the Peace House, and I am five payments behind.

The Peace House is scheduled for a Foreclosure Auction on Tuesday morning on the steps of McLennan County Court House, April 6,

There is an offer to purchase the house for 10,000.00 less than what is owed. My personal situation will not allow me to take the offer. It needs a new owner 48,000.00 is owed on the mortgage. 4,000.00 will bring it current and cover legal fees.

If you are interested in a future for the Peace House please email me at WOLFISHQ@gmail.com

If an unfriendly entity purchases the house we will be served an eviction notice and must vacate the premises.

Thanks for all the Brave Souls that came here to make a difference.

In Peace and in Loving service,

Johnny Wolf
Co-founder, Crawford Texas Peace House

Saint Romero of the Americas*

Rena — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:20:01 +0000

Oscar Romero

“If they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran people”

Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated as he celebrated mass in San Salvador on March 24, 1980, 30 years ago today. He was killed because he empowered the poor instead of just promising them a glorious afterlife.

Though his murder was never properly investigated and prosecuted, it’s widely believed that the man who killed him was a leader of the Salvadoran death squads who was taught his deadly skills by the U.S. Army at the School of the Americas, which was renamed “Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation” when the SOA’s reputation got too ugly to fix with the standard lies and spin. Presto, a new name and the Army feels all fresh and new. But the training in suppression of popular democratic movements goes on (yes, even under Obama), courtesy of our tax dollars. Every year near Thanksgiving, SOA Watch holds a national action outside Ft. Benning, where the SOA/WHINSEC operates.

*Oscar Romero has not been canonized by the Catholic Church, and probably never will be. They don’t like his kind, and would not be interested in making him a positive example for their clergy or congregants.

Tomorrow’s peace rally cancelled due to weather alert

Rena — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:28:54 +0000

NOTICE – CANCELED: Rally & March for Peace, Saturday at OCU, March 20, are canceled because of weather forecasts of freezing, snow, and wind. No plans now for rescheduling, but spring is coming, and energy may blossom for another try.

Peace, Out.
- – Nathaniel Batchelder www.peacehouseok.org

OKC ‘Rally for Peace and Life’ to mark 7th Anniversary of Iraq invasion

Rena — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:50:14 +0000

The Peace House announces:

Saturday, March 20 – - – Seven-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
NW 23rd Street & Blackwelder, OKC (OCU,between Western & Penn Ave)
10:30: Drumming & Music (bring your drum)
11a.m.-Noon: RALLY: Speakers from student and faculty populations
Noon: Peace March begins, returns to NW 23rd & Blackwelder
Bring signs, banners, trumpets and timpani
Cosponsored by OCU OIKOS Scholars and The Peace House

Here’s a link to a pdf of a flyer you can print off and share:
Peace March Flyer

Bruce Gagnon on Endless War

Rena — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:38:53 +0000

New England United Antiwar Conference MIT Jan 30, 2010
Panel #1 The Drive Towards Empire and Endless War
Bruce Gagnon, Global Network

I worked with Bruce in his early days as a nuclear freeze activist in Orlando, Florida. He was a pretty good speaker and budding leader, though I had some minor issues with his style, but I had no idea he would go on to become a globally recognized nuclear arms/weapons expert with Space for Peace. He’s been a tireless activist, speaker, writer and dissident who tells the truth to a world that mostly doesn’t want to listen.

Holding Obama to the same standard as Bush on ‘stupid wars’

Rena — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:11:10 +0000

Here are my photos from today’s demonstration against Obama’s escalation of the war in Afghanistan.

The turnout was pathetic. I’m sure there are many reasons why. Even while Bush was still in office, there were fewer and fewer people coming to various events. But once Obama was elected, interest in the actions really evaporated, with some justification, with many saying we had to give Obama “a chance.”

Welll, he’s had his chance, and is not responding well, in my opinion, and in the opinion of many in the peace movement (which goes on, regardless of what party is in power or what individual is in office).

No one was under the illusion that Obama was a pacifist. But he did say he was against “stupid wars” and that he would work to end the occasion of war. He is not keeping that promise with this escalation.

There are probably many who would come to a protest against Bush’s wars, who won’t come near one against Obama’s. But there will continue to be a need for such public statements, and enough who will continue to consistently call for an end to American aggression, imperialism and global thuggery.

Here are some sites where the consistent message goes on, or is being newly expressed.

The Old Stalwarts
World Can’t Wait
United for Peace and Justice
Code Pink
After Downing Street
Voters for Peace
War Resisters League
Win Without War

Some new groups/alliances
EndUSWars.org
Peace of the Action

I’m against this war no matter who’s running it

Rena — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:53:42 +0000

Well, more disappointment from Obama. Now we know who really runs this country while he is president — the same folks who have been running it (badly and into the ground).

I will be joining The Peace House folks and others tomorrow at a demonstration to say No to Escalation in Afghanistan. (~~I think~~ there is also something planned for Tulsa [link added 2009-12-01].)

I will also be contacting my reps to once again say, end the war and find civilian solutions: Contact Congress & White House

Oklahoma City Demonstration:
NO to ESCALATION in AFGHANISTAN
Tuesday, December 1st
4:30-5:30 pm
NW 23rd Street & Classen Blvd.
Bring signs – - We will have ours.

Peace House Statement on Afghanistan, Nov. 14th
BRING TROOPS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

After eight (8) long years of war, we speak in unity: U.S. Military forces must be brought home.
Military victory appears unachievable, or at the very least unsustainable.
Our continued presence guarantees further escalation of long-standing anti-American sentiments.
A surge in U.S. troop numbers will generate dramatic increases of casualties of our troops and Afghani civilians.
We risk and even wider and deadlier regional conflict.
Reconstruction and stability should be initiated and sustained by international peace-keeping entities and< non-governmental organizations.
Urgent domestic budget priorities demand a redirection of our tax revenues from war in Afghanistan to meeting human needs at home. Thirteen million Americans are unemployed in this economic downturn.
We petition Congress, and the Obama administration, to initiate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan before the end of the year.

Photos from today’s Rally for a Moral Budget

Rena — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:51:16 +0000

(Click on box to get a bigger version.)

Quite a good turnout for a weekday. And it wouldn’t be complete without teabagger counter-protesters. They were relatively well behaved, compared to the townhall outbursts.