Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
P.O. Box 363 Geneseo, NY 14454
Tel: 585-244-0465 or 585-346-2530 Fax: 585-243-4002
Web Site: <www.gvcp.org>
"HUMAN RACE NOT ARMS RACE"
November 24, 2001
NEXT GVCP ACTION: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8th, 11:00 AM to 12:00 NOON, ANNUAL "NO WAR TOYS" DEMONSTRATION, AMES PLAZA, ROUTE 20A (LAKEVILLE RD) GENESEO. Bring peace-friendly toys—teddy bears, trains, sleds, etc--to show people that there are alternatives to war toys for the holidays. Santa will be there!
**DRESS WARMLY**GLOVES & HATS**DRESS WARMLY* *DRESS WARMLY**
NEXT GVCP MEETING
: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8th 12:15 PM (After the Demonstration) 40 OAK STREET, GENESEO.SAVE THE DATES: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 6:00 – 9:30 PM & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: METRO JUSTICE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT FAIR. FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, 220 S WINTON, ROCHESTER. Purchase gifts, support social justice, buy local and developing-world crafts, play cooperative games, buy food, etc,
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10: 4th ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. 5:00 PM: CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT SISTER CITIES BRIDGE; 5:30 PM: PROCESSION TO DOWNTOWN U.PRESBY. CHURCH; 6:45 PM: PROGRAM. (Cosponsored by GVCP.)
WHITHER THE PEACE MOVEMENT?: The events of September 11th have changed the nature of the debates about military spending, the U.S. role in the affairs of other countries, and the priorities of our society. GVCP members are struggling with what actions we should take—individually and as a group. One action we are not taking is a presentation at SUNY Geneseo in December—a long story. We are trying to organize a campus concert by progressive singer-songwriter Pat Humphries. This would probably take place in March or April, 2002. (GVCP member Tom Taylor has agreed to open the concert!) More in the next newsletter.
Some GVCP members believe that the response, "Write to President Bush urging him to stop the bombing, stand down the U. S. military, and feed the hungry in Afghanistan" just doesn’t apply for this war. (The above message is the Friends Committee on National Legislation position.) Last month I wrote, "I believe we must continue to present alternatives to continued bombing and continued killing. Now more than ever a moral and peaceful voice is needed in this country. We in the peace movement must supply that voice—obviously our government will not."
Other members think we have to take the more global approach that the bombing of Afghanistan is a symptom of a greater disease—the lack of any effective world government to legislate laws to settle international conflict, and punish those who break these laws.
Whatever your own thoughts, please WRITE: To President Bush
[White House, Washington DC 20500], to your Senators [Wash DC 20510] and Representative [Wash DC 20515] calling for some change to our total reliance on a continued military response to events of September 11.Foreign Military Training Responsibility Act (HR 1594): This act calls for accountability and oversight of US training of foreign military and police personnel. This bill was introduced by the late Rep. John Moakley, and is now being supported by Rep. James McGovern. The goals of this legislation are rather modest—mandating that the Secretary of State report on training of foreign military and police personnel, and work with the DOD to maintain a database on the future career paths of the trainees.
HR 1594 also would create a bipartisan congressional task force to re-evaluate the practice of education and training for foreign military personnel and to recommend criteria for future training. This bill would be a first step in achieving some legislative control of the nearly 40,000 non-NATO military personnel trained by the U.S. each year. This training takes place in other countries, and also at over 100 facilities on US soil—including, of course, the infamous School of Assassins at Ft. Benning, GA. Please WRITE: to your Representative [Washington DC 20515] asking him/her to support and co-sponsor HR 1594 Tell your Representative that the US bears some responsibility for future actions taken by its foreign military trainees. [From FCNL www.fcnl.org]GREAT WEBSITE:
www.alternet.orgPeace,