KEVIN MARTIN & PAUL K. MARTIN AT PANYS ANNUAL MEETING 02-07-09
At the Peace Action New York`s annual meeting held on Feb 7th at the Friends Meeting House in Rochester, we were fortunate to have both National Peace Action Executive Director, Kevin Martin, and Organizing and Political Director, Paul Kawika Martin, share their vision and goals for Peace Action in 2009.
KEVIN MARTIN
During the George Bush years, PA was successful in preventing the building
of nuclear bunker busters, mini-nukes, and the nuclear weapons complex.
Today we have an opportunity to be proactive and positive in our organizing
rather than being on the defensive.
We are seeing a revolution of rising expectations and we want to help build
those expectations (Kevin mentioned that he was surprised to learn his two
teenagers expectations were that the US would always be at war). Rising
expectations requires deep involvement.
President Obama is a centrist. We don`t need a Goldilocks President (not
too hot, not too cold, just right). Our obligation is to help him become
more progressive. A "crisistunity" say Kevin.
2009 GOALS
1. End nuclear weapons (Kevin started working on nuclear disarmament 23
years ago).
2. A new relationship with Iran based on diplomacy.
3. Total withdrawal from Iraq and closing of all bases.
4. Halt of surge in Afghanistan and the encouragement of diplomacy.
5. Our military budget is actually 1 trillion dollars. We must move from
funding the military to taking care of people.
6. Close our foreign military bases. We have 800 around the world.
American University is hosting a conference on this issue.
7. In August somewhere in the US West, there will be a "think outside the
bomb" conference. Excellent for young people.
8. There will be a NGO conference in Sept. with Peace Action co-chairing.
9. International Peace Bureau (the oldest peace organization on the planet)
will be holding a conference in the US in November. This is a chance to
learn about peace struggles taking place all over the world.
10. There will be a nationally coordinated membership drive with a focus on
nuclear disarmament, militarism, and peace opportunities.
Obama is no Gandhi. He needs to be pushed, encouraged, and
supported when he does the right thing. We have a unjust, unsustainable
imperialism. It is time to push.
PAUL MARTIN
The Democrats have become more powerful (for instance, Senator Kerry heads
the Foreign Relations Committee, Congressional Progressive Caucus has 71
members and is growing, etc.) but are sitting back with a wait and see
attitude rather than pushing Obama. It is time to push hard on Congress.
Issues to work on:
1. Support human rights and democracy.
2. Eliminate Weapons of Mass Destruction
3. Bring the troops home from Iraq and remove all permanent bases. Make
use of international peacekeepers. Financially support the Iraq society and
support our returning soldiers. Bring our "security" contractors home and
all contractors accused of human rights violations.
4. In a month supplementals for funding Iraq will be coming uo. Stop any
more money going to this illegal occupation.
5. Afghanistan needs humanitarian aid. No increase in troops. Negotiate
with all stakeholders, including the Taliban. Mitigate civilian casualities
by ending bombing.
6. Peace economy—cut military spending and spend that money on human and
environmental needs.
7. Real security through international cooperation--move money from Dept.
of Defense to the State Department.
8. START Treaty is expiring this year. Needs renewal and to be
strengthened.
9. Pass the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty—needs a 2/3 majority vote in the
Senate.
10. We need to push Obama to take the lead on a treaty to abolishing nuclear
weapons.
11. Iran—we need high level diplomatic talks. Need to be regional
eventually. No new sanctions. More citizen to citizen diplomacy.
12. Peace votes—looking ahead to the primaries next year. Brief
candidates.
13. More public education on our issues.
Salaam/Shalom/Peace-----------Peter Mitchell