Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Founded 1972
"Human Race Not Arms Race"
PO Box 363
Geneseo NY 14454
<www.gvcp.org>
585-624-3673

September 4, 2013

Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT REGULAR GVCP MEETING is SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 1:00 PM (Lunch), 1:30 PM (Meeting). Omega Restaurant, 4182 Lakeville Rd (Route 20A) Geneseo.

NEXT GVCP EVENT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st, 4:00 – 7:00 PM, First Annual GVCP Peace Picnic to Celebrate the International Day of Peace. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly, established the International Day of Peace "…to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as the whole of humanity, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways."

GVCP will celebrate the International Day of Peace with a Peace Picnic/Potluck. The location is the campground owned by GVCP member Alan Van Epps, at 6070 McGinty Road, Conesus. [From Livonia, drive south 6.6 miles on Route 15. Turn right (west) on McGinty Rd, and go 0.6 miles to the bottom of the hill. Park there. There's a little path and bridge across a stream to get to the campground.] There may be enough water in the stream for the kids—or adults—to wade or splash around in it. Bring a dish to pass, plates & utensils, and chairs.

This Month's Letters & Calls: SYRIA, SYRIA, SYRIA The good news is that President Obama agreed to seek Congressional authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) in Syria. The peace movement can take real credit for this: we demanded that President Obama seek authorization from Congress, and we demanded that Congress insist that he seek authorization. We won. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Congress may authorize the attack. The President has promised that he only intends to conduct "limited strikes" in Syria. However, the Syria AUMF he sent to Congress is a blank check for war. It doesn't prohibit the use of U.S. ground troops. It isn't limited in duration. It isn't even geographically limited to Syria—this President or a future President could use it to strike Iran.

Action: E-mail or call the White House, Senators, and your Representative.

Message: I oppose U.S. military action in Syria. Military action will not stop the killing in Syria. The U.S. has to support regional diplomatic engagement. The U.S. should work through the U.N. and the International Criminal Court to punish the use of chemical weapons.

And, of course, GVCP is opposed to war even if Congress authorizes it. [Adapted from Just Foreign Policy, PANYS, and Friends Committee on National Legislation]

White House comments line is 202-456-1111 House of Representatives switchboard is 202-224-3121 Senator Gillibrand: 212-688-6262 Senator Schumer: 212-486-4430

Check official websites to send e-mail to Senators and Representatives. E-mail link to the White House is <http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments>

Peace,

Arnie Matlin for GVCP

GVCP is proud to be affiliated with Peace Action New York State