Dear Friends,
Please consider attending any of these exciting events in the coming weeks!
21st Century Warfare: Pentagon Strategy and Activist Response
In the face of evolving military tactics and technologies, where full scale invasions are increasingly replaced with covert operations and drone campaigns, how can the peace movement reformulate its message and strategies to effectively curb the rise of these contemporary issues? Join speakers Subrata Ghoshroy (MIT Research Affiliate and MAPA board member) and Judy Bello (NY State Coalition to Ground the Drones) for an evening of learning, discussion, and contemplation on this matter to work on formulating the peace movement’s response moving forward. When: Wednesday, March 4th; 7:00 pm. Where: Friends Meeting House; 5 Longfellow Park; Harvard T; Cambridge.
Unfortunately conflicting with this event, the following two gatherings are also of note — should you be interested: First, there is a free screening of the film The Man Who Saved the World which focuses on the historic actions of Russian Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov during the Cold War, followed by a Q&A with the executive producers (MIT Building 4-163 @ 7 pm); Second, author Nan Levinson will read from her book War is Not a Game: the New Antiwar Soldiers and the Movement They Built at Somerville Public Library (7 pm).
Risks and Consequences: Nuclear Weapons in a Volatile World
With the rise of hostile tensions between the US and Russia, alongside the swelling ranks of ISIS and other terrorist organizations around the globe, the undeterred production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons is more pressing than ever before. Dr. David Wright, co-director of the UCS Global Security Program, and Sean Meyer, manager of strategic campaigns for the UCS Global Security Program, will participate in a round-table discussion on the risks and consequences of nuclear weapons, along with Scott Kemp, assistant professor of nuclear science and engineering at MIT, and Mareena Robinson, PhD. candidate and head of the MIT chapter of Global Zero, which is hosting the event. When: Thursday, March 5th; 12-1:30 pm. Where: MIT Building 1-135; 33 Mass. Ave; Cambridge.
“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners”
In honor of Black History Month, this event will center around the screening of an inspiring docudrama, Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, that takes a gripping look at the historical incidents that created an international movement to free activist Angela Davis during the 1970’s. The film is sponsored by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. When: Thursday, March 5th; 6:45-9:00 pm. Where: Central Square Cambridge Library; 45 Pearl Street; Cambridge.
Peace & Planet: Faith Perspectives on the Morality of Nuclear Weapons
The U.S. plans to spend $1 trillion on its nuclear weapons over the next 30 years, but we are told we don’t have $3 billion to fix the MBTA. Join us to hear the distinguished Catholic scholar Fr. Bryan Hehir present a Catholic approach to nuclear disarmament. After hearing and discussing Fr. Hehir’s remarks, we will make plans to organize Massachusetts residents to participate in the Peace & Planet Mobilization for a Nuclear-Free, Just, and Sustainable World on April 26th in NYC. When: Monday, March 9th; 7-9:00 pm. Where: Harvard University, Barker Center, Room 133; 12 Quincy St; Harvard T; Cambridge.
Vigil: The Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown is Not Over
In honor of the initial and residual consequences of the tragic Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011, On Behalf of Planet Earth will be holding a vigil to promote anti-nuclear awareness and activism. When: Thursday, March 12th; 8:15-9:15 am. Where: Federal Reserve Building (Japanese Consulate); 600 Atlantic Ave; South Station; Boston.
Local Environmental Action Conference 2015
Join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training and inspiration, including workshops on social media, banner making, fundraising, and more — along with a keynote address from Jacqueline Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program! Peace & Planet will set up a literature table and may also organize a workshop. When: Sunday, March 15th; 9:00 am – 5:45 pm. Where: Northeastern University; Curry Student Center; 360 Huntington Ave; Boston.
St. Patrick’s Peace Parade
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled. After an 11-month long legal struggle against the city of Boston, in which the parade permit application from Veterans for Peace was seemingly ignored, VFP announced on Monday, March 9th that their federal lawsuit against the city to receive the permit had been denied. Still, the lawsuit will continue in hopes of achieving the permit for next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Peace Parade.
If you’d rather spend the day active and outdoors, make your way to South Boston for the fifth annual St. Patricks Day Peace Parade! The parade will include representatives from Veteran, Peace, LGBT, Faith, Environmental, social and economic justice, and political groups. Sign Up to Attend – to Register your Organization – to Volunteer – or to ask a Question! When: Sunday, March 15th; 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. Where: D Street and West Broadway; South Boston.
Jeju Island: The Wind is Blowing – Film and Discussion
Korean peace, environmental and religious activists have built a major grassroots campaign and seek international support to stop the construction of the huge new naval base in South Korea. The base is key element of the “pivot” strategy to expand US military presence in Asia/Pacific. Join us to hear touring activists Hee Eun and Paco Michelson speak on the matter and present a screening of the film Gureombi — The Wind is Blowing in opposition of this environmentally-corrosive instance of US militarism. This event is cosponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and United for Justice with Peace. When: Wednesday, March 18th; 7-9:00 pm. Where: Friends Meeting House; 5 Longfellow Park; Harvard T; Cambridge.
Vincent Intondi: African Americans Against the Bomb
African Americans Against the Bomb tells the compelling story of those black activists who fought for nuclear disarmament by connecting the nuclear issue with the fight for racial equality. From early on, blacks in America saw the use of atomic bombs as a racial issue, asking why such enormous resources were being spent building nuclear arms instead of being used to improve impoverished communities. Black activists’ fears that race played a role in the decision to deploy atomic bombs only increased when the U.S. threatened to use nuclear weapons in Korea in the 1950s and Vietnam a decade later.
Vincent Intondi will speak at three events. Friday, March 20: Nuclear Weapons and the Black Freedom Movement. Noon, MIT Campus, room to be announced. Saturday, March 21: Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Abolish War, Embrace Humanity, welcoming the Walk for a New Spring, Cambridge Friends Meeting, 5 Longfellow Park; potluck 6pm, program 7pm; and Sunday, March 22: From Vietnam to Dorchester to the United Nations: Responses to Violence & Oppression. Gathering and interfaith witness with Walk for a New Spring, Tina Chery, and Rep. Byron Rushing (invited). Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. 1pm.
Walk for a New Spring
With the slogan “Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – Abolish War – Embrace Humanity”, the walkers of the Leverett Peace Pagoda will travel 44 days from Leverett, MA to Washington, DC and finally to New York City for the Peace & Planet mobilization on April 26.
In Boston/Cambridge, the Walkers will join Vincent Intondi on Saturday, March 21 for Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Abolish War, Embrace Humanity, at Cambridge Friends Meeting, 5 Longfellow Park; potluck 6pm, program 7pm; and on Sunday, March 22 for From Vietnam to Dorchester to the United Nations: Responses to Violence & Oppression, a gathering and interfaith witness with Walk for a New Spring, Tina Chery, and Rep. Byron Rushing (invited). Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. 1pm. On Monday morning they will lead a walk from Boston City Hall to the State House steps for a press conference; 10am. See the complete schedule.
Facing the Ongoing Nakba
Join the Nakba Education Project for a discussion on the ongoing Nakba affecting Palestinians both in Palestine and in the diaspora. Speakers from Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights will provide a historical overview of the Nakba and the Right of Return, the forcible displacement of Palestinians since before 1948 and continuing today, and the practicalities of return for refugees. Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, American Jews For A Just Peace, First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain. When: Sunday, March 22nd; 4-6:00 pm. Where: First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain; 633 Centre St; Jamaica Plain.
Resistance to the Vietnam War – The History the Pentagon Does Not Want You to Know or Remember
End the month by joining us for an action-packed, day-long conference about the people’s history of the Vietnam War on the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Teach-Ins. Explore diverse perspectives and forms of resistance both during and since this time through a variety of panels and discussions, including distinguished speakers such as Noam Chomsky, Louise Bruyn, and Carl Davidson. Registration is $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Register ahead of time here. When: Saturday, March 28th; 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. Where: MIT Stata Center; 32 Vassar St; Cambridge.
Peace and Planet: Mobilizing for a Nuclear Free, Just, and Sustainable World – April 24-26, New York City
The International Peace & Planet Conference, to be held on the eve of the NPT Review Conference, is being organized on the basis of five themes: nuclear weapons abolition, Move the Money (cutting military spending to prevent wars and fund essential human needs), climate change and environmental justice, the new era of global military tensions and wars, and racism and militarism. Through plenaries and workshops, the Conference Program will serve to share information and analyses, build and further integrate our movements for the longer term, and increase our impact on the NPT Review Conference. In addition to the five themes, a youth track is being organized. Register here. When: April 24-25. Where: Cooper Union, New York City.
After the two-day conference, the day before the 2015 NPT Review Conference begins, we will gather by the thousands in the streets of New York City for an international rally and march to the United Nations. On the streets and in front of the U.N., activists from around the world – with 2,000 from Japan, including Hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) – will make our demands for a nuclear-free world, for racial, economic, social, and environmental justice, and for an end to military crises and wars. With our numbers, speeches, signs, costumes, chants, songs, hope, creativity, and humor we’ll impact the diplomats and political leaders in New York for the NPT Review Conference and build and reinforce our movements. The march will end with the presentation of millions of nuclear weapons abolition petition signatures to U.N. officials. Reserve your bus ticket now; departures from Alewife or Riverside MBTA stations. Interfaith convocation 11:30 am; rally 12 noon; march 1pm; peace festival, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 3pm. More information: masspeaceaction.org/event/peace-and-planet.
Can’t make it to New York? Organize a group to participate in the Global Peace Wave!
A Video & Poster contest with cash prizes is open to students and youth under 24 years. Deadline: April 1
Don’t miss out on any of these unique and informative opportunities for activism, learning, and change. We hope to see you at one or, hopefully, many of these events!