Executive Summary:
We are engaged in developing and growing a campaign whose target is restricting the funding of the proposed trillion-dollar nuclear weapons escalation. The emphasis is on building a social movement from the grassroots up.
Policy:
We support the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. However, as this is not achievable in the foreseeable future, so our work is focused on building a movement that could effectively pursue this ideal goal of complete nuclear elimination.
Long Range Policy Goal:
The long-range policy goal is to reduce the appropriations voted by House Appropriations committees that control the overall defense and nuclear weapons budgets.
Activities Planned in 2017 to Further Policy Goal:
- Growing our Working Group
- Hold Workshop at April 1 MAPA Annual Meeting
- Meet with North Shore group to plan North Shore event;
- Participate in May 6 Conference “Reducing the Danger of Nuclear War” at MIT;
- Each one add one; try to recruit 1 new member to NDWG meetings, or at least to its listserv.
- Update Trifold brochure to include information on joining Working Group directly.
- Send out direct mail fundraising letter, describing MAPA efforts, including brochure, and making clear that participation welcome as well as $$ donations (volunteer sign up today).
- Reaching Outside Peace Movement:
- Local Forums picking up on one of campaign themes “Build Housing Not Bombs”, “Subways Not Submarines”, campus talks on “Invest in Minds not Missiles”. These can be at a public library, or at a Church or even a house party, in cooperation with Faith Communities Outreach Committee and Social and Economic Justice Committee. Of course our campus groups are also natural potential partners.
- Establish a Speaker Bureau with a Brochure describing our speakers,
- Increase web site presence – (NDWG webmaster to work with Cole.)
- Participate in Tax Day GDAMS activities/ planned for April 15th– march, rally, forum.
- When Taxpayers Revenue Information Act Hearing is scheduled, actively promote and participate.
- Develop an updated or revised Petition Campaign.
Coalition Work:
Collaborative activities with AFSC; Pax Christi; People’s Budget Campaign; National Priorities Project; Brandeis, Tufts, Boston College PA groups; a variety of other local committees sharing concerns over nuclear weapons.
Organization:
Meetings every three/four weeks to oversee and continue campaign planning and activities.
Convener:
Jonathan King
How to Contact the Working Group?
Contact Jonathan King via email at jaking@mit.edu
How is your group going to grow?
By organizing joint events with organizations in Eastern Ma who share NDWG concerns; eg North Shore People for Peace; Veterans for Peace; Public transit advocates (MBTA Coalition; MassPIRG; T-Riders Union; Cambridge Residents Alliance; Our Revolution.