Message from Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange Dear Friends, PLEASE HELP US COMMEMORATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11 WITH A FOCUS ON PEACE AND HEALING With the anniversary of September 11 coming up in the fall, we at Global Exchange, along with a number of peace and justice groups, are encouraging groups and individuals around the country to work with us to put together events in our communities the weekend before September 11 (September 7-8) that will focus on Peace and Healing as a way to build a safer, more just world. These community gatherings for peace will help counter some of the official commemorations that will advocate US military campaigns as an appropriate response to terrorism. We hope to have 30 cities/regions throughout the country working together on this, and need your help to make it happen. The purpose of the local or regional events is to: * be pro-active and set a peaceful tone to the commemorations that will be taking place on 9/11 * plug people into concrete activities they can undertake on behalf of peace and social justice * tie in the global issues (global peace/global security) with social justice issues in our own communities * encourage the media to show that there is growing discontent around the nation with the Bush's military response to 9/11 Local variety and autonomy: Each of the regional groups will organize its own activities according to local capacity and interests. Some gatherings will attract thousands, others hundreds. Some will have many activities=8Bconcerts, teach-ins, film= showings, theater and dance performances, children=B9s activities; others will be simpler. Some will be weekend-long events; others one-day events. Some will be somber with candlelight vigils; others might focus more on the celebration of life. In San Francisco, for example, we are planning a large event for all of northern California. We envision a peace concert on Saturday from 1-7pm, a possible overnight Peace Camp in our Civic Center, and then on Sunday a day full of activities organized by a wide array of local groups. We are meeting with our City Council to ask them to declare the weekend of September 7-8 a =B3Weekend of Peace and Healing=B2 and have the city to provide us with the venue for the activities. While functioning autonomously, the regional groups will be tied together nationally through a common name, purpose, website and media strategy. Possible Points of Unity 1. Mourn the victims and condemn the attacks of September 11 2. Stand in defense of civil liberties 3. Oppose all forms of racial, ethnic, and religious violence and bigotry 4. Oppose military intervention and war 5. Seek global peace through social and economic justice 6. Work for justice not vengeance, through adherence to established principles of international law. Possible names: A Gathering for Peace and Healing Remembrance and Hope 911: Emergency Call for a Peaceful Planet 911: Emergency Call to End all Forms of Violence Building Peaceful Tomorrows Imagine: A Collective Dream for a Peaceful Planet Building a Safer World for Our Children No Terror, No War: Building a Peaceful Planet Ideas for events: Concert with diverse local artists Walk for Peace (Walk-a-thon from one significant point to another) Peace Picnic Silent vigil at symbolic spot Multicultural bazaar to celebrate our diversity and commitment to =B3no= hate=B2 Film showings on themes of peace and nonviolence Interactive art projects=8Bmural or tile project Open mike for people to voice their concerns/ideas Interfaith services Street theater and dance Speaking event with famous speaker Teach-in and workshops on most pressing ideas Press conference with diverse community leaders Funding: There are presently no funds for this. Each community will have to come up with its own funding plans. We would do some joint fundraising for overall coordination. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH US ON THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange at medea@globalexchange.org or 415-255-7296. We look forward to working with you! |