Aug 14-16 "Close It, Clean It, Don't Repeat It!"

Instead of War is organizing for folks to go to Kansas City for the "Close It, Clean It, Don't Repeat It!" anti-nuke action (Information for the action below).

We will leave St. Louis on Saturday, Aug. 14th at 8 am and return Tuesday, August 17th by 2pm. (estimated cost $65 including travel, overnight stay and food. Limited income scholarships available.) We need to see who can come on the Peace Train by Wed, July 21st. Contact (314) 725-5303 or staff@insteadofwar.org if you can join us.

Enuf! We're saying enough to the nuke-parts plant called the Kansas City Plant. We'll do civil resistance Monday, Aug. 16, at either the current contaminated plant or the site for the new plant, and we need your help. To prepare for the resistance, we'll have the Aug. 14-15
conference "Close It, Clean It, Don't Repeat It!"

The conference starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Linwood United Church, 3151 Olive, KC, Mo. For spiritual reflections on bringing peace to violent neighborhoods and nations, the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker community from KC will be our leader. For nonviolence training and strategizing, we'll have Ralph Hutchison, leader of the resistance to the Oak Ridge, Tenn., nuclear production plant that deals with the uranium and tritium components to U.S. nukes
called Stop the Bombs. The KC Plant makes non-nuclear parts that both Oak Ridge and Los
Alamos (plutonium pit production) plants need. The KC Plant supplies 85 percent of each U.S. nuke, including firing sets, aiming devices, security systems, and casings for the fissile material. And the feds and the City of KC are barging ahead with plans for a replacement
plant for the KC Plant.

Come help us resist!

Torture-Two Perspectives From the Soldiers View

Veterans for Peace is very excited to invite you and your chapter/organization to participate in VFP's first two web streamed dialogues. One event will feature those who have tortured and another will feature those who are are survivors of torture. Not only will you be able to watch in live, but you will be able to submit your questions live to the presenters.

AUGUST 7, 2010 - TWO PERSPECTIVES, FROM THE SOLDIERS VIEW
12 noon (central time)
Featuring:
Justine Sharrock - author of "Tortured: When Good Soldiers Do Bad Things"
Andrew Duffy - served at Abu Ghraib prison
Woody Powell - Korean War Veteran

If you are in St. Louis, you can join us live at Eden Seminary.
Or watch live online via web cast. To watch the web cast and learn more visit http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Torture_two_perspectives.vp.html


Brought to you by Veterans For Peace
www.veteransforpeace.org
314-605-1580

3 Months After BP Spill, Choose a Side: People or Polluters?

On July 20th, concerned citizens from across Missouri gathered at Senator Claire McCaskill’s office to mark the three-month anniversary of the BP oil disaster and to remind Senator McCaskill that we cannot afford to wait 50 years to transition to a clean energy future. Speaking directly to her, Will Fischer of Climate Action St. Louis demanded that she, “In the wake of continued inaction, cross the line and stand with people, not polluters. To move towards a clean energy future, we demand that you reject campaign contributions from dirty energy corporations, work to switch federal subsidies from polluting fossil fuels to renewable technologies, and support an end to offshore drilling.”

Activists dressed as oil and coal executives presented a large check signed by BP, Peabody, and other dirty energy companies to highlight the influence of dirty energy money in politics. In recognition of the ongoing devastation in the gulf, demonstrators performed an oil “spill-in,” blocking traffic for 10 minutes, and then asked the Senator to choose a side.

The coalition that staged the event included Climate Action St. Louis, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, Missouri Student Environmental Coalition, St. Louis Instead of War Coalition, Student Sierra Coalition, Washington University Climate Justice Alliance, Green Action, 1Sky, Labadie Environmental Organization, and the Catholic Action Network.

Palestine Film Series: Occupation 101

Join us this Sunday 11 July 2010 for Occupation 101, part of the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee's Palestine Film Series at CTSA on Sunday evenings this summer!

Location: 1077 South Newstead, Forest Park Southeast, St. Louis, MO 63110

Time: Potluck dinner at 6:15, please bring food or drink to share! Film at 7PM.


Synopsis

A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.

http://occupation101.org/

Gather in the Garden with Justice and Peace Shares

Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
McGurk's Irish Pub, 12th and Russell in Soulard

It's that time of year again! Join Justice and Peace Shares in the annual fundraiser that is always a good time! Accoustical music by City Lark, appetizers and first drink provided. Bring a new Justice and Peace Shareholder and you and your guest attend free.

$10 suggested donation.
 
 
 
 
St. Louis Justice and Peace Shares (JPS) is a collaboration of six local groups with different missions, all committed to nonviolent social change and justice for the poor. Recognizing that competition for funds drains both staff and donors, in 2004 these organizations decided to collaborate on fundraising, education, and training.

To find out more about JPS: http://jps-stl.org/

Caterpillar: "Take the Responsibility, Do the Right Thing!"

"On June, 9th we traveled to Chicago to participate in an action with several groups to protest Caterpillar's sales of militarized bulldozers to Israel that are used to destroy Palestinian life. We traveled to participate in this campaign because we strongly believe that divestment is the strongest tool that we have to changing US participation in the Israeli governments policy of Apartheid towards the people of Palestine. Caterpillar and its equipment are responsible for the loss of life, loss of homes, loss of agriculture and infrastructure as well as continuing to build and support an apartheid structure. Our goal today is to tell Caterpillar: "Take Responsibility and Do the Right Thing."' -Colleen Kelly, Sandra Tamari and Mark Chmiel

Condemning Israel's attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla