AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Pivoting for Peace in Asia-Pacific

CHALLENGING US MILITARISM AND CORPORATE DOMINANCE

Saturday, April 19, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Cambridge Friends Meeting, 5 Longfellow Park (off Brattle St)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Hideki Yoshikawa, environmental campaigner; leader of the Okinawa movement against U.S. military bases; professor at Univ. of the Ryukyus and at Meio Univ.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
The Pivot: Motivations, Dimensions, Impacts, Possible Consequences
Joseph Gerson, American Friends Service Committee: Overview
Duncan McFarland, United for Justice with Peace: Chinese foreign & military policies
Alex Brown, President, IUE/CWA Local 201:Trans Pacific Partnership
Introductions: The Most Dangerous Hot Spots
Hyun Lee, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development: Northeast Asia
Yuichi Moroi, Temple University:Senkaku/Diaoyu; Japan-China-US

Impacts of the Pivot at Home: Building a Movement
Bruce Gagnon, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space: Solidarity
Mike Prokosch, New Priorities Network, Dorchester People for Peace: Move the Money, Costs of the Pivot
Speaker from Asian American Resource Workshop: The View from Asian American Communities
Workshops

Amidst the crisis over Ukraine, President Obama is returning to Asia and the Pacific in April to press a military, economic and diplomatic “Pivot” to Asia and the Pacific. The goal: to “manage China’s rise” in ways that ensure continued U.S. dominance. 60% of the Air Force and 60% of the Navy are being deployed to the region. Military alliances are being deepened, new military bases built, and hundreds of billions of dollars diverted to deploy dangerous advanced weaponry. And the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement is being negotiated in secret.
Though most Americans don’t realize it, we’ve come to the brink of war – potentially nuclear war – twice in the last two years, first during tensions with North Korea and then over the Senkaku/ Diaoyu Islands. Our hundreds of military bases have devastating impacts on people in “host” communities. And TPP will cost us jobs, worsen working conditions and assault the environment, all to increase U.S. economic leverage over China and further maximize corporate profits and power.
This one day conference will bring us to date on what is happening in Asia/ Pacific, how it will affect us here at home, and what we can do. Join us as we build our ability to pivot for peace, instead of for war.
Registration $10; registration plus lunch $20. Donations to the event beyond the cost of registration and lunch are tax-deductible. They are needed to meet the travel costs for our speakers.
Sponsored by American Friends Service Committee, Massachusetts Peace Action, United for Justice with Peace, Asian American Resource Workshop, and MoveOn.org Boston Council

Details: http://masspeaceaction.org/event/pivoting-for-peace

Info: JSherysr@afsc.org phone: (617) 661-6130

Schedule: http://masspeaceaction.org/4978

Download the Flyer

Join Massachusetts Peace Action - or renew your membership today!
Dues are $40/year for an individual, $65 for a family, or $10 for student/unemployed/low income. Members vote for leadership and endorsements, receive newsletters and discounts on event admissions. Donate now and you will be a member in good standing through December 2014! Your financial support makes this work possible!