Saturday, February 04, 2017

VFPeNews:Statement on Muslim Ban and Border Wall, Comment for #NoDAPL



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Veterans For Peace Statement on Muslim Ban and Border Wall

Veterans For Peace strongly condemns President Trump’s executive orders banning travelers from seven Muslim majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the expansion of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and the acceleration of deporting undocumented immigrants.
As veterans, we took an oath to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution. The fundamental values we were told we risked our lives to serve, the values for which so many of our brothers and sisters rendered the ultimate sacrifice, are now facing a serious and existential threat.
The Trump administration’s implementation of hateful White Nationalism through draconian executive orders that target Muslims and ban immigrants and refugees as well as U.S. visa and green card holders, and push for an extension of the wall on the border, are betrayals of the sacrifices made by U.S. veterans. <Read Full Statement>

Zinn Fund Request for Proposals

The Howard Zinn Fund for Peace and Justice was founded to support grass-roots projects that make demonstrated changes for greater peace and justice.
The Howard Zinn Fund for Peace and Justice seeks proposals from VFP Chapters and members working on bold new approaches to resisting the causes of war. While we are open to funding any project which fits the VFP mission, we are particularly interested in working with chapters to:
  1. Increase diversity of membership and build new coalitions at the chapter level,
  2. Resist fossil fuel projects at a local level,
  3. Promote reconciliation and reparations for war crimes.
We will fund projects not related to the above items, and we do not want to dissuade any chapter or national member with a good idea and a plan of action from applying.

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Open Letter to Donald Trump: End U.S. War in Afghanistan

The U.S. war in Afghanistan is well into its 16th year. In 2014 President Obama declared it over, but it will remain a political, financial, security, legal, and moral problem unless you actually end it.
The U.S. military now has approximately 8,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan , plus 6,000 other NATO troops, 1,000 mercenaries, and another 26,000 contractors (of whom about 8,000 are from the United States). That's 41,000 people engaged in a foreign occupation of a country 15 years after the accomplishment of their stated mission to overthrow the Taliban government.
During each of the past 15 years, our government in Washington has informed us that success was imminent.
During each of the past 15 years, Afghanistan has continued its descent into poverty, violence, environmental degradation, and instability. The withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops would send a signal to the world, and to the people of Afghanistan, that the time has come to try a different approach, something other than more troops and weaponry.

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Ann Wright Arrested in U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee

On Jan. 31st, Veteran For Peace member Ret. Col. Ann Wright was roughly arrested for speaking out against the nomination of Jeff Sessions and telling Senate NOT to confirm him at the Senate Judiciary Committee. The four-term Senator has come under fire for his record on voting rights, race, immigration and police reform.
"I am a retired U.S. Army Colonel and a former U.S. diplomat. I say No Hate, No Racism, No Ban on Muslims and NO Jeff Sessions." - Ret. Col Ann Wright, lifetime member of Veterans For Peace

Peace In Our Times Winter Edition Available for Download!

The Winter Edition of the PIOT is sold out but is now available for download!
Peace In Our Times is a Veterans For Peace publication.  It is a great outreach tool and getting the message of peace out! 
Order your spring edition to make sure you don't miss out when it's available.

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VFP Board Members Attend #NoBan Airport Protests in Albuquerque

"WE felt the presence and solidarity of veterans was important. Not only as veterans but as citizens and human beings we have an obligation to stand with and for all those who are oppressed. We remember and believe what Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Besides that, the human experience of being with so many people who care about others, who care about human rights and justice was incredibly empowering and uplifting." -Tarak Kauff, VFP National Board Member

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A Request from VFP-ROCK


VFP-ROCK sent a letter and request to all members to help futher the work of the Okinawan people.
"Warm greetings from Okinawa.  Two resolutions opposing yet more base construction on Okinawa, Resolutions 2016-9 and 2016-20 were passed by acclamation at the convention, with less than ten opposing votes each in the national polling. This was reported in the local Okinawan newspapers and television, giving great encouragement to the demilitarization movement in Okinawa.  As the US military occupation of Okinawa enters year 71, much gratitude goes to the US chapters of VFP for their solidarity and advocacy.
Now that the resolutions have been officially approved by the membership, it is time for us to ask each chapter to take some form of action on this, to the degree possible."

Do You Have a Great Resource?

We want to hear from you!
We are hoping to include a helpful resource in our weekly VFP E-News   Do you have a  resource that you have found useful in your work for peace?  A great movie?  Good guides to build organizing skills?  Let us know! 
Please send Resources that can be accessed online or are available to folks across the country.

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In This Issue:

VFP Statement on Muslim Ban and Border Wall
IVAW: Write Comment for #NODAPL

Zinn Fund Seeking Proposals!

Stop the Privatization of the VA!

Open Letter to Donald Trump: End U.S. War in Afghanistan

50th Anniversary of "Beyond Vietnam" Speech

Ann Wright Arrested in U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee

Ray McGovern Hosting Free Webinar

Peace In Our Times Available for Download

Do You Have a VFP Patch?

VFP Board Members Attend #NoBan Protests

Dr. Camillo Mac Bica Reflects

2017 Peace Essay Contest

Save the Dates: Upcoming Events


IVAW: Write Comment for #NoDAPL

Write Your DAPL Public Comment to the Army Corps of Engineers – Veterans Will Deliver it Directly to Them
Calling all Water Protectors – this is an all hands on deck moment. We demand that the Army Corps of Engineers keep their word and conduct a full review of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Army Corps must solicit public opinion as part of their review, but the government’s webpage won’t accept our comments. So we have a new plan: members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will deliver your comments right to the Army Corps’ door.


Stop the Privatization of the VA

Express strong opposition to recommendations by the Commission on Care that will weaken the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and significantly increase the share of veterans’ care provided outside of the VA. Proposals to shift funds to private contractors and for-profit care will take desperately needed resources away from our veterans, and should be rejected.

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50th Anniversary of Beyond Vietnam Speech

April 4, 2017 will be the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.  In confronting the deeply rooted racism,  militarism and materialism of the United States,  Dr. King described the United States as the greatest purveyor of violence in the world.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the reading of Martin Luther King’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech, we are asking local VFP chapters to organize speech-reading events.

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Ray McGovern, VFP Advisory Board Member, Host Free Webinar

CHALLENGING MISSILE DEFENSE IN THE AGE OF TRUMP:
The Fight to Stop U.S. THAAD Deployment in South Korea Webinar/Teach-in
Monday, February 13 at 8:00 p.m. EST / 5:00 p.m. PST
Ray McGovern, a VFP Advisory Board Member, and Professor Jae-Jung Suh will be giving a FREE webinar/teach-in online to anyone who wants to join. Hosted by StopTHAAD.org, a U.S. based task force to Stop THAAD in Korea and U.S. Militarism in Asia & the Pacific. VFP has endorsed StopTHAAD.

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2017 Peace Essay Contest!

The West Suburban (Chicago) Faith-Based Peace Coalition is sponsoring a Peace Essay Contest with a $1,000.00 award to the winner, $300 for the runner-up, and $100 for third place. Essays have to be directed to a person who can help promote knowledge of the Kellogg-Briand Pact (KBP)and, from whom a response is expected. Essays will be judged not only on the quality of the essay but on the impact of the response. Everyone is eligible to participate; there are no restrictions regarding age or country of residence. 

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Do you have a VFP patch?

Sew this embroidered patch on jackets, hats, backpacks, shorts and more to identify yourself with VFP at events in any weather.  
SIZE: 3" x 2.25"
Only $3.50 -- All proceeds support VFP's ongoing work.

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VFP Member, Dr. Camillo Mac Bica Reflects

Dr. Camillo Mac Bica, VFP Member, reflects on his heritage and history in the current poltical landscape.
"I grieve about how this nation has forgotten its values and what we stand for as Americans. For me, it has absolutely nothing to do with political ideology or who resides in the White House. For me, it’s about remembering my heritage, the people I knew and loved. For me, it’s about who I am, and where I came from. For me it’s about the values that I fought for, and for which many of my friends died."

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Save the Dates: Upcoming Events

Feb 6-12 - Travel for Activists: Cuba.  See itinerary and prices.  Contact Jim Ryerson, jimryerson@earthlink.net
March 11 - Half Day VFP Retreat in Nashville: contact Joey Kingjbkranger@aol.com
Aug 9-13 - VFP Annual Convention-"Education Not Militarization", Chicago, IL.  There will be a concert the evening of the 13th, so plan to stay the evening of the 13th!  More details to follow soon!
Veterans For Peace, 1404 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102

Veterans For Peace appreciates your tax-exempt donations.
We also encourage you to join our ranks.


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