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, December 22, 2018

Peace is Possible! Veterans For Peace

Veterans For Peace<vfp@veteransforpeace.org>

12/21/2018 4:55 PM

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Thank you for interest and engagement with Veterans For Peace. It is our hope that you will support us further with a monetary donation today!

As 2018 comes to a close I am aware that the news cycles have many of us weary.

But I am reminded we have seen this before.

Fifty years ago, in 1968, this country was also at a moment of great uncertainty. We were engaged in a horrific war in Viet Nam and the Tet Offensive shocked the nation into realizing the optimistic picture being painted of the war by the Johnson Administration was a lie. At home, the U.S. was in the midst of large-scale civil rights struggles. The year saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy. The government and police had ramped up surveillance of activists and community organizers and were increasingly aggressive at peaceful protests.

Although I was a young child during that time, I also know what many of you know, that these struggles and uncertainties also inspired resistance. Hundreds of thousands continued the Poor People’s Campaign in a tent city in Washington D.C., forwarding King’s vision before his death of poor people across all differences banning together to advocate for themselves. Resistance against the war in Viet Nam saw incredibly courageous actions by active duty servicemembers, many of whom are now in Veterans For Peace. And many organizations, groups and individuals applied so much pressure on Congress and the President that the Civil Rights Bill was passed. Resistance brought change that would not have otherwise happened.
It is when we are weary, that we must look to our legacy of struggle for inspiration and what we know is true so that we do not forget that peace is possible.

And YOU are what makes Peace Possible!

We can and must continue this work to stand up against the powerful forces that are looking to drag us back. We appreciate the interest you’ve shown Veterans For Peace in the past and we are hoping you will stand with us by donating $25, $100, or $200 today to help us build for a more peaceful future?

Sincerely,