Saturday, December 29, 2018

VFPeNews: No More Deportations! Veterans For Peace

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Veterans For Peace Statement on Trump Plan to Deport Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian War Refugees

President Donald Trump's administration has announced a plan to deport Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian war refugees who came to the United States after our disastrous war in their nations over four decades ago. Veterans For Peace denounces this plan as a dishonorable betrayal of former allies in war and a racially-motivated attack on minority communities. 
Veterans For Peace stands firmly in support of the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian communities, and are directly opposed to the Trump administration's plan to deport them. We will work with these communities and other allies to support them against this deportation plan, and offer aid as we can.

Diplomacy with Iran

Veterans For Peace has signed on to the initiative led by Foreign Policy for America.
Pro-diplomacy groups representing millions of American voters urge lawmakers to publicly articulate and support the following principles with respect to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that verifiably blocks each of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear weapon and created a much-needed diplomatic relationship between Iran, the United States, and U.S. allies.

Still Time to Take Action For Okinawa!

The resolution on new base construction project at Henoko in Okinawa that we submitted to - and was approved overwhelmingly by - the Saint Paul Convention has now been finally approved in the referendum of all members (591 to 5).

Now is the time to put it to work.  It is written as an appeal to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to launch an investigation of that project.  Last year’s GAO report on the Marines in the Asia-Pacific contained veiled criticisms of the Henoko project, so there is a real possibility that they might take this up big time.

But to do that they need a nudge from Congress. The letter form below makes it very easy to send the text of this resolution to your congresspeople.  Type in your zip code and it comes up with the names of the reps from your district. Push the button and it sends off the resolution to all three of those reps.  VFP has some 3000 members.  Numbers like that could produce a very big nudge.

Okinawa is moving toward crisis. Their vigil at the gate has continued for more that 5000 days; their actual sit-in (blocking construction vehicles) more than 1000.  A move by GAO could have an impact.

Posada Without Borders

"The traditional Posada Without Borders was celebrated simultaneously in Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego (California) on Saturday for the 25th year, even as the participants from the United States were prevented from coming close to the border fence.
This posada, a Mexican tradition which commemorates the pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph in search of a room, brings together hundreds of people from both sides of the border who are separated by a fence, located at the Friendship Park on the US side.
But this year those attending the event on the US side of the border had to maintain a distance of about 60 meters on order of the US Border Patrol." (Excerpted from LA Times coverage)
Robert Vivar, a member of Veterans For Peace and deported Gold Star Father, said of the event "For 25 years our communities Tijuana/San Diego, have come together on this sacred ground to celebrate the love our communities share. No Border Hate Wall, can divide our friendship

The Peace Report: A Story of Imperialism w/ Dr. Annmaria Shimabuku

Dr. Annmaria Shimabuku is professor of East Asian Studies at New York University. We discuss U.S. militarism and Japanese capitalism on the island of Okinawa.
The island holds 32 US military bases where nearly 20 percent of the island is controlled by the Pentagon. At the same time, Okinawa suffers from a history of Japanese racism, capitalism, and exploitation.
Great watch for folks looking to understand and learn more about Okinawa!

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!)

In This Issue:

Remembering the Christmas Truce

Veterans For Peace is celebrates the anniversary of the Christmas Truce. We urge our leaders to follow the example set by the Christmas Truce soldiers who rejected militarism and the glorification of war. We call on the nation to honor veterans and all those who have died in war by working for peace and the prevention of war.
Who better than veterans who work for peace to tell the story of these soldiers' celebration of peace in the midst of war? There is no better way to honor the dead than to protect the living from the fear, terror and morale deprivation of war. Our society needs to hear this story that peace is possible.
Here are ways that you can be involved in the efforts to celebrate the Christmas Truce:
Spread the message on social media.  Be sure to join in the conversation!

Executive Director Position Available

Veterans For Peace (VFP) seeks an Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization in a new period of growth and achievement, building from a strong base of existing organizational assets. Ideal candidate has solid fundraising and nonprofit management skills and a passion for the mission of Veterans For Peace. The VFP national office is in Saint Louis. Willingness to live in St. Louis, at least initially, is strongly preferred. Past military experience required.
To apply, please send e-mail cover letter, resume and three or more references to employment@veteransforpeace.org.  The deadline for applying is January 31, 2019.

Redacted Tonight: Matt Hoh

Matt Hoh represented Veterans For Peace on Redacted Tonight with Lee Camp last week. Hoh talks about the physical and emotional trauma he’s suffered since his military service, and how his experiences opened his eyes to the horrors of the US war machine.
Lee has also chosen to donate a portion of the proceeds from his online comedy show to Veterans For Peace.  You can check it out here!

They Named Me Vicki

Check out this short video profile of Vicki Ryder, one of VFP's most amazing Associate members.  The video focuses on her role in the Raging Grannies!
""My parents named me Vicki for a quick victory over fascism. I was born to conquer fascism and racism and militarism and all the -isms my parents were concerned about in those days."
Vicki Ryder, 76, has been an activist all her life. Today she plays a critical role in several social justice organizations, including the Raging Grannies, Poor People's Campaign, and Veterans for Peace. She is a skilled writer of both protest music and letters to the editor, and a dedicated mother and grandmother. Her lifetime of service is a testament to her compassion, strength, and fearlessness in the face of a world that needs her now as much as ever. Despite the trials of age and womanhood, Vicki continues to fight for all those who cannot fight for themselves."

Election Results are In!

In case you missed our announcement last week, Ballots are In! 
Elected Board Members are Marti Guy Downing, Jesse Medvan, Daniel Craig, Willie Hager and George Johnson.  Since a board spot was vacated, creating a 6th open seat, that seat will go to the next highest vote: Michael Dempsey

January 10 - Friday, January 18, 2019 Peace with Iran Delegation
Jan 19 - Women's March, Washington D.C.
March 30-April 4 - NO To NATO events in Washington D.C.
May 4 - May 6 - 6th Seminar for Peace & Abolition of Foreign Military Bases, Guantanamo Cuba
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