VFP eNews: Memorial Day, 2017 Resolutions, Peace In Our Times
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National Mobilization of Veterans Memorial Day Weekend
Stop Endless War • Build for Peace!
May 29 and 30, 2017 Washington DC In response to President Trump’s outrageous budget proposal, including a $54 billion increase for the Pentagon, VFP and other veterans groups will not be silent. Planning for this was started in response to VFP’s galvanizing statement about Trump’s Military Budget and our desire and responsibility as veterans, citizens and human beings to express our strong resistance to his policies and our commitment to find a better way to peace.
RSVP Now for the event!
For more information contact Tarak Kauff, VFP National Board Member, takauff@gmail.com, 845 679-6189 or 845 706-0187 For more information on the Letters to the Wall project contact Doug Rawlings, rawlings@maine.edu, 207 500-0193 Back to Top
Veterans For Peace 2017 Resolutions
Every summer members of VFP are given the opportunity to shape organization policy by submitting resolutions that are reviewed and voted on by the membership. Resolutions approved in previous years can be viewed at our Master Index.
For the yearly resolution process, this starts approximately 90 days before the start of the annual VFP Convention when resolutions start to be accepted and close 30 days prior to the start of the pre-Convention Board of Directors meeting. For 2017 the first day resolutions could be submitted was May 1st and the deadline for submission is July 9th. Check out this helpful note of tips from Bob Krzewinski – VFP Resolutions Committee Chair
Wage Peace, Not War in Korea!
Top officials declared that the old policy of “strategic patience” is over, it seems the Trump administration will continue more or less the failed policy of the previous administration’s North Korea policy, but with a new sense of urgency and greater focus. However, in view of the unpredictable temper of Trump, the new policy is very risky because greater military and economic pressure may increase the likelihood of re-igniting the terrible Korean War. At this time, US is building up its military power in Korea and Japan. USS Carl Vinson, the aircraft carrier with 90 warplanes, is conducting joint naval drill with Japanese Navy near Okinawa, and a US nuclear submarine, which can fire Tomahawk missiles, also arrived at Busan, S. Korea.
We have advocated that the real solution to the continuing military tension in Korea is to end the Korean War officially with a peace treaty, not just focusing on denuclearization in N. Korea. But it is unclear at this time when Trump will pivot from military pressure to direct talks with North Korea. Thus, it is critical for our VFP members and supporters to engage in sustained public advocacy for permanent peace in Korea.
Take Action Today:
National War Tax Resistance Gathering
St. Louis, Missouri • May 5-7, 2017
Friends Meeting House • 1001 Park Ave., 63104
Friday evening and Saturday include panels, workshops and discussion sessions, plus a special presentation of redirected tax dollars. As part of skills-sharing, we will participate in a WeCopWatch training on Saturday, and war tax resisters will offer how-to workshops for people newly interested in this form of resistance. NWTRCC’s business meeting on Sunday morning will be at a different location, followed by an in-depth war tax resistance counselors’ training for current resisters who would like to be part of the NWTRCC counseling network.
Shop VFP! VFP Logo Cards Front: VFP logo Inside/Back: Blank Order includes 10 cards and 10 envelopes. |
In This Issue:
Save the Date! VFP Annual Convention
The VFP Annual Convention is titled "Education Not Militarization" and will be held in Chicago, Aug 9-13 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.
Tabling/ Registration begin on Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Workshops will be held on Thu/Fri (Aug 10-11th)
Friday: VFP Concert at VIC Theatre
Saturday: Business meeting/banquet Sunday: Jackson Browne concert
More details to follow!
National office contact is Shelly Rockett
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The Golden Rule Wants You to Help Sail!
Interested in sailing on the historic anti-nuclear peace boat, the Golden Rule? It's fun!
Some crew will not have sailing experience, but most will have at least some. Our skippers will be very experienced in the area that they sail - on the coast, in San Francisco Bay, up the Sacramento River as far as Sacramento, or San Diego Bay. This year we will offer a modest stipend for licensed captains. Fill out the form by May 15 - we set sail from Humboldt Bay in northern California June 10 and arrive in San Diego August 22. While in San Diego all winter, we could use crew, too! Put in Your Orders for the New Peace In Our Times Now!
Willie Hager Arrested in Jacksonville
On April 7 2017, VFP member, Willie Hager (Wilder) joined with longstanding union leaders and community activists in Jacksonville Florida in an organized peaceful demonstration calling for peace in Syria. Five members were brutally arrested, including Willie Hager.
Here are "Demands"
1. Drop all Charges Against the #Jax5 2. Demand the protection of the right to free speech and to peacefully assemble. 3. Full Investigation of JSO Misconduct, brutality & any ties to White Supremacist Groups/Individuals 4. Full Investigation of Surveillance and Spying on union leaders & Community Organizers
Please visit and like Justice for Jax 5 for more information
Please sign the petition!
UNAC Conference 2017
Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad
Building a Movement Against War, Injustice & Repression! June 16-18, 2017 Greater Richmond Convention Center 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Join activists from the many domestic and international struggles as we build unity against the Trump Regime and the underlying system responsible for imperialist wars, poverty, racism, sexism, the oppression of LGBTQ people, attacks on Muslims and undocumented immigrants, environmental destruction and all forms of injustice.
Save the Dates: Upcoming Events
May 2-9 - Veterans For Peace Delegation to Cuba
May 5-7 National War Tax Resistance Gathering: Raising the Stakes: Resistance and Community Survival in Troubled Times
St. Louis, Missouri
May 29-30 - Memorial Day National Mobilization
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!
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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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