Saturday, February 16, 2019

A delegation from our MAPA Nuclear Disarmament Working group will be meeting with Rep. McGovern on Wednesday Feb 20 in Worcester. The main agenda item and origin of the meeting, is to discuss how to proceed with our effort to cut the nuclear weapons budget. In particular what we should put forward to the Progressive Caucus for inclusion in the Pentagon Spending section of the People's Budget.

Jonathan King<jaking@mit.edu>
Dear Colleagues:

A delegation from our MAPA Nuclear Disarmament Working group will be meeting with Rep. McGovern on Wednesday Feb 20 in Worcester. The main agenda item and origin of the meeting, is to discuss how to proceed with our effort to cut the nuclear weapons budget. In particular  what we should put forward to the Progressive Caucus for inclusion in the Pentagon Spending section of the People's Budget.

We are looking for his input on thrusts he would be willing to lead; for example broad call for canceling (or reducing?) the $Trillion dollar nuclear weapons upgrades; or much more focused request to cancel specific components of the nuclear weapons budgets. In that case which ones?

We hope to also discus with him which of the various thrusts of our statewide Peace and Justice Network has been promoting in the State Legislature  - Back from the Brink, No First Use, Ban Treaty, Bridges not Bombs, etc -  will be most likely to get traction with the Congressional Progressive Caucus national  legislative agenda.

Of course we will be open to any initiatives he is interest in, in the broader realm of war and peace.

We are also hoping he will agree to be a keynote speaker at a Mass Peace and Justice gathering,probably also in Worcester, during one of this spring recess periods. We know that only one state can't significantly influence Congressional budgets or legislation. If we can agree on such a one day meeting, we would propose inviting some of our nuclear disarmament allies from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Ct, Rhode Island and NY. Many have expressed interest in finding ways to cooperate more effectively. If other groups such as PSR, or Resistance Center, or Veterans for Peace, etc., are also planning late spring local, statewide, or regional gatherings, maybe we can work together.

Some of you are probably involved in separate meetings with McGovern. We will report back to Mass Peace and Justice Network on outcome of our discussion.

Jonathan
(Chair, MAPA Nuclear Disarmament Working Group)

Jonathan King
Prof of Molecular Biology
MIT
Cambridge MA 02139
617 253 4700


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