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History of Upper Hudson Peace Action
By Pat Beetle
This short history was prepared by Pat Beetle in preparation for our 25th
Anniversary celebration, March 2007. Upper Hudson Peace Action began as
the Upper Hudson USSR/USA Weapons Freeze Campaign.
In reviewing
our history by going thru old files I’ve been impressed by how we got the Upper
Hudson USSR/USA Weapons Freeze Campaign up and running. On Sunday February 14,
1982 the Times Union had a front page spread on “What would happen if an atomic
bomb dropped on Albany—Ground Zero at the Capitol—the immediate destruction and
circles of radiation spiraling out in all direction for miles.
We took out an ad in the
Times Union
This article and map galvanized a small group already concerned
about nuclear weapons; we met again the next week joined by many more people.
Our first project inspired by George Saxton of PSR was an Ad in the TU inviting
others to support the Freeze, contribute time and money to the effort. Many
responded.
Earlier some of us had
been involved with efforts of Capital District Anti- Nuclear Alliance and/ or
Americans against Nuclear War. The latter group was responsible for getting the
NYS Assembly to pass a resolution calling for the U.S. and the USSR to stop
testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons. Maurice Hinchey then
Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee helped considerably.
11,000 Signed Our
Petition
Many of us strongly supported John Dow’s candidacy for Congress opposing the
incumbent Sam Stratton who was against the Freeze. Unfortunately, Sam won.
Some months later when we presented him with 11,000 petitions calling for a
Freeze he said, “ These don’t mean anything. You’ll have to vote me out of
office.”
First Office
Pastor James Van Hoeven of First Church had offered to help and he and I
became co-chairs of the Campaign. Our first office was at Albany Friends
Meeting House, 727 Madison Ave. and our first staff Geralyn McDowell,
communications specialist. We connected with the National Nuclear Weapons
Freeze Clearing House, then in St. Louis, Mo. and made plans to join in some of
the nationally coordinated actions.
One Million People
Protest in Central Park
The first effort was major peace
demonstration in New York City. June 12, 1982. Wave after wave of groups of all
ages, walks of life, from all parts of the country carried huge banners against
the arms race and for the Freeze in a mammoth march to Central Park where
1 million people gathered. It was exhilarating and hopeful to be with so many
people devoted to peace in the world.
In November’82 Freeze
referenda were held in 444 New England town meetings., as well as in 9 states
and the District of Columbia. The vote showed the voters favoring US/USSR
Freeze as a first step toward mutual reduction of nuclear arsenals. Support
kept growing- endorsed by thousands of prominent citizens, 56 county councils,
276 city councils, hundreds of national and international organizations, more
than 200 Senators and Representatives as well as140 Catholic Bishops and 19
national labor unions.
Mash House Parties
As a way to raise money for lobbying
efforts nationally, House parties were organized
around the country on the same day Feb. 28, the
last episode of MASH ( #4078). In this area Geralyn organized 54 House Parties
with over 650 people attending. 126 participants offered to become active in
the campaign gave the names of 300 friends and contributed about $3000. Now
House parties are routine but that was an innovation.
Buses to Washington
Another national effort, was a
major lobby day March 8, 1983 in Washington, DC. We sent two full buses from
the Capital District. People of all ages slept on a gym floor and were briefed
on the arguments. Some met with Reps. Stratton and Solomon who both strongly
oppose the Freeze despite strong support in their districts.
The 1000 members of the New York State delegation found Senator D’
Amato’ office empty but when his aides reached him in Albany, he flew back and
met with the last few. After many tries we finally got a meeting with Senator
Moynihan. A day after our arrival the House the Foreign Affairs Committee voted
favorably and had an historic13 hour debate on the Freeze. In May the House
voted in favor of the Freeze by a 2 to 1 margin.
Freeze Walks
On October 1 ’83, Freeze walks were organized all over the country. Our
staff person, Jeanne Casatelli, organized walks in 8 communities in the two
local Congressional Districts, including in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Delmar,
Voorheesville, Altamont, Clifton Park, and Saratoga. Walkers sought sponsors
and contributions. During the walks they handed out flyers and spread the word.
National polls showed that that more than 70% of Americans supported a Freeze
but the politicians continued to throw billions into the Arms Race: funding the
MX, Pershing II and Cruise missiles; the B1 bomber and space weapons.
In the summer of 1983 the
Seneca Army Depot was the site of a major demonstration supported by many groups
from around the state protesting against the Pershing II and Cruise missiles
being sent from there to Europe. A number climbed over the fence and were
arrested. Also that summer the Women’ Peace Encampment set up near the Seneca
Depot on property they had purchased. Women came from all over the country to
become empowered and to speak out about war and violence against women.
In 1984 the Freeze focused on political activity to elect a new government-
president and Congress setting up a PAC Freeze Voter ’84 through which efforts
were channeled. In 1986, one of our members, David Burtis, took part in a major
push against nuclear weapons testing by traveling to the Nevada Test site for
protests there. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was finally signed by
President Clinton, but has never been ratified by the Senate.
Hiroshima Commemorations
Each year we would organize events to commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. In 1985 we participated in the Ribbon Project. People all over
the country made cloth panels illustrating what they could not bear to lose in a
nuclear war. Many of they were very beautiful. On August 4th 25,000
panels arrived in Washington DC, enough to stretch 15 miles. The human chin of
ribbons surrounded the Pentagon, White House and Capitol. It was a wonderful
feeling of connection with all humanity.
Also in 1985 we made
shadows for the first time. These were outlines on the sidewalk of human
figures, representing those vaporized by the atomic blast. We did this at five
different locations. Several participants were arrested.
Over the years we marched
to the Knolls Atomic Power plant in Niskayuna; had a large community picnic in
the Corning preserve, where we made lanterns to launch in the Hudson river to
remember the dead. More recently we have participated in the Grafton Peace
Pagoda Remembrances. In addition, at the Capitol, we have set up large displays
of the effects of the nuclear blast and related issues.
Move to Social Justice
Center
For several years we worked
out of an office on Morton Avenue. Our staff there included Jim Murphy and
Steve Segore. Then, in the spring of 1986, we moved our office to the Social
Justice Center, where we have remained to this day. Over the years, while
always being concerned about nuclear weapons, we have taken on many other peace
issues.
In later half of the
1980s, as the US increased Arms Sales abroad, we participated in campaigns,
developed by the Freeze focusing on Central American countries and East Timor.
One such effort was our sale of tee shirts-“Arms Dealers Make a Killing.”
Often on April 15 we
have advocated for economic conversion and developing a peace economy. Some
years we conducted a penny poll on the street asking passerby to put pennies in
jars representing how they would like their tax dollars spent. Invariably they
choose more life affirming programs.
The Freeze Became Peace Action in 1993
In 1987 the Freeze campaign joined with the Committee for a Sane
Nuclear Policy and became SANE/ FREEZE for some years. After the fall of
the Soviet Union, in 1993 a name which described our broader agenda seemed in
order and Peace Action was selected.
Weekly Vigil for Peace
Since Sept. 11, 2001 Peace Action in cooperation with
Albany Friends Meeting has held a Vigil for Peace in front of the Capital each
Wednesday noon calling for peace and an end to war.
In May 2003 Doug Rokke, a leader in the campaign against Depleted Uranium
Weapons, spoke at the Albany Medical College. This led to the development of DU
educational network which has been instrumental in advocating for Veterans
affected and getting the NYS Legislature to pass a bill calling for a Task
Force and registry of national guard personnel to be screened thoroughly and
treated for toxic effects of DU.
Recent Activities
In May 2006, David Easter began staffing our office in the Social Justice
Center. We now are publishing Peace Action News three times each year. We have
a new website,
www.peaceact.org with information about our activities and organizing
resources.
We now have five Upper
Hudson Peace Action branches: Troy Peace Action, Schenectady Neighbors for
Peace, Guilderland Neighbors for Peace, Southern Rensselaer Neighbors for Peace
and Pine Hills Neighbors for Peace. These groups hold weekly vigils, show films
in the area library, bring speakers, do counter recruitment leafleting and
participate in regional peace activities.
In January 2007 we
established the Student Peace Action Network, which brings together
representatives of area high school and college peace and justice groups to
support each other and plan joint activities.
Another new group is
Upper Hudson Peace Action’s Iran Working group, which has a local speaker’s
bureau, brings Iran experts to speak, writes letters to the area papers and
contacts elected officials.
(Pat Beetle is the Chair of Upper Hudson Peace Action.)
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