Guilderland Neighbors for Peace (GNP)
Spring 2007 Report

                                  By Michelle Maserjian

   Since July of last year, in keeping with our mission to focus on issues of peace and justice, the Guilderland Neighbors for Peace has been busy.   We continue with our weekly Monday evening vigils at the northeast corner of Routes 155 and 20from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. 

 Monthly Film Series
We started our monthly film series showing films from American Blackout which dealt with current voting rights issues, to Shadow Company a documentary film about military mercenaries (private military contractors) and how they are changing the face of the US military. Earth Day we showed the film Who Killed the Electric Car which spurred discussion about global warming and transportation alternatives.

Guilderland Public Library is our film venue due to its location and handicap accessibility.  Films are free, open to the public, with plenty of free parking.  Our next film will focus on shifting Memorial Day from being more than a long weekend by showing the documentary, When I Came Home.  This film is about homeless veterans from the Iraq war and the challenges they face when returning home.

 Sign Making Parties
GNP activities have included sign making parties.   We made a banner almost 20 feet long, which notes the number of Iraqis who have died so far.

If you had been to the large anti-war rally and march, the banner was held up in front of the state capital building.  Very impressive and eye catching! Also the banner was held up at various rallies with the most recent at Wolf Road to commemorate 4 years of US occupation of Iraq.