Saratoga Peace Alliance Meeting  July 20, 2007

 Present: Patty Christenson, Claire Cafaro, Jeffrey Halpern (facilitator), Pete Looker, Barbara Murphy, Joe Seeman

 1-   After the agenda review, those present held a lengthy discussion about developments related to government policies and developments within the peace movement.  In September Congress votes again on funding the war

. Here are some of the ideas which came out of the discussion:

• Reach for common ground  (e.g. PTSD, Health Care, Women and Children )
• Hold a meeting with Saratogian editorial board
• Hold a regional meeting with Times Union
• Tabling/flyering/ get on Radio Talk Shows
• Educate and organize to reach those who don’t agree with us
• Educate people re their self-interest
• Get solid facts and find a way to present them to people
• Get into the emotional part, turn the emotion around in a non-threatening way

 2-   There are several actions scheduled in August and September.:

·       August 8    small group meeting with Rep. Gillibrand

·       August 13  Meeting re Syracuse regional demonstration

·       August 15:  Muslim Solidarity March, Albany

·       Sept. 21 U.N. International Day of Peace

·       Sept. 21  Initiation of “Iraq Moratorium” (monthly demonstration)

·       Sept. 24   Meeting with David Easter, Peace Action at Barbara Murphy’s

·       Sept. 29   Regional demonstration, Syracuse

Oct. 13    Effects of war on women, children…(in Saratoga, organized by Chatham Peace Initiative)

3-     We discussed plans for celebrating UN Day of Peace on Sept. 21: Gather at P.O. from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

6:15   Walk to Spirit of Life, Congress Park, float candles

Sing,   spoken messages from the circle

 4-       Next SPA meeting scheduled for Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. , Saratoga library. We decided to cancel the September meeting in view of actions Sept 21 and meeting Sept. 24.

 Claire Cafaro, note taker