Schenectady Neighbors for Peace

Monday, Nov. 13, 2006

After each introducing ourselves and our favorite peace songs, which ranged from church hymns to offerings from John Lennon and Neil Young, we moved on to…

Announcements
Monthly vigils will be held in front of the federal courthouse in Albany, beginning Nov. 21, for “Justice for Aref and Houssain,” the two Muslim men convicted recently in a supposed terrorism-related plot. The vigils will be followed by a pizza party at the pizza place run by one of the men and his wife.

Bumper stickers “One nation, under God…with torture!?” are available for $1 each as a fund raiser for SNP.

A civil disobedience workshop is being held in Saratoga Springs on Friday and Saturday. The event is posted on the activist resource calendar.

Financial Report
The treasury holds $150, and then Elizabeth requested reimbursement for some counter-recruitment expenses 

Steering Committee Report

Started discussion about what is and what is not appropriate to include in our email messages. It was decided that nonpartisan announcements are fine, but not to include messages that specifically support a political candidate.

Started discussion about paying $1,050 for a 30-day billboard. Topic was set aside for now as we need to clarify purpose, audience and specific issue to be addressed.

Elizabeth and Anita reported on interview on Channel 16 and offer to host a half-hour monthly show. No decision made. 

Mark Twain Prayer
Maxine and Anita read this powerful reading written during the Spanish-American War but not published until after Mark Twain’s death. A committee has been formed to develop discussions questions to go along with presentations to local church groups, youth groups, civic groups, etc. 

Counter-Recruitment Efforts
Information provided about leavemychildalone.org, a website that provides opt-out letter forms that can be sent online to school district superintendents, high school principals and the Pentagon to assure that a young person is not contacted by a military recruiter, along with follow-up materials.

Elizabeth and Cary reported on a training they attended on selective service law and the recommendations for building a conscientious objector file well before a young person reaches the age of having to register with the selective service board.

Elizabeth talked about two-prong approach: leafletting outside schools and going to the school board to get approval to speak in the schools, which the school board must allow by law.

Elizabeth is going to be away Jan. 15-Feb. 14, and so will be contacting people to fill in the gaps during that time. 

NEXT MEETING will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 and will feature a “Peace on Earth” potluck supper. Bring a favorite food (suggestion to bring ethnic foods to highlight others around the world), another person to learn about SNP and a favorite peace song.