Schenectady Neighbors for Peace   Minutes For September 10, 2007 

Members Present:  Lisa F., Linda M., Bonnie K., Elizabeth V., Anita P., David G., Bertha K. 

Facilitator:  Bertha K.

Minutes:  Elizabeth V. 

Report on SNP Events/Activities:           

Aug. 16^th:  White Light/Black Rain, powerful documentary of    Hiroshima/Nagasaki.  About 14 attended at the Niskayuna Branch Library. 

Aug. 22^nd,  Elizabeth, Bertha, and Helga met with Mr. Ely, Superintendent and Ms. Greenleaf, lawyer, for Schenectady School District.  Mr. Ely and Ms. Greenleaf stated that the principal of the Guidance Dept did not feel comfortable with the Truth in Recruitment literature from the American Friends Service Committee, as she felt the messages were too radical.  The dept is putting together their own package of information to present to the students.  Mr. Ely stated that we were welcome to present information and bring speakers in, as invited by the school clubs.  The meeting had a very positive outcome. The group set a date, Sept. 17^th, to commence this year’s leafleting on the school’s sidewalk.   

Sept. 8^th,  Roving Vigil during Stockade Art Show.  Only 3 of us participated, but we looked good with Anita’s rainbow colored peace flag.  We handed out literature, bumper stickers, and gathered a few signatures on our petitions.  Later that afternoon, Lisa and Elizabeth tabled at their block party.  Neighbors showed interest, took literature, and signed petitions. 

2 weekly vigils:  Tues. at 5:00 pm, The First United Methodist Church Vigil meets on the sidewalk in front of the church on State St., Schenectady.

The Good Friday Coalition Peace Vigil meets at 11:00 am on Fri.’s, on the intersection of Liberty and Jay Sts.

All vigils are for one hour. 

Capital District Events with SNP Member Participation: 

     Rally with the Muslim Solidarity Committee on behalf of Aref and Hossain

     Elizabeth- UHPA Steering Committee Meeting

     Lobbying Training by UHPA in Schenectady:  Elizabeth stated that there were 8     participants, with our member Helga S. providing the training.  Many of the participants shared their valuable experiences with lobbying.

     Other: 

     Upcoming Events: 

    Sept. 20^th,  Bertha and Mabel’s Code Pink presentation to WAW

    Sept. 21^st,  SNP:  Roving Vigil will occur during Schenectady’s downtown Art Walk

          We will gather at the intersection of Jay St and State St. (across from Proctors

          Theater), 6:30 til 7:30, for the first day of the UFPJ’s Iraq Moratorium We will

          hand out black arm bands.  Black arm bands are to be worn the 3^rd Fri. of every

          month from now on.  We hope to reserve table space for $25.

     Sept. 17^th, SNP: Truth in Recruitment Leafleting at Schenectady H.S. commences 

     Sept. 18^th, SNP: Several of us plan to meet at Elizabeth’s to make black armbands and

         beaded cranes for the table.

     Sept. 9^th, Syracuse/Ft. Drum Rally.  Most of us have decided to take the bus reserved

         for us by the committee

      Oct. 2^nd:  SNP:  The Ground Truth, Schenectady Main Library, 7:00

      Oct. 11^th,  Reese Erlich, THE IRAN AGENDA, pot luck 6:00, presentation 7:00,

         Sanctuary for Indep. Media, Iran Working Group, co- sponsored by SNP and others

 

Discussions: 

  Elizabeth has started the process to have Paul Rehm of the Christian Peace Maker Team and UHPA,  present re: his visits to Palestine/Israel at the 1^st United Methodist Church.  No date or confirmation yet.  Discussion about Bertha and Mabel’s upcoming presentation on their visit to Washington to lobby with other members of Code Pink.  Discussion about Code Pinks’ disruptive behaviors at today’s congressional hearing for General Petraes’ report and recommendations.  Discussed Black Arm Band/Iraq Moratorium initiative.  Anita volunteered to attempt to obtain a permit for a table at our Art Night peace vigil.  Discussed the need for more yard signs before Sept. 21^st.  Elizabeth will set up and man the table from 5:00.  Discussed enthusiastic response to Ft. Drum Rally, as quite a number of us will be going.  4 of us volunteered to start reaching out to people on the email list, Bonnie, Elaine, Elizabeth, Linda.  Elizabeth will send each volunteer 5 names from the list.  David G. will send Elizabeth a letter for the editor re: it being time for parents to get their students’ Opt Out letter’s into the school office.  Elizabeth will submit it, as David can’t at this time, having just had a letter in the Gazette.  Elizabeth volunteered to buy black ribbon and other supplies for our Tues. night gathering to make armbands, cranes.  Several people have complained that they aren’t receiving email from the list.  Elizabeth will look into it.  Elizabeth will be doing the publicity for Oct. and Nov.’s film nights, Roving Vigil for Sept 21^st, and Truth in Recruitment leafleting, on Sept. 17.  It was brought to her attention that our SNP monthly meeting has been dropped from the Activist Resource Calendar.  She will address that also.  Elizabeth will write the quarterly article for the UHPA newsletter.  Meeting was adjourned about 8:45.  

                                                                          Submitted By:   Elizabeth Villalobos

                                                                                                    Sept. 13, 2007