Here are the notes from the last SNOW meeting, Monday, March 3: I. Neighborhood Actions Summary II. Scheduled Announcements III. Work Groups IV. Announcements V. Closing I. Neighborhood Actions The neighborhood groups have been up to a lot of good and creative work recently. This is a brief list, not exhaustive, of reported events: attended Jennifer Dunn's town hall meeting and invited Dave Barrian to speak (East Side), coordinated Paul Loeb presentation (Montlake/Capitol Hill), put up banner on old air raid tower two weeks ago in Phinney Ridge (Phinney), continuing monthly meetings and offered to host next SNOW meeting (Wallingford), decided to focus on re-affirmation of community support if the war begins (West Seattle), designed an ingenious apron to hold pamphlets and buttons, otherwise known as a "walking table" (North Seattle), have had 2 meetings already and will be concentrating on leafleting (Maple Leaf), continuing weekly vigil at 150th and Aurora and have made calls to talk shows and written letters to editors, continuing weekly potlucks and will be focusing on building infrastructure (Rainier Valley), planned a meet your neighbor night (Rainier Beach), ! composed a "Dump Cantwell" letter with bumperstick and continue to leaflet (Lake Forest Park), planned Peace Rally for March 11 (Woodby), starting video series next Friday for public education (Edmonds). II. Scheduled Announcements Bert and Howard proposed the formation of a media committee to begin immediately. One suggested action is to write a letter to the editorial pages of the PI and Times, bearing thousands of signatures, and begin a media watch. Vets for Peace group formed on December 7 and plans to focus on educating recruitment officers and youth. They spent $350 for signs, and would be happy for donations. Campus Network at the University of Washington is in formation. 300 signatures have already been acquired. April 4 will be a campus teach-in day. The SNOW Coordinating Committee proposed hiring a webmaster and a local organizer to carry SNOW through the long haul. The Seattle Menonite Church has offered to allocate $13,000 for a six month period. Can SNOW raise the rest? Come create bedlam and "blow the whistle" on Bush, etc. with Will Rose and others in front of the Federal Building every afternoon from 5-5:30. Inspired by A Force More Powerful, the organizers hope to have a critical mass there each day. Bring your pots and pans. Emergencey Response Coalition reminder: If war begins against Iraq, SNOW is responsible for day 5 of programming in front of the Federal Building. Speakers? Musicians? Performances? Keep the commitment to union printers by not xeroxing leaflets that have union bug. Volunteers needed for Saturday, March 9 from noon-5 to pass out information at Seattle Center for International Women's Day of Action. Nonviolence Training in two parts, March 15 and 22, from 10-1230 at Phinney Community Center. Talk to Ellen if interested. III. Work Groups Civil Disobedience/Direct Action: The group that has been meeting on civil disobedience/direct action hopes to conduct a dry run and legal action this Wednesday, March 5 at a military recruiting station downtown and attract media attention through street theater. The group received input and worked on details during the meeting. The group plans to have trainings on legal advice, etc. in the future. SNOW Storm: The next major SNOW event is scheduled for April 5. There will be block parties around the city, in which neighborhood groups can coordinate local events. The day will culminate possibly in a centralized location with a speaker or a performance. Some of the common elements of the block parties will be creating care packages for the people of Iraq and for US military families. The theme of this event focuses on four categories: 1.) the cost of the war to service people; 2.) the cost of the war to the Iraqi people; 3.) the economic cost of the war; and 3.) the cost of the war to workers and unions. The working group focused on the details of this event. They will be looking at permits for block parties and possibilities for programming. Another group will be looking at later in the day, and finding a place for an evening program, speakers, musicians, logistics, etc. SNOW as Resource for Neighborhood Groups: This group decided that the resource link on the SNOW web-site could be enhanced by listing suggestions for speakers, videos, and venues. They also suggested posting legal advice on the web-site. IV. More Announcements Slide Show on EPA Air Quality: Environmental Impacts of War on Sunday, March 9 at the Menonite Building at 7 pm. Shoreline Students Against the War are having a teach-in on Wednesday. Speaker? Speak Out Against the War on Saturday, March 8 at an Open Mic. Times and locations: 23rd and Jackson: 11 am 23rd and Union: 1230 pm 9th and Jefferson: 2 pm Saturday, March 8: International Women's Day March and Rally. Rally at noon at Victor Steinbrueck Park and march to Occidental Park. Seattle 12 Trial on March 14 at 9 am at the Federal Courthouse. FCC Hearing on March 7. Check out reclaimthemedia.org International Poets Against the War: Readings March 5 -- Penny Cafe at 7 pm. Shadowsong and Give Peace a Chance, films by local videographer Ken Schlesser, are available at Scarecrow video and SNOW library now. V. Closing The meeting concluded with a peace song by Kate and Ethan, who are travelling around the country, sharing their music.