SNOW  - Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War Thurs 9/26/02 mtg. MINUTES (thanks to Shannon Turner-Covell and Gerry Condon for these!!!) INCLUDES EVENT INFO NEXT MEETING: Tues 10/1, 7-9 p.m. at the Mennonite Church (old Lake City Theatre), 3120 NE 125th St., Seattle. Just east of corner of Lake City Way and NE 125th, check bus lines: from downtown #522(new bus route and #), #306, #71, (last goes thru University district.) #41 is caught at Northgage Hub and many other buses go to hub. But new bus changes go into effect 9/28/02 so it check web page http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/ or phone 206-553-3000 WELCOME - Meeting opened with welcome by Jean Buskin, followed by us all singing the song "Have You Been to Jail for Justice" (led inspiringly by Mike Yarrow and Lou Truskoff). GIRAFFES We were "introduced" to colorful cutouts of giraffes that represent ""Stick Your Neck Out, Stand Tall for Peace" that the Creative Action Group are using in their actions. We were all encouraged to make, use, and display such in any of our other actions. It was suggested to give one to Congressman Jim McDermott and other officials "that stick their necks out" in saying no to war in Iraq. INTRODUCTIONS Briefly all us introduced ourselves, organizations we are members of, and if this was our first SNOW meeting. POINTS OF AGREEMENT recapped and briefly discussed. A few suggestions were made for changes to clarify the last agreement, but nothing was changed. [note from Jean B. - for efficiency, anyone who wants to suggest a change should bring an exact proposal to a meeting;  note that a change would need to be shown to all member organizations, so they could dissociate if they disagree, even if it's a tiny change] Several questions were asked about what was needed for holding gatherings in different places (i.e. permits). It was suggested we have someone in the future from ACLU to explain legal rights in this area to us. NEW SNOW MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS Jean spoke about additional organizations that have joined SNOW and some of the ones in the works. Some more were added from members in attendance.  "SNOW is snowballing", Mike commented. CURRENT LIST OF 12 ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS as of meeting American Friends Service Committee, Pacific Northwest Church Council of Greater Seattle Fellowship of Reconciliation, Seattle Chapter) Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq (INOC) No Name Affinity Group (Seattle) Pax Christi Pacific Northwest Peace and Justice Resource Center (Seattle) People for Peace, Justice, and Healing (Tacoma) Plymouth Congregational Church - Peace Action Group (Seattle) University Unitarian Church Peace and Justice Committee (Seattle) Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Wizards and Clowns for Peace (organizations which need points of agreement, or which want to formally affiliate, please contact Jean bb369@scn.org or 206-860-9649) REPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, GREAT THANKS to all those below! Nan McMurry set up a PHONE TREE;  anyone who doesn't have email of checks it infrequently can give their phone number to Nan at 206-783- 6366 Marcia Mullins has been in charge of EMAIL LISTS but now will send everyone information on the list serv which they can elect to join, if they haven't already We have a LIST SERV! you can sign yourself up (subscribe) or unsubscribe at http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/snow if you have any difficulty doing that, Tom Shea, our wonderful list manager is willing to do manual adds or drops, send him a message at tonglenus@aol.com, MESSAGES to the list serv, send to snow@lists.riseup.net These & previous MINUTES thanks to Shannon Turner-Covell & Gerry Condon DIRECT ACTION GROUP reported 12 people on 9/26 did sit-ins in Senators Murry and Cantwell offices, were arrested cited and released. The CD action was carried out courteously and nonviolently by the 12 SNOW members in the offices, many outside, office staff, and Federal Marshals.  A handout with some of the many people who did a lot of the work was distributed.  This was organized very quickly but we were able to stick to our principle that anyone risking arrest has a nonviolence training.  Erica Kay and Jean Buskin co-facilitated a training.  Special thanks to lawyers Jim Roe who answered many questions and Greg Wolk, our legal observer;  also to people who worked to get media coverage, especially Jeff Gustafson, Cindy Young, Gerry Condon, Marcia Mullins, and Cindy Cole. CREATIVE ACTION GROUP  Washable paints that can be used for "Peace" messages on car windows were presented and offered for use by Linda Ellsworth. We were encouraged to offer this creative service to people in large gatherings (i.e. Earth Charter summit on 9/28).  Linda and Kate Reuer explained more about the giraffes and their use and said they were planning more colorful events supporting protests, including street theater. NONVIOLENCE TRAINING Information about some upcoming Nonviolence Training was announced and sign up sheets went around. **SUN SEPT 29, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m., at University Friends Meeting, 4001 9th Ave NE, just north of University Bridge; An Opportunity to Learn BASIC PEACEKEEPING SKILLS;  Vivien Sharples will conduct a workshop on peacekeeping skills which provide us with some nonviolent ways to use in potential conflict situations - especially important in protest marches and other anti-war activities that some of us may want to support in the coming months.   sliding scale $10 - $65 (scholarships available); info & registration Shannon 425-485-0145 or shannonturnercovell@hotmail.com **SAT OCT 5, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., approximately, at Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Pl N, Wallingford neighborhood;  NONVIOLENCE TRAINING by Rosy Betz-zall, info 206-782-9305 **SUN OCT 27, 2 - 7 p.m., at University Friends Meeting, social hall, 4001 9th Ave NE, just northwest of University bridge;  NONVIOLENCE TRAINING by Rosy Betz-zall, info 206- 782-9305 PROPOSALS IRAQ PLEDGE OF RESISTANCE: It was decided that SNOW will join the national Iraq Pledge of Resistance campaign as a local Action Group. Additionally, individuals can and were encouraged to sign Public Protest Pledge forms individually. And send them to FOR office (WWFOR, 225 N 70th, Seattle  WA  98103) and they'd be passed on to the campaign. NION ENDORSEMENT: We decided not to endorse NION events (i.e. SNOW's name would not appear on any NION posters or in their literature.) We also agreed to be an identifiable Non-Violence contingency at the 10/6 rally and march. We will gather together at Volunteer Park at 1:00 on 10/6. We had already agreed to include NION's events in our announcements. People were encouraged, by some attending, to have their organizations mobilize their members to participate in the 10/6 event. Shannon agreed to attend NION meetings etc. and continue the dialog with NION about group commitment to non-violence at all events including but not limited to rallies, demonstrations and marches. WHAT DO WE DO NOW, AND WHO WILL DO IT? Many ideas were generated by people and listed (see below). Some were announcements of activities that organizations were or are planning to do and some were new ideas. The list reflected a lot of creativity and energy. After the meeting broke up several groups met around a certain activity and many others spoke and planned with one another about activities and events SUMMARY OF ANTI-WAR ACTIONS ANNOUNCED OR PROPOSED There are three categories in this list.  The first are actions that are already scheduled.  The second are proposed actions for which people for which people raised their hands and took responsibility to organize.  The third are actions that were proposed but that nobody is yet organizing, many good ideas among them (any takers?). ANNOUNCED ACTIONS, EVENTS PEACE DAY SEATTLE – Sat Oct 5, 1 - 4 p.m., at Seattle Center House, Seattle;  Positive Measures To Achieve Peace, is the theme of Peace Day Seattle, celebrating the 3rd year of the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonvilence for the Children of the World, organizations which want to table or participate in other ways contact Jack Bucher 206-323-8325 GREEN LAKE VIGIL – This is an ongoing peaceful and respectful vigil every Sunday, 2 - 3 p.m., starts near N 63rd St and East Greenlake Way N, people and pets are all welcome! information about this vigil, Matt at greenlakepeacevigil@hotmail.com WOMEN IN BLACK VIGIL – every Thursday, 5pm to 6pm5 - 6 p.m., Westlake Park near 4th and Pine;  Peace Vigil to protest U.S. policy in Afghanistan, Palestine/Israel, and Iraq with silent / visible presence, leaflets, and info table, by Women in Black, Women wear black; men welcome to stand at the sidelines or to leaflet;  a peace group in the tradition of the women who vigil weekly in Israel / Palestine;  info seattlewomeninblack@yahoo.com or 206-208-9715 or http://www.scn.org/~wibnw PROMOTION OF OCTOBER 6 Not In Our Names Rally & March – Westlake, Saturday 12-4pm (Mike Caldwell) MEETING WITH OUR SENATORS and Outside Vigil – Monday, Sept. 30, 2-5pm (John Chisholm), a delegation restricted to 20 people has been chosen, others will vigil, leaflet, or protest outside, all encouraged to attend WORK PARTY. Preparation of CARTOP SIGNS to be used in caravans, etc., Monday, all afternoon, rain or shine, 6057 3rd NW, Fred Miller will have supplies and snacks, (we can use more paint, brushes, felt pens). Bring your good ideas and artistic talent, or just your enthusiasm.  Each recipient of a sign will be asked to give their email/phone #, so we can coordinate mass events: imagine 4th avenue several dozen cars bearing anti-war messages, or having TV traffic helicopters covering a convoy a quarter mile long!  info 206 789-6863 Fred Miller fredisfree@1sp.com PUBLIC MEETING WITH SCOTT RITTER, FORMER UN WEAPONS INSPECTOR in Iraq, Saturday, Oct. 5, 7:30 pm, at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 43rd NE, just off "The Ave" in the U-district;  Scott Ritter, also a Republican, Marine, and self-declared patriot who voted for Geaorge W. Bush, on "The Coming Iraq War: How Did We Get Here?" Sponsored by Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq and Citizens Concerned for the People of Iraq.  Co-sponsored by Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, American Friends Service Committee, and Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation;  info INOC 206-632-6021 SNOW CONTINGENT IN OCT. 6 MARCH AND RALLY, Gather at Volunteer Park at 1 pm, March to Westlake 3pm BANNERING on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4-6 pm, NE 45th St. overpass on I-5 [not announced at meeting but added by Jean B] Youth Undoing Institutional Racism YUIR will hold a protest Tues,Oct 1st at 4pm-5:30pm in front of the Federal Building(1st and Marion)to protest the possibility of WAR AGAINST IRAQ.There will be Music and Speakers.YUIR is very clear that the same millitarism that kills poor People of Color in Iraq is the same millitarism that kills poor people of color here in Seattle (seattle police!).YUIR will also highlight the contradiction between massive millitary spending versus the cutting of many social services(education,healthcare etc).Please come out and support YOUTH who are organizing for a Better and more Peaceful world. info contact Megan at Maylily4@aol.com or at 632-0500 ext 14.Peace CONGRESSIONAL HERO Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), leader of the Anti- War Opposition in Congress will appear on Face the Nation, CBS, KIRO TV channel 7, Sunday morning September 29, 8:30 - 9:00 AM. SAT OCT 5, 4 p.m., and subsequent 1st Saturdays, at the Keystone Congregational Church, 5019 Keystone Place N, just north of N 50th and Sunnyside N;  regular meeting of the Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq with major focus CHALLENGING THE U.S. EMBARGO and PREVENTING MORE WAR, info 206-632-6021 or http://www.endiraqsanctions.org ONGOING SATURDAYS;  4 - 5 p.m., Westlake Park near 4th and Pine;  PEACE VIGIL and leafletting to STOP THE WAR on any country, and to defend civil liberties, by 911 Peace Coalition CONTINUE CONTACTING SENATORS AND REPS Send a letter to Congress at:  http://www.progressiveportal.org/letters/global/iraq/      You can do it in less than a minute sign an online petition by the Move On organization http://www.moveon.org/nowar/ phone or fax Senator Patty Murray, DC: (202) 224-2621; Fax: (202) 224- 0238; Seattle: (206) 553-5545; Fax: (206) 553-0891; email: senator_murray@murray.senate.gov AND Senator Maria Cantwell, DC: (202) 224-3441; Fax: (202) 228-0514; Seattle: (206) 220-6400; Fax: (206) 220- 6404 send faxes through a web site http://www.truemajority.com/index.asp?action=2174&ms=irq Sign up at: http://www.truemajority.com to get e-mail alerts on critical issues PROPOSED ACTIONS FOR WHICH THERE ARE VOLUNTEERS Church Council Candlelight Vigil, to be held on the EVE ON ANY VOTE FOR WAR or a war resolution in Congress, planning mtg. on Sunday, Sept. 29, 3 - 5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St., Seattle (Alice Woldt) TABLING to collect signatures on peace pledges, send copies to Senators (Ruth Yarrow) BROCHURE/FACT SHEET on effects of war to distribute widely (Greg Wolk) Post READING LIST on List Serve (Glen Gersmehl) Greg’s PETITION FOR EACH SENATOR Ask Seattle CITY COUNCIL TO PASS RESOLUTION against war (as was done in Santa Cruz, CA) (Sister kathleen pruitt) REACH OUT to others to build SNOW TABLING at West Seattle market – John Repp CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE (Shannon, Jean), [note a meeting was held 9/27 in which we discussed numerous dispersed actions Oct. 7, not necessarily CD] Reach out to AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCHES, MOSQUES  (Shannon?, others) STREET THEATER, support @ Federal Bldg. (Creative action group) PROPOSED ACTIONS WHICH NEED VOLUNTEERS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL all around Green Lake, make peace sign or words with lights on boats Scaled down VIGIL, EVENINGS (instead of 24 hours) at Federal Bldg. or other location Put up POSTERS for Oct. 6 Decorate CAR WINDOWS with anti-war slogans (with window chalk, offer to car owners at parking lots) THANK Jim McDermott for and Rick Larsen! and any other elected officials who oppose war SEND GIRAFFES (“stick your neck out, stand tall for peace”) to representatives CONTACT MOVE-ON to help get word out