ARKANSAS
ARKANSAS WAND NEWS
Back from the Brink director Ira Shorr visited Little Rock on June 25th. We
held a public meeting on the Nuclear Posture Review at the Central Arkansas
Library. Media attention was positive and one member, Nancy Dockter, had
an excellent guest writer article published in the Arkansas Times, a widely
read weekly newspaper. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette covered the event
and ran a good article the next day.
We are scheduled to present a program about WAND at the Arkansas
Democratic Women's organization in August.
We've designated October to be our membership month and are planning
mailings, etc. to renew memberships and increase our roster.
Thanks to Caroline Stevenson for this report and the excellent work
of our Arkansas WAND chapter.
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ARKANSAS WAND MEETS WITH REP. VIC SNYDER
Members of Arkansas WAND met with Rep. Vic Snyder to ask him to
sign HJR 97, calling for an end to the threat of nuclear destruction, by
Rep. Ed Markey D-MA, and to co-host a community forum on U.S.
nuclear weapons policy. Rep. Snyder declined to sign HJR 97, but
agreed to consider hosting a forum. Thanks to Jean Gordon and the
Arkansas WAND members who attended! Keep up the great work!
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ARKANSAS WAND PULLS IN SUPPORT FOR THE URGENT CALL
Nancy Dockter and Jean Gordon of Arkansas WAND spent 5 hours
at the Little Rock Farmers Market the morning of 7/13 getting people
to sign the Urgent Call petition and also one to not invade Iraq. They
gathered about 150 signatures on each one - and reported that they
could have gotten more with a longer table (and more copies) as
people had to wait to sign. Jean reported that it was a very encouraging
effort, and that not only did they drum up support for nuclear disarmament,
they also signed up a few more volunteers for Arkansas WAND!
Thanks and congratulations to Jean and Nancy for such a great effort!
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ARKANSAS WAND MEETING AND POTLUCK (7/24)
The next Arkansas WAND meeting will be a potluck at the home of
Jean Gordon on July 24th. Members will view a film on nuclear waste
processing and have an opportunity to write letters. Everyone welcome.
Please join us! Wed., July 24, 6:30 pm * 2510 Hidden Valley, Little Rock
INFO: jgordon@igc.org or 501 225 1323
GEORGIA
ATLANTA WAND ORGANIZES PRESS CONFERENCE ON YUCCA
Atlanta WAND, along with Physicians for Social Responsibility & the Blue
Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), held a successful press
conference on July 9th with representatives from GA PIRG and the Sierra
Club.Bonnie and Claude Ward of BREDL provided the mock nuclear waste
cask that was the centerpiece of the press conference. Rep. Nan Grogan
Orrock, WiLL President, state Sen. Vincent Fort, and others spoke in support
of WAND/WiLL's position on Yucca Mountain. Four major networks and the
independent press covered the event.
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=6169&group=webcast
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METRO ATLANTA TASK FORCE FOR THE HOMELESS FORUM (7/18)
The Monthly Coalition Forum will focus on changes to Georgia's Division
of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse.
Thursday, July 18. 12:00 - 2:00 pm * Cathedral of St. Philip, Suite 301
2744 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta * INFO: 404 365-1000
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GEORGIANS FOR CLEAN ENERGY (7/20)
The escalating nuclear threat and the Southeast's pivotal role
Saturday, July 20th at 4 PM * Savannah's Unitarian Universalist
Church in the Fellowship Hall, 307 E. Harris Street, Savannah
Join Sara Barczak, Safe Energy Director of Georgians for Clean Energy,
& guest speaker Paloma Galindo, with the Oak Ridge Environmental
Peace Alliance in TN, for a discussion of nuclear threats in the southeast.
INFO: Georgians for Clean Energy, (912) 201-0354
email: sara@cleanenergy.ws * web: www.cleanenergy.ws
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THE WOMEN'S VOTER INFORMATION PROJECT
2002 GA VOTER PROJECT
Our website is now fully up and functional! http://www.gawomensvip.org
And while you’re there, please sign our Social Security petition. Thanks!
MASSACHUSETTS
NORTH SHORE WAND - Letter to the Editor, Salem Evening News
I am writing to support the opinions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding the
potential of war with Iraq. According to them, such a war might provoke just
the disaster it would try to avert. The President stated that he would pursue
"all options" to prevent Saddam Hussein from using weapons of mass
destruction, but surely such a pre-emptive strike runs the risk of having him
do just that. Further, the US military top brass say that Hussein is fully
capable of using biological and chemical weapons against our troops, and
even non-military at home. If the President's concern with homeland security
is real, perhaps he should listen to his generals, even if he doesn't like the
message.
Jane M. Baker
Salem MA 01970
MICHIGAN
METRO DETROIT MEETING WITH SEN. LEVIN ON YUCCA
On Tuesday, July 2, Jean Prokopow and Clare Mead Rosen, of WAND
Metro Detroit, met with other peace activists and Sen. Carl Levin to try
to dissuade the Senator from voting for the Yucca Mountain transport.
In spite of their best efforts Sen. Levin voted for the Yucca Mountain
project. Sen. Debbie Stabenow voted no, and Detroit area members
are urged to call or email Sen. Stabenow to thank her.
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METRO DETROIT WAND LETTERS TO EDITOR PUBLISHED
The Detroit Free Press published letters to the editor from Fern Katz,
WAND national board member and president of Metro Detroit WAND,
and from Jean Prokopow, a Metro Detroit WAND member. The letters,
concerning Yucca Mountain, appeared in the July 5th issue along
with letters from 2 leaders in the anti-nuclear waste movement, one
from Nevada and the other from Michigan. This is a great way to
have our voices heard!
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BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD TASK FORCE ON RACE RELATIONS (8/19)
Meeting, Monday, August 19th, 8:00 AM at the Community House
MINNESOTA
MN LEGISLATORS QUESTION FEDERAL BUDGET PRIORITIES
Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL) members, Sen. Sandy Pappas and
Rep. Phyllis Kahn, have authored a resolution calling on Congress to
redirect an estimated $238 billion slated for missile defense over the next
15 to 25 years. They recommend investments in education, health care,
and the environment. Minneapolis-based Women Against Military
Madness (WAMM), an organization whose purpose it is to dismantle
systems of militarism and global violence, calls the resolution an
important first step. Thanks to WiLL!
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WAMM THIRD MONDAY MOVIE (7/15/02)
"Profit & Nothing But" provides important insight into realities of today's
global economy, which tolerates deprivation and devastation. Haiti is
explored as a case study in what is called "triumphant capitalism."
Monday, July 15. Soup & sandwich supper ($8.00) served at 6:00 PM
Video & discussion at 6:30 PM. * St. Martin's Table, 2001 Riverside
Avenue, Minneapolis * INFO 612 827 5364
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VETERANS FOR PEACE NATIONAL CONVENTION (8/15-18)
Featuring Robert Bowman, Institute for Space and Security Studies.
Scholastica College, Duluth, MN.
INFO/Reservations:Jessica Poskozim at 218-723-6084
NEW YORK
BUFFALO WAND/WESTERN NEW YORK PEACE CENTER (7/23)
Next meeting of the Buffalo WAND/Western New York Peace
Center will be on Tuesday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm, at the Peace Center,
2123 Bailey Avenue in Buffalo. * INFO: 716-894-2013
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BUFFALO TO BETHLEHEM (7/17)
Wed., July 17. An evening with David Selzer at First Presbyterian Church.
Selzer, Episcopal clergy and Peace Center member, and his family spent
three months in Israel during the Bethlehem invasion. He will share his
experiences and impressions at this event. To share in a Middle Eastern
supper, please make a reservation (cost is $5.00). Otherwise, the talk at
7:00 pm is free & open to the public. * First Presbyterian Church
1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo * INFO: 716 884 7250
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DIRECTOR OF SOA WATCH TO SPEAK (7/21 and 7/23)
Sunday, July 21. Father Roy Bourgeouis, director of SOA Watch,
will speak at each mass at St. Joseph University Roman Catholic
Church (3269 Main Street, Buffalo), and will give a free talk in the
Church's Community Room at 1:30 PM. * INFO: 716 894 2013
Tuesday, July 23. Father Bourgeouis will speak at the Chatauqua
Institute, Hall of Philosophy. INFO: Marie Kullman, 716 832-6135.
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH CAROLINA WAND MEMBER WRITES ABOUT YUCCA
The Asheville Citizen-Times published a guest commentary by Asheville
WAND member Linda McLean on June 19. The article was a brilliant
detailing of the local impact of radioactive waste shipments if the nuclear
waste repository at Yucca Mountain is developed, dispelling the common
belief that it "doesn't affect us personally." Linda outlined the proposed
transportation routes in NC, bringing the issue close to home for readers.
Linda also summarized general arguments against the Yucca plan,
warning of the dangers of "mobile Chernobyl" shipments, and the
unsuitability of the proposed site in Nevada. She appealed to readers
to contact their Senators and "pass the word" to others.
OREGON
LANE COUNTY WAND - July Meeting Report
Lane County WAND held its July meeting on Thursday, July 11th at the
McNail/Riley House. The program, led by WAND member Dianne Lobes,
was entitled "Peace as a Conscious Choice." In Dianne's words:
"Each person creates an individual world within the sphere of her/his own
beliefs and thoughts, which become a powerful sorting lens. This hasn't
changed since September 11th. Many of us have said in the past, "I'll
believe it when I see it." It's really the other way around - you'll see it
when you believe it. What if the words we speak, which are based on our
beliefs, are self-fulfilling prophecy, dreams coming into manifestation?
How many of us are ready and choosing to believe in our own inherent
talents and greatness, and that of our community and our world? Could our
world use this kind of commitment now?"
For information about Conscious Choice: Dianne Lobes, dlobes@qwest.net.
To be a part of this exciting WAND chapter: Leslie: 342-5325 or Kit: 484-6202.
WISCONSIN
NAGASAKI REMEMBRANCE (8/8-10)
A Nukewatch Peace Camp at Project ELF
Thursday through Saturday - August 8, 9 &10.
Join activists from around the country at Project ELF in northern Wisconsin
to show your opposition to widening U.S. preparations for nuclear war.
Rustic camping in beautiful Chequamegon National Forest. Nonviolence
workshop, speakers, music, and nonviolent direct action.
Directions/INFO: (715) 472-4185; nukewatch@lakeland.ws
http://www.nukewatch.com