UN POPULATION FUND SUFFERS BLOW FROM BUSH

On July 22, the Bush administration decided to withhold a previously approved $34 million in aid from the United Nations Population Fund, an agency that it contends provides aid to Chinese government agencies that force women to have abortions. A State Department fact-finding mission in May found no evidence that the program "knowingly supported or participated in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization." (Source: NYT, July 23, 2002) * For full article: membership@wand.org or http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/23/international/23ABOR.html

SEE ALSO: "Population-Control Politics" New York Times Editorial, July 23, 2002

EXCERPT: There is a mind-bending illogic behind the Bush administration's decision yesterday to withhold $34 million from the United Nations Population Fund . . . Cutting off funds . . . will increase the number of abortions worldwide by depriving poor women of the education and help they need and that the U.N. agency provides.

For full text: membership@wand.org or http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/23/opinion/23TUE2.html

ACTION OPPORTUNITY
Visit the Planned Parenthood Action Center
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/action/takeaction.asp?step%20item87 and send a letter urging continued support for the U.N. Population Fund.

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NATIONAL PRIORITIES PROJECT RESOURCES

1. Tables showing what different areas of military spending cost your state and what that money could buy to better meet local needs. Go to:
   http://www.nationalpriorities.org/issues/military/tradeoffs.html

2. A new monthly Budget Update on an aspect of the federal budget process:
   http://www.nationalpriorities.org/BudgetUpdates/BudgetUpdate61502.html

3. MORE data on the NPP Database, which offers state-level data on socio- economic needs and federal expenditures and allows you to create customized tables, graphs and reports. Go to: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/database.

INFO: 413-584-9556 (phone), pamela@nationalpriorities.org

THE ROBUST NUCLEAR EARTH PENETRATOR (RNEP)

Funding for the RNEP will be resolved in the Defense Authorization Conference. The House has approved funding for this new, “usable” nuclear weapon; the Senate has not.

ACTION:Contact members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and urge them not to authorize funding for the RNEP. Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202-224-3121. For a list of committee members and/or more info: membership@wand.org

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NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW PETITION CAMPAIGN Update & Invitation

Tri-Valley CARE’s is sponsoring this campaign to: (a) end funding for development of new, earth-penetrating nuclear weapons, (b) reject the Bush administration's Nuclear Posture Review, & (c) bring U.S. nuclear policy into compliance with our Non-Proliferation Treaty obligation to eliminate nuclear weapons. 1,500 people have signed and returned petitions. Tri-Valley CAREs is delivering petitions to U.S. senators and representatives, President Bush, key congressional committees, & the U.N.

We are continuing to collect signatures. Please join us! The petition is posted on our web site at http://www.trivalleycares.org. Hard copies can be ordered from our office: (925) 443-7148.

Also newly posted on our web site: "More Work for the Weapons Labs, Less Security for the Nation: An Analysis of the Bush Administration's Nuclear Weapons Policy," by Dr. Robert Civiak.

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URGENT CALL TO END THE NUCLEAR DANGER

We are working to gather 1 million signatures by June 12, 2003, and 10 million by June 12, 2004. As a key strategy, we ask each signer to recruit 10 more signers, involving people individually in this grassroots campaign to gather this huge number of signatures. Join us today and share The Call with your friends.

Web site: www.UrgentCall.org

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DIRTY DOZEN NUKE CORPORATIONS

13 corporations who butter their bread with nuclear weapons & power contracts http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/dd/DDpdf/DDfactsheets.pdf From Reaching Critical Will (part of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom) & the Arms Trade Resource Center

A brilliant poster with all thirteen corporations is also available for ($5 for 1, better deal if buy in bulk!): Send an email to: info@reachingcriticalwill.org, or call 212-682-1265 to order.

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MOBILE CHERNOBYL: COMING TO A HIGHWAY NEAR YOU

"What if there is a nuclear waste accident that involves the release of radiation?" The Map Science Center answers that question with solid information and maps.

Enter your address and zip code into their customized map and take action using their action site. www.mapscience.org/plumes/

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INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS ALTERNATIVE NUCLEAR WASTE PLAN,

Press release, June 4, 2002
http://www.ieer.org/comments/waste/yuccaalt.html

Source: Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER)
http://www.ieer.org * tel. 1-301-270-5500

PEACE PLAN FOR INDIA AND PAKISTAN
by Admiral L Ramdas, former chief of the Indian Navy
July 18, 2002 - http://www.ieer.org/comments/dsmt/ramuplan.html

Also see his op-ed in The Hindu:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/18/stories/2002071800601000.htm

Source: Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER)
http://www.ieer.org * tel. 1-301-270-5500

CHANI SENTENCED!

Salem STAND founder Chani Geigle-Teller was sentenced to 6 months in a federal minimum security prison and fined $1000 for her role in last year's national protest at School of the Americas. She was released on her own recognizance and will need to turn herself in to begin serving her sentence in about one month. E-mail Chani at: chani@oregonpeaceworks.org to send words of support.

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STAND MEMBER TAKES ACTION

A Message from Sarah Johnston-Gardner

Are you frustrated with the careless bombings of Afghanistan by the U.S. and our media's irresponsibility in reporting the war causalities?

"What causes the documented high level of civilian casualties -- 3,000 - 3,400 [10/7/01 - 3/02] -- in the U.S. air war upon Afghanistan? The explanation is the apparent willingness of U.S. military strategists to fire missiles into and drop bombs upon, heavily populated areas of Afghanistan."
- Professor Marc W. Herold, University of New Hampshire

BACKGROUND: Professor Herold's study on civilian casualties in Afghanistan:
http://www.cursor.org/stories/civilian_deaths.htm

TAKE ACTION: Urge the major networks' nightly news shows to investigate how many civilians have been killed in Afghanistan as a result of U.S. military action, and to examine the legality of those attacks.

• ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings
  Phone: 212-456-4040 * Fax: 212-456-2795 * netaudr@abc.com

• CBS Evening News with Dan Rather
  Phone: 212-975-3691 * Fax: 212-975-1893 * audsvcs@cbs.com

• NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw
  Phone: 212-664-4971 * Fax: 202-362-2009 * nightly@msnbc.com

Source: FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
http://www.fair.org/activism/afghanistan-casualties.html

FURTHER ACTION:
Write a Letter! Sarah has written a letter to President Bush urging an end to air strikes on Afghanistan. The letter is a great model for writing your own letter to the President or Congress.
For a copy: membership@wand.org.

FURTHER READING
Flaws in U.S. Air War Left Hundreds of Civilians Dead
By Dexter Filkins, The New York Times, 7/21/02, p.1
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/21/international/asia/21CIVI.html

- - - -

Sarah is a founding member of STAND and currently serves as an intern in WAND's Arlington office.

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STUDENT SUMMER TRAINING INSTITUTE (7/31-8/4)

University of Knoxville - Knoxville, TN
The STI includes workshops, trainings, networking, music, and other riff-raff all focused on youth/student activism.

At the STI, not only will you be motivated to shake up the system and empowered to make change, but you will be befriended, respected, loved, and listened to as well. Sponsored by the Student Environmental Action Coalition.

Registration fee (which covers food and housing/camping) is $50. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funding.

Apply on-line: http://www.seac.org/sti.
Student Environmental Action Coalition, 215-222-4711
P.O. Box 31909, Philadelphia, PA 19104, www.seac.org

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STARC NATIONAL CONFERENCE (8/9-12)

Middle Tennessee State University
" In Solidarity: Youth Working for Community Justice "

Students from around the country will gather to explore the history of the US student movement and strategize around our current role as youth organizers.

INFO about STARC (Students Transforming & Resisting Corporations) or to register, contact: Laura Close at 503.247.5995. * www.starcalliance.org

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ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE SEEKS YOUTH ACTIVISTS

"Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict:A Shared Responsibility"

The Conference will be held at U.N. Headquarters Sept. 9-11, 2002.
Youth activities are planned in conjunction with the conference. Contact the Youth Committee of the U.N. at: friendlyam@faf.org or 914-328-8589

4th ANNUAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO OAK RIDGE

" A walking Prayer to End Nuclear Weapons "
Arriving in Oak Ridge from Knoxville on Friday, August 2
OREPA nonviolence training on August 3rd
Demonstration on Sunday, August 4th

INFO: Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance
865-483-8202, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, http://www.topthebombs.org

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CPA Southeast Regional Conference - Tunica, Mississippi (8/2-3)

The Center for Policy Alternatives
State legislators, grassroots leaders, and state policy organizations will review the 2002 legislative sessions, discuss innovative policy solutions and share organizing tactics and strategies for the Southeast. Panels include voting reform, K-12 education reform, unemployment insurance, prison privatization, affordable housing, women's health & more.

INFO: Diallo Brooks, SE Network Director, 202-956-5150, dbrooks@cfpa.org.

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BEING PEACE: Peace Walk 2002, Sept. 27-29, Memphis, TN

Join Thich Nhat Hanh, Mansukh Patel, Arun Gandhi, Dr. Frank Thomas, and Chalanda Sai Ma -- to learn how to walk the path of inner peace as we seek to make a difference in our lives, our communities, and our world.

Reserved seating tickets available for the Saturday night address by Thich Nhat Hanh. Call 901-543-9786. Website / schedule of events: www.peacewalk2002.org

Peace Walk 2002 is a non-profit event sponsored by National Civil Rights Museum, Raoul Wallenberg Shell, Rhodes College, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence, Life Foundation USA, Pho-Da Temple/The Viet-American Buddhist Association, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, First Baptist Church, First Congregational Church/United Church of Christ, Foodaid.Compassion, Art Forms of the Spirit, Caring Centers Inc., First Unity Church, Unity Church of Memphis, Mid-South Peace & Justice Center, Pax Christi Memphis, and more.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE PEACE LOVER’S SOUL

Lion & Lamb member Linda Williams is compiling a “Chicken Soup for the Peace Lover's Soul” inspirational book.

Visit: http://64.37.74.141/client/peacestory_user/htdocs/peace_stories/CSPLS/samples/index.html to uplift your soul with the beautiful peace stories she has collected. Linda is soliciting additional peace stories for her book. To contribute, visit: http://chickensoup.peacestories.info.

Source: Lion & Lamb Links, http://www.lionlamb.org

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THE MOVEON BULLETIN AND MOVEON

The MoveOn Bulletin is a free, biweekly email bulletin providing information, resources, news, and action ideas on the political issues that shape our lives.

Subscription and Bulletin text: http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/.

MoveOn.org is an issue-oriented, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that gives people a voice in shaping the laws that affect our lives. MoveOn.org uses the Internet to democratically determine a non-partisan agenda, raising public awareness of pressing issues, and coordinating grassroots advocacy campaigns to encourage sound public policies.

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RAISING OUR VOICES! Published WAND Letters
Go to: www.wand.org/9-11/letters-pub.html

TOPICS COVERED:
Possible War with Iraq * Treaty on Women's Rights * Yucca Mountain
Nuclear Posture Review and New US Nuclear Policies
Military Spending * September 11th and the War in Afghanistan

ARKANSAS

ARKANSAS WAND NEWS
Arkansas WAND members have been present the last two Saturdays at the Little Rock Farmers Market, talking with people about Bush administration plans to invade Iraq and gathering signatures for a petition stating that we will not invade Iraq unless they attack us, as well as a petition on nuclear weapons. The group reports that women are signing the petitions in droves!

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GEORGIA

HIROSHIMA DAY OBSERVANCE - August 6th, 200
Join Rev. Walter Baldwn, Atlanta peace activists, and artists of the STRANGE FRUIT project in observing Hiroshima Day, August 6, at the EYEDRUM gallery, 290 Martin Luther KIng Dr. (2 blocks west of Oakland Cemetery at Hill Street behind barbed wire fence across street from Daddy Dee's BBQ) Rev Baldwin is a retired Presbyterian minister, well known to Atlanta activists for peace and justice. When our government dropped the atomic bomb o Japan, he went to Japan where he spent the majority of his ministerial career.

The ceremony will begin at 6:45 PM.

Following a brief ceremony, the bamboo scaffold from which Japanese artist Rui Sekido will suspend himself for the July 27 opening of Strange Fruit, will be disassembled in the Eyedrum parking lot. Inside the gallery, Judy Willis, a radio moderator and granddaughter of a lynching victim, will moderate a discussion among Strange Fruit artists, critics, and academics. Please join us!

INFO: Peggy Dobbins 404 840 6209

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YOUNG WOMEN WRITERS (8/9)
"Past and Present" Come hear the voices of young women shaping our future.
Charis Bookstore, 1189 Euclid Avenue, Atlanta * www.chariscircle.org

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WOMEN’S POLICY GROUP
A senate Study Committee, chaired by Senator Vincent Fort, began holding public hearings on "wage restructuring" on July 11th in Macon.Jaquie Algee, Executive Director for the Women's Policy Group, testified on self sufficiency and the impact of low wages and limited training on women and minorities. The next hearing was scheduled for Savannah on July 25th. Please call: 404-588-0405 for more details on the Georgia Self Sufficiency Standard.

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MAINE

INTERNATIONAL HUMANE EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM (8/2-4)
Educators share their experience, enhance their work, and develop coalitions to build a more unified movement.
207-667-1025 * www.compassionateliving.org

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MICHIGAN

METRO DETROIT WAND
Metro Detroit WAND Board Meeting - July 31 at 7:00
Please rsvp to Fern Katz, jskatz@mich.com
We will discuss activities for Keep Space for Peace Week, Oct. 4-11.

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PRAISE FOR A GREAT LADY

Her heart was open.
Her heart was strong.

Her wisdom we needed
Sorting options to choose.

Her home was opened
Again and again.

Her husband graciously
Opened the door.

Fruitful talks there
Found ways through the maze.

With courage she asked
That we give what we should.

Her endless patience we needed
To never give up.

Her flaming spirit
Burns in our hearts.

- Isabel Doyle Merewether
July 28, 2002

Note. Metro Detroit WAND member Isabel Doyle wrote this poem in tribute to Arlene Victor who passed away on Friday, July 26th. Please see Section X below.

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MINNESOTA

WELFARE RIGHTS COMMITTEE - Protest & Press Conference - 8/1/02
To protest families being thrown off of public assistance 12:00 PM at the Governor's Office, State Capitol, 1st Floor

August 1, 2002 will mark the second month that Minnesota families and children will reach their 5-year lifetime limit for welfare and will be cut off survival assistance.
INFO: 612-822-8020

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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

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MONTANA

HELENA PEACE SEEKERS (8/4)
Cake & Roses at the Bray: A Benefit for Guatemalan People’s Cooperative August 4, Sunday evening * Archie Bray Foundation

Great desserts and poetry readings to help our Mayan sisters and brothers at Pop Atziak build a greenhouse and purchase land for an organic farm.
INFO: Frank Kromkowski, HelenaPeaceSeekers@Yahoo.com, (406) 443-0843

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OREGON

LANE COUNTY WAND - Hiroshima Day Event
Today's Increasing Nuclear Danger: Creating another path together

For the anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, members of Lane county WAND, Oregon PeaceWorks, and Eugene PeaceWorks are coordinating an international observance to be held on Hiroshima Day, Tuesday, August 6th. Proposed Schedule:

11 am - 4 pm on the SE park block of 8th Ave. & Oak St., or the W. Morse Free Speech Area, a photo display, educational materials, and tables for folding origami peace cranes

6 pm - community potluck at shelter #1 in Alton Baker Park. A program of speakers, music and the presentation of peace cranes, etc., will start about 7:00 and end with the launching of candle Slanterns' on the duck pond at dusk.

INFO or to participate: Gwen Jaspers 686-4134 or cayenne2you@aol.com, or Susan Cundiff, 683-1350 or rcundiff@rio.com.

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NORTHWEST PEACEMAKER TRAINING INSTITUTE (8/11-17)
A weeklong non-violence training program for young people ages 17-27. The program combines interactive workshops, visits with groups and activists, and hands-on training. Contact Ryan Nelson 503-763-6014, nwpti@earthlink.net.

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RHODE ISLAND

ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: WORKING TOWARD JUSTICE & PEACE (8/4)
9 AM-8 PM Edwards Auditorium, University of Rhode Island. Sixth Annual Muslim Cultural Heritage Program; co-sponsored by Southern Rhode Island Islamic Society, Cranston, RI INFO: Mohammed Sharif, 401-732-6951

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WISCONSIN

NAGASAKI REMEMBRANCE (8/8-10)
A Nukewatch Peace Camp at Project ELF
Thursday thru 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

The WAND / Women Take Action! Bulletin Board is an announcement service of the WAND National Field Office. The purpose of the Bulletin Board is to share news and ideas, and to offer the strength and support that comes from belonging to a national network of active WAND / WTA women. To add or remove names from the Bulletin Board, please email your request along with your city (to assist us in finding your address) to membership@wand.org.

Thank you.

WAND

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