UJP Planning Group Minutes, UJP planning group meeting, in-person at AFSC July 28.
Present: Ann (facilitator); Duncan (notes); Paul, Carol, Maggie C, Lois
Office: continues to be in a state of disarray after the most recent flood which affected AFSC badly. Weimin has done a yeoman's job in getting the computers going again. There is a consensus that we want to move either upstairs or to a different location; Keith called Duncan and described AFSC's efforts to make the situation better. Duncan said UJP would be glad to share an office space upstairs and that seemed to be potentially easier to accommodate. Keith told us to stay in touch and seems to want to keep UJP as a tenant. We do get a good deal on the rent.
Sept. 11 Strategy meeting: Paul has reserved the Friend's Center for the meeting. Duncan will send a check to make a contribution. There is agreement on the October 2 mobilization being the theme of the meeting, however, nothing has been done to invite speakers (last time we agreed on national leaders of NAACP and 1199). Paul wants to hold off until the 10/02 mobilization gets organized in Boston; the Boston area coordinating committee is supposed to form at a meeting on Aug. 04 with Marvin Bing hosted at a labor location.
Committee Reports I: MAP/OCTOBER 2 MOBILIZATION: MAP is playing a leading role in promoting the October 02 mobilization in Boston. A critical organizing question is the formation of the Boston-wide organizing committee for 10/2; there are two models, Russ Davis has suggested that MASS STAND UP serve this function. MAP however, with agreement of UJP, suggests a committee with representatives from each of the organizations working together from the various sectors to constitute the organizing committee. This is the model we are used to. 1199 may agree with us, since they have appointed a staff person they will probably have a lot to say on this point.
Paul is hoping there will be a series of events in Boston to build for 10-2 including major names from out of town, starting with Aug. 23 press conference. Planning Group decided to defer inviting speakers for the Sept. 11 strategy meeting until after hearing the coordinating committee plans.
Planning Group decided to write a call for a peace sector meeting on Aug. 18 to discuss organizing for 10-2. This is not a citywide decision making group but a peace sector committee focused on publicity, getting people on buses etc. We'll look at the call MAP is drafting and proceed from there, perhaps Cole can redraft for peace movement. Ann will work up some lists broadly to send the peace movement call, consulting with Weimin and others. Everyone should contribute their suggested names.
Legislative Task Force -- Carol reported on several meetings with congresspeople: Tsongas, Tierney, Capuano and work with offices of McGovern, Scott Brown, Barney Frank (regarding Dear Colleagues letter to support 25% cut of military budget). 9 Mass. congresspeople voted against $33 billion appropriations for the Afghanistan War, only Lynch supported it. Cole has been promoting the brown bag vigils. Rep. Kucinich introduced a bill to get out of Pakistan. Mass. House of Representatives passed the Iran divestment bill. Discussion of the movie Countdown to Zero. Summary: there seems to be a good amount of working going on here, the committee could probably be better organized.
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