January 12, 2011 UJP Planning Group Conference Call Meeting.
Present: Shelagh, Duncan, Carol, Virginia, Cole, Marilyn, Ann, Lois, Paul
1. UJP task force on FBI repression.
Duncan reported this new task force had its first meeting on January 11 and it will serve the function of representing UJP to the city wide group forming to address the subpoenas being handed down to anti-war activists in the Midwest – and to bring these issues before UJP to mobilize UJP members around these matters. The task force will send representatives to the Jan. 19 meeting at ACLU to form the City wide task force which in turn will relate to the national committee to stop FBI repression. It will work on building the January 25 demonstration at the JFK building.
Decisions: 1. UJP will endorse the January 25 action. 2. UJP will make a $100 donation to the National committee. 3.The task force will make a short presentation on this issue at the January 22 UJP strategy conference
2. The February 10 event with Noam Chomsky and Phyllis Bennis: “Reinventing the Peace Movement in a moment of Economic Crisis, Unending Wars and Rightwing Resurgence”
The Chomsky-Bennis Conversation is a fundraiser for Mass. Global Action and the Majority Agenda Project but it is hoped that UJP folks will help shape it into an event that can help re-energize the Peace Movement. Discussions will be held with the Arlington and Watertown UJP groups. Other UJP groups are invited to co-sponsor and help shape the event.
Decisions: UJP will take out a $100 ad in the program and publicize the event.
3. Report from UJP Palestinian Task Force.
Task force has formed a city wide coordinating group on Palestinian issues. They had a successful “First Night” event; they are organizing a boycott of Sabra and Tribe hummus; some groups are working to stop a U.S. company from making the tear gas used by Israeli security forces which killed a non-violent peace activist.
Decision: 1. UJP is disposed to sign a letter to Harvest Coop about carrying Israeli hummus. Marilyn will circulate the final version for approval. 2. UJP will spread information as it becomes available about the campaign to stop sending U.S. made tear gas to Israel.
4. Tom Hayden on February 7.
Event will be organized by Duncan, Rachel Williams, Joan Ecklein and Eva Mosely out of the Afghanistan task force. Preference is to hold it at the UU church in Harvard Square. AFSC is putting up some of the money for the venue (if it is available). Cole will check on availability.
Decision: UJP will put up the remainder of the money necessary to secure the church hall and will attempt to get it back with a collection.
5. January 22 UJP Strategy Conference.
Tentative schedule of Program:
1pm eating and socializing
1:20 Raging Grannies sing song related to Chuck Turner
1:30 – 2:15: Chuck Turner Segment with intro by Duncan
2:15 – 2:45: presentation of and mobilization around projects: FBI related events in Boston including the jan. 25 demonstration; The Feb. 10 Chomsky-Bennis event; The Tom Hayden event; the Barry Sanders – Maggie zhou event feb. 11; The St. Patrick’s day parade request from Vets for Peace; the April 9 National Mobilization
2:45 - 3: Break
3pm: raging grannies
3:10 – 4:10: Joseph Gerson segment with facilitation by shelagh
Decision to form a conference committee of shelagh, ann, Carol and Paul to finalize program and make all food preparations. All of us should get there early for setup.
6. Barry Sanders – Maggie Zhou event at B. U. Feb. 11 on the connection between the war machine and global climate change
Marilyn asks for help contacting environmental groups. Duncan to contact MCAN and a Somerville environmental group; Marilyn will contact eli Beckerman of mass coalition for healthy communities; majority agenda project should send out invites to its environmental contacts. Lois will see if the Watertown group wants to mobilize for the event.
7. March 20 St. Patrick’s Day March.
Vets for peace is trying to get a count of people who will be willing to participate in an alternative St. Patrick’s event against the wars. They want 300 commitments before they will go forward.
Paul will contact pat Scanlon for a description of potential event to put out to UJP contacts telling them to contact pat if they are interested. And we will ask people to raise their hands if they are interested at the jan. 22 conference.
8. April 9 Mobilization in New York City and San Francisco.
Decision: sent out notice to all UJP groups asking them to weigh in on whether UJP should endorse. Cole asks marilyn to provide list of members of core group planning the event.
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