PT NEWS:
Rule of Law Campaign: The Rule of Law group wrote a letter to Secretary Leon Panetta requesting global public broadcast of trials at Guantanamo. The letter was hand delivered to his office on November 13. We have posted it in its entirety on our website and on our facebook page. The letter ended by saying:
“We have been told for over a decade that September 11 changed the world. If that is so, let the world witness this trial. The United States should be highlighting our system of justice, not hiding it.”
To become involved in the Rule of Law Campaign, please contact Colleen Kelly.
Pre-Trial Hearings at Guantanamo: The Office of Military Tribunals has postponed the military commissions December hearings at Guantanamo prison. The hearings were scheduled for 3-7 December and will now be held 28-31 January; 12-15 February and 22-26 April, 2013. Please contact Karen Loftus at the Office of Military Commissions for further details.
La’Onf: Following the recent meeting of the Second Iraqi Nonviolence Forum and the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) in Basra, Iraqis and their international supporters are working on four major campaigns:
- Working to protect the flow of the Tigris River through Iraq, which is crucial to preserving the Iraqi Marshes – see photos below. One of the creative proposals for raising awareness of the issues is sponsored by Nature Iraq.
- Supporting the efforts of Iraqi trade union members to obtain a workers’ rights law that conforms with internationally recognized standards of human rights.
- Building an international movement to demand regulation of private military and security companies.
- Planning for an Iraqi Social Forum and International Marathon in Baghdad sometime in the next 24 months.
Read more about all these campaigns by clicking here.
International Network for Peace (INP): PT members and staff met with INP Chair, Jo Berry, while she visited New York and Boston. Jo also met with Father Michael Lapsley and Afifa Azim of the Afghan Women’s Network while in the US. We have posted Jo Berry’s report from the trip on our website. In addition, the INP is now on facebook.
Membership: The Membership Committee is in the process of contacting all new members who joined us in 2012. We’d like to get to know them and hear about their interests and visions for the future.
PT WEBSITE: Coming soon, a new members-only section of our website to share information. If you are interested in helping develop this section contact Ellen Judd.
PEACE ACTIVISM:
Islamophobia: Several PT members attended the dinner at the Islamic Center in Boston, Wayland in November. After speaking about PT’s work of educating, advocating and speaking out against Islamophobia, many dinner attendees approached Robyn, Gloria, Ken and Terry thanking them for their support.
Jobs Not War (JNW): A campaign for Jobs Not War is being launched at the beginning of December, and Peaceful Tomorrows is one of the endorsing organizations. Everyone is invited to visit the website, sign the petition and forward the link to your contacts. For further information, contact the Afghanistan Committee c/o Ellen Judd.
2 Million Friends for Peace: The 2 Million Friends for Peace in Afghanistan initiative will peak on 10 December, Human Rights Day, with linked events in Kabul and New York City. Join the Afghan Peace Volunteers and friends by clicking here and become a friend for peace, leave a message or follow events. For further information, contact the Afghanistan Committee c/o Ellen Judd.
Latest Violence in Israel/Palestine: PT members issued a statement while violence escalated in Gaza and Southern Israel.
Nonviolent Peaceforce: Robyn Bernstein attended an event organized by the Nonviolent Peaceforce in Cambridge. MA about “Women in the civilian peacekeeping force in South Sudan” and shared information about our work with those interested.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:
The Fundraising Committee is seeking new members. If you would like to join, either to help with fundraising events and/or in writing grants, we need you!
Good news! OSI/OSPC has granted us another two years of financial support.
Let us know about your activities!
We thank you for continuing to support PT’s mission to turn grief into action for peace.
The Steering Committee
