News Across the Spectrum that May Help Explain the Mess We're In. Or Not.
July 13, 2008
Dear Peacemakers,
I'm leaving the farm today for a week to take the Wheels of Justice bus (the support vehicle) to Chicago where Voices for Creative Nonviolence have begun a peace walk. The walk will go from Chicago to the Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota. Most of the walk will be in Wisconsin which gives us a great opportunity for media events in the communities it will be passing through. If you want to know when and where they will be so your local group can join the walk go to their website.
There is lots of action building around the RNC in St Paul. This past week featured a Seeds of Peace action camp at the farm preparing a whole new wave of activists for the work ahead. We received another request for support for activities at the RNC from our friend Chris Lutter at the Puppet Farm. Read more about this very creative proposal below. Another opportunity for action is brewing in Duluth where folks are trying to dis-invite the Army from bringing a life size, shoot-'em-up video recruiting tool to the Duluth Air Show. This display was successfully kicked out of Summer Fest in Milwaukee by the good folks at Peace Action (read more below).
In the news, threats against Iran are ramping up as the economy continues to unwind. We continue to insist that the upcoming attack against Iran is directly related to the coming US economic collapse. When it tumbles, the fall is going to be hard and all the empire has left to hang on with is very big bombs and creating fear. There are several flash points that can trigger the attack. The most imminent is the coming on line of the Bushehr nuclear reactor. The reactor is almost complete and the nuclear fuel rods are to be installed this summer. Testing will follow and Iran will have nuclear electricity by October. It is our belief that the Israelis, with US support, will destroy the reactor before the fuel rods are installed. If the Bushehr reactor comes on line there will be no stopping Iranian fuel enrichment. The Israelis have to bomb the reactor before the fuel is installed or they will cause a release of radioactivity which will create a firestorm of international condemnation. This scenario is one we all hope is incorrect but I offer it up for your consideration. We are heading into the scariest six months the planet has ever seen. Please get out there and do whatever you can to save the planet.
1. Thank you to all who have called the Duluth Airshow sponsors to register your complaint about the presence of the "virtual army experience" recruiting exhibit. It has made an impact. If you forgot to call, there is still time.
Call: Duluth Airshow Organizers-(218) 628-9996
2. You might have noticed that this story has hit quite a nerve in the Duluth community judging by the many comments that came in on the online Duluth News Tribune "talk about it" column. Even though I don't care for the name calling and slurs, I am glad to see this issue has generated lots of thought and comments.
3. If anyone is interested in joining the Loaves and Fishes presence at the Duluth Airshow entrance on July 19, please call Greg Schultz for details. 724-2054.
The Republicans are coming! The Republicans are coming! In the first week of September, the Twin Cities will be subjected to the pomped-up pageantry of some of the most notorious war criminals in history. That's right, the Republican National Convention is convening in Saint Paul, MN, on September 1st, with related Republican activities at various locations throughout the Twin Cities Metro, through September 6th. People of conscience, concerned citizens, outraged peace and justice workers and artists from around the nation will also be gathering to let this war-mongering political cartel know that they are not appreciated and that they must stop their own violence and corruption, if there is ever to be peace and justice in our world.
The Puppet Farm has received numerous requests for technical assistance from organizations wishing to make spectacle theater art in the streets, during the convention. Principal among them is Youth Against War and Racism, a Twin Cities-based organization that empowers high school youth to stand-up to military recruiters in their communities. YAWR has orchestrated mass student walkouts across the Twin Cities, in a show of opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with as many as 4,000 students participating from 40 different schools in one walkout, in 2006. It has also given students the tools and support necessary to stand before school boards and state legislative bodies, to advocate for greater restrictions on military recruiters on their campuses, as well as for equal access for peace and justice workers. But more than that, YAWR has empowered these youth to have the moral courage to take a stand against war and racism, as a whole.
YAWR organizer, Ty Moore, of Minneapolis, has requested the services of the Puppet Farm to assist a motivated group of youths in the development of a street theater piece, which will depict a mock crimes-against-humanity trial on the steps of the State Capitol, on September 4th. Arrest the War Criminals is the theme that the students have chosen for the mass walkout and subsequent theater piece. [The piece will involve real testimonials from veterans and conscientious objectors, juxtaposed with satirical puppet and mask performances of some of the most odious crooks in our government, past and present. It will culminate in the political characters being paraded around the capitol in a prison-on-wheels and Lady Justice, in the form of a large statue, being restored to Her place of honor and dignity.]
To cut to the chase--We are asking you to support this collaboration by making a tax-deductible financial contribution, to help pay for the expenses. The projected expense is $4500.00, which includes 40 hrs of workshop instruction, performance direction, studio rental and materials. Our intention is to work on this project throughout the month of August. This is an urgent request! This project must be funded entirely by individual contributions!
Please visit: www.paypal.com (and go to the account) or just mail your contribution, payable to "Puppet Farm Arts", to the address below. [Every little bit counts!!]
Make a stand for peace and justice and help us get these youth out into the streets to say "NO!" to war and racism and "YES!" to accountability and justice! Help them make a statement of hope for a better tomorrow, in the shadow of this beast coming to our city!
If you have any further questions, regarding the project (or suggestions!) or would like to get involved, please feel free to contact me, via email or phone.
Peace!
Christopher D. Lutter-Gardella Artistic Director-- Puppet Farm Arts 3613 17th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 721-1395 www.puppetfarm.org
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