Activist Alert Addendum
Washington Peace Center
01/17-23/03

New events added to listing and described below:

Anti-War Action Week! Show your opposition at both local and national events during M. L. King Week:

January 17 - National day of actions on impact of war on women and children, women say no to war, United for Peace
                  - East Coast Student Anti-War Conference
- Women’s Speak-Out for Peace and Justice
January 18 - National March to Stop the War sponsored by International ANSWER, West Side, Capitol
                  - Labor Contingent Joins Peace Rally, local unions
                  - Amnesty International Pre-Protest Event
- Women’s Contingent for Peace and Justice
- Pro-Housing, Anti-War Rally
                  - DC-Metro Contingent Convergence, Feeder March
- Religious Delegation
                  - Military Families Speak Out, national organizing meeting
January 19 - Civil Disobedience at the White House, Iraq Pledge of Resistance
                  - Grassroots Peace Congress sponsored by International ANSWER
                  - National Peace With Justice Day for religious gatherings
January 20 - Martin Luther King. Jr. Workshop & Rally on Peace With Justice
                  - Students Not Soldiers: A Workshop on Military Recruitment of Youth, WPC, AFSC, BVFP
                  - Prayer Service, Procession and Vigil for Dr. Martin Luther King Day, National Cathedral
                  - National call for rallies and teach-ins on poverty, racism and militarism
January 21 - Congressional Drop or Stop-In to deliver 40,000 Peace Pledge names to each district
                  - Richard Armitage speaks on Iraq at Unites States Institue for Peace
- Congressional Press Conference - Repeal Authorization of Use of Force in Iraq
                  - IRAQ: Voices From the Streets, film
January 22 - Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
Future Prayer Services for Peace
If War Breaks Out - Emergency Response in DC

(See details on local events below.)
____________
East Coast Student Anti-War Conference
Friday, January 17
10:00 am
George Washington University, Masrvin Center
Students from ove 60 colleges and high schools will brain-storm about building a student movement against the war in Iraq and future wars. Contact: Tim Kaldas 202-242-3869 or tkaldas@gwu.ed.

Women’s Speak-Out for Peace and Justice
Friday, January 17
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Luther Place Church, 1226 Vermont Ave., NW (north of Thomas Circle)
All Day Women’s Anti-War Day of Action. Part of a National Week of Resistance for Justice and Peace in the spirit of Martin Luther King. War, poverty, and racism, the three evils named by Martin Luther King, are intimately linked to the
oppression of women. Join the Women’s Peace Vigil at the White House. Why a women¹s action?  Because women have a unique stake and a valuable perspective on issues of war and peace. Poverty is a women¹s issue: The vast majority of
people worldwide living in poverty are women and children. The war against Iraq will divert desperately needed funds from social programs, health care and education. Racism is a women¹s issue: Women of color and women of discriminated groups bear the double burden of race and sex oppression. War is a women’s issue: Women die under the bombs, see their homes, families, and ability to provide for the next generation destroyed.  War exalts the values of toughness, hardness and aggression that a patriarchal culture assigns to men, and denigrates  compassion, nurturing, tenderness, and love. We will express our solidarity with the women of Iraq, Palestine/Israel, Colombia, and other war-torn areas of the world and call for  a shift of national priorities away from war and militarism and toward a national agenda that affirms life.The vigil is a constant presence directly in front of the White House and a constant reminder to the decision-makers in Washington, DC,
that millions of people in the U.S. and around the world oppose a pre-emptive attack on Iraq. For more information, call (202) 393-5016.

Amnesty International Pre-Protest Event
Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18
7:00 pm (Fri) and 10:00 am (Sat)
AIUSA - Washington DC office, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (Fifth floor)
Join Amnesty activists from around the country for poster making (materials provided), an informal discussion on Iraq, and free food!  We will again gather at the Amnesty office on Saturday, and leave as a group for the demonstration at 10:40 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend!  So that we have some idea of the number of people who plan to take part in the above events, RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.  To RSVP, or if you have questions, please email Eric Sears at esears@aiusa.org or call 202.544.0200 ext 243.  If you are calling after normal business hours, contact Mona Cadena, Amnesty International Field Organizer, at 703.855.3835.

Women’s Contingent for Peace and Justice
Saturday, January 18
10:00 am
Smithsonian Metro (Orange/Blue line), 12^th Street & Jefferson St., NW
Join with other women to march and protest the war, as part of International A.N.S.W.E.R.’S No War on Iraq March and Rally. WEAR PINK.

Pro-Housing, Anti-War Rally
Saturday, January 18
10:00 am
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7^th St. S.W.
Join the KWRU this Saturday for a pro-housing, anti-war rally in Washington DC. Who: you and all of your friends that are concerned about the effects of war on domestic spending. Then march with us to join the ANSWER anti-war rally. WHY: We are about to go to war against Iraq, the poor of one country attacking the poor of another country. At the same time they have proposed a 30% cut to the Federal Housing Budget. People are suffering EVERYWHERE and war is not the answer. Questions: 215-681-0447 and ask for Anne or www.kwru.org.

DC-Metro Contingent Convergence, Feeder March
Saturday, January 18
10:30 am
Colombus Circle, Union Station Metro (Red line)
As a network of individuals and organizations from the DC Metro area,  we invite YOU and YOUR constituents to converge with thousands of DC-Metro folks this Saturday, January 18^th.  We will march together from Union station to the National Mall where we will meet up with the 100,000+ people from throughout the Nation standing against the War. WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR THEM TO START THE MASSIVE BOMBING CAMPAIGNS TO EXPRESS OUR DISSENT. Upon arrival, contingent marchers will be invited to particpate in the Human Peace Sign mobilization for another snapshot of Peace. This was perfected on October 26^th by hundreds of activists against the war. Bring your FRIENDS, noisemakers, banners, signs, and spirit! See: http://www.dawndc.net/events#Jan18. Does your organization want to get involved? Email:
nomowardc@yahoo.com.

Religious Delegation
Saturday, January 18
8:00 - 11:00 am
Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave. NE (at 2^nd St.)
Religious delegations to the national march are meeting for a prayer service planned by Methodists and United Church of Christ at 9:30 prior to joining the march. Contact: Maureen Fiedler 301-699-0042.

Congressional Press Conference - Repeal Authorization of Use of Force in Iraq
Tuesday, January 21
11:00 am
Cannon House Office Building Terrace, Independence Ave., NW (at Jefferson St.)
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is sponsoring a rally to urge no use of force against Iraq. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee last week introduced legislation that would repeal the Use of Force Against Iraq Resolution that was signed into law last October. “Public Law 107-243 was enacted into law on October 16, 2002 prior to the deployment of United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, and at a time when the current nuclear crisis in North Korea had not reached its present level of dangerous tension,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s legislation, H. Con. Res.2, seeks to repeal Public Law 107-243 in order to ensure that Congress is afforded the opportunity to re-examine the threat posed by Iraq, which would include taking the time to review fully and accurately the findings of the international weapons inspectors prior to the engagement of military forces. Passage of H. Con. Res. 2 would also provide Congress the time to consider any exit strategy that must be developed prior to deploying troops, as well as the serious domestic impact that a possible war with Iraq would involve. The domestic considerations include the impact on our already struggling economy and the high numbers of troops needed over an indefinite period of time. Such concerns raise the issue of our security at the most basic level when, for example, some municipalities are already losing nearly 10% of their police forces due to officers who have been activated with the reserves of the armed forces. Congress will also have to take into account the possibility of military action in North Korea and other places, and the ensuing burden that would be placed on our military and our economy. “Today’s threats are not the same as they were only months ago,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee.  “Today’s new threats pose new challenges to our nation - challenges that our Congress is bound to meet under Article 1, Section 8
of our U.S. Constitution. Congress is obligated to examine the new challenges that face our country and the world and to make crucial decisions based upon all of the information available.” Iraq has allowed international weapons inspectors to re-enter the country in order to identify and destroy weapons of mass destruction and development capabilities. Weapons inspectors have also begun to interview Iraqi scientists who have been key to the development of the privy to the country’s military. “North Korea’s recent actions relating to its nuclear weapons capabilities pose a more immediate threat to its neighbors and to the United States,” noted Congresswoman Jackson Lee. North Korea undisputedly has a deadly nuclear
arsenal and has unabashedly pledged to reactivate its nuclear weapons program. When confronted recently with the possibility of sanctions to force its compliance with its previous non-proliferation agreement, North Korea responded by stating that sanctions are war, and that in war it would be merciless. “Making a truly informed decision with respect to the threats we may face today demands that we reconsider the decision we made months ago when our world was a different
place,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. “Taking the time to deliberate more intelligently in no way diminishes the valor of our troops,” stated Congresswoman Jackson Lee.  “To the contrary, because we love and support our young men and women who are willing to give their lives to defend their nation, they deserve our fullest efforts to keep them out of harm’s way.” Includes speakers from a variety of organizations opposed to war. Washington Peace Center will be represented. Contact: Rebecca 202-225-3816.

Special Address on Iraq, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
Tuesday, January 25
12:00 - 2:00 pm
United States Institute of Peace, 1200 17^th St., NW (2^nd Fl. Conference Room)
In  the aftermath of a weapons discovery by UNMOVIC inspectors, the U.S. Institute of Peace will host a special address by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Iraq. Register: http://www.usip.org/forms/cib_20030121_reg.html. Contact: USIP 202-457-1700.

IRAQ: Voices From the Streets, film
Tuesday January 21
12:30 - 1:30 pm
IPS, 733 15^th St, NW, Suite 1020
Prompted by fears of an impending war, former U.S. Senator James Abourezk (D-SD) and Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) visited Iraq in September 2002 to speak with Iraqi officials and ease tensions between the two governments.
As Abourezk and Rahall meet with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, and others,  IPS fellow Saul Landau and filmmaker Sonia Angulo record these  encounters and take their own journey to the streets to hear from those who
have been and will be affected most by war: the Iraqi people. Listening to the thoughts and feelings of the Iraqi people on this new U.S. threat  serves as a reminder of why war is not justified and why peaceful negotiations are needed. The screening is followed by a brief discussion on the situation in Iraq given by Dr. Samer Shehata of Georgetown University and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, where he is Acting Director of the Master of Arts in Arab Studies Program. He teaches courses on comparative and Middle East politics, political economy, culture and politics in the Arab world,
Egyptian politics and society. Dr Shehata has recently returned from a trip to Bagdad with Bob Edgar and the National Council of Churches. For more information, call 202-234-9382 x254.

Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
Wednesday, January 22
8:00 pm
Bethesda Friends Meeting, Bethesda, Maryland
Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East. Speaker:  Ms. Gerri Bird, President Partners for Peace. Informal Reception to Follow. Meeting house is on the Lower School Campus of Sidwell Friends School at Edgemoor Lane and Beverly Road, Bethesda, MD. For more information contact:  John Salzberg 202-639-8001.

Future Prayer Services for Peace
Metropolitan Washington, D.C., area organizers are searching for churches to host the prayer services. The services are always on the 22^nd of the month, the day assigned to the District of Columbia and to Maryland, and on the 17^th of the month, the day assigned to Virginia and Iowa. If your congregation (or a cluster of congregations) would like to host a service. Pray for Peace. Contact Person:  Mark Brown 202-783-7507 mark_brown@elca.org.

If War Breaks Out - Emergency Response in DC
(Date TBA)
5:00 pm
Lafayette Park (across from White House) and local parks in various wards
Emergency Response to the start of the war on the first day of attack at 5:00 pm. Gather at Lafayette Park across from the White House or visible locations in the community parks in all wards. To participate in any of these actions in your
neighborhood, please contact Washington Peace Center at 202-234-2000. We are coordinating sites.
____________

NOTES:
We’re moving! The Washington Peace Center anticipates moving to the Arthur
Flemming Center at 9^th & P Sts., NW on February 1, and we need volunteers
now to pack the office and help with the move that day. Until then, we are still at
Columbia Rd. & 18^th St., NW. Mail will get to us at both addresses. The
Flemming Center is a cooperative project of Emmaus Services for the aging and a
dozen diverse non-profit organizations, seeking to create a community with a
shared sense of service, creativity and justice.

Coordinator position open. We are close to hiring our new full-time coordinator
as well, but taking last minute resumes until January 20^th.

Volunteers & Bookkeeper Needed. Multi-skilled volunteers are needed to
create and distribute the Washington Peace Letter, organize educational programs
and events, do community outreach, provide technical assistance for
computer-related tasks, update media and organizational guides, table at
community events, public relations work, and moving to our new location at the
end of January. In the coming year, we will need a new volunteer
bookkeeper/accountant as well. Want to help out? Call 202-234-2000 or write us
at wpc@igc.org

The Washington Peace Center is supporting and serving as the local affiliate of
the national Iraq Pledge of Resistance campaign. Other sponsors: Education for
Peace in Iraq Center, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Lutheran Peace Fellowship,
National Network to End the War in Iraq, Pax Christi, USA, Peace Action and
Voices in the Wilderness. For information, see www.peacepledge.org or call
202-234-2000. We also support the Iraq Peace Pledge, a project of the Campaign
of Conscience at www.peacepledge.org. Other sponsors: American Friends
Service Committee (and those above). Our own campaign, Alternatives to War,
combines demonstrations, outreach and public educational events to build a
grassroots response in DC to the growing militarism and repression. These
campaigns are working to build a pro-active nonviolent movement for peaceful,
just global community as well as an active non-violent civil disobedience
response. Please contact us at 202-234-2000, ext. #3 or wpc@igc.org for
information on how to be part of these campaigns.
____________

Ongoing
Ongoing weekly and monthly events are listed and updated now on our website at
www.washingtonpeacecenter.org. If you wish to be added or removed from this
list, or wish to submit an event (by the prior Thursday), please contact us at
wpc@igc.org.
--
Washington Peace Center
1801 Columbia Road NW, Suite 104
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-2000; (202) 234-7064 (fax)
www.washingtonpeacecenter.org