ONGOING ACTIVITIES
WEEKLY PEACE VIGIL
Friday 5:30-6PM
50 N Main Street, Logan, UT (in front of the Logan Tabernacle)
This non-violent public event has been on-going since September, 2005.
Come join us as a witness for peace!
Archive for the 'Peace Updates' Category
7 Years in Iraq: Anniversary Peace Vigil and Walk, Logan
Event flyer for the March 19 peace vigil and walk
Cache Valley Peace Works is organizing activities on Friday, March 19
to mark the 7th (!) Anniversary of the Iraq War:
1. We will start with our regular peace vigil in front of the Logan Tabernacle (50 N Main) 5:30 PM.
2. At 6PM we will start a peace walk from the vigil to the Historic County Court House at 199 N Main. Bring your own signs to the vigil and walk, or help us hold/carry one of the big Cost of War banners provided by the American Friends Service Committee.
3. After arriving at the courthouse, we will gather in a circle for some silence, speakers, music, and a candle light vigil. Candles will be provided. All are invited to share their thoughts during the candle light vigil.
Questions? Willing to help? E-mail info@loganpeace.org or call (435) 755-5137.
Logan Peace Vigil Every Friday 5:30-6pm, 50 N Main, Logan
The Iraq war is far from over. Join the Peace Vigil.
Iraq: Key figures since the war began
By The Associated Press Associated Press Writer
| U.S. TROOP LEVELS:
–October 2007: 170,000 at peak of troop buildup.
–March 31, 2009: 142,000.
–Confirmed U.S. military deaths as of March 31, 2009: At least 4,261.
–Confirmed U.S. military wounded (hostile) as of March 31, 2009: 31,153.
–Confirmed U.S. military wounded (non-hostile, using medical air transport) as of Feb. 28, 2009: 36,106.
–U.S. military deaths for March 2009: 9, the lowest number of casualties reported for one full month since the AP began tracking this figure in March of 2003.
–Deaths of civilian employees of U.S. government contractors as of Dec, 31, 2008: 1,306.
–Iraqi deaths in March 2009 from war-related violence: 335.
–Assassinated Iraqi academics as of March 30, 2009: 417.
–Journalists killed on assignment as of March 31, 2009: 138.
COST:
–Over $609 billion, according to the National Priorities Project.
OIL PRODUCTION:
–Prewar: 2.58 million barrels per day.
–March 25, 2009: 2.38 million barrels per day.
ELECTRICITY:
–Prewar nationwide: 3,958 megawatts. Hours per day (estimated): 4-8.
–March 16, 2009 nationwide: 5,275 megawatts. Hours per day: 15.4.
–Prewar Baghdad: 2,500 megawatts. Hours per day (estimated): 16-24.
–March 16, 2009 Baghdad: Megawatts not available. Hours per day: 16.7.
Note: Current Baghdad megawatt figures are no longer reported by the U.S. State Department’s Iraq Weekly Status Report.
TELEPHONES:
–Prewar land lines: 833,000.
–Jan. 5, 2009: 1,300,000.
–Prewar cell phones: 80,000.
–Jan. 5, 2009: An estimated 14.7 million.
WATER:
–Prewar: 12.9 million people had potable water.
–Jan. 15, 2009: 21.2 million people have potable water.
SEWERAGE:
–Prewar: 6.2 million people served.
–Dec. 31, 2008: 11.3 million people served.
INTERNAL REFUGEES:
–March 25, 2009: At least 2.8 million people are currently displaced inside Iraq.
EMIGRANTS:
–Prewar: 500,000 Iraqis living abroad.
–March 25, 2009: Close to 2 million, mainly in Syria and Jordan.
All figures are the most recent available.
——
Sources: The Associated Press, State Department, Defense Department, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, The Brookings Institution, Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration, Committee to Protect Journalists, National Priorities Project, The Brussels Tribunal, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
The War is Over! Right? Marking 6 years of the Iraq War
Friday, March 20th
USU Taggart Student Center Fountains
9:00 AM - 4 PM Eyes Wide Open and Cost of War Exhibits
(American Friends Service Committee)
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Walk to Peace Vigil (50 N Main St)
USU Taggart Student Center Auditorium
11:00 AM - 12:20 PM Movie: “The Ground Truth”
12:20 PM - until gone FREE Pizza outside the auditorium
12:30 PM - 1:20 PM “The War Is Over! Right?” presentation by Stephen McNeil* followed by Q&A
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM: “Understanding Afghanistan” presentation by Stephen McNeil* followed by Q&A
2:30 PM - 4:10 PM: Movie “Why We Fight”
Logan
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Peace Vigil, east side of Main Street between Center St. and 100 N
6:30 PM Potluck Dinner, followed by “Understanding Afghanistan” presentation by Stephen McNeil*, at Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 596 E 900 N., Logan
* Stephen McNeil, San Francisco, California, is Assistant Regional Director for Peace Building, Relief, and Youth Work with American Friends Service Committee, a non-sectarian Quaker organization that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947. He is on the Board of Directors of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) in Washington, DC, a Quaker lobby in the public interest, having served as chairman and now serving as head of the fundraising efforts.
Sponsored by:
• USU Journalism and Communication Department
• Cache Valley Peace Works
• Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
• Logan Friends Meeting (Quakers)
• Mormons for Equality and Social Justice - Cache Valley
PEACE WORKS! FILM Friday, February 13
Time: 7 p.m.
596 East 900 North; Logan, Utah
Unitarian Universalist Church
Free – (Donations are welcome)
The Film: Flow: For Love of Water
Director: Irena Salina - 2008 - U - 93 m
With an unflinching focus on politics, pollution and human rights, this film ensures that the precarious relationship between humanity and water can no longer be ignored. - Sundance Review
Guest discussion leader: Kayo Robertson experienced mercury poisoning from eating fish caught in local waters. His research & his experiences with Idaho and Utah public officials bring global questions close to home
PEACE WORKS! FILM Friday, November 14
DOWNLOAD THE LIST HERE: peace-works-fs-calendar-sep-08-update
Time: 7 p.m.
596 East 900 North; Logan, Utah
Unitarian Universalist Church
Free – (Donations are welcome)
Friday November 14
Meeting Resistance
Directors: Steve Connors, Molly Bingham - May 2008- U- 85 m
Meeting Resistance is a daring, eye-opening film that raises the veil of anonymity surrounding the Iraq’s insurgency by meeting face to face with individuals who are passionately engaged in the struggle against coalition forces. It documents for the first time the sentiments experienced and actions taken by a nation’s citizens when their homeland is occupied. With unique insight into the people involved in the resistance, this acclaimed film explodes myth after myth about the war in Iraq and the Iraqis who participate. Voices which have been previously unheard - both males and female - speak candidly about their motivations, hopes and goals, revealing a kaleidoscope of human perspectives. Through its unprecedented access to insurgent and clandestine groups, Meeting Resistance is the missing puzzle piece in understanding the Iraq war- not only the toll of our occupation but the mindset behind those who resist. –Amazon.com Review
Guest: Dr Ted Pease, USU Dept of Journalism and Communication
International LaOnf Solidarity Campaign Supporting Iraqi Nonviolence Activists
Today in Iraq, there is a growing movement of citizens pursuing an end to violence, occupation and corruption through nonviolent means. LaOnf is a network of Iraqi organizations and individuals, from all religious and ethnic groups, with different ideological and political backgrounds, who have joined together to promote nonviolence as the most effective way to struggle for an independent, democratic, and peaceful Iraq. From October 10 to 20, LaOnf members will hold their 3rd annual campaign, the Iraqi Week of Nonviolence, in which they will advocate through nonviolent action for measures to ensure the freedom and security of Iraqis who will exercise their right to vote during Iraq’s upcoming governorate elections.
During this Week of Nonviolence, the Iraqi members of LaOnf hope that you will each consider bringing their message and work into your communities. In the US, LaOnf is working in partnership with UFPJ and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows to facilitate the following actions:
1. Sign an Open Letter of support for LaOnf’s mission to promote nonviolence in rebuilding Iraq.
2. Post a photo and a message of support on the LaOnf Campaign website.
3. Host a home or community screenings of LaOnf’s documentary film “Mesalla: Activists in Iraq”
4. Organize your own solidarity action to promote and demonstrate support for the Week of Nonviolence.
5. Get local press for LaOnf.
6. Let your elected representatives know about LaOnf
For more information on LaOnf, volunteering to screen the documentary in your community or your home, and joining the campaign to support nonviolence activists in Iraq go to www.peacefultomorrows.org or simply email Peaceful Tomorrows at laonf@peacefultomorrows.org.
More information on LaOnf is available on their website in Arabic, Kurdish and English: http://www.laonf.net/. The button for English translation is in the upper right hand corner of the site.
PEACE WORKS! FILM Friday, October 10
PEACE WORKS! FILM SERIES 08
Presented as a community service for all who want to explore issues of social justice through film and informal discussions led by guest teachers.
DOWNLOAD THE LIST HERE: peace-works-fs-calendar-sep-08-update
Time: 7 p.m.
596 East 900 North; Logan, Utah
Unitarian Universalist Church
Free – (Donations are welcome)
Friday October 10
Occupation 101
Directors: Sufyan Omeish, Abdallah Omeish – 2007-U - 90 m
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict — ‘Occupation 101′ presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions. The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets. The film covers a wide range of topics — which include — the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880’s, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy. –Amazon.com Review
Guests: Laurie McNeal and Justin Heavilin recently returned from sabbaticals at An Najah National University in Palestine
International Day of Peace // Get Involved!
On September 16, the Logan City Council voted unanimously to proclaim Sept. 21 as a Day of Peace and urged residents to “reflect on the blessings of peace and the true cost of war.” Mayor Randy Watts also endorsed the proclamation.
Several churches, religious communities and groups in Cache Valley will be observing International Day of Peace through prayers, moments of silence, special sermons, discussion and vigils. Events include:
1. First Presbyterian Church of Logan: a month of peacemaking during services. Contact: Rev. Paul Heins, pastorpaul@mac.com, 435 752-0871
September 7: Peace beginning in the heart.
September 14: Peace and interpersonal relationships
September 21: World peace
September 28: The environment and peace
October 5: World Communion Sunday - interfaith relationships and peace
2. Stories from Palestine. Contact: Brooke Robertshaw, brooke.r@aggiemail.usu.edu
Robertshaw of the First Presbyterian Church will be doing a series of 3 presentations about her experiences on a delegation with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in 2008.
September 18, noon to 1 p.m., Room 282, Education Building @ Utah State (focus will be on barriers to education in the south Hebron Hills of the West Bank)
September 19, 6:30 p.m., Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist, 596 E 900 N (focus more on politics; will include information about barrier wall being built by Israel around Palestine)
September 21, 6:30 p.m. to -8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 200 W & Center (focus on faith; will include discussion about lack of access to holy sites because of the occupation)
3. Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist: Peace Pole Dedication. Contact: George Wootton, gwootton01@comcast.net
September 21, 10 a.m. to noon, Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist Building, 596 East 900 North, Logan. Michael Sowder, from the Logan Buddhist Sangha, will speak at service between 10-11am. Peace pole dedication begins 11:30 a.m., concluding with a minute of silence at noon. Potluck to follow.
4. Logan Friends Meeting (Quakers). Contact: Ilona Jappinen, ilona.jappinen@gmail.com, September 21, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Whittier Community Center, 410 E 300 N, Logan. Worship sharing focused on the effectiveness of having a special “Peace Day” in promoting peace. Will join the Peace Pole Dedication afterwards.
5. Peace Vigil. Contact: Jill Anderson, jillan01@comcast.net
September 19, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., east side of Main Street between Center Street and 100 N, Logan. This on-going weekly peace vigil is co-sponsored by Cache Valley Peace Works, Mormons for Equality and Social Justice (Cache Valley Chapter), Logan Friends Meeting (Quakers), and Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists.
Contact Us if you’d like to get involved.
More about the International Day of Peace:
The United Nations’ International Day of Peace - marked every year on September 21 - is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, “Peace Day” has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small.
For more information on International Day of Peace, go to: www.internationaldayofpeace.org
May peace prevail on Earth!
