Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition

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Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition  www.AlabamaPeace.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE /  March 14, 2008

Contact:  Linda Haynes, 256-489-3884, lahaynes@knology.net

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Alabama Peace Events Commemorating 5th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion. 5 Years Too Many! 

(Alabama) — Below are Alabama events planned in various cities (Auburn, Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Oneonta) by member organizations of the Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition. These events commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Iraq invasion and demand that the U.S. act now to end the war. They are being held in solidarity with the national “5 Years Too Many. Bring the Troops Home Now” campaign being held in Washington, DC on March 19. Peace rallies, nonviolent actions and other events are also being held in hundreds of other cities across the U.S.  More information at http://www.unitedforpeace.org/  

Nearly 4,000 dead and 30,000 wounded.

Between 100,000 - 1,000,000 Iraqis dead, and 4,000,000 displaced.

Almost $1,000,000,000,000 spent.

0 reasons to be there. 

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Auburn 

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Wednesday, March 19

Alliance for Peace and Justice

5th anniversary of the Iraq War  

5:00-6:00 p.m. — PUBLIC WITNESS to:   Support our troops by bringing them home, Commemorate all the direct losses of this war, both U.S and Iraqi,  Call for converting funds for wars abroad to meeting escalating human needs at home.Toomers’ Corner, (intersection of Magnolia Ave. and College St.), in Auburn, AL 

6:15-7:00 p.m. — COVERED DISH SUPPER. Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 450 E Thach Ave., Auburn, ALBring friends and also food to share. Beverage provided.  

7:00-9:00 p.m. — See and discuss film “NO END IN SIGHT.” Nominated for Academy Award as Best Documentary FilmAuburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 450 E Thach Ave., Auburn, AL  

For more information: Judy Collins Cumbee, Alliance for Peace and Justice,  judysi@knology.net, 334-499-2380, www.peaceeagle.org 

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Birmingham

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Wednesday, March 19, 11:45 a.m. -  1:00 p.m.

Birmingham Peace Project and Pax ChristiPax Christi Vigil.  In recognition of the 5^th anniversary of the Iraq invasion.Five Points South, Birmingham, AL Friends, on this solemn and tragic occasion, once again Pax Christi is allowing anyone wishing to express their outrage and horror that this war still continues, to join their long-standing vigil for peace. They have extended the length so that you may feel free to come by at any time during the hour and fifteen minute vigil and leave whenever you need to. There will be signs, or bring your own.  

Contact, Diane McNaron, Birmingham Peace Project, 205.838.1391, Dianemcnaron@aol.com  

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Huntsville   

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Wednesday, March 19, 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

North Alabama Peace Network 200 Pratt Ave.  (Corner of Pratt and Meridian), Huntsville, AL 

We will hold a peace rally on the 5th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, calling for an immediate end of the illegal and unjust occupation of Iraq! This will be held in front of U.S. Representative Bud Cramer’s office at 200 Pratt Ave.  (corner of Pratt and Meridian). Bring a friend. Bring a sign, but we’ll also have extras.  

Contact: Tom Moss, 256-468-5314 cell, NAPN@knology.net   or Linda Haynes, 256-429-8639 cell, lahaynes@knology.net      

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Mobile

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Friday, March 14

Mobile Citizens for Peace 

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Memorial displayMemorial event co-sponsored by Mobile Citizens for Peace and Friends Group of Baldwin County. Midtown Mobile Park  (intersection of Government St. and Airport Blvd.), Mobile, AL In conjunction with the national Friends there will be a memorial event at Memorial Park.  Boots representing the dead soldiers from Alabama and shoes representing dead Iraqi civilians will be arrayed on the ground.  Periodically the names will be read aloud. For more information look at:  http://www.afsc.org/eyes/       This display is not a protest demonstration, people are invited to come anytime throughout the day to reflect upon the meaning of the display and to revive their ideals for peace.  

5:00 p.m. — March The Mobile Citizens for Peace will march from the Midtown Mobile Park to the monthly ArtWalk event that will be underway downtown (about 2 1/2 miles). For this part of the day, yes, get out your old posters or make new ones. As we walk we want this display to say that the media and politicians may have removed the war from view, but we know it’s still going on and we want it to stop. Best poster — determined by acclaim — will receive a prize.                   

Contact: David Underhill, Mobile Citizens for Peace, 251-599-8699 (cell), drunderhill@yahoo.com    

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Montgomery 

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Sunday, March 16,  2:00 p.m.

Montgomery Peace Project

Capri Theatre, 1045 E Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL

The film “No End in Sight” will be shown at  Find out how we got into this mess in Iraq by watching the movie that tells the inside story about the American occupation of Iraq and why it is doomed to failure.  It was nominated for 2007 Academy Award for Best Documentary.  More info   http://www.noendinsightmovie.com/  Free admission. Reception will follow film.  

Contact:  Valerie Downes, Montgomery Peace Project, 334-462-9522, valerie.downes@splcenter.org  

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Oneonta     

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Wednesday, March 19, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Blount County Committee for Peace & Justice

Peace Vigil for 5 Years of the Iraq War Blount County Courthouse, Oneonta, AL 

Vigilers from the local peace group invite others to join them Wednesday, March 19 at 6:00 PM for an hour of reflection, prayer, and witness for an end to the Iraq War. The hour-long vigil will take place on the County Courthouse steps in Oneonta. Holding signs such as “War Is Not The Answer”,  “Americans Want Our Troops Home” and “Who Would Jesus Bomb”, the group has had a presence at the Courthouse since September of 2002, a good 6 months before the current war began, now totaling 5 years. The group reports that by far, most passersby seem to support the message the group presents, with honks, waves, peace signs, stopping and joining in with the group, and even a family with small children stopping by to bring the vigilers chocolate chip cookies. The peace group welcomes returned Iraq veterans to join them in their call for an end to the war. For more information, call veteran Morris Gardner at 681-4928. 

Contact:  Morris Gardner, Blount County Committee for Peace and Justice, 205-681-4928, rivkahdara@urisp.net     

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The Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition is made up of eight peace organizations from around the state.  More information about APJC is at  http://www.alabamapeace.org

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Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition / www.AlabamaPeace.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / March 17, 2007
Contact: Linda Haynes, 256-489-3884, lahaynes@knology.net
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Alabama Peace Events Commemorating
4th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion

(Alabama) — Below are Alabama events planned by member organizations of the Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition and other groups. These events commemorate the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion, and demand that the U.S. act now to end the war. They are being held in solidarity with the huge peace actions being held in Washington DC and 1,000+ other cities across the US. More information about those events is at www.unitedforpeace.org/

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Anniston
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Monday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m.
Alabama PeaceFirst
Vigil commemorating 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion
In the the median at 11th St. and Quintard Ave
Anniston, AL
Contact: Scott W Beckett, scottbeckett@post.harvard.edu or 256-782-3033

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Auburn
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Monday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Alliance for Peace and Justice
Vigil commemorating 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion
Toomer’s Corner (Magnolia and N. College)
Auburn, AL.

Contact: Michael Mulvaney, mulvamj@auburn.edu or 203-948-8803. More info www.peaceeagle.org

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Birmingham
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Monday, March 19 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Birmingham Speaks Out: Stop The Escalation, Support Our Troops
In recognition of the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion
Southside at the Five Points Fountain, 20th St & Magnolia Ave
Birmingham, AL

Vigil /Speakers /Singing/ Citizens time to call for Peace
Sponsors: MoveOn.org, Birmingham One Corps, Pax Christi & Birmingham Peace Project
Endorsed by Progressive Democrats of America/Democracy for America

Contact: Sharron Williams, sawart@bellsouth.net

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Huntsville
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Saturday, March 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
North Alabama Peace Network
Peace Rally — in solidarity with the March On The Pentagon taking place in Washington, DC.
Corner of Whitesburg Ave. and Airport Rd.
Huntsville, AL

Monday, March 19 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
North Alabama Committee for Nonviolent Action
Occupation Project and Peace Rally
In front of Rep. Bud Cramer’s office at 200 Pratt Ave. (corner of Pratt and Meridian)
Huntsville, AL

Monday, March 19 from 5:00 pm to 7 pm
North Alabama Peace Network
End the War Rally
Wellman Park, in Five Points (corner of Pratt and Andrew Jackson Way)
Huntsville, AL

Please join us in Huntsville for one or more of these events. Bring a friend. Bring a sign, but we’ll also have extras.

Contact: Tom Moss, 256-468-5314 cell, NAPN@knology.net or Linda Haynes, 256-429-8639 cell, lahaynes@knology.net

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Mobile
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Saturday, March 17 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm
Mobile Citizens for Peace and Mobile Chapter of Veterans for Peace
Midtown Mobile Park (intersection of Government St. and Airport Blvd.)
Mobile, AL

Bring posters if you can. Bring yourselves for sure.

Sunday, March 25, time to be determined
Mobile Citizens for Peace and Mobile Chapter of Veterans for Peace and National Veterans for Peace Caravan
Peace Rally
Midtown Mobile Park (intersection of Government St. and Airport Blvd.)
Mobile, AL

The National Veterans for Peace Caravan is starting from North Carolina headed for a hurricane Katrina rebuilding project in coastal Mississippi. They will stop at the gates of several military bases across the southeast. On this day, March 25, they will stop in Mobile.

After the rally at the park, the groups will go to the local office of congressman Jo Bonner in Mobile. Since last July Citizens for Peace has been requesting a meeting with him, but he never finds the time. So people he claims to represent but won’t speak with are going to his office anyway, even without an appointment.

Contact: Fairlie Schreiber, president, Mobile Citizens for Peace, 251-450-5970 (w) 251-645-8539 (h), drunderhill@yahoo.com

Mobile Resist, composed mostly of students and recent graduates of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, has a vanload of members driving to Washington, DC for the demonstration and march on Saturday, March 17. Contact: Patrick Aubrey, 251-709-8507, numutke324@yahoo.com

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Montgomery
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Monday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m.
MoveOn Members in Montgomery
“Stop the Escalation, Bring the Troops Home Safely and End the War”
Candlelight vigil
1000 E. Fairview Ave. (at Woodley Rd in Old Cloverdale)

The vigil will honor American soldiers who were wounded or killed in Iraq through a reading of personal accounts written by family members of those who have died. Bring a candle, posters, signs, flowers and anything you deem appropriate. Details and signup: pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=34827

Saturday, March 24 at 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery Peace Project
Film and Discussion
Civil Rights Memorial Center
400 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL

The Montgomery Peace Project is hosting the National Veterans for Peace convoy which is traveling through the south to promote Appeal for Redress. The event includes a film and discussion.

Contact: Valerie Downes, 334-462-9522, valerie.downes@splcenter.org

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Oneonta
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Monday, March 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Blount County Committee for Peace & Justice
Vigil to Observe 4th Anniversary of Iraq War
Blount County Courthouse
Oneonta, AL

All are welcome and requested to wear black and bring candles.

We have permission to use the parking spaces in front of the courthouse to place our sandwich boards which will have each years total of the dead (Iraqi, American: active military, contractors, reporters.) and we will read names of Alabamainans who have been killed, including one Blount Countian.

Contact: Sara Rose 205-429-3088, or Morris Gardner 205-681-4928, or e-mail bpeace@urisp.net

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Tuscaloosa
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Monday, March 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Tuscaloosa Peace Project and MoveOn
Vigil commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Iraq war
Denny Chimes on the University of Alabama campus
Tuscaloosa, AL

The Tuscaloosa Peace Project will be cooperating with local MoveOn members in staging a vigil at 4:30 PM on March 19 at Denny Chimes on the U of Al campus.

Contact: David Lowe, (205) 246-6126 (cell), caple66wood@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 20 at 12:00 noon
Students for a Democratic Society
Peace Rally
Denny Chimes, University of Alabama campus
Tuscaloosa, AL

Contact: Chapin Gray, 251-605-7780, chapinrose@gmail.com

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The Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition is made up of eight peace organizations from around the state. More information about APJC is at www.alabamapeace.org

Below are reports on Alabama events held on Jan. 27, 2007 — in solidarity with the huge peace rally held in Washington, DC.

1) Huntsville, Alabama (North Alabama Peace Network)
2) Mobile, Alabama (Mobile Citizens for Peace)

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North Alabama Peace Network
www.napn.org
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For Immediate Release / Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007
Contacts: Tom Moss, 256-468-5314 cell, NAPN@knology.net
Linda Haynes, 256-429-8639 cell, lahaynes@knology.net

More than 100 Joined Peace Surge in Huntsville Today! “Constellation” Movie Actor Participates Too.
Huntsville, Ala. — More than 100 people participated in the Peace Surge Rally in Huntsville today calling for an immediate end to the Iraq war.

The crowd included David Clennon, an actor from Los Angeles who is in the “Constellation” film premiering in Huntsville tonight. Clennon said, “I’m happy that I could come here from LA and find a peace demonstration in Huntsville — because today is such an important day in the struggle for peace.” Clennon found information about the Huntsville event by doing a search on the Internet. He has been going to the peace rallies in LA since before the Iraq war began. (Dave Clennon is available for interviews. Contact Linda Haynes at 256-429-8639 (cell) to make arrangements.)

Huntsville rally participants included people of all ages, from young children to octogenarians, filling all four corners of the Airport Rd and Whitesburg intersection. People held signs, peace flags, and American flags during the rally which lasted from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Tom Moss, coordinator of the North Alabama Peace Network, said, “We had a marvelous outpouring of support from passers-by today. Every week the response gets more positive; it’s a peace surge. I think more and more people realize our government is not exporting democracy but is only serving to make the poor poorer in order to pay for this war.”

Linda Haynes, a NAPN member said, “A woman driving by rolled down her window and said to us, ‘Thank you for being here. My son is in Iraq.’ Those types of responses make the effort so much more poignant.”

Today’s local rally was in solidarity with the huge peace action being held in Washington, DC to demand an end to the Iraq war. The national event is sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, True Majority, RainbowPUSH Coalition, Working Assets, the National Organization for Women and hundreds of other national and local groups. Tens of thousands of people converged on Washington, DC today to demand an end to the war in Iraq, and to bring the troops home now. This includes Alabama residents from Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and other areas of the state. More information about the national event in Washington, DC is at www.unitedforpeace.org/

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Mobile, Alabama — Mobile Citizens for Peace

Report submitted by David Underhill drunderhill@yahoo.com

Cold rain couldn’t keep the faithful away. The largest crowd in a long time turned out Saturday the 27th at a mid-Mobile park that has become the traditional site for such events since shortly before the attack on Iraq almost four years ago. Citizens for Peace, an APJC member, co-sponsored the rally with the Mobile chapter of Veterans for Peace.
We scheduled it to coincide with the big march in DC. The announced hours were noon to 3:00, but some demostrators started gathering by 11:00.

Perhaps a hundred people participated, with about 75 the most present at any time. The park is at an intersection of major streets, and we ringed it with a forest of soggy signs.
We had a quasi-captive audience in thick, snarled traffic headed to the nearby stadium for the Senior Bowl. (That’s not geriatric football but an all-star game for college stars turned NFL prospects.) As routine lately, we received far more honks and waves of support than gestures of opposition.

That reception reflects the polls showing that the public, including Alabamians, have turned against Bush’s calamity in Iraq. But you would never know this from the words and votes of most of our supposed representatives in congress. They remain devoted to war and escalation.

And a new group made its first public appearance during rush hour in west Mobile on Friday the 26th. Resist Mobile, which sprang up in recent weeks in the University of South Alabama vicinity, turned out about 40 poster-wielding peaceniks along a main artery to give commuters something besides billboards to look at. Resist says this is just the first of anti-war demos, plus other activities, to follow.
David Underhill

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Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition
www.AlabamaPeace.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / Jan. 26, 2007
Contact: Linda Haynes, 256-489-3884, lahaynes@knology.net
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Alabama Peace Events On Day of Huge Washington, DC Rally — Saturday, Jan. 27th

(Alabama) — Below are Alabama events planned by member organizations of the Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition and other groups. These events are to demand that the U.S. act now to end the war. They are being held in solidarity with the huge peace action being held in Washington DC as described below.

On election day, Nov. 7, 2006, the American voters delivered a dramatic, unmistakable mandate for peace. Now is the time for action – to send a strong, clear message to Congress and the Bush Administration to bring the troops home now!

The national peace event being held in Washington, DC on Jan. 27 is sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, True Majority, RainbowPUSH Coalition, Working Assets, the National Organization for Women and hundreds of other national and local groups. Tens of thousands of people will converge on Washington, DC to demand an end to the war in Iraq, and to bring the troops home now. Momentum is building and people from all walks of life and every corner of the country will be marching at this event in Washington, DC. From Alabama, this includes people from Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and other areas.

More information about the national event in Washington, DC is at www.unitedforpeace.org/

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Huntsville — North Alabama Peace Network
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Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Peace Rally — Bring the Troops Home Now!
Corner of Whitesburg and Airport Roads
Huntsville, AL

The North Alabama Peace Network (NAPN) has been holding peace rallies in Huntsville since before the beginning of the Iraq war. During the last several weeks, new people have been joining the long-time members for their weekly Saturday one-hour rallies at the intersection of Airport and Whitesburg. Tom Moss, NAPN coordinator, said, “Wouldn’t it be great to see 100 people this weekend as we had just before the war started? I think it could happen. In the last few weeks, more people have been showing up for the Saturday rally, including some who have never been to a peace demonstration in their lives. We’re having a peace surge!”

Contact: Tom Moss, 256-468-5314 cell, NAPN@knology.net or Linda Haynes, 256-429-8639 cell, lahaynes@knology.net

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Mobile — Mobile Citizens for Peace
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Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.
Mobile Peace Rally
At Memorial park in midtown…intersection of Government and Airport…by the cannon.

Bring posters and banners if you want…but most of all, bring yourselves!

W’s escalation with 21,000 more soldiers into Iraq, plus aircraft carriers into the Persian Gulf, looks more and more like steps toward an attack on Iran…World War III might not be far behind…unless we, the people, stop it.

Come to the park Saturday the 27th.

Contact: Mobile Citizens for Peace, 251-599-8699, drunderhill@yahoo.com

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Tuscaloosa — Students for a Democratic Society
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Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Peace Rally
Ferguson Student Union Center, at the coffee shop
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

The Students for a Democratic Society at Tuscaloosa is having having a demonstration against the war in Iraq on the 27th of Janurary, noon to 2 pm. We are meeting at the Ferguson Student Union Center, at the coffee shop.

Contact: Chapin Gray, 251-605-7780, ua_sds@yahoo.com

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More information about the Alabama Peace & Justice Coalition is at www.alabamapeace.org

Below are Alabama events planned by member organizations of the Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition in recognition of the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21.

Auburn, Birmingham, Fairhope, Huntsville, Mobile, Oneonta and Tuscaloosa will host a variety of peace events — including candlelight vigils, music performances, films and more.

The International Day of Peace is celebrated each year on Sept. 21 by groups and individuals around the world. In 2006, there are over 1,000 events planned in 175 countries. Established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, the International Day of Peace was first celebrated September 1982. More information at www.internationaldayofpeace.org

For more information about specific events, read the press release…

As in prior years, I am preparing one press release listing all of our AL peace groups’ events commemorating International Peace Day. That is on Sept. 21, but your event might not be on that specific day.

Can you send me details (what, when, where, etc.) or let me know if your group will be doing something — even if details are not yet ready? (You can post a comment, or email me at lahaynes@knology.net.

Once all the details are ready, I’ll send the event list to media all over the state — and beyond. Thanks!