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Washington Peace Letter
Washington Peace Center
1801 Columbia Road NW
Suite 104
Washington, DC 20009
Ph. (202) 234-2000
Fax (202) 234-7064
Email: wpc@igc.org
Web site: www.washingtonpeacecenter.org
The Washington Peace Letter is published monthly for the social justice community of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Its purpose is to support local, national and international struggles against oppression. It seeks to present a radical analysis of current events, covering information not readily available in the corporate media.
The Peace Letter welcomes submissions of calendar announcements, articles, letters to the Editor, and artwork from the progressive community. Articles may be from 300-1200 words, but may be edited for space considerations. Preference is given to materials that cover actions or organizing campaigns in the D.C. metropolitan area.
We reserve the right to select or reject any submission.
Except as noted, Peace Letter items are copyright free and may be reproduced. Please give credit and send us a copy if you do use something.
The Washington Peace Letter is a project of the Peace Talks Working Group of the Washington Peace Center. If you are interested in joining us, call! |
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From the Board...
The Peace Center Wants You!
An Open Letter to the Peace and Justice Community
March/April 2002
Volume 39, Number 2
Haven't you heard? There's a war on!
It was common during the last World War to use this retort to counter
complaints about conditions or shortages. We must now reverse the meaning
of that phrase: complaint, questioning and dissent are vital to a healthy
democracy, which is especially crucial during war-time. Practicing democracy
between wars is like being a vegetarian between meals. And having an
active and vital Peace Center gives support to all those who want to
voice dissent and organize against this war and all of its social and
economic consequences.
Through the hard work of volunteers and staff, the Washington Peace
Center is able to provide the community with political services such
as:
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Acting as an information clearinghouse on local, national
and international issues and actions by sending out regular email
alerts, Peace Letters, activist calendars, as well as our annual Peace
and Justice Action Guide and Media Guide.
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Supporting both local and national organizations in
their actions by providing equipment, logistical help, non-violent
peacekeepers, promotion and often sponsorship.
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Providing an emergency response network in times of
crisis as well as organizing nonviolent actions and forums to confront
racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, economic exploitation and U.S.
intervention.
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Organizing educational events and workshops on a range
of issues including nonviolence, militarism and economic oppression.
The Peace Center has been especially active since the tragedies of
September 11th. Throughout the fall, we worked with hundreds of activists
as we coordinated peace vigils, teach-ins, public discussions, and a
major peace mobilization that drew 3,000 people. During that period,
we were interviewed by over 70 journalists - many from the national
and international media. At the same time, local peace and justice issues
have made the Peace Center a truly community-centered organization for
nearly 40 years. We intend to continue this proud legacy as we move
forward with an ambitious program for the coming year that includes:
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Educational forums on the Permanent War Economy and
the current crisis, drawing on the organizing experiences of veterans
of the civil rights and anti-war struggles of the past.
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Providing leadership for organizations and individuals
in DC who want to respond to the global "war on terrorism" and the
erosion of civil liberties
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Community outreach to foster democratic discussion
and debate at the local level about what is being done in our name
here and abroad.
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Building "Partners for Peace," a network of local
organizations that will expand the impact of Peace Center concerns
into the general community.
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Maintaining our emphasis on issues of social justice
that arise here in the metro area.
In the midst of this broader national and international crisis, the
Peace Center has been struggling to develop the resources and funding
we need to continue our work. The scope and intensity of our program
work and community contacts has expanded since September 11, but our
financial resources have not. Our income has not covered our rising
expenses and the Peace Center will be experiencing some short-term changes.
Although the Peace Letter has been published monthly, we will be sending
it out on a bimonthly basis for the next few months. Thus, the current
issue is dated March/April and our next issue will coming out in May/June.
Additionally, our staff coordinator Maria Ramos, who has done an excellent
job in building bridges across the city with diverse communities and
organizations, has left our staff. She will be working full time to
organize a national demonstration on April 20th that opposes post-September
11th militarism and curtailment of civil liberties. Julia Dietz joined
the Peace Center last September as our Lutheran Volunteer Corps staff
person, and has provided critical support to our office and the Peace
Letter during the current political crisis. With Maria leaving, Julia
has decided it is best to pursue another position where she can work
with other staff for the remainder of her LVC year. We want to hire
new staff as soon as funds are available.
All of this is why we need you right now. We know you share our feelings
about how critical it is to have the leadership, coordination and support
that the Peace Center has provided over the last 30 years. With your
financial support and your volunteer time we can afford the office space,
staff salary, equipment costs, printing and mailing, and communications
that will make our voice for peace in a time of war heard.
If you've ever thought about getting more involved, this is an excellent
time to contact the Peace Center. The board and other dedicated volunteers
will be actively planning for the future of the Peace Center. If you
cannot volunteer your time, your contribution will greatly help. We
need you now more than ever. Haven't you heard? There's a war on!
Peace,
Kit Bonson
Sherry Brown
Reed Dewey
Mark Goldstone
John Judge
Polly Stamatopolous
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