GI RESISTANCE & SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT AGAINST WAR & EMPIRE
Submitted by David Solnit on May 12, 2007 - 1:40am.
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This session will be on: June 29, 2007 - 1:00pm It will be held at: Choir Room room at the Trinity United Methodist Church View scheduleOrganization DescriptionCOURAGE TO RESIST is a two year old group of concerned community members, veterans and military families that supports military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the policies of empire. Our People Power strategy weakens the pillars that maintain war and occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by supporting GI resistance, counter-recruitment and draft resistance, which cuts off the supply of troops. We are autonomous from and independent of any political organization, party or group.
CATALYST PROJECT is a center for political education and movement building based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are committed to anti-racist work in majority white sections of left social movements with the goal of deepening anti-racist commitment in white communities and building multiracial left movements for liberation. We are committed to creating spaces for activists and organizers to collectively develop relevant theory, vision and strategy to build our movements. Catalyst programs prioritize leadership development, supporting grassroots fighting organizations and multiracial alliance building.
IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR (IVAW) was founded by Iraq war veterans in July 2004 at the annual convention of Veterans for Peace (VFP) in Boston to give a voice to the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent.
From its inception, IVAW has called for:
* Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;
* Reparations for the destruction and corporate pillaging of Iraq so that Iraqi people can control their own lives and future; and
* Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.
Proposal Demographicsidentify as women identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, queer) identify as people of color are 25 years old or younger are immigrants (not born in U.S.) are artists/cultural workers Session DescriptionCOSPONSORED BY(to date) Courage to Resist, Catalyst Project, and Iraq Veterans Against the War. There are over two and a half people million that do the work of the US military and millions more of their family members that come from our communities. GI resistance was key in stopping the Vietnam War and is a key part of a people power strategy (along with counter recruitment, direct action, and community organizing) that can end the US war in Iraq and the underlying policies of empire. Come if you are active duty or a veteran, military family member, or a grassroots organizer and want to support soldiers that have the courage to resist and the ability to stop US war. A brief explanation of what's going with GI resistance and support followed by facilitated discussion and interactive networking for groups and individuals who are interested in supporting in resistance within the military to end war and empire. The G.I. resistance/solidarity movement is made up of organizations and people engaged in work, ranging from counseling to legal advocacy to political campaigns supporting public resisters and their families. Currently there is no umbrella, network, or clearinghouse where we can all come together to exchange information, coordinate and collaborate, and strategize together. At the Social Forum we aim to bring together the different elements of this movement to build more cohesion and strengthen our work and our movement. In this session, participants will: We see this session as a convergence where these conversations may start, but the primary goal is to build and strengthen relationships, which can then move forward with increased communication after the Forum. We expect this session to be multi-generational and multi-racial. The session will be conducted in English. First NameDavid Last NameSolnit Contact E-maildsolnit@gmail.com Proposing OrganizationCourage to Resist Catalyst Project iraq Veterans Against the War Organization Websitewww.CourageToResist.org Position or TitleOrganizing Collective member Contact Telephone(510) 967-7377 Alternate Telephone(510) 764-2073 Event DayFriday, June 29th (Visioning / Envisioning Another World) Contact Address484 Lake Park Ave. #41 FormatShort presentation, followed by facilitated discussion and participatory networking. Contact CityOakland KeywordsAdvocacy Alternative Anti-corporate power Antiracism Capitalism Civil Society Community organizing and local development Cross thematic movement work Cross sector movement work Disarmament Equality Families Globalization Human Rights Human Rights, Civil & Political Human Rights, Economic, Social, and Cultural Immigrant Rights Imperialism Inner City (see also Gentrification, Tenants) International solidarity Militarization Movement building Networking Non-violence, Non-violent action North-South relations (see also Hemispheric) Peace Rural Issues (see also Agriculture, Farmers, & Land) Students (see also Education & Youth) Urban Issues (see Gentrification, Housing, Inner City, Local Development) War Women, Women’s Rights Workers Youth Audience Number50-100 people Contact StateCA Contact ZIP94610 Person Reviewingjerome |