Minutes of Action Committee Meeting, June 1, 2009
Meeting began at 6:00 PM
Members present: Beth Streeter, Jacqui Deveneau, Brad Cummings, Susanne Willard, Wells Staley-Mays, Sally Breen, Grace Braley, Ursula Slavick, Ted Musgraves (guest from Portland Parks & Recreation)
May Minutes were approved by consensus.
Review of revised legislative rotating schedule:
Grace suggested changing the Legislative Schedule so that we chose items that were “in the news” at the moment. We understand her concerns, but decided that the subjects listed on the legislative agenda can be seen as critical at any time, and there will always be a way to address the subject in any given month.
Wells gave a final report on Afghanistan. Please read report on Peace Action Maine website. We have to educate the people and press legislators and Congress members with letters, emails, phone calls and visits to their respective offices. We need to expand the unpopularity of the Afghanistan at home. 51 Congresspersons have voted against war funding for Afghanistan. Research reason for this unpopularity and work for immediate exit strategy. The report made comparisons with Vietnam. We will send study on Afghanistan and US involvement with a cover letter to our Congressional leaders. Everyone on the Action Committee should read the report and recommend changes. These changes to be sent to Sally, then to Wells and Eric.
Goal #1: World Without War—John Porter had an article published in the Portland Press Herald. He admitted that the US shouldn’t have gone into a the war in Afghanistan. There is an Afghanistan vigil every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 PM at Monument Square in Portland. There was a question whether PAM should get permission to have a protest vigil. A vigil is also taking place on Friday’s from 12:00-1:00 PM on Palestine.
There is a state-wide planning meeting, Saturday June 13, from 12:00-3:00 PM, at the Mediation Center on Afghanistan on women’s rights in Augusta. Call the Peace Action Office if you can drive and have room for others. Meet at “Park and Ride on Marginal Way in Portland to arrange car-pooling to Augusta. Peace Action Maine will be joining other activist groups to meet with Code Pink who is helping organize an event later this summer.
Gather at editorial board at Portland Press Herald on Thursday from 12:30-1:00 PM to take a position against the newest so-called “surge”. Ask for a special meeting between Editor of Portland Press Harold and Eric Hooglund. Consult with PAM website about being against the “surge”.
One of PAM members could offer to write an article on torture. Raise issue on torture from John Porter’s Op-ed in the Sunday, May 3rd Maine Sunday Telegram. Attend following Thursday Editorial Board meeting. Talk to Elaine McGilicuddy about torture.
Discussion about The Greeters at the Bangor airport. Ted Musgraves suggested we think about the issue…is there anything we could do at the Portland airport. Sally will be in touch with some of the Bangor greeters to ask them (1) What is your message to the soldiers and (2) What were the reasons the group decided to take this on? Sally will also contact Ilse Peterson at the Eastern Maine Peace and Justice Center to ask her if she knows anything about the Greeters in Bangor. Ted Musgraves will contact the Portland Jetport to ask some preliminary questions.
Goal #2: Nuclear Abolition—Talk on Korea—people of Korea want to be united, but US created the division into South and North Korea. US needs to improve relations with Korea by starting to emphasize disarmament. The Nuclear Proliferation Treaty is coming up in 2010. Japan is thinking of altering its Constitution to get involved with nuclear power. North Korea nuclear test is in response to US buildup of nuclear arms. The US needs to reduce arms.
Call Mary Beth Sullivan and Bruce Cagnon and ask them to pursue editorial response on North Korea. Also, pursue Bruce getting to appear on “Home Dad” Chip Edgar’s radio show.
Other business—Bruce Cagnon, Mary Beth Sullivan, Karen Wainberg will coordinate pot-luck from 5:00-7:00 PM every Sunday of every month of the year at the Addams-Melmen House on Centre St, Bath.
Two interns are coming to work at PAM for the summer to work on issues on Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vegetarian Food Festival to be held in the East End Community, July 18 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM.
June 16 from 5:00-9:00 PM—Fundraiser for PAM—$3.50 of every pizza sold will go to PAM
July 28, Tuesday, 5:00-9:00 PM—Flatbread Pizza Haitian Project
Focus for July: Wells Goodies: Beth Minute Taker: Wells
Report for August: Fair Trade??
