Attending: Lora Somlyo, Brad Cummings, Wells Staley-Mays, Beth Streeter, Sally Breen
Focus: Since International Womens’ Day is coming soon, Wells brought us a message about women in the early 1900s who struck the needle factories where they worked. They went on to issues of voting rights for women. One huge rally brought together by these brave women included Eleanor Roosevelt. Two of the women each had the first name of Clara, so Wells calls this story, The story of the Two Claras.
February minutes approved.
No legislative report.
World Without War:
Bring Our War $$s Home: Sally spoke at length about the Bring Our War $$s Home initiative and encouraged, nay strongly urged, members to be active in this program that is being watched by other states as a new approach in our efforts to bring the war(s) to a close. Sally has ordered 200 door hangers, Beth has ordered 200 and Peace Action Maine has ordered 200.
We would like to have the Bring Our War $$s Home (BOWDH) banner to hold or hang at the overpass by King Middle School that goes over I-295. Our choice of date is Monday, March 8th from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. or until the traffic has thinned out. Sally will ask Bruce if the banner is available then, and determine how we will get it to Portland in time.
The time for the Brown Bag meeting in front of Chellie Pingrees’ office on Wednesday, March 17th is not yet determined. Sally will ask Bruce about handouts. Sally encouraged people to bring BOWDH signs.
March 20th Event in D.C. Sally will ask Bruce if there is any energy or commitment to hold a meeting in Portland on March 20th, the day of the big rally in DC. If so, Wells said he is at Bruce’s “beck and call.”
Anyone planning to go on the bus should go to the March 20th website at: www.march20.org.
Tax Day 2010: Brad said that last year at the Post Office he handed out over 200 hand-outs in only a few hours. So, though we had originally said we would do the initiative at Post Office Park or Monument Square, we will visit this again at the April meeting. Brad showed us the great literature provided by Larry Dansinger for us to use on Tax Day.
Abolition of Nuclear Weapons: Along with the agenda, Sally had sent out “talking points” to help in writing a letter to our senators about the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Each member should make this a priority. Beth told about an article in today’s New York Times that discussed the complex situation. Sally will find it and forward the link to Action Committee members. Cush Anthony has written an op ed for the PPH, but it hasn’t been accepted yet. Sally will call Greg Kesich to ask him to run it. Sally has written an op ed for the Lewiston Sun Journal that she hasn’t finished yet. Sally has updated the document “Our Nuclear Future” with the latest on each of the nuclear issues.
Peace Walk by the Monks: The Buddhist Monks will arrive in Maine on March 20th on their walk across the state and on to New York City for the opening of the talks on the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Well is in close contact with them. On Sunday, March 28th, Wells will pick two of them up from wherever they are on their walk and bring them to the Allen Avenue UU Church for a short presentation during the children’s story time. Liz and Leo Barrington will be hosting them the entire time they are on the A2U2 premises to see to their every need. Wells will then pick them up and take them to First Parish UU in Portland for an appearance at that church. There will be a potluck to welcome them at the Meg Perry Center on March29th. Wells has lined up many people who have said they can stay in their homes…many of them from St. Dominic’s church.
Latin America Update: Tom Whitney is hosting Bob Brown who will be touring Maine during the week of April 4, or that of April 18, to talk about Haiti. The sponsoring group, Maine Forum on Our America, says Bob will focus on Haiti’s history, Euro-U.S. racism, and patterns of economic exploitation that have left the Haitian people vulnerable to suffering and early death. He will emphasize Haiti’s African roots and effects of ongoing colonialism, also explore the role of reparations as an approach towards justice and equity and as an educational tool.
Israel Palestine: Wells gloated that the 12 bottles of Palestinian olive oil PAM had purchased were gone within 2 days. Wells was verbal about his anger at Chellie Pingree for voting to support the Israeli attack on Gaza.
PAM board update:
Two Plays: A focus has been continuing to work with Al Miller and the theater in Brunswick to put on two plays about the Middle East. One of the plays is about Seven Jewish Children and one is about letters from Rachel Corrie. The plays are fundraisers to help raise money for the water desalinization plant that will allow the Palestinians to enjoy their own water. Barbara West will be accompanying the equipment once it is shipped. Bob and Sally Schaible will give a talk at the Meg Perry Center after they return from Israel.
Peace Supper: The board will discuss the possibility of renting Woodford’s Congregational Church dining area plus the sanctuary for the Noam Chomsky Peace Action Supper on April 24, 2010. The sanctuary holds 750 people and the dining area seats 300 people. Noam Chomsky sent a message back through his secretary, Bev, saying that he is very impressed with the breadth of PAM’s focus. Beth said that Professor Chomsky is also impressed with Wells himself because of his work for the Freedom Trail. We all agreed that we are also impressed with Wells!
2010 GOALS AND STRATEGIES: This document should be sent to members of the PAM board for discussion at their next meeting.
Other:
Nuclear Power: Lora brought to our attention an Amy Goodman broadcast on February 18th about the Obama administration planning to build 2 new nuclear plants. She also pointed out that Harvey Wasserman is very knowledgeable about the subject of nuclear waste and nuclear power. Lora requested that nuclear power become an action item to be added to our Goals and Strategies. Beth looked around the table at the five of us and stated that, though she is adamantly opposed to nuclear power plants, we have enough other projects to do. Beth assured Lora that all of us will work individually to oppose new nuclear power plants. Sally agreed. Wells said he could be convinced either way. We agreed the issue is not to be sent to the board.
Center for African Heritage may receive a Community Development Block Grant: A Falmouth foundation wants to tap into Portland’s share of federal Community Development funds to help pay for a $2 million education facility at the old Tidewater Farm.
Tidewater Farm Regional Learning Center is a collaboration between Tidewater Conservation Foundation, the University of Maine and the Cumberland County Extension Association. They have so far raised about $1 million for the project.
ASERELA: Wells has been helping ASERELA by getting churches or other organizations to commit to buying tables. PAM has purchased a table and there are already 8 people who will be sitting at that table. If Wells receives more requests for tickets, he may have to buy another table. Alfred from ASERELA has gotten media to say they will be there and the PPH and the Forecaster will interview Alfred about the new school in Southern Sudan that is being built.
Next meeting: Monday, April 5, 2010
Focus: Brad
Goodies: Beth
Minute Taker: Sally
Brad and Wells will create the agenda in Sally’s absence from Maine.
