United for Peace and Justice Assembles in St. Louis
by Peter Stewart
Seen at the Convention in St. Louis,
Photo: Martha SpiessFor the over 450 delegates and fellow activists representing 36 states, three countries and over 1000 peace and social justice groups meeting in St. Louis over the February 18-21 weekend for the second annual United For Peace and Justice National Assembly, there was a blizzard of ideas, proposals, actions, activities, discussions and networking aimed at bringing an end to the Bush policies of war abroad and erosion at home.
United For Peace and Justice (UFPJ) came into being in October 2002 with the clear understanding "that the crisis in Iraq is the linchpin of a dangerous and much broader reordering of U.S. foreign and domestic policies, institutions, and practices." For this Mainer attending the Assembly, the message was clear: there's work to be done and let's do it together. I was in St. Louis as a delegate from the Maine Coalition For Peace and Justice, a statewide organization of peace and social justice groups. I went to tell our story, what we in Maine are doing, and to learn what folks around the country are doing, and to make common cause in the effort to change the direction this country is headed in. In four days and countless talks, with individuals and in groups, I found out that we are not alone, and that there are many more than what the media would have you believe. We are the third voice in the political discourse. And, our numbers are growing. Perhaps most exciting was the welcome given to the newest member of UFPJ , Iraq Veterans Against the War, soldiers who did a tour in Iraq and came home disillusioned and angry and seeking to join with those who stand in opposition to the Bush regime's global war-making.
The Assembly worked at creating a national agenda as suggested by its member groups. Through a proposal process that began months ago and throughout the weekend, delegates winnowed these proposals to those that would best address ending the war and effect a turnabout in the current administration's policies. Proposals adopted ranged from grassroots education to supporting clergy opposed to the war, a world day of mobilization for September, to opposing the use of the National Guard in Iraq. Our Maine campaign about the cost of war will find national support in a united campaign sponsored by the folks of Code Pink. All of these initiatives are locally sponsored and locally controlled with the UFPJ providing network, administrative and, if needed, financial support. As the saying goes, strong in the streets, smart in the process.
On the first full day of the Assembly, as the delegates were being welcomed, a commotion arose in the back of the room. The Canadians had arrived and unfurled a banner, which read, "WAR RESISTERS WELCOME HERE!" They had come to say, we support you, we welcome your efforts and if need be, we will provide sanctuary, as indeed they already have for five who have fled the military. This was the spirit and intent of the Assembly; people of all stripes working together towards a common goal. Great effort was made to ensure diversity in every aspect of the Assembly and indeed in the coalition. Gender equity, racial equity, age and sexual identity all were acknowledged and agreed to.
Sunday night we were treated to a discussion with Angela Davis and Danny Glover, who reminded us of the words of Paul Robeson, "If you get them to hear your song, they're gonna want to know who you are." On the last day of the Assembly, the buzz of conversation was a song, the intent the beat, the issues a melody. We know who we are, and as we left the Assembly to return home the chorus was singing STOP THE WAR! BRING THE TROOPS HOME! WAR RESISTERS WELCOME HERE!
Peter Stewart is a carpenter and sometime artist living in South Montville. He is affiliated with the Maine Coalition for Peace and Justice, the Waldo County Peace and Justice, and collective freedance!, an organization promoting barefoot boogies. He is available to any and all groups or individuals who seek more information concerning the work of United For Peace and Justice and can be reached by e-mail at hhat@pivot.net or by phone at 589-3552. He wishes to thank all the good people of Maine who made this trip possible and whose work make this a world we can all live in.
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