The peace movement is mobilizing for a rally and march in Boston on October 17. We are asking for your help (see attached for details about the rally). While many had hoped that 2009 would bring a turn toward peace, the reality is that the war in Afghanistan/Pakistan is escalating, the occupation of Iraq continues and the conditions in Gaza are horrific. The coup in Honduras may signal the beginning of a right-wing assault on the popular gains in Latin America. The huge military budget continues to grow while at home there are budget cuts, layoffs and no universal health care. It’s time for action!
We are asking your organization to endorse the rally on Boston’s Copley Square starting at 1:00 pm (reply to oct17endorse [at] gmail [dot] com to endorse) and we particularly hope that the organization will contribute $50 for a sponsorship. This fund-raising is critical to pay the basic expenses such as sound system and staging. The endorsers and sponsors will be listed on the website www.oct17boston.org. The rally is part of nationally coordinated actions which will feature an October 5 demonstration in Washington DC (http://tinyurl.com/nl9nq5), October 7 in many places, and October 17 in many cities.
There are many ways that you can help with publicity and contacts, media, providing human resources or holding educational programs. This is a grassroots effort and we need everyone to help as they can in order to make the rally a success. If you or your organization wants to be a sponsor for the event, please make your $50 check out to October Demonstration and mail to October 17 Mobilization, c/o United for Justice with Peace, 2161 Mass. Ave., Cambridge MA 02140. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or information.
The demands of the rally and march:
“All Troops Home Now from Afghanistan/Pakistan and Iraq”
“End the Siege of Gaza and All US Support for the Occupation of Palestine!”
…and demands being worded concerning:
1) Ground the Drones!
2) Bring the National Guard Home Now!
3) Fund Jobs, Health Care, Homes and the Environment — Not the Military Budget, Nuclear Weapons, or Wall Street!
4) Support Human Rights and Civil Rights,
5) No Threats against Iran or North Korea! 6) Break All Ties with the Honduran Dictatorship!
Sincerely,
October 17 Mobilizing Committee
Email address: info [at] oct17boston [dot] org
October 17 endorsers to date: United for Justice with Peace, Stop the Wars Coalition, Massachusetts Peace Action, Progressive Democrats of America, Smedley Butler Brigade of Veterans for Peace, Women’s Intenational League for Peace and Freedom (Boston), Dorchester People for Peace, Chelsea Uniting Against War, Merrimack Valley People for Peace, A.N.S.W.E.R., Code Pink, Palestine Task Force of United for Justice with Peace, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Party, Milton for Peace, Rhode Island Mobilization Committee, East Bay Citizens for Peace (RI), Connecticut United for Peace, Durham SDS (NH), American Friends Service Committee (New England), New England United. (endorsers being added continually)
SAME DAY BUSES FROM MAINE $35 To reserve seats: Skowhegan/Portland departure & return: Lisa Savage, CODEPINK Maine (207) 643-2356 lsavage3 [at] gmail [dot] com Bangor/Augusta departure & return: Ilse Petersen, Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine (207) 942-9343 info [at] peacectr [dot] org
