|
Takoma Park joins the ranks of peace and
justice
by George Taylor
|
Gabriella Smith, founder of Takoma Park Kids for Peace,
attends a vigil with her grandmother, mother, and grandfather
Friday, May 28 at Takoma Junction, one of a monthly
series.
|
Our local Committee for Peace and Justice joined a coalition
of 32 other peace, justice, and environmental organizations
in Maryland on May Day for the 19th Annual Maryland United
for Peace and Justice Conference. The day-long conference
was held at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, which was
also a co-sponsor.
Laura Collins, the pastor of the church, welcomed the group
by saying, "This church has a long tradition of standing
for peace and justice. The large sign outside our building
on the corner of Tulip and Maple Avenues reading ‘War
is Not the Answer’ is a symbol of this commitment. Welcome
to Takoma Park–a city for peace."
Marc Elrich, city councilmember for Ward 5, also addressed
the group.
"We are living in dangerous times, when civil liberties
are being eroded at home and the national government is pursuing
a reckless and irresponsible war abroad in Iraq that is going
to get worse before it gets better," Elrich said. "Social
services and educational programs in this country are going
to be cut back in a major way because of the costs of this
war."
According to conference coordinator Paulette Hammond, this
conference was the most successful in its 19-year history,
attracting a record 120-plus delegates from across the state.
Hammond partially credits the turnout to deeply polarizing
political climate in which we are now living, and partially
to the drawing power Jonathan Schell, keynote speaker and
author of The Fate of the Earth and The Unconquerable World:
Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People.
 "While
speaking honestly about the poor prospects for peace with
justice under the current administration, Schell expressed
hope that the American people will finally do the right thing,"
Hammond said.
Ira Shorr, whose serves as Field Director for Security Programs
for the activist group Physicians for Social Responsibility,
served as comic relief at the conference.
"[He] acted in a one-man skit the part of Senator Jess
Trussme, the only person running for president to right of
President Bush, [which provided] some much needed levity and
laughter to an otherwise very serious program," Hammond
said.
Workshops at the day-long conference centered on the plight
of Arab-Americans under the new anti-terrorism laws, the hard
choice facing disadvantaged youth to struggle in a tight job
market versus joining the U.S. Army, uncontrolled use of toxins
by the military, poor prospects of justice for the Palestinians,
an update on the Patriot Acts, and global warming.
At the final plenary of the meeting, several resolutions
were passed, including:
1. A Resolution calling for a moratorium on the building
of all nuclear weapons by the United States.
2. A Resolution calling for the protection of Constitutional
rights and repeal of the current Patriot Acts already enacted.
3. A Resolution calling for a complete investigation of inhumane
treatment of detainees held in U.S. custody in Afghanistan
, Iraq and Guantanamo bay, Cuba.
4. A Resolution condemning violations of human rights in
Israel/Palestine.
The Maryland United for Peace and Justice Coalition can be
reached through Paulette Hammond at 410-747-3811 or by visitng
www.mupj.org. Inquiries are welcome.
|
