The end of another year--when peace did not come, when war spread to more countries, when U.S. military spending grew while Americans became poorer.
There is in our sorrow--for who cannot be profoundly sorrowful?--finally a balm that leads to wisdom and, if not joy, then a strange, transcendent happiness. To stand in a park on a cold December morning [in protest], to defy that which we must defy, to do this with others, brings us solace, and perhaps even peace. We will not find this if we allow ourselves to be disabled. We will not find this alone. As long as a few of us rebel it will always remain possible to defeat a system of centralized, corporate power that is . . . criminal and heartless . . .
[Chris Hedges]
Our solace, in fact, is you and all that you have contributed to the struggle for peace and justice this year, and for that we thank you with all our heart.
You have made phone calls, sent e-mails, attended hearings, joined street protests, written letters to newspapers, organized events, contributed money, and much, much more. Together, we have accomplished an amazing amount.
For example, this year:
- We got legislation passed in the state of Maryland to limit the access of recruiters to information on high school students through the ASVAB test. This is the first such law in the nation.
- We stopped the County from passing legislation that would have given Lockheed Martin a tax exemption worth $450,000 per year.
- We organized the first-ever youth peace conference in the County.
- We initiated a new coalition aimed at securing political support to cut military spending and use the money saved for community needs at home.
- We made 25 educational presentations to groups around the region, testified formally at 7 public hearings, and participated in 9 street actions.
Please read our annual report to see how much more we achieved together--these are just the highlights!
As a new year begins, let us recommit to each other and to the struggle for peace and justice, whether that takes us to Lafayette Park or a state senate hearing room or a coalition meeting.
Let us fan the embers of peace until they burst into brilliant, beautiful flame.
And let us find joy and fulfillment as we continue this work, in love and with passion, into a new year.
In peace,
Jean, Pat, Pam, Alex, Dave, Nik, Steve, Tim, Bahram, Karen, Melinda, Fran, Josh, Mike, Shelley
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Today's Quote
| | "Sometime they'll give a war and nobody will come."
Carl Sandburg
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 Calendar | 
Thurs., Jan. 6: 7 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery meeting, 9510 Hale St., Forest Glen. Let us know if you need a ride.*
Sat., Jan. 8: Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture meeting, 10 a.m. - noon, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda.
Tues., Jan. 11: Beginning at 11 a.m. Rally and "prisoner procession" to the Department of Justice, followed by non-violent direct action, a witness focused on torture and inhumane prisoner conditions. White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., D.C. Organized by Witness Against Torture, to keep Guantanamo prison from reaching its tenth anniversary. A ten-day fast will begin on Jan. 11 as a part of this action.*
Sat. Jan. 15: Demonstration in opposition to 20 years of war against Iraq. Events all day, with a march beginning at 10:30, commencing at 16th and Park Rd., NW, DC. Teach-in from 2-6, candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. at the White House. Organized by Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. For updates, check here. Cosponsored by Peace Action Montgomery.*
Thurs., Jan. 20: 7 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery meeting, 9510 Hale St., Forest Glen. Let us know if you need a ride.*
Thurs., Feb. 3: 7 p.m. Progressive Cheverly forum, "The Militarization of America: At What Cost?" presented by Jean Athey. Judith Hoyer Montessori School, 2300 Belleview, Cheverly.*
Sun., Feb. 6: 2 - 4 p.m. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks at a meeting of the Clean and Fair Elections Coalition (of which Peace Action Montgomery is a member) on the topic of a constitutional amendment to address corporate money in elections. Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 3215 Powder Mill Rd., Adelphi.
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.*
Every Friday: Vigil at Walter Reed, in the open plaza between Dahlia and Elder streets, 7 to 9 p.m., come for any amount of time during that period.*
*Events that Peace Action Montgomery has discussed and formally endorsed.
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| "Stop These Wars," Veteran-Led Resistance at the White House, Dec. 16 |
On a cold and snowy Thursday in December, Veterans for Peace organized a powerful protest against our endless wars. A total of 131 people were arrested in civil resistance, including three members of Peace Action Montgomery.
 | | Patrick, a veteran and member of Peace Action Montgomery, is arrested outside the White House on Dec. 16. |
For more pictures of the protest, click here. To see a brilliant video, click here and scroll to the one created by Eddie Becker. We can promise you that you will be very glad you watched this extraordinary, moving video!
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| Mike Marceau Honored at Annual DC Peace Gala | 
Ten DC-based activists received awards from the Washington Peace Center at a grassroots gala December 8 for their outstanding contributions to progressive activism.
One of the awardees was our own Mike Marceau, who is both a key member of Peace Action Montgomery and vice president of the local Veterans for Peace chapter.
"Celebrating the most amazing activism in DC inspires all of us to do more to make the world a better place," said Sonia Silbert, Director of the Washington Peace Center.
We are very proud of Mike! This is an award that was truly earned! |
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Ask your community group or religious congregation to endorse the Fund Our Communities campaign. Email us for more information.
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Invite us to speak to your group about the Fund Our Communities campaign and/or to talk about the militarization of America.
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Commentary
| Statement by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Dec. 16:
We have heard again and again that things will improve and the war can come to an end soon.
Instead, we find ourselves in a tragic Afghan version of Groundhog Day, in which brave American service-members give life and limb in a conflict without end.
At home, individuals and families across the nation are struggling to gain meaningful employment, put food on the table, and ensure a life of opportunity for future generations.
Meanwhile, critical human needs as well as much-needed investments in our nation's infrastructure, schools, and domestic clean energy production have been pushed aside while we consider massive tax cuts to benefit the wealthiest few.
We should not and can not afford to extend a policy of open-ended war in Afghanistan that is costing us well over $100 billion per year and ultimately making our nation less safe.
The president's commitment to the start of a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in July of 2011 is incompatible with military generals' qualified support based on "conditions on the ground," and their inevitable interpretation that the situation in Afghanistan demands more time, more lives, and more resources.
I urge President Obama to demonstrate his resolve by immediately pledging significant and meaningful reductions to the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan beginning in July of 2011.
We must end America's longest war and we must bring our troops home.
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Afghanistan
Update |
For a highly readable and comprehensive update on the latest in Afghanistan, click here.
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Those Who Died Nov. 7-20
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In Iraq:
Sgt Loleni Gandy 36 Samoa
Sgt David Luff Jr 29 Hamilton OH
111 Iraqis
In Afghanistan:
Spc Dale Kridlo 33 Hughestown PA
Sgt Aaron Cruttenden 25 Mesa AZ
Air Scott Hughes 20 Wales
Spc Andrew Hutchins 20 New Portland ME
Spc Anthony Vargas 27 Reading PA
Ltn Robert Kelly 29 Tallahassee FL
Cpl Dakota Huse 19 Greenwood LA
Cpl James Stack 20 Arlington Heights IL
Sgt Edward Bolen 25 Chittenango NY
Spc David Lutes 28 Frostburg MD
Air Andrew Bubacz 23 Dalzell SC
Cpl Shawn Fannin 32 Wheelersburg OH
Spc Shannon Chihuahua 25 Thomasville GA
Sgt Juan Rivadeneira 27 Davie FL
Spc Jacob Carroll 20 Freeman MO Cpl Jacob Carver 20 Freeman MO Spc Jesse Snow 25 Fairborn OH Pvt Christian Warriner 19 Mills River NC Spc Scott Nagorski 27 Greenfield WI Spc Nathan Lillard 26 Knoxville TN Spc Shane Ahmed 31 Chesterfield MI Cpl Aaron McCormick 22 Northern Ireland Sgt Randrup Jorgen 27 Denmark Sgt David Senft 27 Grass Valley CA Sgt Kevin Pape 30 Fort Wayne IN Sgt Javier Ortiz Rivera 26 Rochester NY Spc Justin Culbreth 26 Colorado Springs CO Pvt Kyle Holder 18 Conroe TX Pvt Christopher Davies 22 England Sgt Jason Smith 28 Colorado Springs CO Spc David Robinson 25 Fort Smith AR 277 Afghans and Pakistanis
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