Tomorrow--Saturday, April 13--you will have the chance to meet Fahima Vorgetts, head of the Afghan Women's Fund, in an informal setting. We are having an open house at Jean's place in Brookeville, and Fahima will show slides and also answer your questions about Afghanistan.
Fahima is an amazing woman who gives talks all over the country, and so it is a special privilege for us to host her in an informal setting.
We'll have refreshments, and there will be Afghan crafts to purchase, if you are so inclined. This will be a terrific event. Please come, and bring your friends! We hope that when you hear about the wonderful work of the Afghan Women's Fund you will want to make a contribution to help women and children in Afghanistan--so be sure to bring a checkbook! The Open House is from 3 to 8 p.m., at 2305 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville, on Saturday, April 13. Come any time during that period.
We THINK We Won!
Yesterday, ten people testified to the Montgomery County Council during budget hearings, at our request, in opposition to an item in the new budget: a no-strings-attached grant of $900,000 to Lockheed Martin. You can read about the issue we objected to here.
Our testimony was very powerful. At the close of the hearing, one of the Council members stated publicly that the Council would not be giving this corporate welfare to Lockheed Martin--a super-rich corporation that is also a war profiteer.
We are thrilled! Of course, we won't know for sure that this grant is dead until the Council finishes its work on the budget a few months from now. But the support for our testimony seemed firm.
We've already brought out the champagne!
And Now: See War Turn into Peace On Sunday, April 15, we'll be doing guerrilla theatre in Silver Spring in support of the Global Day of Action on Military Spending. Our message is a serious one: we must stop the wars, cut military spending and fund our communities. But we'll make you laugh while you cry. We hope you'll come view our skit on Ellsworth St., between Fenton and Georgia Ave., at 2 p.m. Sunday. Otherwise, you'll have to see us on YouTube, and the real deal will be so much better! Help Stop the Afghan War NOW We read this note today on an e-mail list serve from the mother of an American soldier: My son has returned physically safe from his Afghanistan deployment but I can tell he is carrying a heavy burden. He is an Infantry Officer. He went on many patrols and air assault missions. One soldier died right in front of him by a small arms attack. He now wears a metal bracelet with the soldier's name, KIA info, etc. He told my daughter he wished it was him - I think he was devastated by this soldier's death. Also, many in his battalion lost 2 limbs and several lost 3 limbs. This was an extremely horrific deployment for this group out of Ft Drum. He will probably have to go back one more time before his enlistment is up -they have this group scheduled to go back Fall 2013.
How can anyone ask the troops, whom we are told are fighting for us, to continue to risk their lives, limbs and emotional well being for this endless, futile war? It is our responsibility and duty to demand our politicians end this war. Silence is an affirmation for continued war. Click here to tell President Obama, your Senators and House Representative that we want our troops home now! Ask them to co-sponsor HR 780 in the House, and introduce parallel legislation in the Senate. HR 780, the Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act, would end combat operations in Afghanistan and limit funding to the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops and military contractors. Or call your member of Congress toll-free at 877-429-0678. Remember the American soldier described above. Remember the Afghan people.Click here to tell President Obama, your Senators and House Representative that we want our troops home now.
In peace and solidarity,
Adrienne, Alex, Dave, Fran, Jean, Karen, Larry, Mel, Melinda, Mike, Nik, Pam, Pat, Shelley, Steve, Sue, Tim
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| Today's Quote | |
Activism is my rent for living on this planet.
Alice Walker
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 Calendar | 
Sat., April 14: Fund raiser for the Afghan Women's Fund, at Jean's house. Crafts and carpets available for sale, plus hear an inspirational talk by Fahima Vorgetts, head of the Fund. Open house, with refreshments. Come any time between 3 and 8 p.m., 2305 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville.
Sun., April 15: 2 p.m., Street theater, Ellsworth St.,downtown Silver Spring, in support of the Global Day of Action Against Military Spending. Organized by Peace Action Montgomery; Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home; and Occupy MoCo.
Mon., April 16: 7:30 p.m. Attend Takoma Park City Council in support of a resolution to cut military spending. 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.
Thurs., April 19: 7 -9 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery steering committee meeting, at the home of a member. All welcome! For directions, contact us here.
Sat., April 21: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Maryland United for Peace and Justice annual state conference. Church of the Incarnation, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, 4 E. University Parkway, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sat., May 19: Peace Action Montgomery's annual luncheon, at Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church. 11:30-1:30. Don't miss it!
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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Calling All Takoma Park Residents:
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If you live in Takoma Park, you can be a real help in our resolution campaign! Constituents are very important to these elected council members.
Here's what you can do:
Come to a Council meeting on any Monday in April at 7:30. Hold a sign or speak in favor of the resolution. Please let us know if you plan to attend, and which evenings! Just reply to this e-mail. And be sure to tell us which ward you live in or who your council member is.
Send an e-mail to Mayor Bruce Williams, telling him that you support the resolution: BruceW@takomagov.org Send an email to all Council members saying that you support the resolution and want the Council to vote on it. You can find email addresses here. Click on a photo to find an individual's email address.
About the resolution: We are asking the Council to tell our Congressional delegation that we want less money spent for military purposes and more on human needs. You can refer to the resolution as "bring our war dollars home." They will know what you are talking about!
If you want to read the resolution, click here.
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Come to our Open House on Saturday for good information, a fun time, refreshments, and to buy Afghan crafts! See the calendar for details.
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Click here to tell Pres. Obama and your senators and House representative that you want our troops home from Afghanistan now.
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Help us persuade the Takoma Park City Council to pass a resolution against military spending. More info here.
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Check our calendar for other ways to be involved.
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Commentary
| This is very cool: see where YOUR taxes were spent. You can even get a receipt!
And please download and distribute our new tax-day flier!
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SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS!
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The Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition is working to repeal those provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act that allow for indefinite detention.
The Coalition is also working to sunset the law that provides legal cover for the "War on Terror," the AUMF of 2001. Be sure to check out their Web site to find out what you can do to help with this critically important work. The annual conference of Maryland United for Peace and Justice will be Sat., April 21 this year, in Baltimore. See our calendar for logistics.
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| Those Who Died in Afghanistan March 25 - April 7 | |
Sgt William Wilson III 26 Getzville NY
Sgt Luke Taylor 33 England
Cpl Michael Foley 25 England
Sgt Joseph D'Augustine 29 Waldick NJ
Cap Francis Imlay 31 Vacaville CA
Spc David Taylor 20 Dixon KY
Cpl Michael Palacio 23 Lake Elsinore CA
Cpl Roberto Cazarez 24 Harbor City CA
Spc James Dutton 25 Checotah OK
Cpl Christopher Bordoni 21 Ithaca NY
Sgt Christopher Brown 26 Columbus OH
Sgt Tyler Smith 24 Licking MO
Cpl Douglas Hughes 26 New Zealand
Sgt Jeffrey Rieck 45 Columbus OH
Cap Nicholas Roganski 36 Dublin OH
Sgt Shawn Hanson 44 Grove City OH
Spc Antonio Burnside 31 Great Falls MT
Trevor Stanley 22 Virginia Beach VA
Unknown number of Afghans and Pakistanis
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