Lanterns for Peace Presentation on the Impacts of the Nuclear Age on Native Americans

Friends, my new video in partnership with Susan Ruggles, 'The Dove Of 
Peace':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okCfNjj81eI
created in solidarity with those urging thorough, impartial 
investigation, diplomacy, negotiation,
the hard, rewarding work of peace-making, instead of the disastrous rush 
to war,
leading to the ongoing catastrophes in Iraq and elsewhere.

This is the 8th Ruggles/Taylor co-creation, all aspiring to contribute 
something positive
to very difficult challenges around social justice, environmental, 
pro-peace, and related concerns.

If interested, you can access them all on my website:
http://harveytaylor.net/videos.html?fbclid=IwAR3UkStrIB1-EDyxyUvm3Nnc9RPWDPLjgs7-ZMMdX5ewzKs9_8tBmYbDUI0

May we all do our best to make a difference
Harvey

Every time we hear the news, we are struck by the tragic politics of our country’s leaders. This, along with the epidemic of violence, poverty, racism, injustice, environmental destruction and war, is evil and oppressive.

Dr. King stated, “First, non-violence is resistance to evil and oppression. It is a human way to fight back.”

We have recently witnessed some remarkable steps toward peace by the two Koreas, including a joint declaration for an official end to the Korean War and the beginning of negotiating a peace treaty. And President Kim has been invited to visit Seoul in South Korea in the near future, an historic first.

Israeli Separation Wall

The walls rise up in the dry arid land, marching over the hills, cutting through cities and towns, destroying farmlands, ancient orchards, wetlands, tribal lands, nature preserves. They are punctuated by watchtowers, border patrols and soldiers, keeping people from crossing arbitrary lines in the sand. Those who dare to attempt an illegal crossing are shot or imprisoned. Some are shot just for being near the wall. It is the same ugly monstrosity in both Palestine and at the US-Mexican border.

Peace Action of Wisconsin again endorsed the annual School of the Americas Watch demonstration and vigil in mid-November. For the third year in a row, the event was held at the US-Mexican border in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico. In previous years, the gathering was at the gates of Ft. Benning, Georgia, the home of the SOA.

Peace Action of Wisconsin is collaborating in our lobbying visits with the Milwaukee Advocacy Team of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). FCNL is a Quaker related organization that has worked for peace and justice nationally since 1940. This national grassroots network of 80 advocacy teams is trained to lobby congress, write letters and other forms of advocacy work. Working with other teams increases the effectiveness.

Members of Peace Action have joined the Milwaukee team of FCNL for many visits to Senators Baldwin and Johnson and to Representatives Moore and Sensenbrenner. This year the visits focused on urging them to support legislation that would prevent the president from use of military force in North Korea without the consent of Congress and to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to North Korea.

In October, Peace Action joined FCNL in a visit to Senator Ron Johnson’s office to oppose US involvement in the war in Yemen. We asked that he work to end this illegal and immoral war.

The 2018 Peace Action of WI Annual Dinner and Chili Supper was a great success. Sixty people came together to eat chili, listen to inspiring music, hear speaker Kevin Martin, president of national Peace Action, and take care of business.

Volunteer of the Year Awards were given to Brian Bunzel, Mary Alice Martines and Patrick Auld. By-laws were amended as proposed, and a report was given on the 2018 activities and status of Peace Action of WI.

A new Steering Committee was chosen by consensus. Members currently serving were confirmed: Tom Seery, George Martin, Julie Enslow, Dan O’Keefe, Sue Cottrell, Mary Laan. New members selected are Christy Breihan, Latoya Emmer, and Chris Jeske.

Thanks to the current Steering Committee retirees for their help, Patrick Auld and Sam Michaels.

As Yemen turns into the biggest humanitarian crisis on the planet in 100 years and millions face starvation, there may be a spark of hope that the US/ Saudi war on the country may come to an end.

In mid-November Secretary of State Pompeo called to end US mid-air refueling of Saudi fighter jets on their bombing missions but failed to call an end to all US military sales and involvement. On Nov. 1, Pentagon officials, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, declared that the warring parties in Yemen need to come to the negotiating table and end the conflict within 30 days.