Letter from VFP to President Obama - Afghanistan
May 12, 2009
Dear President Obama,
We write to you again, this time to say we are saddened to see that you now clearly believe in the tired, inhumane and unworkable assumption that violence will somehow work; that might makes right. But that is not the only thing we need to tell you. Here is the full text of the letter.
| Keep the Guard Home Campaign |  |
Update
June 18, 2009
House Bill 2556 is dead for lack of the promised action by Rules Committee Chair, Rep. Arnie Roblan. We are currently trying to get passed House Joint Memorial 5-1 which reads as follows:
The Congress of the United States is respectfully notified that the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon believes that it is the obligation of the State of Oregon to ensure that the Oregon National Guard enters federal service only after a declaration of war or a valid authorization enacted by the Congress of the United States.
Please call the Speaker of the House, Dave Hunt: 503-986-1200 and Chair Roblan: 503-986-1409 and tell them that you want to get this passed, and that they need to have a vote on it SOON so that there will be enough time to get it through the Senate.
Background
In May, 2008, Oregon-based community groups began working on a new phase of the Campaign to Bring the Troops Home--namely, trying to keep the Oregon National Guard from being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in summer, 2009. For more information go to Keep the Oregon National Guard in Oregon and the national Bring the Guard Home National Campaign.
emma’s revolution Performs Benefit for War Resisters
 Photo © Irene Young. |
May 17, 2009, Corvallis Nationally renowned emma’s revolution performed a benefit concert hosted by VFP 132. A good crowd turned out and enjoyed the moving and melodious harmonies of Pat Humphries and Sandy O, while contributing generously to Courage to Resist through ticket sales and donations. Benji Lewis, a member of VFP 132 and a war resister, made some thoughtful remarks to open the second set. More about Benji’s “We Can Say No” campaign here. emma’s revolution has recorded two CDs and is headed for the studio again this summer. Their music embodies activism for human rights, peace, justice, and sustainability. For more about Pat & Sandy, including touring dates and clips of their powerful music, please visit www.emmasrevolution.com. And see our chapter’s photo gallery for pictures from the event. Did you miss emma's revolution when they were in Corvallis on May 17??? They will perform at the Lane Peace Conference, Friday May 29 10 AM during the Opening Session. See below. |
Cindy Sheehan Visits Corvallis
Author and peace activist, Cindy Sheehan, visited Oregon from May 25-28, 2009 to participate in several events in Portland, Salem and Corvallis. On Memorial Day, Cindy joined members of VFP 72 and 132 at Portland’s Peace Park for a community gathering to promote peace. After several other events in Portland, Cindy spoke on May 27 at a press conference for the Bring the Guard Home Campaign in Salem. Then she came to Corvallis to present a talk and promote her newest book: "Myth America: 10 Greatest Myths of the Robber Class and the Case for Revolution." This event was sponsored by the Peace Action Council, UUFC; Grassroots Bookstore; and VFP 132. For more about Cindy Sheehan click here and here. Also, see our photo gallery for pictures from these events.
Our Troops and Iraqis Are Still Dying
An Open Letter to the Peace/Anti-War Movement ...by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans For Peace
WASHINGTON - March 19 [2009] - After six years of war and the historic election of a new President, we as veterans, military and Gold Star families felt an urgent need to reach out to the larger peace/anti-war movements to make our position on Iraq clear during this time of political and economic uncertainty. Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out and Veterans For Peace continue to stand together in our demand to Bring the Troops Home Now! We ask all those who have stood with us in the past to stay faithful to the cause. Read the rest here.
VFP 132 Participates in March 15th Salem Rally and March 19th Procession & Die-In
On March 15, several members of VFP 132 joined hundreds of Oregon peace and justice activists from over 50 groups, including all four Oregon chapters of Veteran for Peace, at a rally and march entitled: “Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad.” Speakers included Benji Lewis of our chapter and IVAW Oregon.
On March 19, our chapter participated a commemoration in Corvallis of the 6th year of war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. About 50 marchers were lead by a solo drummer on a solemn procession to the OSU campus where they conducted a “die-in” to recognize loss of life in these conflicts.
For photos of these events, click on our photo gallery link above, then the album, “VFP 132 Peace Activism”.
Naba's Story
These people are doing incredible, all-volunteer work to help mend the child-victims of Iraq and to send a message of peace and reconciliation. Please take a few minutes to watch the video, visit their web site and donate if you are able. Thanks…. Bart Bolger.
A Very Moving New Video (5 Minutes: 40 Seconds) from Cole Miller, Director of NO MORE VICTIMS
Watch Naba's YouTube video:
LEAVING 50,000 TROOPS TO CONTROL IRAQ IS NO
"WITHDRAWAL"
VFP National Press Release of 2-27-09
A national veterans' organization today objected to calling President Obama's announcement on Iraq a "withdrawal," adding that keeping troops there and Afghanistan will "put the nail in the coffin of America's economy." Veterans For Peace, referring to several published reports that the Obama plan will leave 50,000 or more troops in Iraq, and pointing to the buildup already underway in Afghanistan, warned ….” Read more here.
National VFP Statement on Crisis in Gaza
VFP does not take the side of any government, but rather takes the side of all people in the region who are victims of the most recent outbreak of violence raging between Palestine and Israel. (read more)
