Last night we took our Iraqi refugee friends (mother and two sons) to a fundraiser at Flatbreads Pizza in Portland. For every pizza sold at the jam packed restaurant, Maine Veterans for Peace (VFP) would get a donation toward the 25th anniversary national convention that will be held at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland on August 25-29.
We had a good number of Maine VFP members with their families stuffing themselves. In addition the restaurant allowed us to set up a table at the entrance where we could peddle our new Americans Who Tell the Truth calendars and other assorted propaganda.
I will be working with Clarence Smith to coordinate the volunteers for the conference. We are going to need a bunch of people to help out, particularly packet stuffing on Wednesday, Aug 25 so if you can help please send me an email at globalnet@mindspring.com
In addition to veterans, the public will be invited to several key convention events that include:
We had a good number of Maine VFP members with their families stuffing themselves. In addition the restaurant allowed us to set up a table at the entrance where we could peddle our new Americans Who Tell the Truth calendars and other assorted propaganda.
I will be working with Clarence Smith to coordinate the volunteers for the conference. We are going to need a bunch of people to help out, particularly packet stuffing on Wednesday, Aug 25 so if you can help please send me an email at globalnet@mindspring.com
In addition to veterans, the public will be invited to several key convention events that include:
- Thursday, Aug 26 - Public meeting at the UU Church (425 Congress St in Portland) at 7:00 pm. Speakers will include Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), acclaimed author Terry Tempest Williams, and representatives from many different progressive constituencies. Entertainment will be provided by Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm.
- Saturday, August 28 - Banquet at the hotel featuring award winning journalist Chris Hedges, former Army Col. Ann Wright (who was on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla), along with Noel Paul Stookey, of the revered group, Peter, Paul and Mary. Starts at 7:00 pm. Registration info here
- Sunday, August 29 - The traditional conference finale march and rally through the streets of Portland's Old Port. Starts at the hotel at 9:00 am and concludes before noon. Emma's Revolution and ResistDance will perform along with some great grassroots activist speakers from all over the country.
It's going to be a great conference and comes at an important time as we are trying to jump-start the anti-war movement after nearly two years of lagging under the magic spells of Obama. Hope you will find the time to participate in some of these public portions of this historic 25th anniversary event.
Remember national VFP was founded here in Maine in 1985.
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