Organizing Notes

Bruce Gagnon is coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space. He offers his own reflections on organizing and the state of America's declining empire....

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Location: Brunswick, ME, United States

The collapsing US military & economic empire is making Washington & NATO even more dangerous. US could not beat the Taliban but thinks it can take on China-Russia-Iran...a sign of psychopathology for sure. @BruceKGagnon

Saturday, October 06, 2018

First space week event held in India



From Visakhapatnam, India.

As part of our global campaign Oct 6-13. A big rally conducted at Visakhapatnam with 200 youth. After rally Awareness meeting conducted, in which the history of Global Network, and its objective explained, and the peace needed to the future generations. It will continue up to 13th Oct.

Prabhakar JV
Visakhapatnam

No Star Wars


Friday, October 05, 2018

Pilger: America 'exposed without a mask'



On this episode of Going Underground, legendary journalist John Pilger discusses Syria and it’s ally Iran and the Trump administration’s policies towards the two countries, the Venezuela crisis, Julian Assange, austerity and the concept of approved news and unapproved opinion.

~ John Pilger is an Australian-British award winning journalist based in London. Pilger’s Web site is: www.johnpilger.com. His new film, “The Coming War on China,” is available in the U.S. from www.bullfrogfilms.com 

No Navy Fleet Week on Jeju Island!


This photo was taken from Gangjeong village on Jeju Island, South Korea as the US and South Korea prepare for Navy 'International Fleet Week' which will bring legions of US and its allies warships to the formally pristine waters off Jeju.

The purpose of this naval display is to show China and Russia that the US 'owns the Pacific'.

Protests continue in Gangjeong village just outside the gates of the Navy base that local villagers and their supporters have been campaigning against for more than 11 years on a daily basis.  Even though the base is now operational the peaceful people have not given up and continue to resist the military madness.


As North and South Korea currently meet to reduce the militarization on the Korean peninsula this is the very worst time for the US to organize such a provocative naval display of power.  But obviously the US is doing all it can to torpedo the peace talks between the Korean people - north and south.

The people on Jeju Island were given no warning nor asked their opinion about Fleet Week which is officially scheduled from October 10-14 but obviously has already begun with warships and planes currently encircling the island.

We must all stand in complete solidarity with the peace movement in South Korea as they work to stop aggressive US military operations in their country.

You can sign an international petition statement endorsing the protests against Fleet Week being put by Korean activists here

No Navy base on Jeju Island!  No Fleet Week!  Peace and Reunification on the Korean peninsula!

Bruce 

Thursday, October 04, 2018

Read it and weep.....


Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Important 'No Bases' confab in Dublin


The U.S. has about 800 military bases around the world.  The Pentagon and NATO for years have been encircling China and Russia with new bases and expanding naval deployments.  Recent U.S. construction of  'missile defense' bases in Romania and Poland (which could also fire first-strike attack cruise missiles) are aimed at Russia.

Washington and its NATO lackeys know that they have a tiny window of military superiority (that is rapidly closing) over China and Russia.  As the U.S. economy collapses (just look around at our roads, bridges, closing schools and hospitals, the growing numbers of homeless and the rising opioid crisis) the two-war parties in Washington believe they must push for regime change in Moscow and Beijing quickly.  If left alone both China and Russia stand to usher in a 'multi-polar world' that is anathema to the U.S.

What is needed, now more than ever, is a well organized global movement against U.S.-NATO bases and war making.  No one regional peace movement by itself can stop this cancerous war machine led by Washington-Brussels.  What is necessary is international solidarity and coalition building.

This event in Dublin is crucial to the development of a successful international peace movement.  It is being organized by good people from around the world.  The effort should be supported with much needed donations (go here) and active participation.

It is unfortunate that I won't be able to attend the Dublin conference.  My schedule just does not allow that to happen but I am in full support of the event.  Our Global Network board chair Dave Webb (CND UK) will be there and will make a presentation about US space related bases around the planet.

The U.S.-NATO are on a war footing - and if there is a war with China and Russia it could literally be the end of life on this beautiful planet.  The fools that run the 'coalition of the killing' want global domination and are out to grab it while they still think they can. They must be stopped.

Please support this conference in any way you can and help this global peace movement of solidarity and peace grow. 

Bruce

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Local Events: Keep Space for Peace Week


October 6-13, 2018

Keep Space for Peace Week 

International Week of Protest to
Stop the Militarization of Space



No Space Force
No Missile Defense
Close U.S./NATO Bases Worldwide
Stop Drones Surveillance & Killing
End Privatization of Foreign/Military Policy
Convert the Military Industrial Complex
Deal with climate change and global poverty



Andover, Massachusetts (Oct 11) Merrimack Valley People for Peace will dedicate its weekly Thursday morning vigil at Raytheon (where they build ‘missile defense’ radars) to Keep Space for Peace. 350 Lowell St. (Rte 133) 7AM to 8AM. Friends Meeting Lawrence, Merrimack Valley People for Peace, Veterans for Peace. Contact: allansifferlen@yahoo.com, brian@quirk.ws

Asheville, North Carolina (Oct 6-13) Ken Jones (VFP) will make the poster image of Trump Vader with the No Space Force message into a sandwich board and walk through downtown Asheville for an hour each day during Keep Space for Peace Week. Will pass out informational flyers and talk with whomever is moved to engage.         kwjj1949@gmail.com

Augusta, Maine (Oct 5) Weekly Women in Black Peace Vigil - 12:30 to 1:00 PM - Corner of Winthrop and State outside of Lithgow Public Library. rleisnerrfm@yahoo.com

Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 6) Vigil across from administration building on Washington Street (Navy Aegis destroyers outfitted with “missile defense” systems built at BIW) 11:30-12:30 am   Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm (207) 763-4062

Blue Hill, Maine (Oct 12) Peninsula P&J is planning an event in recognition of Keep Space for Peace Week. There will be a vigil on the bridge in Blue Hill on Friday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A member has written an OpEd in support of this that we will send out broadly as soon as it is published.  judy@robbinsandrobbins.com

Bombay, India (Oct 6-13) Dr. Leo Rebello, World Peace Envoy, and Registered World Citizen, has committed full campaign [6 to 13 Oct] in Bombay Schools, Colleges, public meetings, press conference,  and social media discussion on No Space Force, No Missile Defense, Close U.S./NATO Bases Worldwide, Stop Drones Surveillance & Killing, End Privatization of Foreign/Military Policy, Convert the Military Industrial Complex, Deal with climate change and global poverty Leading to HOLISTIC HEALING & HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANITY. prof.leorebello@gmail.com

      Cairns, Australia (Oct 13) World Peace Now Cairns and Wage Peace Cairns will be staging an action at 3pm, Cairns Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade, Queensland . Will also send out a Media Release and Letter to the Editor (Cairns Post), and social media campaign to highlight the US drive to militarise space with their proposed Space Force, the integral role of the US military base Pine Base in Australia in such a Space Force, and whether Australia wants to be a part of that, and the need to adopt the proposed PAROS Treaty or similar.  GeoffHolland007@gmail.com 

  Chatrapur, Orissa, India (Oct 12) Space issues awareness public meeting to be held with J. Narayana Rao from the Global Network as speaker.  Mr. Maheshwar Rout is the organizer. jnrao193636@gmail.com

Creech Air Force Base, Indian Springs, Nevada  (Sept 30-Oct 6)  4th Annual ‘Shut Down Creech’ drone resistance mass mobilization. Special Guests coming to Creech: Ray McGovern and Ann Wright. Contact: Toby Blomé:  ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net or Eleanor Levine:  eastbaycodepink@gmail.com

USAF Croughton, England (Oct 6) No Space Force march & rally at main gate of U.S. satellite communication and joint intelligence base. Space communications, drones, bomber guidance, missile defence and command & control functions.  12-4 pm. Oxfordshire Peace Campaign, oxonpeace@yahoo.co.uk

El Segundo, California (Oct 7) We will have a public screening of these  GN online videos: (1) Say NO to Space Force and (2)  8-10 minutes each of Star Wars Part 1 and 2.  Our main audience will be from Holy Faith congregation and our Justice & Mercy Commission.  We will open it to the public, in particular to the peace community.  cathydeppela@gmail.com

Eugene, Oregon (Oct 7) Eugene Peaceworks and KEPW-FM will show the film "Just Say No To Space Force" to our annual fundraiser at Tsunami Books.  The film will be shown at 4:30 pm with information and flyers being handed out to inform people of the danger of the Space Force and of its long history. nutzforart@gmail.com

      Fort Meade, Maryland (Oct 14) Members of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center and Baltimore Peace Action will participate in Keep Space for Peace Week by going to the National Security Agency, from 11 AM to noon. Our main message will be to condemn the idea of creating a Space Force.  These are very dangerous times.  We will carpool, and if interested in joining us contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

RAF Fylingdales, England (Oct 6) Walk around the US and NATO missile 'defence' radar on the North Yorkshire moors. See www.yorkshirecnd.org.uk  and check with info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk  or phone 01274730795 for details.

Karanja, Wardha, India (Oct 9) Space and nuclear issues awareness lectures and interaction at Narayanrao Kale Smruti Model College. Dr. Sanjay P. Dhanwte to co-ordinate. dhanwatesanjay@yahoo.co.in

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (Oct 13) Noon, Outcry Against Trump's Space Force & Protest of the Militarization of Space at Lockheed Martin, 230 Mall Boulevard (Mall & Goddard Boulevards), directly behind the King of Prussia Mall. Large banners, enlarged posters of 'Trump Vader', the earth flag, and ceremony of 'Looking-UP' with songs and readings. Lockheed Martin is the U.S. #1 space warfare contractor, and the world's largest war profiteer. More at www.brandywinepeace.com  or call 484-574-1148.

·       Lalitpur- Kathmandu, Nepal (Oct 8 & 10) Space and Nuclear Issues Awareness lectures and interactions at TU Colleges. Mr. Prabhu Yadav to co-ordinate yprabhuray@gmail.com
 
Largo, Florida (Oct 10) Peace First will be at the Raytheon plant at 7887 Bryan Dairy Rd, as part of the Global Network’s Keep Space for Peace Week. Raytheon is the second largest weapons manufacturer in the world and is making huge profits from the war in Yemen.  sjstew@gte.net

Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale, California (Oct 12) Stop the Militarization of Space. As the world's largest arms seller, Lockheed Martin profits from war making, misery, death and destruction. Vigil from noon to 1:00 pm at N. Mathilda Ave. and W. Java Drive. Short talks by John LaForge (Nukewatch) and Marion Küpker (German anti-nuclear activist). Sponsored by the Pacific Life Community, local Catholic Workers, Vets for Peace and Code Pink.  For info call Susan at 650-649-8690.

Menwith Hill, England (Oct 9) Weekly demonstration at the gates of U.S. NSA/NRO spy base, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Theme on Keep Space for Peace and saying NO to Space Force. 6:00 to 7.30 pm. All welcome.  Martin Schweiger at germ.buster@phonecoop.coop

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Oct 12) 6:30 PM, Informational Vigil to stop the militarization of space, at the Manfred Olsen Planetarium at UW-Milwaukee,1900 E Kenwood Blvd. Sponsored by Peace Action WI. pamrichard35@gmail.com

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Oct 13) Noon-1 PM, Special Stand for Peace at the (astronaut) James Lovell Museum of Science, 815 N Lovell St, corner of 7th ST & Wells. Sponsored by Peace Action WI.  pamrichard35@gmail.com

Montclair, New Jersey (Oct 7) Keep Space for Peace vigil from 3:00-4:00 pm at corner of Church & S. Fullerton.  NJ Peace Action and Northern NJ SPUSA. www.njpeaceaction.org

Montrose, California (Oct 12) “Keep Space for Peace” will be our focus as the Montrose Peace Vigil observes the International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarisation of Space, 5:30 to 7:00 pm, at the corner of Honolulu and Oceanview Avenues in the Montrose Shopping Park, 91020.  We say NO to a Space Force and the militarization of the U.S. economy, and YES to action on climate change and on ending global poverty.  rmedford@ucla.edu 

Nagpur, India (Oct 8) Peace in space awareness talk at the Railway Pensioners Office in Nagpur. Mrs. Daizy to coordinate. jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nagpur, India (Oct 13) Demonstration against Trump's decision to create space force. Mr. Subash Dapurkar to co-ordinate. jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nainital, Uttarakhand, India (Oct 6) Space and nuclear issues awareness lectures and interaction at PNG Government Post Graduate College.  Prof. Anumita Agarwal to co-ordinate. anumitaddn@rediffmail.com

Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Niscemi, Sicily (Oct 13) The M.U.O.S. (Mobile User Objective System) is a U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station. A constellation of five satellites covers the whole world, whereas ground communication is made possible by four stations, one of which is located in Niscemi. Sicilians are worried about consequences of the installation on: human health, the ecosystem, the quality of agricultural production, right to mobility and to the development of territory, right to peace and security of our homeland and of its inhabitants.  Protest event to be organized by No MUOS from 3-6 pm  sadhusan@virgilio.it

New York City, New York (Oct 7) On October 7, 2001, the U.S. launched a military strike against Afghanistan. Now 17 years later, tens of thousands are dead, millions displaced, and more than $2,400 billion spent, the longest war in U.S. history shows no sign of ending. Assemble at noon on Public Library steps on Fifth Avenue for a vigil followed by a solemn march to the Times Square military recruiting station for a demonstration against endless wars. Sponsors include: NYC War Resisters League, Catholic Worker/New York City, Peace Action New York State, Granny Peace Brigade, NY Metro Raging Grannies, Brooklyn For Peace, World Can't Wait, Uptown Progressive Action, Kairos Community, Pax Christi Metro New York, Code Pink/NYC. For more info: nycWRL@nycwarresisters.org  or call 718-768-7306.

Mercury & Indian Springs, NV (Oct 8) Indigenous Peoples Day--formerly "Columbus Day". Demonstrations at Nevada National Security Site (formerly Nevada Test Site) and Creech AFB. 8am-2pm. An interfaith witness for peace and justice. Nevada Desert Experience.  rkmlai@nevadadesertexperience.org

Olympia, Washington (Oct 5) Raging Grannies will perform for Artswalk at the Rachel Corrie mural downtown and perform one song about peace in space along with songs about other issues. I will have my star wars weaponry with me and fire at will. Holly Gwinn Graham tohollygg@comcast.net

Palermo, Sicily (Oct 13) Flash mob at the US consulate that is located in via Vaccarini 1 from 3-6 pm sadhusan@virgilio.it

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Oct 6) Center City Drone Death Walk/Vigil from 11:30 am to 12:45. Meet-up at 12th & Arch St. Please wear Black, we will bring plain white masks, banners, and signs. Call Marge Van Cleef at 203-804-3013  if you have questions. The drone death walk recur the first Saturday of the month.  

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Oct 12) Philly Anti-War ‘Reach Out’ at the center city SEPTA subway entrance, 15th & Market Sts., across from Phila. City Hall west side, with mass leafleting, banners, and posters to stop Trump's new Space Force and the ongoing militarization of space so that there can be justice for people on earth and peace. 4:00 – 5:00 pm.  More at www.brandywinepeace.com  or call 484-574-1148.

Sacramento, California (Oct 9) No Space Force! No Wars in Space! Vigil for International Keep Space for Peace Week. 16th & J, Sacramento. 4:30 – 6pm  FMI: 916-448-7157. 

Santa Rosa Junior College, California (Oct 10) Public educational event on space issues by Physics teacher Lynda Williams entitled ‘Space Force: A Force for Good or Evil?’  5:00 pm Room 1786, Shuhaw Building  lyndalovon@gmail.com

·         Springfield, Pennsylvania (Oct 11) See the acclaimed documentary Pax Americana & the Weaponization of Space by Peace Center of Delaware County at Friends Meetinghouse (1001 Old Sproul Rd) at 7:00 pm.  More info: 484-574-1148

Tucson, Arizona (Oct 9) Peace vigil at Davis-Monthan AFB at 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.  Air National Guard troops at Davis-Monthan AFB are remotely piloting UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) that are firing guided bombs and missiles and killing more civilians than targeted "terrorists" in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and possibly more sovereign nations.  A-10 warplanes that train out of Davis-Monthan AFB are responsible for the vast majority of radioactive ammunition - estimated at well over 400 tons - used in Iraq since 1991. Park at recreation field parking lot at N-W corner of Craycroft & Golf Links with access from Craycroft.  Signs provided, or bring your own!  More info: 323-8697.

Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 3) Keep Space for Peace vigil at space warfare base at the Main Gate from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm.  For information contact Dennis Apel at 805-343-6322.

Visakahapatnam, India (Oct 6) Awareness event at local boys school.

Washington DC (Oct 9) The Pentagon: Tuesday at 7-8 AM. Will Hold Keep Space for Peace and No Weapons in Space signs at weekly Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Peace Vigil.  artlaffin@hotmail.com

Washington DC (Oct 12) The White House: Friday at 12 Noon –1:00 PM. Will Hold Keep Space for Peace and No Weapons in Space signs at weekly Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Peace Vigil.  artlaffin@hotmail.com

Space Week Co-Sponsor: Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, U.S. Section

Resources:

    Find our full-size space week poster at http://www.space4peace.org/actions/Keep%20Space%20for%20Peace%20Poster%202018.pdf
    Space videos for viewing and sharing available at:  http://www.space4peace.org/videos.htm
    Link to a flyer that can be handed out during space week  http://www.space4peace.org/actions/ksfp%20flyer%202018.pdf

Sample Letter to Editor:

Dear Editor,
We must stop Trump’s ‘Space Force’ proposal which is provocative and highly expensive.  How about instead we ensure Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are fully funded and begin to deal with our real problem – climate change?  We don’t need an arms race in space.


Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
http://www.space4peace.org