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Stop The Militarism Of Space - Leonard Peltier Benefit 10/19/2000
1) Press Release on October 7 Action for PEACE IN SPACE
2) Press Release for Leonard Peltier Benefit
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1) Press Release on October 7 Action for PEACE IN SPACE
Northampton Joins an International Day of Protest to Stop
The Militarism Of Space
~ raising our community's awareness
about the real cost of weapons escalation!
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2000
Contact: AFSC, (413)584-8975
NORTHAMPTON, MA On Saturday, October 7, 2000, local activists representing a broad range of peace, globalization and disarmament communities will gather on the steps of Northampton's City Hall for a walking vigil in honor of the International Day of Protest to Stop the Militarism of Space. Beginning at 1:00 pm, this action is one of 63 taking place worldwide to call attention to the real cost to communities and individuals of outrageous weapons escalation.
The United States has spent $4 trillion $33 billion annually over the last 50 years to maintain its nuclear forces. In September of this year, President Clinton yielded his decision regarding whether or not to deploy the National Missile Defense to his successor, saving himself from having to commit an additional $60 billion over 14 years to a program proven to be ineffective, faulty and in violation of the Strategic Arms Reduction and Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaties. We can be certain that this issue will resurface early in next President's first term.
The call for an end to the militarism of space rightfully originates with the residents of Western Massachusetts and our colleagues in cities and towns across the globe. Our labor and tax dollars fund the construction of new weapons and the clean-up of those already built, tested or deployed. A recent study by the National Academy of Sciences found that more than two-thirds of government sites involved in decades of nuclear bomb production will never be completely free of contamination. Our labor and tax dollars will help ensure that we are stewards of these sites for thousands of years to come, sites which pose a known and profound heath risk. In the United States, increased defense spending is also at the cost of sufficient federal allocations for affordable housing, Head Start, health insurance, and one of the barriers to closing the gap between our country's minimum wage and the widely-know living wage.
Please Note:
There are now 63 actions in 16 countries and 38 U.S. cities for the October 7 "International Day of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space."
Please participate in our day of actions by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper; sending a message to your nation's political leaders; calling the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country; or attending an action near your community.
Demand that the U.S. stop all plans to put weapons into space and that all
nations support a treaty calling for a global ban on weapons in space.
TALKING POINTS:
* Star Wars research, development, testing and deployment is destabilizing and will lead to a new arms race
* Star Wars development is a waste of resources and will result in more
social spending cuts
* Theatre Missile Defense (TMD) is as destabilizing as National Missile Defense (NMD) and must be opposed as U.S. moves to deploy it in the Middle East & Asia
* Space-based laser program, now nearing a testing site decision, is the real Reagan-era Star Wars plan
* U.S. must join in signing a global ban on all weapons in space
For more information contact the Global Network
Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space (352) 337-9274
http://www.space4peace.org
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2) Press Release for Leonard Peltier Benefit
Benefit Music Event to Support Clemency for Leonard Peltier
Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA October 19, 2000
Contacts:
Leonard Peltier Support Group Jonathan Mark 978-544-7862
P.O. Box 1999 Chris Groden 413-549-2739
Wendell Depot, MA 01380 Email Updates
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee Gina Chiala, Pat Benabi, Jean Day
P.O. Box 583, Lawrence, KS 66044 Tel: 785-842-5774, Fax: 5796
http://www.FreePeltier.org
The Leonard Peltier Support Group of Greater New England (LPSG/GNE) is sponsoring a series of music benefits and meetings in support of Native American political activist, Leonard Peltier. The first upcoming program is at the Iron Horse Music Hall Thursday, October 19, 2000 from 7:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The program features the diverse music of AYE, Dredi, Gaia Roots and Electric Blue and the Kosmic Truth, spanning the styles of folk, world beat, reggae, harmonious vocals, rhythm and blues.
Many believe that Leonard Peltier has been unjustly imprisoned for over 24 years. Amnesty International considers him a political prisoner who should be "immediately and unconditionally released." Because of clear indications that he was unfairly targeted due to his key role in the American Indian Movement, Leonard Peltier is often seen as a symbol of the US government's attempts to silence those seeking to protect the interests of Native land and communities. Now Leonard Peltier is facing the most critical time ever in his campaign for freedom and indeed his life. His only chance for a near future release lies in the hands of President Clinton through a grant of Executive Clemency.
"The purpose of the benefit," said organizer Jonathan Mark, "is to build momentum and support for an international action on Leonard Peltier's behalf." Many individuals from the pioneer region will be joining people from around the world to participate in a "Free Peltier March" on December 10 at the United Nations in New York City. December 10 marks the anniversary for the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations have recognized Leonard Peltier as a Human Rights Defender. Other supporters include Coretta Scott King, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the American Friends Service Committee, Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu, the National Council of Churches, and many others.
This is the second consecutive year of music, meetings and demonstrations in the Pioneer Valley in support of Leonard Peltier. Last year's event at the Iron Horse was successful and this year should be even better. Posters with the artwork of Lahri Bond of Heartwork Graphics show the engraved drawing of the spirit of Crazy Horse with Peltier seeing the bars of his prison dissolve in a vision of a star-bright night.*
* http://earthlovers.org/leonard/
More information can be found at the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee's website
http://www.FreePeltier.org
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