OK CodePINK News

Hi, OK CodePINKers and friends,

First issue! Exciting news -- there's been a good response to my announcement about reviving OKCODEPINK. I feel very encouraged that we can do great things and have a lot of fun in the process. Stay tuned for world change!

Guess what's happening in Oklahoma -- a growing peace and justice movement! Despite the conservative climate, folks are waking up, getting angry, and getting involved. CodePINK is part of this exciting scene, and we encourage you to contact all those you know who want to work for peace and get actively involved in one of these progressive groups. The time for discouragement and passivity is past -- it's a new day in Oklahoma!

Topics this issue:
1. Oklahoma Conscientious Objector Committee
2. Lobby legislators to end the occupation of Iraq
3. Other events of interest in May
4. Feedback and ideas requested
5. Tell a friend about OKCodePINK

1. END WAR BY STOPPING THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF WARRIORS

Saturday, May 15 is International C.O. Day. This day of commemoration and action for peace has prompted several Oklahomans to organize a group to work on countering military recruiters and counseling conscientious objectors.

On Thursday, May 6, there will be an informational meeting for those interested in getting involved on this issue. I'll be there and hope that CodePINK can be a big part of this effort. Let's save our children from another generation of war!

Here's the info from the group's facilitator, James Branum:
The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 6th at 7 p.m. at Joy Mennonite Church (504 NE 16th in Oklahoma City - the church is in a house at the corner of NE 16th & Lincoln Blvd, just south of the state capitol).

Topics of discussion will include...
I. Military/Draft Counseling
a. Plans for training for military counselors who can assist folks currently in the service who want to be discharged.
b. Plans for training for Draft counselors to be ready in the event a draft is called.
c. Discussion on how we can educate the public on what would happen if the draft is reinstated and how to prepare for it.
d. Logistical details for setting up a local hotline for folks who need military/draft counseling
e. Discussion on working with the GI Rights Network nationally.

II. Countering Military Recruitment
a. Discussion for this fall on how to counter the lies of military recruiters on high school & college campuses.
b. Discussion on how to provide another perspective to youth with regards to JROTC programs.

The meeting is open to all who would like to become involved with either of these areas of concern, but we particularly want to extend a welcome to faith communities and other non-profit groups that wish to partner together in this important work.

If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to get involved, contact me.

Here are some links that provide information, background and resources on conscientious objection, military recruitment, and alternatives to warmaking.

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors:
http://www.objector.org/index.html
War Resistors League: http://www.warresisters.org/
AFSC Youth & Militarism Program: http://afsc.org/youthmil/
The Center on Conscience & War: http://www.nisbco.org/
UFPF Anti-Military Recruitment Campaign:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?sub=46&list=sub

2. TURN UP THE HEAT IN MAY
April was a horrendous month in Iraq -- for Americans and Iraqis alike. The rising death toll on both sides, the awful tales of torture by American soldiers and contractors, the photos of returning coffins, the long months of stress on military families, all these things and more are beginning to turn public opinion against the occupation
(http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2373). Those opposing the war must not let up our efforts to stop the horrible mistakes our government has made and continues to make in the Middle East.

United for Peace and Justice (http://www.unitedforpeace.org) is calling for the month of May to be a month of action focused on opening the debate over withdrawal within Congress. "Now is the time to get members of Congress who are willing to challenge the Bush administration to speak out and to put serious pressure on those who back Bush’s occupation. May is the month to contact all of your representatives, no matter where they stand, to tell them where YOU stand. We hope that by making a massive, nationwide push on Congress we can influence the war dialogue as it
intensifies with the upcoming June 30th 'transfer'.”

(1) Gather signatures for UFPJ’s Congressional petition drive. The form can be downloaded at:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/downloads/Iraq_Petition.pdf.

(2) Call your representatives at least once a week during the month of May. Make the commitment as an individual, as families, and as local groups. To make this easier, use the talking points we will be posting and updating regularly on our website.

Add the contact information for your local group, make copies, and use the petition to organize a campaign to reach new people. Get actual signatures on a real piece of paper! Before you turn the petition over to your Congressional representatives be sure to make two copies: one to keep for your group and one to send to the national office of UFPJ.

3. OTHER EVENTS IN MAY

Discussion series on UN reform
May 13th, 20th, and 27th, 7 - 8:30 pm
Oklahoma City's First Unitarian Church, 600 N.W. 13th Street.
To reserve your place, email una-okc@cox.net
Founded with the express intent of abolishing war, the United Nations has put in place an array of programs for promoting health, human rights, democracy, and sustainable development for all people of the world. But after nearly 60 years of existence, the UN has often failed to fully achieve its objectives. Its challenge now is to re-examine the fundamental bases on which it was constructed. In three 90- minute sessions on consecutive Thursday evenings, we propose to facilitate a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion of the challenges that face our world today - and the steps that may be taken to address them effectively. We will rely on knowledgeable input from Professor Larry Eberhardt (Oklahoma City University, Department of Political Science) to set the stage for our discussions. You and other participants will be free to offer your own comments, insights, observations, and opinions.

Special Screening of the documentary UNCOVERED: The Whole Truth About the
Iraq War
(http://www.truthuncovered.com) followed by a discussion with MEL GOODMAN
and ANDREW RICE
Monday May 17th, at the OKC Art Museum Film Theater, 6:30pm. Reception and Hors d'ouvres followed by the film. Sponsor: The Progressive Alliance PAC. A minimum donation of $15 to PALPAC gains you admission to this event, please RSVP to philippe@palpac.org ...we only have a limited number of seats! Donate online by going to www.palpac.org/giving

Stop War Profiteering! Protest at the Halliburton Shareholders Meeting, Houston, TX USA
Wednesday, May 19th 2004 08:00 am
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php?calid=9611

4. FEEDBACK
Please contact me if you have any questions, suggestions, concerns, events, etc. okcodepink@yahoo.com

5. TELL A FRIEND
Spread the word! Forward this message to friends and family who might be looking for a way to work for peace and justice in Oklahoma.

If you got this message from a friend, you can find out what CODEPINK is about by going to the main site at http://www.codepink4peace.org. You can join the OKCodePINK mailing list by clicking on the "Join this Group" button at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/okcodepink/


Yours in peace, for peace,

Serena Blaiz
OK CodePINK facilitator