Oklahoma CodePINK

Introducing the OK CodePINK Photo Album

2005-04-16T16:02:00.000-05:00

I've started an OK CodePINK photo album at the OKIMC Gallery. Anyone can register there and upload photos (remember to put CodePINK related photos in the CodePINK album). The advantage of this album over those in the Yahoo Groups is that the photos are viewable by anyone who goes to that site and they can be posted on this blog (or any other web site for that matter) via an image tag. Yahoo blocks such usage.

To make an image tag to display in your post use the following code:
<img src="http://okimc.org/photos/albums/userpics/filename.jpg">. Just replace the URL here with the actual URL of your image.

CodePINK at the Peace Rally, 3/19/05

2005-04-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

Writing letters to lobby gov't

2004-11-18T20:17:00.000-06:00

Think that writing letters to government officials doesn't work, won't be effective, is a waste of time? You are SO astoundingly wrong, as this blog post from Jeff Jarvis demonstrates.

I'm as guilty as anybody in thinking that such letters aren't worth the effort, a feeling that has intensified since coming to conservative Oklahoma.

But when an issue comes up that makes me think about writing to, say an Oklahoma republican Senator, to say "vote no" but I don't, then that Senator brags that he only got letters that said "vote yes" I cringe with shame. I have allowed him -- and now the media and the public -- to solidify the belief that the opinion is unanimous.

We should never allow them to make such a statement. We have to start demonstrating that there is an opposition to insanity, however small.

Report on the status of women in Oklahoma

2004-11-17T20:14:00.000-06:00

The report on the status of Oklahoma women(PDF) is not all bad.

* Women hold four of eleven statewide elected offices.
* Although women in Oklahoma have relatively low earnings, their wage ratio with men ranks in the top half of all states.
* Oklahoma women report the lowest number of days per month of poor mental health in the country.
* Oklahoma allows women access to abortion without a mandatory waiting period.
But then again:
* As of July 2004, there were no women in Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, and less than 13 percent of state legislators were women.
* Women in Oklahoma are less likely to work in professional or managerial positions than women in all but six other states.
* Women in Oklahoma are among the least likely to have health insurance or a college education, and the most likely to live in poverty.
* Oklahoma does not require insurance companies to cover contraception or infertility treatments, important resources in women’s reproductive lives.
* Oklahoma has among the highest rates of mortality from heart disease, and Oklahoma women experience more days of activity limitations due to health than most women in the nation

(found on Okiedoke blog)

Our missions

2004-10-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

This is DeAnn's list, posted to the OKC CodePINK listserv. It's pretty good, so why not post it again?

Peacemaking and militarism

Supporting the International Occupation Watch Center in Baghdad

Peace delegations to Israel-Palestine, North & South Korea, Burma,
and Iraq

Life-affirming economic priorities

Books not Bombs in support of local libraries

Civil liberties

Education and advocacy of grassroots efforts to prevent passage of
Patriot Act II

Environmental sustainability

Advocacy of more fuel efficient cars

Support efforts to close Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York

Responsible Media and Reporting

Preserve diversity, localism, and competition

Work to stop the implementation of the FCC ownership rulings

Elections and Voter Registration

Encourage women and other minorities to register to vote

Vigil

2004-10-16T15:24:00.000-05:00

CodePINK Oklahoma City Meetup

2004-09-12T14:28:00.000-05:00

The first OK CodePINK Meetup was a success.

OK CodePINK News

2004-05-04T14:38:00.000-05:00

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 Bushâ€™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'.â€

(1) Gather signatures for UFPJâ€™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

Actions in 2003/2004

2004-04-27T14:16:00.000-05:00

(The following is taken from the old web site of OK CodePINK, under different organizers -- who moved out of state)

SHAWNEE MALL MADNESS!

Code Pink announce economic stimulus plan for Shawnee

Shawnee Group in Pink for Peace on Mothers' Day

OK Code Pink at the Paseo Arts Festival

SHAWNEE MALL MADNESS

- Code Pink Causes Code Red! -

- Shawnee Mall Security on Code Red Alert for Four Women in Pink!

Shawnee, Oklahoma April 19, 2003

CPNN (Code Pink Network News) - There was "big-doings" at the Shawnee Mall today! Oklahoma Code Pink - Women for Peace in Shawnee held our first community action. We had intended to hand out flyers with information about Code Pink and our upcoming Mother's Day Celebration, 2-5pm on May 10th, at Woodland Park. Code Pink is a women's organization dedicated to promoting peace. Our goal is to help local women become involved in effecting the direction of our community's future through learning and teaching peaceful conflict resolution and mediation techniques to our children. We hope and work for a future when violence is never used to solve problems.

It is that message we'll share at the Mother's Day Celebration in May and that is the message we were attempting to bring to the citizens of Shawnee today. We sent out word by electronic mail to other like-minded groups and individuals announcing today's flyer handout. On Friday we received an email from a very un-like-minded person: an attorney representing the Mall who told us that we were prohibited from handing-out flyers at their mall and that if we tried we would be asked to leave. This message puzzled us in a couple of ways: one, how did a Shawnee Mall lawyer get our message? and, two, what about the first amendment?

After some research we learned that there is no first amendment at the mall! Like and American citizen entering a foreign country the Constitution ends at the border of The Mall's property. Remember that guy and his son in New York who got arrested for refusing to take off his "peace" t-shirt as requested by his local mall security? Did you think that was a bit excessive? Well, don't try that at the Shawnee Mall, you'll probably end up in the hoosegow too!

You see, along time ago, people used to "go to town" for their provisions. "To town" means Main Street. Main Street used to be not only the center for commerce but, because that is where the people congregated and town-hall stood, the center for protest as well. Then came the mall. The mall effectively sucked the commerce from Main Street and not only forced many long term family businesses out of business but, took the people with them. So, the protesters who would normally address their grievances in front of the Main street crowds, have no crowds to be in front of!

So, just go to the mall, you say? Well, there's the rub. You see, unlike Main Street, the Mall is private property and like any private property, the owners set the rules! Well that's just fair, you say? Maybe that's because your opinion happens to be the majority opinion. What about the minority? Don't they count? The Constitution says they do. That's one big reason we have a First Amendment in the first place. People have to be able to air their opinions and they must be free to express them to their community. Especially people with unpopular opinions.

So anyway, the mall lawyer warned us that we would be ejected from the mall if we handed out the flyers. We met at 3pm at a local restaurant and decided we would do it anyway. One of the FOUR women that showed up pulled out her celphone and called her lawyer and left a message that his services might be needed. She said " Four women in pink are going to exercise their First Amendment rights and we might need your help later". The ladies decided that since they would be expecting us all to enter through the East doors we would, instead, each enter through different doors and meet at the food court. Feeling very weird about being an American and being afraid to speak our minds freely in public, we drove, in separate cars, to The Mall. As we got close enough to see we noticed what seemed like an excessive amount of people in front of the main entrance. Then we saw they weren't ordinary people - it was the security! Our assigned door was on the southwest and as we approached we saw TWO security there. We parked and walked to the doors and, since we just looked like a normal couple walking into the mall, we walked right in. As we walked into The Mall a mall security truck pulled up fast at the curb. Then at the end of the inner mall hall there was another security person! We made the turn to the food court and saw yet another security person and we started to realize that there was almost more security than shoppers!

Almost immediately we ran into one of our pink-ladies. She had come through the west door also unmolested but with tales of maximum security as well. The other two of our outlaw gang showed soon after and we got down to some serious problem solving. The couple who came through the southeast doors knew one of the police outside and were allowed to come in even though they had the "notorious" flyers in plain sight! They only received a slight reprimand and were freed. Whew! We knew we couldn't make bail for them.

We bought some coffee and the ladies talked about Code Pink and issues of peace. One of our friends showed and we had a nice time hanging out in the food court. I decided I would walk outside to inspect the front lines. I was amazed not only at the amount of security but at the type! There were uniformed Shawnee Police, uniformed private Mall security, plain clothes security, older men, younger men, younger women, men in army shirts and camouflaged shirts, Some of them looked just like normal people until they'd reach for the ever-present walkie-talkie or, even more telling, when they would seriously try to be "undercover" and their hidden walkie talkie would start blaring some incomprehensible static and there they'd be, flailing for the off switch in a panic. The front door was held for me by a very nice looking young plain clothed person. I smiled.

Outside the front doors there was two flanking police cruisers, a security pickup, two or three uniformed cops and two or three plain clothed cops. I couldn't resist a slight giggle at the thought that all this hubbub was caused by four middle aged women in pink! I walked past the cruisers, turned and took a picture of the scene. A stern looking plain clothed person came up to me and said "we don't allow pictures taken of our building." This was a fantastic bit of news to me and so I said, "Really?!" Well, he said yes and I said wow and put my camera away. By this time he was joined by a slightly more tense plain-clothed person who got about a finger length away from me and said something like, "what's the problem." I said, "Hi! There's no problem." and he said, "Can I help you?" I thought this was real nice but couldn't think of anything he could do for me so I said, "no thanks" and walked back towards The Mall door. He stayed REAL close to me most of the way but finally peeled off and returned to the rest of the flock. It was then I saw the young lady who had held the door for me when I came out - she was talking into a walkie-talkie.

I went back in and we spent some more time discussing what I had seen on the front lines then we finished our coffee and it was time to go. We contemplated retracing our courses back to the doors we entered, handing out the "subversive" flyers but decided, instead, to go out as a group through the doors we had planned to enter that were so heavily defended. One of us went around, placing flyers on vacant tables, followed by a security person picking each one up. We walked out of the front doors and into the bright light and clean, sweet air of almost-freedom (we were still on Mall property). We stood there, under the scrutiny of the posse, and talked for a bit. I turned to my friend and he said, "They make me feel so special!" One of us went back in to do some shopping and we left, pondering how the Germans of the 1930's or the Soviets before the fall of the wall or the Iraqis might have felt. - Jerry (okcodepink)

Oklahoma Code Pink - Women for Peace in Shawnee
April 19, 2003

Oklahoma Code Pink Debut has created the largest economic stimulus package in the last 6 months! People were asked to work overtime and many received "call" pay due to the elaborate, last minute organizing of our surprise party graciously hosted by the Shawnee Mall. Imagine how four ladies dressed in pink, sipping coffee in the mall, could stimulate the economy on such a grand scale!

Security officers scrambled to be our hosts! Poised to roll out the red carpet for US, at the heralding of the trumpet. The party grounds were rife with their visible presence. In the grand ballroom itself, our hosts attire proved to be more creative. Out side we readily recognized our hosts by their uniform dress, but inside..... Like little "jacks-in-the-box" they would pop up in the oddest places for our surprise and delight! They encircled the food court as we drank our coffee. They sat at the nearest empty table. Intensely interested in our conversation about world peace, they strained to hear and secretly recorded trying not to be too rude. We wished they weren't so shy. If they had pen and paper we would have invited them to take notes, recruited their wives, and taught their children peace! Alas for them! Alas! - Janice (okcodepink)

Shawnee Group in Pink for Peace
by April Wilkerson
SNS Staff Writer
Shawnee News-Star
Wednesday May 7, 2003

Planting seeds for a more peaceable future, and honoring the many ways of accomplishing that, are at the heart of a new Shawnee effort.

Oklahoma Code Pink -- Women for Peace in Shawnee is a group of local women, and a few men, who seek to build a future where peaceful living is the way of life.

The group is not anti-war, anti-military or anti-anything, its volunteers say, but it is all about promoting a peaceful lifestyle over a violent one.

"You can ask people about peace and they always agree that it's wonderful, yet it's immediately followed with 'But...' said Janice Tamburino, a Code Pink volunteer with her husband, Jerry. "We want to start talking about ideas and raise the consciousness of peace. We are hoping for an open forum in Shawnee where we can talk about teaching our children peaceable alternatives to living."

The organization is getting under way Saturday with a Mother's Day celebration at Woodland Park in downtown Shawnee. The public is invited to gather in the park from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to hear speakers, poets and musicians and celebrate the love and strength of mothers.

"We want to start a dialogue about creating peace and what that really means, and there's probably no more spiritual day to do that than Mother's Day," Jerry Tamburino said. "We have the symbols of Mother Nature and Mother Earth, but our mothers are our first counselors and nurses and teachers. Our communities and societies need them and the values they stand for."Oklahoma Code Pink was born from the national Code Pink women's movement, which has manifested itself more in anti-war activities, the Tamburinos said. But the Shawnee group -- the only Oklahoma chapter -- wants to focus on creating peaceable living for future generations, watering the seeds they plant with continued support.

"Living in peace is not being wimpy. It takes ultimate strength of character to be able to live like the great peacemakers of our world," Jerry said. "We believe what Jesus said, what Ghandi said, and we know it's possible. People are making it happen in other communities, and we want to tap into the people here."

Among the ways to accomplish that is having tutors or school curriculums that teach the thoughts of peacemakers, he said. People can usually name the great warriors of history, but few can name the great peacemakers, he said.

"We want to pull those books from the back shelves and put them in the hands of our children, so when they grow up they won't make the same mistakes," he said.

Some communities offer activities that teach youth critical thinking and the ability to ask why, Jerry said. For example, a classroom is sectioned into four areas labeled "better for the community," "worse for the community," "more peaceful" and "less peaceful." Students are presented scenarios involving ethics, discuss where they stand, then literally move to the areas they believe.

Janice said they hope to see spiritual and business leaders get involved in Code Pink. Faith denominations may vary widely, but all have in common a version of the Golden Rule, she said. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is at the heart of most religions. Children get that message in church, but they learn about life in many other places. Infusing the rest of their lives with that value will reinforce its importance, she said.

Business owners who run good companies in ways that do not harm others or the environment also have much to offer, Jerry said. Businesses can be both profitable and honorable, a truth that people should hear, he said.

Oklahoma Code Pink also wants to recognize local individuals, organizations and agencies that are doing good things each day, often quietly, the Tamburinos said. Hearing about good deeds will cultivate more good, the best possible contagion, they said.

When the Vietnam war ended, so did all the energy and thought of the peace movement, Janice said. Instead, it should have marked the beginning.

For more information about Saturday's event, call Janice or Jerry Tamburino at 214-9107. Anyone interested in performing or providing food or drinks is encouraged to call as well.

OK CODE PINK AT THE PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL

On May 24, 25 and 26 2003 Oklahoma Code Pink joined other peace, justice and freedom activist groups at the Oklahoma City Paseo Arts Festival. A Peace Tent was erected at the corner of 29th and Lee on the lawn in front of Tom Lee's Studio. As well as Oklahoma Code Pink there were representatives from The Mennonite Church raising funds for the rebuilding of Iraq, Amnesty International with many petitions to sign, The Peace House of Oklahoma City who's current project is aimed at bringing the Oklahoma City Jail out of it's barbaric condition and getting some humane treatment for it's overcrowded inmates. The ACLU was also there to promote and protect our First Amendment Rights as were folks from the Oklahoma Peacemakers who organised the weekly Spiritual Walks for Peace in Okahoma City. They have moved on from the walks to the formation of "Peace Teams" focused on four important Peace arenas: Peace Circles, Department of Peace Campaign, a"Program of Possibilities" Team and a Peace Education team. Oklahoma Peacemekers has a website (www.okpeacemekers.org) where people can get more information on their good works.

The mission of CodePINK

2004-04-27T14:12:00.000-05:00

(This content is from the previous organizers, but it's still relevant. See the next post for more info about the old incarnation of OK CodePINK.)

What is Code Pink?

Code Pink is the alert sounded in a hospital when a baby has been abducted.

Code Pink is an alert to the women of the world the time has come to direct the course of our future.

Code Pink is a celebration of the collective power of women focused on a just cause.

Code Pink is a visual invitation to think, live and teach peace.

Code Pink is women for peace (and men who are not afraid of strong women) teaching peace, living peace and loving peace.

Our goal is that by the time babies born today reach the age for military service there will be no need.

When a war ends we do not have peace.

Peace doesn't start with our political leaders - it starts with us - it starts with our children - in our homes - in our communities - in our churches - in our schools.

A child learns peace when he is taught peace.

There are great ideas in all of us. Like Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King it is in OUR power to act for peace.

See Pink - Think Peace.

us and help plan Code Pink events in your community!
Come share your talents - we need singers, actors, artists (face painters), musicians, poets and speakers.

Come share your experience.

Come share your ideas for creating a more peaceful world... okcodepink(at)hotmail.com

Oklahoma CODEPINK blooms again

2004-04-27T12:35:00.000-05:00

Oklahoma CODEPINK is back!

I've decided to revive Oklahoma CodePINK. I wasn't part of the previous incarnation, but from what I've heard of it, there was some good energy and some great actions. I hope to rekindle that. Those who first got the group going here no longer live in Oklahoma, and so I'm reasonably sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. If you were involved before, please get in touch and work with us again.

Oklahoma CODEPINK is for women (and men) who want to work for peace through joyful direct action, establish bonds of friendship across differences -- especially with disenfranchised women, women in developing nations and most especially women in the Middle East, particularly Iraq, where the U.S. government through its military might is currently doing so much to prevent and discourage true peace.

The 411 for busy people: Join the newsletter mailing list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/okcodepink/ to keep up with what's going on. It'll be low-volume, and not an open discussion list. When I have news, or an action opportunity presents itself, I'll send. When I don't, I won't.

You can contact me about CODEPINK, and publicize the group with the address: okcodepink@yahoo.com

What is CODEPINK?

For those who aren't familiar with the group, it's an international women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement that seeks positive social change through proactive, creative protest and non-violent direct action. It started in Nov. 2002 with this call from Starhawk:

"We call on women around the world to rise up and oppose the war in Iraq. We call on mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters, on workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets and every ordinary outraged woman willing to be outrageous for peace. Women have been the guardians of life -- not because we are better or purer or more innately nurturing than men, but because the men have busied themselves making war. Because of our responsibility to the next generation, because of our own love for our families and communities and this country that we are a part of, we understand the love of a mother in Iraq for her children and the driving desire of that child for life."

The name CODEPINK plays on the Bush Administration's color-coded homeland security advisory system that signals terrorist threats. While Bush's color coded alerts are based on fear, the CODEPINK alert is based on compassion and is a feisty call for women and men to "wage peace."

For more background and general resources, go to the main CodePINK Web page at http://www.codepinkalert.org/.

What's the plan for Oklahoma CODEPINK?

My only real plan right now is to try to get other women involved, so we can discuss what we might do as a group. But I do have several ideas for actions and campaigns that I would like to see Oklahoma CODEPINK engage in. For instance:

* We could have a presence (a table, or just walk around with flyers and cards) at the Healthy Living Expo next month, sharing the radical notion that "War is not healthy."

* We could have a Mother's Day demo, in solidarity with mother's in Iraq and in the US who are losing their children to war.

* We could have a table at at the Paseo Art show and/or at Juneteenth, both of which the group did last year before going on on hiatus.

If you have ideas to add to these, let me know. Check out the web site above for lots of great reports from CODEPINK activists from across the country. You'll see that this movement is colorful, humorous, unafraid and fun. Join me in keeping Oklahoma part of it.