[Marxism] 2/1 Special UFPJ discussion on NYC Peace Campaign

["Jacob Levich" <jlevich@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Make what you will of the email below, an invitation to a "special UFPJ 
discussion" which was received by a local antiwar organization to which I 
belong. Note that this is an "invitation only meeting" and that recipients are 
advised that "it would be best if you did not forward this."

The meeting -- sorry, "special discussion" -- is the kickoff for a major 
campaign in New York City based on a "unified strategy" to "compel our elected 
officials to do more to bring this war to an end."

Strangely, I am advised that the organizations constituting the left wing of 
the antiwar movement in New York City -- not just Troops Out Now, but also 
important UFPJ member organizations like Campus Antiwar Network -- were not 
invited. 

Maybe I have this all wrong, but it seems like odd behavior from a coalition 
that purports to be transparent, democratic, and non-exclusionary. 

Jake


To: [distribution list omitted]

  Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 4:03 PM
  Subject: 2/1 Special UFPJ discussion on NYC Peace Campaign


  Greetings, 
  We would like your participation at an invitation-only meeting on Wednesday, 
Feb. 1, to discuss some new ideas on how we can collaborate on NYC peace 
organizing. It would be best if you did not forward this but if you have 
organizations that you think it would be good to invite, please let us know.

   

  We know that New York City is one of the strongest peace centers in the 
country. There is an abundance of really good organizing that is being done by 
many, many groups around the city.  

  We also have seen that the work that we do in our neighborhoods, communities 
and organizations can be strengthened by city-wide action.  More coordinated 
efforts have the ability to strengthen the political impact of the widespread 
anti-war sentiment in New York by having a greater influence on the national 
scene and also by expanding the base of people who are active in NYC.  

  The struggle against the war in Iraq is at a turning point moment which 
requires that we find new ways to amplify the majority peace sentiment in the 
city and compel our elected officials to do more to bring this immoral war to 
an end.

  In November, a number of groups that have worked together as a part of United 
for Peace and Justice met - AFSCME District Council 1707, Astorians for Peace & 
Justice, Black Radical Congress, Brooklyn Parents for Peace, Code Pink, 
Communist Party USA, Educators to Stop the War, Lower Eastside Committee, 
Military Families Speak Out, New Yorkers Say No To War, Northern Manhattan 
Neighbors for Peace & Justice, Peace Action NYS, Vanguard High School, Veterans 
for Peace, US Labor Against the War - to brainstorm ways that the NY anti-war 
movement could join together in coordinated city-wide efforts.  We came up with 
a plan for a campaign called Peace Zone, NYC.  

  We felt that a concerted campaign with a unified strategy with shared, 
specific and quantifiable goals would allow us to maximize our political impact 
toward ending this horrific war on Iraq. It would highlight the ongoing efforts 
of peace groups as well as provide for efforts to build citywide political 
pressure and education work. A campaign allows for different groups to come 
together with differing levels of involvement and buy-in and work together 
toward the goals of the campaign.  It also allows for people who are not a 
member of an organization to get connected to the anti-war movement and to feel 
that they are a part of the larger national movement. In addition, it has the 
possibility of encouraging a broader base of participation by many groups that 
are not peace organizations; groups who want an end to this war and see that 
goal as part of their efforts to improve the lives of their constituents. 

  We went through a process with a facilitator to develop the vision and the 
elements of the campaign. These were the goals that we identified:
  1) To build lasting, organic ties between groups that would also yield a 
structure and cohesiveness to the NYC peace work;
  2) To give people a sense of inclusion in the movement and a sense of their 
power to make a change;
  3) To increase participation and leadership of communities of color in the 
citywide peace movement as a reflection of the existing anti-war sentiment in 
those communities;
  4) To change the public debate on "national security;"
  5) To fight militarism in NYC;
  6) To make the link between economic and social justice and the struggle for 
peace.
  7) To increase NYC's contribution to the national movement for peace in Iraq.

  Attached is a copy of the Campaign Plan.  On Tuesday, February 1 from 
6:00-9:00 PM (place to be announced), there will be a meeting with groups from 
all around the city to put this campaign into motion.  

  We are hoping that you will be able to discuss this with your organization 
before that meeting so that you can come with your feedback and be ready to 
sign on and to begin work!  We invite you to send two representatives since the 
agenda will include breakout group discussions on tactics for each of the 
components of the campaign. This is an invitation only meeting.  If there are 
groups that you would like to invite, please let us know and we will forward 
the invitation. You can call the UFPJ office at 212-868-5545 and speak with 
Judith or send a reply to this email.

  Groups who are already involved in the 4 campaign areas will open up the 
discussion on their experience and ideas for going forward. Since it is a 
decision making meeting we are asking people to meet for 3 hours and we will 
utilize a facilitator to help move the process efficiently. 

  We will also focus on the third anniversary of the war on Iraq and how we can 
develop a whole array of activities during that week that can be a part of the 
campaign work. If you have not already received the call to action, please 
check the UFPJ webpage at www.unitedforpeace.org.

  If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about the 
campaign, you can call the UFPJ office and speak with Judith.

  Signed, 
  Ted Auerbach, Lower Eastside Committee
  Eva-Lee Baird, Code Pink NY
  David Cline, Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War

  Dave Dubnau, Northern Manhattan Neighbors for Peace and Justice
  Lionelle Hamanaka, Military Families Speak Out
  Sally Jones, Peace Action NYS
  Leslie Kielson, New Yorkers Say No To War
  Judith LeBlanc, Communist Party USA
  Patrick Loman, AFSME DC 1707
  Rachel Petersman, Astorians for Peace & Justice
  Nancy Romer, US Labor Against the War, PSC/CUNY Committee for Peace & Justice
  David Tykulsker, Brooklyn Parents for Peace
  Jessica Watson-Crosby, Black Radical Congress
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