November 18, 2008

Erie Peace Initiative Meeting
November 18,2008
7:05 Bob Johnson called meeting to order
Attendance: Bob Johnson, Beth Rockwell, Barb Roseborough, Anne McCarthy, Richard McVay, Mark Mateja, Jen Highfill and Matt
1. Intros and agenda review
2. Evaluate last 2 weeks actions

1. Veterans’ Day Vigil, 11/11 - Bob was disappointed in the turnout, but “if we weren’t there nobody would have been there.” Consensus: the ribbons were powerful; the folks from Meadville were most welcome; Steve did an excellent job; possible other activities in schools, etc., might have been the cause of the low attendance.
2. Protest at 8^th and the Bayfront - five to six people attended; we might not want to do this in the very cold weather!

3. Upcoming actions for discussion

1. National Guard
1. Conference Call – action in February in Harrisburg; March in Pittsburgh (after the holidays). The Guard from this area will be deployed in January; appropriate to make a statement beforehand. Another conference call next Tuesday, 11/25
2. Anne called Harkin’s office: meeting set for Wednesday, 12/3, at 10 a.m. for up to four (4) people. Objective: to brainstorm ways to drum up support in this area; and perhaps do something before Guard deploys in January.
3. Anne will attempt to reschedule this meeting for either an earlier time (9 a.m.) or another date (Friday, 12/5)
2. Counter recruiting in schools for discussion
1. Discussion deferred since person with information from American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), was not present. (However, there was an informal discussion of possibilities of activities in which young people could participate – military vs. service organizations.)

C. Allegheny College Peace Coalition Roundtable Panel Discussion

1. Sponsored by Allegheny College Peace Coalition, 11/22, noon – 3:30 p.m. (tentatively) at Tippie Alumni Center

2. Assistance by Women in Black and EPI (WIB flags and our ribbons will be displayed)

3. Speakers include: Zaineb Alani, an Iraqi poet who was displaced from her home during the war; Wassan Al-Judy, a Jordanian refugee with catastrophic stories to share about war; Aimee Allison, a Gulf War I conscientious objector, host of KPFA Morning Show, and an expert on military sexual assault; and our own Bob Johnson, our leader and a Vietnam vet, whose expertise goes without saying.
   

4. The Ribbons - will be displayed at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church on 6N in Edinboro (Rev. Fulford); Jen is also going to speak with the Newman Campus Ministry at Edinboro, currently housed at Our Lady of the Lake in Edinboro. Another possibility: Abundant Life Ministry.
5. Website – nothing new to report. Might have been updated slightly, but the reality is that the website needs work.

6. Letters to the Editor (Erie Times-News) – needed and encouraged

7. Other – Mark Mateja will be standing at 8^th and the Bayfront this coming Friday, 11/21, from 4:30 – 5 p.m. All are invited.

8. Next Meeting – Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Richard’s office.