PAST ACTIONS

 

MARCHES & RALLIES & VIGILS

     Ground the Drones

 

Monthly Protest at Beale Air Force Base

This was our third monthly protest.  As usual, we headed up in the wee hours of the morning from El Cerrito, a two-hour drive.  We were pleased to find a half dozen activists waiting there when we arrived.  Our numbers are growing. There were five Grandmothers Against the War, one Grandfather for Peace,  Veterans for Peace from Sacramento and Eastbay, Military Families Speak Out, Peace Center of Nevada County, and six CodePink, probably over 25 throughout the day.  We also had one of the huge Mourning Mother Puppets. There was no shortage of signage:

 

            WE SUPPORT U.S. TROOPS BY OPPOSING ENDLESS WAR

            FREE BRADLEY MANNING, WHISTLE BLOWING IS NOT A CRIME!

            THANK YOU WIKILEAKS

            COURAGETORESIST.ORG

            QUESTION AUTHORITY

            KILL THE DRONES, NOT INNOCENT PEOPLE, SUPPORT PEACE

            DRONE ATTACKS:  NO SECURITY

            GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE WAR

            VETERANS FOR PEACE

            MOTHERS SAY NO WAR

            JUST SAY NO TO THE VIOLENCE OF WAR

           

Morning Commute

Our increased numbers made us lots more visible this time. Our brightly colored banners and signs, along with Jeffrey and his guitar made it a rather festive morning.  A Ch. 40 local TV news reporter/cameraman was there for periodic live streaming  throughout the am, with interviews with 4 activists, including a first press interview for Martha Hubert. It seems that our success was making the guards a bit nervous.  When a couple of us refused to move from the road divider at the front gate, our optimum spot to pass out flyers, one of two female military personal gave more abrasive orders, raising her voice and threatening to detain us.  When Toby and Cynthia Morse refused to “obey”, because we felt confident from prior actions that military did not have jurisdiction over us while we stood near but off airforce base property, the one airwoman became more agitated and threatened handcuffs.  Quickly, a contracted security guard, came and pulled the two airwomen away.  Several CHP and Sheriff’s cars appeared shortly after.  They were pleasant enough, though they did move the “free speech” boundary further from the gate, now declaring that base boundary was about 50 feet further from the gate and that we had to stand on the other side of the speed bump.  We had a long discussion with CHP and suspected they were making up “new” boundaries for the base, and infringing on our free speech rights.  We plan to investigate the actual boundaries before our next protest, thanks to the urging of Robert, a lawyer who was participating in our action.  We hope to challenge this arbitrary imposition with a possible organized direct action/CD protest next time.  We still managed to hand out quite a few flyers and greet the soldiers on their way in.  Many waved to us and occasionally flashed peace signs in support.

 

Mid Day

The bay area activists had a great meeting and respite from the cold at a coffee house in historic downtown Marysville.  We had a spirited conversation about what we were doing and discussed how we can make this campaign and future military base protests more effective. It was a pleasure to be joined by GAW Later, some of us rested. Others went for a drive and short hike near Sutter Butte, a beautiful area teaming with wildlife and scenic ranches.  This time nature was a welcome reprieve from our protest activities.  We were recharged for the afternoon AFB commute.

 

Afternoon Commute

We (Bay Area Code Pink and Grandmothers Against the War) were joined by Carol Ann from the Nevada City Peace Center and several other local activists for the afternoon commute.  Grace from CodePInk enlivened our protest with recorded music and enthusiasm. Thankfully, it was much warmer in the afternoon.  Many of the soldiers seemed quite happy to be on their way out of the base. Normally we stage our protest at the West Gate entry to the base.  For the afternoon commute, a few of us went to the North Gate. The atmosphere there is quite different from the West Gate. There is higher security and a less friendly atmosphere. We surmised that this might be the entrance for the higher-ranking personnel doing top security type of work (possibly with the Beale's Global Hawk surveillance drone?). There was no place to park near that gate and the base surrounds both sides of the road as you approach the gate entrance.  So, activists stood near the intersecting hwy.  There were attempts to restrict where we stood, even though we were out of site of the gate entrance, but we were still very successful at being visible with banners, and passing out flyers as soldiers exited the base.  We noted there were very few cars entering the base from that side, which supports the suspicion that the personnel are higher ranking officers, working days and living off base at night.  Back at the West Gate, there was much more waving and exchanges of peace signs than in the morning.  We were probably pretty entertaining with our colorful expressions of peaceful coexistence. Peace signs and enthusiastic waving given in return to ours is evidence that many of the soldiers appreciated our being there. We’ll be back!   We hope you will too!

 

Special thanks to all of the peace activists that helped make this day so successful!!!!    

Martha, Kayla,  and Toby, Bay Area CodePink

 

Photos

 

NEWS:  There was no online posting of Channel 40 live coverage, but we did get this online article:

Massive Protest to Target Killer Military Drones in Beale AFB

 

 

NEWS: Press Release January 27, 2011                         

Contact:  Jim Haber, Coordinator, Nevada Desert Experience   415 828 2506
                                                                         Kathy Kelly  773-619-2418

Creech 14 Anti-drone protesters vow to continue activism 
following guilty verdict in Las Vegas courtroom


Las Vegas—On Thursday, January 27th, activists charged with trespass,  along with their supporters, filled Judge Jansen’s courtroom to hear his verdict regarding their April, 2009 protest at Creech Air Force Base Crews at Creech control the drones used in these expanding wars, killing civilians in remote controlled assassination attacks.  

In a 20-page written decision, Judge William Jansen found the fourteen guilty of trespass as charged, ruling that their defense did not meet the legal requirement of immanence for acquittal based on necessity.

Before being sentenced, twelve made statements calling for an end to the drone bombings and for nonviolent ways of resolving international conflict.  The Creech 14 were arrested during an April 2009 demonstration at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada, protesting the remote piloting of armed killer drones from Creech in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All were sentenced to time served.

Although Judge Jansen had insisted that he would only hear evidence related to a relatively minor trespass charge, the case was groundbreaking because expert witness testimony was admitted and because Judge Jansen opted to take the case under advisement, write a written decision, and take three to four months to do so.  

The Creech 14 are:    Fr. John Dear; Dennis Duvall; Renee Espeland; Judy Homanich; Kathy Kelly; Fr. Steve Kelly; Mariah Klusmire; Brad Lyttle;
Libby Pappalardo; Sr. Megan Rice; Brian Terrell; Eve Tetaz; Fr. Louie Vitale; and Fr. Jerry Zawada.

Available for interviews are:  Jim Haber (number above)    Kathy Kelly 773-619-2418 and John Dear, 505-629-2029

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 Veterans for Peace-Bay Area

“Stop These Wars”

Dec. 16, 2010  12 noon, New Federal Building, 7th & Mission Sts., San Francisco

 

Veterans' groups -- primarily veterans of our current wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan, but including some from WWII and Vietnam -- were the key

organizers of a demonstration of some hundreds at the new Federal

Building at 7th and Mission in San Francisco on December 16, 2010. 

The demonstration, intended to coincide with and support a much larger

Gathering in our nation's capitol, called for an end to the immoral, devastating

havoc our country inflicts on the suffering people of Iraq and Afghanistan.  

The Veterans were also intent on pointing out the growing death toll of

our own troops and their ongoing need for many of them, if and when

they return, for lifetime care for their physical and mental health.   

Joining the Veterans were other peace groups, including Grandmothers

Against the War.  We called for bringing our troops home and transferring

the billions wasted on death and destruction to the extraordinary unmet

social needs at home. Some of us protested by lying down in front of the

doors of the Federal Building to emphasize to our government our deep

resolve that peace must come.  Among the 23 arrested were Grandmothers

Ying Lee, Ruth Maguire, and Carolyn Scarr.  Cited for "Obstruction", a

hearing for all the arrestees is scheduled for February 17, 2011.

 

Photos 

Media coverage

More photos

 

     5th Anniversary of the Iraq War

            March & Rally in Walnut Creek  “A Surge for Peace”

Saturday, March 15, 2008

 

     4th Anniversary of the Iraq War

March & Rally in San Francisco  U.S. Out of Iraq Now!      
Sunday, March 18, 2007

Marching with GAW banners, our group of grandmothers passed out leaflets, urging people to phone the congressional representatives and to consider joining GAW (to younger folk we said, "Tell your grandma.").  We attracted a lot of attention, all of it positive. It seemed as if everyone wanted to take a picture of us (we were pleased to pose!).

Final point: this was a tremendously diverse march. The grandma image is a great unifier; everyone has family.

Photos
Leaflet (English) (Spanish)

            March & Rally in Walnut Creek  “Starve War Feed Peace”
            Saturday, March 17, 2007

At the march in Walnut Creek, GAW sought to encourage people to call and write postcards to Senators, congressional reps and presidential hopefuls.  We also distributed leaflets with phone numbers and addresses of congressional members.

The Sunday SF Chronicle had a story and a photo with GAW front and center and lots of photos on the Chronicle’s website.

Photos
Leaflet (English) (Spanish)
      

 

Vigil with the New York Grandmothers, 2006

On October 4, 2006, one of us joined the New York Grandmothers Against the War at their weekly Wednesday vigil on Fifth Avenue, in front of Rockefeller Center. Most impressive was the number of tourists that the group reaches through their action. The linked photo shows the indefatigable Joan Wile, New York organizer extraordinaire, holding the numerical sign.

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VISITS AND LETTERS TO CONGRESSPEOPLE

Intent upon having our voices heard, we periodically have  visited the local offices of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher.                                                                               

Besides sending postcards we have also written letters to our congressional reps and to other elected representatives.  Generally GAW has expressed its position on various policies in these letters; occasionally we have even thanked our representatives for their actions.  (Letters)

GAW goes to Washington, DC with the Granny Peace Brigade, January 2007

From January 17-January 19, 2007, four GAW members joined the Granny Peace Brigade to lobby the Congress to end the occupation of Iraq and to bring the troops home.  Joan Levinson aptly captures our experience in DC in an article published in the Berkeley Daily Planet.

Letter to Senators and Congresspeople

Presidential Candidates and their Positions on Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan   

 
On December 22, 2007, GAW made available a lengthy fact sheet clarifying the views of the U.S. presidential

candidates on Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.  Although GAW does not endorse candidates, we thought that we would inform our community about the candidates' views on issues of concern to us. (Fact sheet)

 

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SPEAKERS

         

Photojournalist David Bacon:

"Protecting Oil Companies and Attacking Unions --

US Policy in Iraq and the US"

 

At the invitation of Grandmothers Against the War and US Labor Against the War, about 100 people gathered at La Peña Cultural Center on November 7, 2010 to hear labor journalist and photographer David Bacon discuss  “Protecting Oil Companies and Attacking Unions - US Policy in Iraq.”

 

According to Bacon, the  story of the US banning Iraqi labor unions and opening the door to foreign investment in the natural resources of Iraq is another example of the Obama administration’s continuation of Bush policies.  In fact, Iraq has been the victim of Western imperialism for centuries, and the struggle for the rights of the Iraqi people continues today as the US invites in private companies and threatens union officials with arrest if they try to organize.

 

For an in-depth version of Bacon’s report click here.

View David Bacon’s photos here.

 

 

Ground Military Drones

 

On Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Berkeley Public Library Grandmothers Against the War hosted a Community Forum Drone Warfare: moral? ethical? legal?

 

Video:

            "Administration Must Disclose Information About Illegal Drones Use"

Responding to a request from Grandmothers Against the War, the ACLU produced a video explaining

why using drones to kill individuals with suspected links to terrorists is illegal.  

Click here to see this video.

 

SPEAKERS:

 

Rita Maran, Ph.D. writes and lectures on rule of law, torture, the

UN, international and women's human rights, and U.S. Government

policy and practice on human rights.

 

Rev. Michael Yoshii is pastor of Buena Vista United Methodist

Church in Alameda. He worked against the rounding up of Muslims,

Arabs, and South Asians following the events of 9/11 and helped

organize public support for military resister Lt. Ehren Watada.

 

Yasmin Qureshi is a human rights activist involved in social justice

movements in South Asia and Palestine. She has presented workshops

at Stanford University and De Anza College focusing on the Mumbai

attacks and the use of drones and war in Pakistan.

 

Flyer

 

 

            Andrew Lyons:  “Clearing Landmines in Afghanistan

 

On January 22, 2010, Andrew Lyons of HALO USA, who has served as a director of mine clearance in Afghanistan, spoke at Books Inc. in Berkeley.  Andrew explained how his organization works with local deminers to clear contaminated areas in a country in the midst of war.

 

Grandmothers Against the War hosted the talk to help promote the clearance of the deadly remnants of decades of war in Afghanistan that maim or kill an average of 80 people every month, hinder agricultural production, trade, and access to water and schools.

 

A selection of recent books about Afghanistan was available for sale.  Books Inc. donated a percentage of the sales to HALO USA.

 

            Flyer

 

           

           “Obama’s War” and a discussion with Conn Hallinan

 

On January 10, 2010, at the Berkeley Public Library, Grandmothers Against the War showed the “spectacular and unsettling” Frontline documentary, “Obama’s War.”   Featuring veteran correspondent Martin Smith, who traveled across Afghanistan and Pakistan to provide an on-the-ground report of Obama’s strategy (prior to the announcement of escalation), the documentary sparked a thought-provoking discussion, led by Conn Hallinan, an analyst for Foreign Policy In Focus, a member of the Institute for Policy Studies, and a columnist for The Berkeley Daily Planet.  Conn’s speech about Afghanistan to an enthusiastic audience convened by Grandmothers Against the War in February 2009 can be found at audio Part1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

. 

 

            A Discussion with Malalai Joya

 

On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at the Northbrae Community Church in Berkeley, Grandmothers Against the War hosted a discussion with Malalai Joya, an Afghan politician who has been called “'the bravest woman in Afghanistan.'”

 

As an elected member of the Afghanistan parliament, Joya publicly denounced the presence of warlords and war criminals in the parliament.  Subsequently she was suspended from that institution on the grounds that she had insulted fellow representatives.  Her suspension is currently under appeal. 

 

Joya has written a memoir, A Woman Among Warlords.  In her presentation, Joya poignantly and passionately described some of her political and personal experiences that are featured in her memoir.     She also discussed how she perceived the long-term damage and destruction occasioned by the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

 

Among the endorsers of this event were the AAUW Oakland Piedmont, the American Friends Service Committee/SF, Berkeley/East Bay WILPF, Code Pink, the National Women’s Political Caucus – Alameda North, Peace Action West, Samina F. Sundas/American Muslim Voice (org. for identification only), and the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.

 

See: http://www.malalaijoya.com/

 

 

            Conn Hallinan, “Afghanistan:  The Next Quagmire”

 

On Saturday, February 28, 2009, in Berkeley, Grandmothers Against the War sponsored a talk on Afghanistan by Conn Hallinan, an analyst for Foreign Policy In Focus, a member of the Institute for Policy Studies, and a columnist for The Berkeley Daily Planet.  In his presentation, "Afghanistan: The Next Quagmire," Hallinan briefly reviewed Afghanistan’s recent history and then placed U.S. policy towards the region in an understandable context.  He clarified how events in Afghanistan must be viewed regionally and how economic interests have shaped U.S. policy, particularly in relation to the construction of an oil pipeline through Afghanistan. The event was co-sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.  Because the presentation and question and answer period generated such enthusiasm, GAW is making this audio recording of the event available.

(Link to audio Part1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and map of the event.)

 

 

            Yalda Asmatey, “Afghanistan and the United States:  The Next Four Years”

 

At a GAW-sponsored event on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Berkeley Public Library, Yalda Asmatey, an Afghan-American PhD student at UC Berkeley, spoke on "Afghanistan and the United States:  The Next Four Years."  A dynamic  and personable speaker, Yalda was born in Kabul and came to the U.S. as a refugee in the early 1980s.  She has been returning to her homeland since 2002. 

 

Yalda offered a brief history of Afghanistan, and, in the process, gave us a framework  with which to analyze  the current conflict in Afghanistan and the role of the U.S. military. She ably conveyed the historical complexity of alliances among various groups in Afghanistan and attempted to convince a somewhat skeptical audience about the necessity of the U.S. remaining in Afghanistan – this time to “get things right.”  Her talk motivated a lively question and answer period and reinforced GAW’s belief in the need for more educational events on Afghanistan.

 
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LEAFLETING

"Go get 'em, grannies,"  "You go for it, girl,"  "Thank you for being here, for doing this," are the responses to GAW as we've leafleted on street corners, at farmers' markets and on the streets in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, Old Oakland, El Cerrito and Berkeley. The leaflets, in English and Spanish, have urged an end to the occupation in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan and the prevention of any military intervention in Pakistan or Iran.  They have also listed  other peace actions. Desirous of activating folks in diverse communities where enlistments are high, GAW has leafleted periodically, particularly on days of historical importance:  July 4, August 6 and Labor Day.

            Income Tax Day   No Taxes for the War”  2007

A few days before and on Income Tax Day, GAW set up ironing boards, banners and posters in various locations and got passers-by to sign “Put our tax dollars to better use” postcards.  GAW then mailed the postcards to our congressional reps, Speaker of the House Pelosi, Senators Reid and Feinstein and the presidential hopefuls. The postcards asked our reps to "STOP funding the Iraq war! NO funds for an attack on Iran! Bring our troops home NOW!"

Postcard
Leaflet (English)  (Spanish)

            

             Income Tax Day   “Who Will Pay The Price?”  2006

GAW protested the continuing and rising costs of the Iraq war paid for by our income taxes at the Oakland, CA Federal Building, the site of an IRS office and a post office. The demonstrators then marched through downtown Oakland to another post office. Several support groups, including Singing for Peace and the Threshold Choir joined the protest.

GAW also reached out nationwide so that coordinated “grandmothers’” actions on April 17 took place in other U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Bellingham WA. That evening members of GAW also protested and leafleted at a post office which was open for late returns.

Aside from the local Pacifica radio station and a Chinese-language newspaper, the event attracted little media coverage—one photo of the group did appear in the Oakland Tribune. We concluded that tax day protests are a relatively common phenomenon in the San Francisco Bay Area.

            Leaflet

               

            Valentine’s Day 2007

 

            A few days before Valentine's Day, GAW set up ironing boards, balloons, banners and posters in various    

locations and got passers-by to sign Valentine postcards that GAW then mailed to our congressional 

representatives, Speaker of the House Pelosi, Senator Reid and the presidential hopefuls. The Valentine 

message to  our reps was "Be My Valentine! Bring the Troops Home Now!" Sadly, no one has responded

yet, either to thank us for our cards or to consent to being our valentine and bringing the troops home now.

Of course, members of Congress who wanted to bring the troops home immediately, didn't get our

valentines; they just got our gratitude and thanks!

Photos

            Addresses of Senators and Congresspeople

 

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 LOVE GRANDMA” BOOK

Inspired by one woman’s urge to “write something to my 10-year-old granddaughter … to help her to live positively in the world she must grow up in,” GAW launched the Love, Grandma’ Letters Project. Considering our age and experience — we’ve lived through so many wars! — we decided we were well qualified to pass onto younger generations the helpful lessons we have learned. We gathered letters from like-minded individuals for publication in a book.

Since November 2007, Love, Grandma: Activists Write, is available as a paperback for $7.50. You can order the book here .

Through readings in libraries, senior centers and other public places we have encouraged readers to write their own letters to their grandchildren and share them with us.

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 “TAKE US INSTEAD” 2006

Grandmothers Against the War has held two demonstrations at military recruitment centers, one in Oakland, California on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2006 and the other in the suburban city of Pleasant Hill, California on July 24, 2006. In both actions, the grandmothers attempted to replace the young people currently serving in Iraq by enlisting in the military. For both demonstrations, GAW recruited support from existing organizations, circulated fliers to announce the actions, contacted media sources, informed the local police and recruiters about the intended actions, and leafleted during the demonstrations. However, the two actions differed substantially.

            Valentine’s Day in Oakland, CA  

      Hoping to coordinate actions across the U.S., GAW contacted grandmothers’ and other peace organizations prior to Valentine’s Day. Eventually, 13 grandmothers’ groups across the nation held actions on Feb. 14.  Not all tried to enlist, but everyone focused on ending the conflict in Iraq.

      GAW’s demonstration in Oakland was a smashing success. Over 300 “grandmothers” were present, as were singers, chanters, the “Mourning Mothers,” and many other groups, plus the media: print, radio, TV. However, the recruiters weren’t present! After meeting with the grandmothers prior to the action, the Oakland police doubted that the grandmothers had been straightforward about their plans Therefore the police persuaded the recruiters to close the center. (Afterwards, the police apologized profusely for acting hastily and stated that the grandmothers could return to the recruitment center at any time. Of course, the center is now closed!) Reports about the action appeared in the Oakland Tribune, a local newspaper and on TV and radio.

      Photos
Leaflet

Links to media coverage:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0216-01.htm
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=02-17-06&storyID=23439
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=2946
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/02/14/18024141.php
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/006870.php

            July 24 in Pleasant Hill, CA

      Determined not to “preach to the choir,” GAW decided to have its next action at a large recruiting center in a Bay Area suburb. Oakland had only one recruiting center that anti-war activists frequently besieged. Pleasant Hill has recruiting offices for the army, navy, and marines—none of which had ever faced an anti-war group.

      Working with the Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center, a local peace center, GAW prepared for the action as they had in Oakland. This time, however, the army and navy closed their offices — only the marines remained open. The crowd was much smaller than at the Oakland demonstration, the media coverage much less and the weather much hotter!

      However, the police issued citations for trespassing to 5 “grandmothers” who wouldn’t leave the office when the marines requested they do so. Despite the fact that the 5 grandmothers wanted their day in court, it was not to be, since the police failed to file charges with the district attorney.

      Photos
Leaflet

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      OUTREACH

      Meeting  with Church Women United

      At the request of Sandra Schwartz, the Peace Education Coordinator of AFSC San Francisco, three GAW members attended a meeting of Church Women United in San Francisco on March 7, 2009.  The topic of the meeting was “World Day of Prayer.”  We were warmly greeted by the churchwomen who wanted to hear about our work for peace.  During informal discussions at lunchtime, a few of the churchwomen shared their experiences in thinking about or working for peace. 

      Recruitment of New Members

      Initially, the Berkeley Daily Planet, a local newspaper published an article about the group’s formation.  A  subsequent editorial in the same newspaper helped bring in new members.  Also, GAWs signs, buttons and bumper stickers have made us increasingly visible.  However, word of mouth and interviews on local radio shows have proven indispensable in arousing interest, as have the group’s public actions and every leaflet we circulate.

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