Ohio State News

Vol. 2, No. 2--March 19, 2005

A series of professional hands-on Election Reform teach-ins are being organized statewide by a coalition of Green and Democratic recount volunteers and PDA members. The coalition is also known as Ohio Voter Reform, J-30, and Ohio Vigilance. Donations are needed to support Our larger national event will feature David Cobb, Bev Harris, and Alysia Fischer of PDA in addition to many others who have been invited and have expressed interest. This working forum will assure that attendees will leave with tools for immediate action to reform Ohio!

To support effective PR and marketing to ensure the success of the event, donations can be sent via www.paypal.com to the account of Ohio PDA co-organizer Leatrice Tolls at: ltolls@adelphia.net

Submitted by Leatrice Tolls

NE Ohio PDA endorsed peace and justice events to mark the second commemoration of the Bombing of Baghdad
There will be a statewide DFA meeting, Saturday March 26th, 10 am - 2 pm at Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters, 271 E. State St., Columbus. For precinct organizing and links to local initiatives contact outreach and organizing new Democracy for America meetups Contact Marion Harris at : mharris@insight.rr.com SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday April 16th at the Tri-C Metro Campus in Cleveland there will be a "Campaign for a New Ohio's Inaugural Progressive Forum." The keynote speaker will be Steven Rosenthal, CEO of ACT. To get involved contact: Tony Charles, Program Committee Chair at tavilaco@msn.com or: 216-337-5728

Electoral Reform state-wide teach-ins organizing, become involved today!
Contact Dr. Victoria Lovegren at: Victoria.lovegren@case.edu Ballot Initiative to repeal Corporate Campaign donations deadline March 20th! This new Ohio law gives corporations wider window to donate to political campaigns. We are short 30,000 signatures in 44 counties. Please contact Greg Coleridge at AFSCOLE@aol.com ASAP to get your petitions. We are very close to the goal of 200,000 signatures from 44 counties to assure our ballot initiative, but we need your help!

Events:

Friday, March 18: A NIGHT OF FEROCIOUS JOY-A Better World Under Construction, Old Parish Hall, 6203 Detroit Ave, 7 -10 pm, doors open at 6 pm.

Join Cleveland's poets, activists, musicians, artists and creative community for a Night of Ferocious Joy. To mark the anniversary of the war on Iraq, we are having a night of poetry, music, dance, cultural diversity and resistance. Join us to make this an event that will inspire us for the work ahead.

There is a new, downloadable version of the "Night of Ferocious Joy" flyer.

Friday, March 18: A discussion of conscientious objection to war and the specter of a new draft. Laying the groundwork for a counter-recruitment effort in NE Ohio.
Please contact: Leatrice Tolls 216.337.7215 or ltolls@adelphia.net if you are interested in assuming a lead role in organizing efforts to take the counter recruitment effort into high schools and/or planning the counter recruitment curriculum, based on the work of numerous other groups and with the help of local veterans and peace activists offered in NE Ohio.

Friday, March 18: Know the Law-Learn about the United States draft: Are You Willing to Serve Your Country in the Military?
Speaker: J. E. McNeil, The Center on Conscience and War, Washington D.C., Church of the Covenant, 11205 Euclid, Cleveland, at 7:30 pm. This presentation is FREE and OPEN to the public. Sponsored by members of Cleveland Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers.)

Attend this free presentation to explore the following topics:

"A Discussion of Conscientious Objection to War and the Specter of a New Draft"
The legal elements of conscientious objection (CO) status
What is the likelihood of a military draft?
The reality of the "economic draft"

Note: This session is required for those who want to train to be a draft counselor. See below for details.

Saturday, March 19: Train to be a Draft Counselor with J.E. McNeil from The Center on Conscience and War.
$30 Materials fee, some scholarships available. Pre-registration is required! 9:00am to 5:00pm. For info or to register, email: clevelandcotraining@yahoo.com. Sponsored by members of Cleveland Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers.)

Which Session Should I Attend?
Friday's evening session is a no-cost, public presentation. Everyone is welcome. Friday is also the opening session for the counselor trainees. If you do not plan to use the skills you would pick up at the workshop as an active draft counselor, we ask that you only attend the Friday evening session. This session is oriented for those who want current information. We particularly encourage current high school seniors, who, if the draft begins, will be most dramatically and adversely affected, to attend.

Saturday Session
Saturday's all-day session is a formal workshop for draft counselor trainees. Those who want to use this information and training as an active draft counselor are REQUIRED to attend Friday's evening session AND Saturday's all-day session.

Payment Details:
Checks for $30 are due with your registration form. Amounts in excess of the $30 training fee are tax deductible for the amount in excess. Registration form and directions can be obtained from clevelandcotraining@yahoo.com.

About The Center On Conscience & War
Formerly the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO), The Center on Conscience & War (CCW) was formed in 1940 by an association of religious bodies. CCW works to defend and extend the rights of conscientious objectors. The Center is committed to supporting all those who question participation in war, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, documented or undocumented immigrants, or citizens of other countries.

CCW, located in Washington, D.C., is governed by a Board of Directors and employs a staff to serve the Center's national constituency. Services are provided to the public at no charge. CCW participates in the G.I. Rights Hotline, a national referral and counseling service for military personnel. In the event of a military draft, CCW will assist in the placement of conscientious objectors in alternative service programs. The Center is opposed to all forms of conscription.

About The Trainer:
J.E. McNeil is an attorney with a 20-year history in the peace movement. She has contributed amicus briefs and represented conscientious objectors, military tax resistors, and demonstrators in many court cases. She is a graduate of Rice University and the University of Houston Law School.

Saturday, March 19:
Bus trip from Cleveland to New York City for two rallies and marches to mark the anniversary of the start of the Iraq war Sponsored by Northeast Ohio Antiwar Coalition (NOAC). Rallies and activities include: US Labor Against the War: No to the War / Support Our Troops / Bring Them Home NOW! 10:00am to Noon, Sponsored by US Labor Against the War

US Troops Out Now! March to Central Park.
The whole world will be marching and watching. Sponsored by the US Troops Out Now Coalition. Buses depart 11pm, Friday night, March 18. Cost is $60. Please make checks payable to "NOAC" and mail to NOAC, c/o AFSC, 513 W. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44302. Limited scholarships available. Download a flyer for the event.

Saturday, March 19: STOP THE WAR NOW!
Commemoration of the Second Anniversary of the US Invasion/Occupation of Iraq in Akron. March, Rally, and Reading of Names of War Dead Assemble at 11:30 AM, Grace Park (corner of Prospect and Park streets.) The march begins at Noon and will pass a local military recruiting station and FBI office before stopping at the Federal Building for a rally, which will be followed by reading of names of US and Iraqi war dead.

Pledge to be there! Hundreds of people are needed to read names. Send an email with the number of people attending to AkronMarch19@riseup.net. Spread the word!

Flyers are now available for the event for distribution from AFSC. Pick some up and spread the news wherever you go! For more information, contact AFSC at 330-253-7151.

Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday Demonstration, Sunday 2-4 PM, March 20, 2005 at Lincoln Park (West 14th Street)

Do your moral values include peace and justice for all? If so, come to an interfaith Palm Sunday Observance and protest on the second anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

The Northeast Ohio Antiwar Coalition (NOAC) invites people from all beliefs in Greater Cleveland to join in a public demonstration on Palm Sunday, which marks the second anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. The demonstration will recognize the challenge of this continuing war to our common, basic moral values.

On Sunday, March 20, 2:00 PM there will be an opening ecumenical service at Lincoln Park (West 14th Street and Starkweather), followed at 2:30 PM by a spirited public procession around Lincoln Park square with flags, banners, street theater, and music, ending with a rally at 3:30 PM at the gazebo in the center of the park.

Historically, Palm Sunday was a bold challenge to the religious and political leaders of the day. Under dominant Roman military occupation, the hierarchy of Jerusalem had attained personal privilege at the expense of justice for their own people by collaborating with Rome's economic and military interests.

Do you question the so-called "moral values" that some have espoused in justifying our government's role in the war in Iraq and providing opportunities for corporate profiteering from a "free" Iraq? Will you join others to take a public stand for peace, truth, and justice, calling upon our government to end the war and occupation of Iraq now and provide resources for basic human needs, education, health care, and jobs? Join us on Palm Sunday to take a stand for moral values, peace and justice for all.

For more information email NOACINFO@aol.com or call 216-736-4716.

Sunday, March 20:
Kent anti-war rally, and procession for peace & justice. At the Gazebo in Downtown Kent, corner of Main and Franklin, 4 pm Contact: mike4kendra@aol.com for more information

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