MAY 11 - Capitol Encampment Against the War
Capitol Encampment Against the War
“Building resistance in our schools, in the military, and in our streets”
Friday, May 11, 5pm ’til Sunrise
State Capitol Lawn, St. Paul
Featuring: concerts, speeches, workshops, games, community, and action planning
A project of Youth Against War & Racism, Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, and Socialist Alternative.
As the war drags into its fifth year, the antiwar movement faces tremendous opportunities and challenges. Young veterans are returning home from this un-winnable war based on lies to find the inadequate medical services for the physical and mental injuries they sustained. More and more military recruiters are pouring into our schools as the Pentagon gropes to supply Bush’s troop surge in Iraq with fresh cannon fodder. Meanwhile the young people of Iraq see their country falling into a bloody abyss, their future destroyed, and in desperation are seeking ways to fight back.
The May 11th Capitol Encampment Against the War will be a place for young people, and the wider antiwar movement, to come together and celebrate our accomplishments so far, mourn our losses, make new connections, and map out our next steps.
*** Schedule of Events on May 11:
5-7pm: Concert and speeches on the Capitol steps
7-8pm: Break into affinity groups; discuss next steps for youth antiwar movement
8-9pm: Educational workshops, activist trainings, and spokes-council meeting of affinity group reps
9-10pm: Second Concert (concerts will include hip-hop, spoken word, punk, blue grass, more…)
10-11:30pm: Group games, activities, and chill time
11:30-12am: Vigil on Capitol steps to mourn the losses on both sides of this war
12-6am sunrise: Antiwar movies, acoustic jams, and whatever folks come up with
*** A Safe Event (parents don’t worry!)
The Capital Encampment Against the War will be a safe event. We have a legal permit for the encampment and trained adult volunteer Peace Marshals will be on hand all night. We are asking everyone who plans to stay the night to register upon arrival. Drugs and alcohol are not welcome.
*** HELP NEEDED!
If you can host a workshop/training, if you can be a Peace Marshal, or if you can donate to our substantial costs, read on!
* HOST A WORKSHOP:
We are inviting all groups and individuals with something important to say in the struggle for justice to host a workshop from 8pm - 9pm on May 11th. We encourage both well-prepared educational workshops and skills-share trainings. Be creative! Workshops will be held in circles on the Capitol lawn. Please send workshop proposals to Jesse at wozni019@umn.edu and we will get back to you within a week if your “application” is accepted.
* BE A PEACE MARSHAL:
We are aiming to sign-up 50 volunteer Peace Marshals for this event. All that is required to be a Peace Marshal is a commitment to working toward a safe event. We don’t anticipate any problems, so Peace Marshals should be able to participate in all the activities on May 11th. Peace Marshals will not be expected to act as “protest police.” If you can be a Peace Marshal, please email Ty tytymo@gmail.com and let us know, 1) if you can arrive at 4:30pm on May 11, and 2) if you can stay through the night. We encourage Peace Marshal volunteers to participate in a short training on Saturday, May 5th, at 3pm, at the Veterans for Peace office: 2123 Clinton Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. (612) 821-9141
* DONATE to YAWR for MAY 11:
The Capital Encampment Against the War will likely cost YAWR $1500 or more. The biggest expense is to get the permit, which is contingent on our agreement to pay for Capitol Security to have a guard staff our entire event. We are completely financed by our own fundraising activities and the donations of our community supporters, and we don’t currently have enough to cover our expected costs. Your donation - whether it is $10 or $100 - will be tremendously appreciated. Contact Barry at bshillin@comcast.net if you can donate anything to YAWR, or send checks made out to “Youth Against War & Racism” to 3024 Chicago Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
*** For more information on May 11 call Brandon at 952-465-5307.
*** For info on the sponsoring organizations:
www.yawr.org
www.twincitiesvfp.org
www.mfso.org
www.socialistminnesota.org
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 at 8:09 pm and is filed under Updates .