Dear friends, Have you been feeling helpless in light of Tuesday's events? HELP US OUT. Students at Wesleyan University, CT have been meeting the last couple of days to discuss the following theme: In response to the events of September 11th, we affirm our commitment to THOROUGH and PEACEFUL JUSTICE, as opposed to retaliatory violence. -WE KNOW that most colleges around the nation are also having this discussion. In light of the Bush administration's focus on retaliation, we feel a DIRE NEED FOR THIS SENTIMENT BE HEARD. -Because of this we are calling for a NATIONWIDE ACTION ON CAMPUSES for THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20 from 12pm-1pm to show our commitment to thorough and peaceful justice, as opposed to retaliatory violence. -WE NEED YOUR HELP. The more schools involved, the more media coverage we get. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HELP SET UP THIS ACTION AT YOUR SCHOOL. Even if you are personally not able or willing to organize an action, please spend a few minutes to find out who at your school WOULD be willing to and forward this to them. (also forward any friend you have at other schools. spread the word!!!) please include the attached document, it has the same info but is much easier to read specifics: (this is also written on the attached word document for easier reading) 1) We are in the process of setting up a web page which will have Wesleyan's statement and plan of action to use as an example, and a list of schools who are also planning actions and how to contact them. This web page will probably be up by late Saturday/Sunday. The address will be: http://www.peacefuljustice.cjb.net 2) Once your school has received this e-mail and begun to plan an action please CHOOSE A CONTACT PERSON AND E-MAIL US at [log in to unmask] with the info of the contact person. You can also e-mail if you have any questions. We will e-mail you back ASAP. 3) The idea is to have solidarity in the time (thusday, sep 20, 12pm-1pm) and message of the action. What you would like to do is up to each campus. WE ARE RELYING ON YOU TO PLAN IT. vital things to be done when planning your action: a) Contact the media! This is of paramount importance. Local and National media. Let them know about this day of action (sep. 20) and our message. your school's media contact person should get in touch with sarah at [log in to unmask] or 860.344.8782 to work on coordinating media messaging. b) make the message clear. We will be posting Wesleyan's mission statement on the web page. You can adopt your own, but it would be nice to have conformity on the following issues: -GLOBAL/ international Peace and unity -consideration of underlying reasons why/examination of US foreign policy -set a precedent of International action/our position is important and consequential/ALL civil liberties need to be enforced -use rationality and compassion, not hate and haste/avoid reliance on emotional manipulations -do not alter the event at hand to infer a need for star wars, unlimited military spending or oil drilling in arctic -the long term choice at hand is NOT only about security OR civil liberties, it is the opportunity for prudence and caution based on the 'sanctity' of all life and peaceful justice. - react to the needs of the precise situation- terrorism is an act of terrorism,not an act of war/not evidence of a country's attack -appropriate channels of law for those directly responsible (reasonable alternatives to war) -opposition to backlash against any people -condolences/ "correct" form of justice wanted/needed -"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." MLK Jr. *It is important to keep in mind, with the present state of fear and anger, that we ARE NOT saying that the peoples responsible for Tuesdays events should not be punished, but that they should be punished according to the channels of law. And furthermore we SHOULD NOT PUNISH groups of innocent people (i.e. whole nations)for individual crimes. *while we ARE against terrorism and terrorists, our focus is on being anti-terror *include what we are doing: ie. student solidarity, voice, opposition, affirmation, and hope in your mission statement c) We feel it is also very important that we reach out and INVOLVE EACH SCHOOL'S LOCAL COMMUNITY in this action. d) Involve the faculty. TIPS: 1) At Weslyan we are using Monday-Wednesday to have smaller actions (tabling, speak out/music at the campus center) to inform the campus about Thursday. 2) We are creating a resolution/ petition for all students to sign. A goal for the future is to put pressure of the administration to adopt this resolution 3) We are setting up stations at Thursday's action where people can send this resolution/ petition to their individual representatives. It is important to have addresses available: **Go to www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm to find your state senator's address. 4)We are working on coordinating a unity symbol, such as wearing armbands. If you have suggestions, please email us with ideas. The final idea, based on the most popular suggestion, will appear on the website. FINALLY -Remember to let us know your school is involved by e-mailing [log in to unmask] -Forward this to everyone you know, high schools should be involved too -Any questions? e-mail [log in to unmask] ----- End forwarded message ----- "THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL" Only after the last tree bas been cut down Only after the last river bas been polluted Only after the last fish has been caught Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten