[lavplist] Notes from LAVP meeting, February 12, 2007

[Darwin & Donna Poulos]

Notes from Los Altos Voices for Peace meeting of February 12, 2007

 

Barbara Kyser was the facilitator and will be again in March.

 

This meeting was dedicated to the memory of our founding member, Larissa
Keet.  Her husband, Aubrey Keet, was our honorary guest.

 

Introductions were made.  A Los Altos Town Crier reporter, Eliza
Ridgeway, was in attendance.

 

Tributes to Larissa:  Barbara O’Reilly showed photos from Larissa’s many
activities that helped make this world a better place for all.  Several
people shared memories of Larissa and all who knew her feel a huge loss.

 

The Larissa Keet Peace Scholarship:  This year’s amount of $400 was sent
to Foothill College before her death, so it will be called the Larissa
Keet Peace Scholarship informally.  Next year it will be listed as such.
The person receiving it will need to do a project to promote peace.  All
of tonight’s donations will be set aside for her scholarship.  Aubrey
generously offered to match donations to this fund.  Checks may be sent
to Los Altos Voices for Peace, PO Box 394, Los Altos 94023 and marked
for this scholarship.  (Note:  Amounts are NOT tax-deductible since LAVP
is not a 501(c).3 nonprofit.).

 

Reports:  Sami Ibrahim’s Trip to Vietnam:  It was part of a global
outreach from San Jose City College, where Sami is a chemistry
professor.  Some of his comments included:  a beautiful country, quiet
and resilient people, no overweight people (Their secret is eating small
portions slowly!), lots of islands, a country reaching out, especially
to the West.  His most moving experiences were visits to an orphanage
built by the Vietnamese community in San Jose and the “Hanoi Hilton,”
where many leaders were tortured.  It reminded him of Abu Ghraib.  The
Vietnamese want to live in the future, not the past and he hopes that we
can learn from Vietnam and remove our troops from Iraq.  The United
States also needs to remove “agent orange” which is still there.  The US
should help, even if the government doesn’t admit that it’s there.

 

Ray’s Trip to the National Peace March and Lobbying Day in Washington
DC:  At the march there were many speeches, but no political figures
spoke.  Marchers completely circled the Capitol, estimate of 150,000
from a security guard.  Mostly mainstream participants, but also fringe
groups.  Useful to go, represented LAVP, his family and mother who was a
peace advocate.  Lobbied in 7 offices, including Rep. Eshoo’s, Sen
Boxer’s and Sen. Feinstein’s.  Karen Meredith was part of the group.
She was effective.  Her message was, “Don’t fund the war, or it’s your
war.”  

 

Vince’s Trip to the Dept of Peace Conference in Washington D.C.:  The
new Dept of Peace bill has been introduced, it’s H.R. 808.  Currently
cities representing 6 ½ million people have endorsed this bill! There
were 690 people at the conference about twice as many as the last one.
Many inspirational speeches were given, including ones by a 17-year old
peace activist and Deepak Chopra and Denise Brown.  She is O.J.
Simpson’s sister-in-law and has dedicated her life to ending violence.
The visit to Rep Eshoo’s office was an improvement from last time.  The
same staff person was there, but he was more interested and respectful.
He said the DoP bill is poorly written and needs work.  Vince was not
able to learn from him what exactly needs improvement.  The staffer said
that other people have been told, but Vince could not learn who those
people are.  He is still trying.  He was excited to have been in the
Senate while speeches were being given about the Iraq war.  For info:
www.ThePeaceAlliance.org.

 

2007 LAVP Calendar:  Katrina reviewed and up-dated it.  All appreciated
having it.

 

Plays about WWII internees at San Mateo library:  Plays will highlight
other nationalities who were also interned.  Current concern is the
threat to Muslim Americans after Sept 11.  LAVP is a co-sponsor for
April 28 event.  Details will follow.

 

Dept of Peace, local efforts:  Our goal is to learn how violence
currently affects our community, including our youth, and then show how
programs supported by a Dept of Peace would lessen the violence.  LAVP
then plans to present this information to the Los Altos City Council and
ask for a resolution supporting a Dept of Peace.  Donna attended the
Challenge Team breakfast, a monthly event open to the public which
brings together many school and civic leaders who are working to lessen
youth (and adult) violence in Los Altos and Mountain View.  This is an
impressive group of dedicated civic, school, community and religious
leaders.  The LAVP committee includes Vince, Sami, Donna, Barbara O and
Barbara K.

 

Iraq War, 4th anniversary vigil:  Dates were discussed and March 17 was
chosen.  [NOTE:  This date was later changed to Monday, March 19, from
5:30 – 6:30 PM, the actual anniversary, in order to avoid conflicts with
the many other vigils on March 17.]  Our mayor, Curtis Cole, will be
invited.  We will seek speakers such as Karen Meredith, 1 or 2 religious
leaders, & an Iraq war veteran for peace.  Possibly an Iraqi citizen
with both Sunni and Shite family connections will speak.  We would like
to use small “irrigation system” flags to represent American and Iraqi
deaths if possible.  Planning committee is Ray, Judy S, Barbara O, Karen
and Donna.  It was discussed whether it would be appropriate to send a
letter of condolence to the family of the Los Altos Hills soldier
recently killed in Iraq.  [NOTE:  It was later decided NOT to send a
letter at this time, as the grief is too overwhelming.]

 

Non-violent Civil Disobedience:  Ray mentioned some grandmothers who
tried to enlist at a recruiting office saying “Take me, not my
grandson!” and were arrested when they wouldn’t leave.  It was decided
to learn more about this tactic and report at the next meeting.  Katrina
saw a notice in a store in Mendocino that stated, “This establishment
opposes the War in Iraq.”  She will work on wording appropriate for
local businesses.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  LAVP account balance is $479 of unrestricted funds,
after the scholarship funds were disbursed.  Another $75 is already in
the Larissa Keet scholarship fund.

 

Lt. Watada’s court-martial:  A mistrial was declared and it is uncertain
whether another trial will take place.  He refused deployment to Iraq
based on his belief that the war is illegal and he had the duty to
refuse to obey illegal orders.

 

Announcements:  Friday, Feb 16 at 7:00 PM, Saratoga Library, 13650
Saratoga Ave., Saratoga.  Talk and slide presentation, “Beyond
Tolerance:  When Muslims Christians and Jews Build a Magnificent
Civilization in Muslim Spain”  by Audrey Shabbas, Director, Arab World
and Islamic Resources.  Call 408-279-9722 for more info.  [Note:  I
regret these notes are too late for this, but still wanted you to know
about it.]

Sat, March 17, 12 – 1 PM Palo Alto Civic Center Plaza, Iraq War
Vigil/Protest, Peninsula Peace and Justice Committee.

Sat, March 23, San Jose City Hall, Clean Money Conference.  Info:
<www.cacleancities.org>.

 

The meeting ended with a moment of silence in memory of Larissa Keet.

 

Notes by Donna Poulos.

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