With the cooperation and energy of Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, a professor of film
and theatre arts at Siena College, The Iran Project of Women Against War
began what we hope will be an ongoing series of Iranian films and
discussions that will help people to understand more about the people and
culture of Iran. This film series wouldn’t have been possible without the
organizational skills and attention to detail of Marcia Hopple, or the
energetic spirits, love of the Iranian people, fine film choices, and
wonderful moderation of Alice Brody, Diane Reiner and Leila Zand. Although
not many students attended, these films were seen by people from the peace
community and from the Iranian American community. The discussions among
audience members were very interesting and the films were both moving and
educational.
At our November meeting we decided to work towards a spring showing of more
Iranian films on another college or university campus in the Capital
District. The urgency for such cross cultural understanding grows with the
new threats of a military attack or severe economic sanctions against the
people of Iran.
Opening films in the Iranian Film Festival, October and November 2011
October 19, October 26, and November 2, 2011: Women Against War, in
collaboration with Siena College's Peace building through the Arts program,
has presented three excellent Iranian films on Wednesday evenings, October
19, October 26, and November 2 at Siena. The public was invited to see these
highly rated feature length films for pleasure and as a way to learn more
about Iranian people and culture. After each film, discussion leaders with
experience in Iran helped the audience to explore questions and observations
about Iran that were raised by the stories. Click here to see summaries of
each film and names of discussion leaders.
A fourth showing of a film about the history of Iranian Cinematography was
added on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 7:00 pm at Siena College, Roger Bacon
Hall, Room 202. Learn more.
Video: A Doorway to Persia
Here’s a beautiful, eloquent and educational video that came to info at
Women Against War on February 15, 2012. It was made with photos and ideas
gathered by Ymani Simmons, peacemaker.ymani@gmail.com from a 2007 trip to
Iran as part of a FOR delegation. It also addresses many of the questions
raised by the new drumbeat for war with Iran.
I’ve watched it and I think that it’s a powerful teaching tool and another
way to counter the demonization of the nation and the people of Iran and the
propaganda that’s increasing the chance of military confrontation.
Please take the time to watch it and to share and use it in your own
peacemaking.
-Mickie Lynn
Photos: Women Against War Demonstration
See below some of the great photos by Alice Brody from the Saturday February 4, 2012 demonstration to prevent war with Iran. “NO War! NO Sanctions! NO Intervention! NO Assassinations against IRAN”. Thanks to all the Women Against War members and other members of the peace community who took part.
The “I am an Iranian” photos we held were taken by WAW activist Diane Reiner on her trip to Iran and enlarged and mounted by Mabel Leon..
This was also the first such demonstration that was joined by members of Occupy Albany and visiting members of Occupy Wall Street.
A message from WAW Iran Project member and photographer Diane Reiner:
In 2005 I traveled to Iran as part of a small peace delegation. Although we met with university educators and government officials, the most importantIranians we spent time with were people on the streets. I invite you to now view the Iran I experienced. It is a country with warm and gracious people proud of their rich cultural heritage and happy to share it with Americans, for whom they bear no hostility.
Meeting with President Ahmadinejad
On Wednesday evening, September 24, 2008, Priscilla Fairbank represented Women Against War at an important meeting of U.S. peace groups with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To read her report and several others click here.
Join our campaign to prevent expansion of the Iraq war by US military action against Iran:
Contact your US Senators and Congressperson. Consistent lobbying of Congress, and of the White House and State Department is needed to encourage a positive atmosphere for nuclear negotiations and other diplomatic and regional agreements with Iran.
Please read and help us circulate our flier, "Myths and Truths about Iran." Feel free to use either the original version [compiled June 2007] or our updated version [compiled September 2008]. If you want a batch of printed copies, contact maud@womenagainstwar.org.
Gather some excellent background material and talking points for legislative work and educational outreach by reading this statement from the National Iranian American Council Conference, released in November 2008.
Donate to WAW to support Iran Project expenses: Payable to Women Against War. Note: Iran Project. Mail to WAW, PO Box 505, Delmar, NY 12054
New Banner debuts at Iran Vigil on August 6, 2008
At our second annual I Love NY Food Festival, Iran Next? No War! No Way! vigil we unveiled a new communication tool. This large banner ... Read the whole report
News Flash: No War on Iran Vigil, Fri., July 4, 2008:
Our most recent very public vigil with the Iran Next? No War! No Way! banners and 8 of our 10 beautiful enlarged photos of Iranian people and families was held ... Read the whole report
Report on the Iran Next? No War! No Way! Vigil at the Empire State Plaza "I Love NY Food Festival" on Wed., August 8, 2007:
With the live music of the festival providing our sound track, we vigiled from 11:30 am through 1 PM, a peak lunch hour for NY State workers.... Read the whole report
News Flash!, dateline Thursday, April 24, 2008, 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM
Here's a report about what took place in front of our new "Please! Not Another War. Let's Negotiate with Iran." billboard. [The billboard was up for almost 2 months, at a location on Central Avenue in Colonie, about 1/2 mile west of route 155 between Fern and Dunning Streets and on the South side of Central Avenue. Westbound drivers got to see it between April 17, 2008 and June 15th.]
In August 2007, WAW's billboard on Fuller Road in Albany drew lots of attention!
In 2005 I traveled to Iran as part of a small peace delegation. Although we met with university educators and government officials, the most importantIranians we spent time with were people on the streets. I invite you to now 
