Grannies joined the Schenectady Neighbors for Peace at their weekly vigil on Friday, June 6th in the first of our “roving anti-drone” vigils

Posted on June 13, 2014 by admin

On a truly beautiful, sunny but somewhat windy day, at noon on Friday, June 6, 2014. A handful of Grannies for Peace joined the Schenectady Neighbors for Peace weekly vigil as a part of our own “Roving anti-drone vigils” planned for this spring and summer.

Early part of the SNP and Grannies vigil on June 6, 2014, photo by Mabel Leon

We brought along our Grannies Against Drones T-shirts, the Grannies for Peace banner and some drone-metal gray paper drone hats [created by Kim Kennedy and folded by Kim and Mickie], based on a template supplied by peace and justice activist Kathy Kelly.

Variety of signs at our vigil. Photo by Mabel Leon

The vigil was lively and spirited, even though there were only about a dozen of us present. Lots of catching up and sharing the latest news. Mabel Leon snapping some photos and three vigilers moving to the shady side of the street so that we had people on both sides with our signs and other props. In honor of the anti-drone theme most chose signs with that message, especially “Diplomacy Not Drones” but there were also signs about closing Guantanamo and ending war and torture.

On the shady side of Liberty Street. Photo by Mabel Leon

SNP provided the signs, which Mabel brought to the vigil on the corner of Liberty and Jay streets. It was a lovely vigil with a combination of updates and comments about current peace and justice issues and political developments and waving of signs and making eye contact with drivers and pedestrians. 6 of our 10 drone hats were worn during the vigil and the combination of signs, banner, shirts and drone hats caught the attention of those passing by.

Drone hats on a windy day! Photo by Mabel Leon

A new wrinkle was discovered in the wearing of the drone hats on a windy day. Peter, Mark, Michael and Greg were all wearing hats with bills and they wore the drone hats over those baseball style caps. This provided stability and also looked really cool.

Different ways to wear a drone hat, photo by Mabel Leon

Some of the SNP members like Mabel and Bertha were also Grannies for Peace and figuratively wore more than one hat. Purely representing the Grannies were Maud, Pat Beetle and Mickie. Joining us as SNP regular vigilers were Teri, Jackie, Peter, Mark, Michael and Greg.

Schenectady Neighbors for Peace vigil joined by Grannies for Peace, photo by Mabel Leon

I found out in the course of the vigil that the Schenectady vigil was one of the oldest continuous vigils in the Capital District having started right after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It certainly was amazing and enthusiastic. They clearly had their regular drivers and passersby who greeted them and engaged in dialogue. Another thing about the vigil was that it didn’t end at 1 PM sharp but people lingered until about 1:15 PM finishing up conversations and updates.

Multiple messages for Peace while catching up on news. Photo by Mabel Leon

If this first roving anti-drone vigil was any indication — then the Grannies will find their inspiration and enthusiasm enriched by attending the other two vigils that we have planned with Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and Saratoga Neighbors for Peace.

Jay Street end of the vigil. Photo by Mabel Leon

Guardian Puppets and Grannies vigil at the Washington Park Tulip Fest, 5/10/14 to save Mother Earth from military climate change.

Posted on May 16, 2014 by admin

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 10, 2014 several Grannies for Peace gathered at noon

Barb Cooley putting the finishing touches on the fourth puppet, photo by Nancy Smith

to set up for what would be our eighth annual Mother’s Day vigil in the park, at the Albany Tulip Fest. The actual vigil ran from 1 PM to 2 PM.

Four Guardian puppets with Ann Altman Poster and Dahlia in the foreground, photo by Marcia Hopple

setting up for the vigil that ran from 1 PM to 2 PM in Washington Park, photo by Nancy Smith

The theme of our vigil this year was about the way that war causes climate change with the huge US military carbon footprint exceeding that of all other countries.

Leaflet for Grannies Tulip Fest 2014

But we had some helpers besides the 18 dedicated Grannies and their allies. These were the beautiful Guardian puppets created by Mabel Leon. The one robed in purple and holding a dove is the Architect of Peace. The blue gowned puppet, holding a fish is the Guardian of Water. The puppet holding the Tree of Life and wearing a golden covering is the Guardian of Earth. The red-haired puppet, dressed in red is the Nurturer of all Children. They stood with us to remind everyone that we only have one planet and that we need to protect it and all of the living beings who share its resources and sanctuary.

Some of our signs and banners towards the start of the vigil, photo by Marcia Hopple

Barb and Mickie with three of the puppets during the setting up period, photo by Nancy Smith

Guardian of Mother Earth with Kim and Barb Cooley, photo by Marcia Hopple

Doreen and Harry helping Kim hang a banner from the canopy with puppets from behind, photo by Marcia Hoppele

Doreen and Harry helping Kim hang a banner from the canopy with puppets from behind, photo by Marcia Hopple

Architect of Peace, Nurturer of all children and Guardian of watter settling in with the canopy and pine tree, photo by Nancy Smith

Fran with her sign at the close of the vigil, photo by Marcia Hopple

Marcia Hopple and Barb Cooley had gone to Mabel’s home for a special training session to learn how to assemble, disassemble and transport the puppets who would stand at the vigil and then move to FUUSA that afternoon for a Sunday Mother’s Day service, also presented by the Grannies for Peace to the Unitarian Congregation. But that’s another story. Dot and Doreen were the co-chairs of this particular event and they also arrived early with the printed leaflets, beautiful red and yellow carnations, a globe and a beautiful covering for the table that Marcia supplied. We had some powerful allies in Joan’s husband, Harry (a great canopy setter-upper) and Nancy’s husband, Ted, and father. Kim brought the beautiful sky blue canopy and we completed the display with Grannies for Peace neck signs, buttons and our cloth banner, made by Kim along with the War Causes Climate Change posters.

In addition to our assembled Grannies and allies two of Dot’s children stopped by, along with other activists and friends of other vigilers. The puppets drew many interested spectators, many of whom took pictures. Lots of younger people stopped by to find out why we were vigiling and Pat, Dot and Doreen talked with them and handed out many leaflets and carnations as a simultaneous part of the vigil rather than making it a separate stroll through the Park as we’ve done in previous years.

Pat Beetle leafleting and handing out carnations, photo by Marcia Hopple

We stood with signs, banners and puppets from 1 PM to 2 PM and were able to escape the rain that threatened, except for one brief “off with their heads” moment when we felt some sprinkles and removed the Guardians’ papier mache heads and placed them under the canopy. Then we ended the vigil with a closing song, “The Earth is Our Mother” and got a lot of help carrying the props and disassembled puppets and canopy to a pick up point where the intrepid Barb and Mickie the helper loaded them into Maud’s car for the trip to FUUSA.

Closing circle for the vigil, singing ‘The Earth is our Mother”, photo by Marcia Hopple

It was a very successful and fun vigil in the midst of the beauties of lush arrangements of tulips and other flowers and the joyful presence of people and pets.

Close up of red and yellow tulips, photo by Deborah Cole

February 17th, High Energy Grannies for Peace Vigil on the US Military’s Huge Role in the Climate Crisis

Posted on February 20, 2014 by admin

On Monday, February 17^th, Grannies for Peace turned out in force for our annual Valentine’s Vigil. The vigil was postponed from the 14^th as over 20 inches of Capital Region snow that day underscored grannies’ message that current climate extremes signal a critical global threat – with the US Pentagon the world’s #1 fossil fuel user. There were 34 of us in all – grannies, grandchildren thanks to Dot Richards and Maureen Aumand, other Women Against War members and even a group proclaiming itself The Men’s Auxiliary of Grannies for Peace!

Theme of our demonstration

We vigiled at the corners of Wolf Road and Central Avenue past which thousands of cars pass each hour. Lots of drivers honked approval as they read our large banners and signs.

Thanks to Kim Kennedy for making multiple War Causes Climate Change signs and to Maureen Aumand for getting two new large weather-proof banners printed: Protect Mother Earth from Climate Destruction and Pentagon =s World’s Largest Fossil Fuel User.

And thanks to all the grannies who lettered additional signs at our props-making meeting. We are excited to have all these props to bring this message to the Tulip Festival on Mother’s Day weekend and to Earth Day and other environmental events this spring. It’s clear that most people are surprised to learn that the Pentagon is the world’s largest institutional source of greenhouse gases.

We got good media coverage. Nice photos in the front section of The Times Union and on-line , nice footage and good interview with Barb Cooley on Channel 6 and an article in Roshni, the bi-lingual news magazine from the Capital Region for the South Asian Community.

Thanks to our wonderful photographer, granny Mabel Leon , we have a treasure trove of photos of the event – all in this articlel are Mabel’s, and there are more on Women Against War’s Waging Peace blog on the Times Union website. Click on all these links to enjoy more reports on the event.

Barb Cooley as co-coordinator was magnificent in organizing all the props and sharing wisdom as we coped with the local climate crisis. We were happy to learn that it could work to reschedule our event when the weather was truly terrible. So, for the future we will be able to avoid “snow or no snow” advance announcements!

Photo from Roshni online bilingual newspaper

Nov. 1 2012: Grannies, Vets and Unitarians Perform Our Pieces of Peace

Posted on January 21, 2013 by admin

For immediate release

Grannies for Peace, Vets for Peace and the Social Responsibilities Council of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany are combining forces to offer an inspiring evening of poetry, music, puppetry, art & stories – with performers sharing what peace means in their lives, what moves them to work for peace. Our Pieces of Peace will be this Thursday, Nov 1, 2012 from 6-9 PM, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA), 405 Washington Ave.(light refreshments at 6 PM).

Nancy Smith from Delmar explains why she organized this event soon after joining Grannies for Peace: “I had barely wet my toes in social activism, before I was struck by the acutely intelligent women around me (Women Against War and Grannies for Peace). I wondered how they could retain the ability to be so buoyant and compassionate when faced with a relentless culture of war. It occurred to me that their diplomatic travels, vigils, and endless endeavors to repair what ignorance continually breaks, must be draining. So, when we began to create an artistic event for the peace community, I hoped that it would give us all a relaxed enjoyable evening together to recharge and revel in words – my favorite pastime.”

Schenectady artist Mabel Leon and 3 other Grannies for Peace will present the 4 life-sized puppets Mabel crafted based on “The Guardians”, a painting by the artist Ann Altman who was inspired by the poetry of Diane Ackerman: “…I swear I will not dishonor my soul with hatred but offer myself humbly as a guardian of nature…and an architect of peace.”Mabel says, “I have always been deeply moved by both the poetry and the visual image of four women guardians robed in brilliant colors holding a dove, a fish, a tree, and a child. These women are the messengers and guardians of life itself. I was motivated to try to represent these powerful images as large puppets who would speak this beautiful poem in unison. It is my hope to motivate women to see themselves as powerful and humble guardians of life and nature and messengers of peace.”

Dot Richards of Delmar who organized a Sextet for Peace explains that their 6 singers from Grannies for Peace and Women Against War will perform “Living Planet”, a song by Jay Mankita. Dot says, “It is a gentle but eloquent reminder of the interconnectedness of all life on our planet, as well as a dramatic statement that ‘Peace will only come with Justice’.”

Albany poet and Vets for Peace activist Dan Wilcox describes his presentation: “One of the roles of art, of poetry in making political statements is to imagine alternative versions of the world, of events. In my poem ‘Baghdad/Albany’, I imagine the invasion of Baghdad in 2003 as if it were occurring in Albany. My point being, if you can visualize death and destruction as if it were happening to you, how could you then do it to someone else

Other presenters include:

Ann Brandon will read a letter from Yassin Muhiddin Aref and Mohammed Hossain.
Ed Bloch reading “Dakeshi Ridge” from his book, Courage, Courage, Courage.
Pat Beetle reading The Great Silent Grandmother’s Gathering by Sharon Mehdi.
Maureen Aumand with a threnody of poems from the anthology, Come Together: Imagine Peace.

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May 12, 2012: Grannies Mark Mother’s Day with Focus on Corporations That Profit from War

Posted on January 21, 2013 by admin

May 25, 2012

written by Kim Kennedy

Grannies For Peace Vigil

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Washington Park, Albany New York

12:00 to 1:00 PM

Is profiting from war patriotic?

This year the Grannies for Peace are calling out the war profiteers who are making a killing by selling and using weapons of war. We’re calling them “The Merchants of Death.”

We’ve chosen to highlight the five most profitable US defense corporations, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Raytheon. We’re also spotlighting Kellogg Brown and Root, formerly part of Halliburton. KBR is one of the companies that has benefited from billions of dollars in profitable single source/ no bid contracts for services previously provided by the US military itself…

Twenty-Five Grannies for Peace, dressed in black, carried a coffin through the Tulip Festival in a solemn, silent Peace Procession on Saturday, leaving the Moses Statue at noon. We marched with the aid of Mickie Lynn as drummer at the head of the procession. The “Merchants Of Death” banner followed with the coffin (displaying Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria). The signs naming the six “War Profiteers” were held by 6 of the Grannies For Peace in the march.

The procession ended in the southeast corner of Albany’s Washington Park (east of the Moses Statue) where the grannies held a silent vigil from 12:30 to 1 PM. The coffin was placed on the ground with three of the named corporations on either side as the Grannies For Peace formed a semi-circle around the props.

Maud Easter handed out 200 flyers as we marched and held our vigil. It seems there were a variety of reactions to our procession and vigil. Some people were curious; some seemed offended, some people showed support, and some called us names.

We sang a closing song to the tune of “Down By The River Side” replaced with “Profit War No More”

Here are the verses to “Profit War No More”

(Tune: “Down By The Riverside” Words by Mickie Lynn)

We’re gonna lay down our bombs and guns, down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside. We’re gonna lay down our bombs and guns, down by the riverside and profit war no more.

We ain’t gonna profit war no more, we ain’t gonna profit war no more we ain’t gonna profit war no more (2 times).

We’re gonna lay down our bombs and guns …

We’re gonna give up our killer drones…

We’re gonna outlaw all cluster bombs…

We’re gonna bring our war dollars home…

We’re gonna join hands around the world…

We had a good turn out and would like to thank all of the Grannies and Non-Grannies For Peace who participated in this year’s Mothers Day/Tulip Festival activities and to everyone who helped make it possible.

At the prop making meeting several Grannies completed the signs and armbands for the vigil, all designed and stenciled by Kim Kennedy. Kim also organized the sequence of the march and the placement of props during the vigil.

For more photos, please see our blog: Profit war no more! (A Memorial weekend photo essay) pictures by Mabel Leon.

Sept. 9, 2009: Grannies for Peace Celebrates Grandparents’ Day

Posted on September 9, 2009 by admin

For Immediate Release

Grannies for Peace will celebrate Grandparents’ Day on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, by helping children express what peace means to them through a “Pinwheels for Peace Project”, at the Emmaus United Methodist Church at 715 Morris Street in Albany.

Grannies and the church program director Rifat Nazir will explain the project to the media at 4:15 PM. Grannies will begin crafts and singing activities with the children at 4:30 PM, which the media are invited to observe.

“It is so important for children to grow up thinking about how they can contribute to peace in the world,” says Granny for Peace Dahlia Herring, coordinator of the event. “ It is our greatest hope that all children, including our grandchildren, will live in a world in which conflicts are negotiated through diplomacy, human needs are met through development, and armies are put to rest forever”, explains Herring.

“Many of the children in the Emmaus after-school program have come to the US as refugees from war, so we are especially happy to learn what they see as the seeds of a peaceful world,” Herring says.

Grannies for Peace is a project of Women Against War. Grannies for Peace began in 2006 when Grannies tried to enlist at a local recruiting station to take the place of young people headed for Iraq. Grannies for Peace continues work to counter military recruitment of our young and also to secure improved health care for our vets. See www.WomenAgainstWar.org for more information.

April 27, 2009: Granny Peacemakers Speak on March Arrests & Recent Court Victory

Posted on April 27, 2009 by admin

For Immediate Release

Joan Wile and Barbara Walker from Grandmothers Against the War in NYC will speak at a 6:30 PM Celebration of Granny Peacemakers on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (405 Washington Ave). They will be available for interview from 6-7 PM and after their 7 PM presentation.

Joan and Barbara will report on their protests, including the March 18, 2009 Times Square demonstration which Joan organized and for which Barbara and 6 other granny activists were arrested, jailed and then exonerated at an April 14^th court appearance. (See photo and account from the New York Times.)

Joan, author of Grandmothers Against the War: Getting Off Our Fannies and Standing Up for Peace (May 2008, Citadel Press), and Barbara will share the strategies of granny peacemaker groups nationally and globally, who protest against the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will speak also to classes at Siena College and the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany.

Joan and Barbara’s visit is organized by Grannies for Peace, a project of Women Against War, www.WomenAgainstWar.org. Schenectady grandmother Mabel Leon explains, “Joan invited grandmothers in the Capital District to join them in a 2006 Valentines Day campaign across the nation against military recruitment. That is where our local Grannies for Peace got its start, holding a demonstration at the recruitment office at Colonie Center. We’ll tell them about our third annual Mother’s Day weekend Silent Vigil at the Tulip Festival on May 9^th at 1 PM and invite them to plan something similar in Central Park!”

Albany grandmother, Dahlia Herring, says, “I love the courage and creativity of these NYC grannies. We are excited at the large number of community groups who are co-sponsoring this celebration of granny peace-making power.”

The April 27^th event is co-sponsored by:Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Chatham Peace Initiative, Commission on Peace & Justice for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, Palestinian Rights Committee, Peace & Service Committee of Albany Friends Meeting, Pine Hills Neighbors for Peace, Saratoga Peace Alliance, Social Responsibilities Council of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, Tom Paine Chapter of Veterans for Peace, Troy Neighbors for Peace, Upper Hudson Peace Action.

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Truth in Recruiting

Posted on January 21, 2009 by admin

Sample “Opt Out” Petition For High School Recruiting Information

If you are a part of the Bethlehem School District, you can help circulate this petition to the Bethlehem Central School District that asks them to make it easier for students to prevent their personal contact information from being automatically shared with military recruiters. If you live in another school district then you can use it as a template for your own campaign to make opting out easier.

Iraq Veterans Against the War
presents
‘Truth in Recruiting’

“We are soldiers and veterans and we have all at one time been recruited. We know that recruiters need to distort the truth and lie in order to get people to enlist in the military. Please consider our experience before making your decision about whether or not to enlist in the military. If you should still decide to enlist, know that we will be there for you if you need us. As you join their ranks, join the ranks of IVAW to stop the war from the inside.”

Click here to read the entire flier.

It’s My Life! – A Book Report
edited by Janine Schwab and published by the American Friends Service Committee

If you are looking for a conventional manual to give to your growing daughter or son on “why you should go to college right after high school,” or “what are the best paying jobs,” then don’t bother buying It’s My Life! If, on the other hand, you want to support your children through that difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood, there is much in this readable book that could be useful.

Click here to read a longer description of this book along with ordering information.

Click here to access the Youth and Militarism section of the American Friends Service Committee website for more resources and information about this topic.

Grannies For Peace First annual Grandparents Day Celebration

Posted on September 9, 2008 by admin

During the afternoon of Tuesday, September 9, 2008, six Grannies for Peace met at the Emmaus Methodist Church after school program for a project called “Flowers and Flags for Peace.” Kim Kennedy had created the blank flags and colorful paper flowers along with small clay flowerpots filled with shiny foam that would serve as the containers for individually decorated flags and flowers. These flowers were based on an earlier project that Dahlia Herring had done with Albany children, which was in turn based on ideas that Dot Richards had used in working with community members at our “cooking up peace” event in May of 2008.

Since we were working with refugee children, ranging in age from elementary school to early teens we thought that flags would also be a good way for children to express their wishes for peace in their countries of origin, in their new country and in the world. During an energy filled two hours we moved from group to group (four groups in all) with our percussion instruments, song and art materials. Each group began with a brief percussion chorus and a song (Peace, salaam, la paix) and then quickly transitioned to work on the flags and flowers.

We were truly amazed at the enthusiasm and talent that the children brought to the projects and the results were colorful and deeply moving. Each Grannie brought her particular form of love and talent for working with children, whether it was art, gentle support, music, listening, story sharing, or other forms of nurturing. Each child shared gifts of imagination, cultural images, colorful use of stickers and markers, unexpected ways of picturing peace and great musical expressiveness.

So our thanks to Kim, Dahlia, Dot, Mabel, Priscilla and Mickie and to Pastor, Denise Stringer, and the teaching staff of the after school program of Emmaus United Methodist Church, and most especially to the 40 children who participated!

We had so much fun that we hope to make this an annual event.

The Times Union ran a story on the event on Sept. 16, 2008, Grannies spread peace to young refugees.

Grannies for Peace Celebrate Grandparents Day helping children make Flowers & Flags for Peace

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
With the 40 children in the after-school program of Emmaus United Methodist Church
4 PM Grannies gather & set up
4:15 PM Media invited
4:30 – 6:30 PM Crafts and singing with groups of children

The children will decorate flags and flower cutouts to put in pots — to create an image of what peace means to them. We will open each small group singing Peace, Salaam, La Paix. Many of the children are from refugee families, and some are speakers of French and Arabic.

Dahlia is coordinating this event, working with Rev. Denise Stringer at the church. Kim will bring art supplies, the pots and the flags & flowers. Mickie and Dot will bring percussion instruments. Everyone will bring stickers, extra art materials and grandmotherly love.

‘Grannies’ take stand against war

Posted on February 15, 2008 by admin

Originally appeared in The Troy Record on Friday, February 15, 2008
By Tom Caprood, The Record

Marcia Hopple of Poestenkill, Jane Streiff of Delmar and Kim Kennedy of Saratoga Springs protest. J.S. Carras — The Record

ALBANY — Several area women used Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show how their hearts have been broken due to a lack of essential services for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Grannies for Peace” was the group that held signs and banners expressing their opposition to war to passing motorists in front of the Albany Veterans Administration Hospital on Holland Avenue.

“It’s troubling for us to hear that there are not enough services for all of the soldiers who return from war, especially for those who have psychological problems as a result of the kind of war this has turned out to be,” said Troy resident Sue Clark.

This was the third year the group came out on the holiday to protest disservice to veterans and, while all of the women do not have direct relatives in the armed services, they felt for wounded veterans as if they were part of their family.

“If they’re not our grandchildren, they are certainly someone else’s,” said Mabel Leon, a Schenectady resident.

The women were not protesting against the local hospital itself, but the national policies which they are forced to follow.

According to members of the group, the care currently being provided by the government is not enough for the long-term problems faced by both veterans and their families.

“Many of these returning soldiers have wounds that are not visible and cannot be healed in a short period of time,” said Leon, referring to psychological conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder.

Leon felt that the lack of care was so severe that it was a major cause for the alarming rates of suicides and homicides committed by veterans who return from battle.

The group called on the government to implement a new policy that would require all returning veterans to be tested for the presence of depleted uranium, a toxic chemical which can lead to severe long-term health problems if absorbed by the body.

Additionally, they also felt that women veterans should receive counseling for the specific traumas they have endured during their service, such as rape and various medical conditions.

“So many wonderful lives of young people have been ruined by these wars. We feel they should have a high priority in getting the services they need,” said Clark.