At our September 10th coalition rally to urge approval of the Iran Deal, Wendy Dwyer brought news of Code Pink actions in Washington, DC

Posted on October 13, 2015 by admin

Get AIPAC our of Schumer’s bloomers. Banner at the Code Pink demonstration, in Washington DC on September 8, 2015, photo by Wendy Dwyer

As many local peace and justice groups gathered in front of the Leo O’Brien Capitol Building for the second time.[At a rally called by the Palestinian Rights Committee.] Urging approval of the Peace Deal with Iran and calling out Senator Chuck Schumer for opposing the agreement, Wendy Dwyer, a member of Upper Hudson Peace Action and Women Against War, brought news of inspiring actions that took place in Washington DC during the launch of the Code Pink campaign “Hands across the Capitol.”

Wendy had been present in Washington, DC on September 8th and 9th and had taken part in several of the visually exciting actions. She also took a few photos which she has shared with us. Other photos come from the Code Pink website and from photographer Jo Freeman.

Wendy atht e September 8th and 9th peace with Iran events by Code Pink, between Michaela and Medea.

Wendy at the September 8th and 9th Peace with Iran events organized by Code Pink. Standing between Michaela and Medea. Photo by Jo Freeman

Pro-peace Rabbis at the Capital. Code Pink action September 8, 2015. Photo by Wendy Dwyer

This is just a brief article about Wendy’s experiences in DC, and Medea’s birthday sign and a general acknowledgement of all the energy and creativity that surrounds Code Pink and supporters of their actions,including Wendy and others from our region.

One of the actions that took place before the group visited Chuck Schumer’s office in the Rayburn building was the hanging of a banner over the balcony nearby, followed by a peaceful sit-in in Senator Schumer’s office:

Veterans For Peace banner drop at the Rayburn Office Building near Chuck Schumer’s office. Photo by Wendy Dwyer

Hastily, we sang in the foyer to divert the capital police while Tarak and others dropped the banner. This was in the Rayburn building, where Schumer’s office is. I believe it was on the third floor.

We asked to be seen and were told 3 people only and no cameras so we all sat down and started singing peace songs. British media was there, police were called and came. They know Medea well work with her all the time.

Medea Benjamin, the rabbis, Col. Ann Wright, Michaela and others in Senator Schumer’s office. Photo by Wendy Dwyer

Former Iranian hostage, Sara Shourd and Col. Ann Wright, in Schumer’s office, Septmeber 8th Photo by Wendy Dwyer

Rabbi Wright speaking in Senator Schumer’s office, photo by Wendy Dwyer

Ellen Davidson of Veterans for Peace in Chuck Schumer’s Washington DC office, British media in the doorway. Photo by Wendy Dwyer.

The staff person Lane Bodian eventually came out and we all spoke . We were just singing “Gonna walk with my Jewish Friends, down by the riverside” as he came into the room!

Chuck Schumer’s legislative aide on Iran, Lane Bodian, September 8, 2015, photo by Wendy Dwyer

So much went on it is hard to recount. We went to the House Foreign Affairs Hearing, Admiral William Fallon retired USN Former Commander, U S Central Command spoke in favor of diplomacy wonderfully. I will eventually write to him if I can find him and Rep. Reo Connolly spoke about the deal being a “Road to Peace” they spoke bravely amidst hawks, including Mr Royce the chairman.

Meanwhile at the American Enterprise Institute, former Vice President, Dick Cheney was speaking against the peace deal with Iran. That was where the famous confrontation of Cheney by Code Pink staff member, Michaela Anang took place. It included a tug of war with an audience member who tried to grab her banner as she was being escorted from the room.

Michaela sent the link to an interview about this incident to Wendy. It also includes a video of the attempt to rip the banner from her hands. She was victorious in holding onto the banner while also calmly exiting the room. But the interview demonstrates the wisdom and strength of purpose of this 21 year old intern.

Happy Birthday, Medea, set up by Tighe Barry, September 10, 2015, photo by Code Pink

Thursday, September 10th, was Medea’s birthday. Last night, despite hard work all day [up at 6 am, moving props, staffing the microphone, organizing, cooking, delivering, on and on], Tighe set up this display in front of the U S Capital for Medea’s Birthday which was today, September 10, 2015 , the day the Iran Agreement was won! Isn’t this amazing!

Tighe and Medea are amazing as well!

Women Against War and our part in the August 26, 2015 Rally to change Chuck Schumer’s mind about the Iran agreement. Followed by a nonviolent sit in by the “Fantastic Five.”

Posted on September 2, 2015 by admin

On Wednesday, August 26th members of Women Against War and a coalition of many other peace and justice groups, participated in a vigil and rally at the Leo O’ Brien Federal Building from noon to 1 PM which included a picket line with signs and banners, a rally with speakers and music and a walk up to Columbia Street where Representative Paul Tonko’s of ice is located, and where his new Chief of Staff, Ryan Horstmyer came out to greet us and hear our messages of thanks for his announcement of support for the Iran nuclear agreement.

I’m going to keep the text to a minimum since this has already been described in an article on our blog waging peace.

What I will share here is some of Mabel Leon’s photos of the three parts of the event and then a few photos of the sit-in that followed the coalition event.

First the picket line at the start of the rally:

The second part of the event was a rally held on the grassy area beside the Federal Building. There were brief, informative speakers, music of the sing along variety by Terri Roben, and a ceremony presenting signed petitions in support of the Iran nuclear agreement, with signatures of 27,500 New Yorkers.

Alice Brody speaking for Jewish Voice for Peace

Dan Wilcox, speaking for Veterans for Peace

IMG_0618 (2)Marcia Hopple speaking for Women Against War, photo by Mabel

Marcia Hopple, speaking for the Iran Project of Women Against War

Joe Lombardo, speaking for Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace

IMG_0652 (2) Sue Dubois speaking for Solidarity Committee, photo by Mabel Leon

Sue Dubois, speaking for The Solidarity Committee

IMG_0671Tom Ellis speaking for Palestinian Rights Committee, photo by Mabel

Tom Ellis, speaking for the Palestinian Rights Committee

IMG_0676 We are Iranians, Sue Weber handing petitions to Gia Recco, photo by Mabel

Susan Weber presenting MoveOn petitions to Gia Recco.

Then the rally concluded with a walk up to Representative Paul Tonko’s office on Columbia Street where his new Chief of Staff, Ryan Horstmyer greeted us and listened to our appreciation for Paul’s decision to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Agreement. [JCPOA]

Sue Weber talking with Ryan Horstmyer, Paul Tonko’s chief of staff, from video by Joe Seeman

After the coalition rally ended then my favorite part of the afternoon began. It was a sit-in in the Lobby of the Federal Building by the “Fantastic Five” and their supporters. I’ll let Marcia Hopple tell the story about how it came about and only add that it was a complex action to plan and to support but turned out quite well.

[Sue Clark, one of the Grannies for Peace], came to the Iran project meeting on 8/17 to announce that she intended to sit in at the Federal Building to urge Senator Schumer to change his mind and vote for the Iran deal . [ Before the end of our meeting] four other women… decided to join her in a civil resistance action. Many more of us sat in with them and supported them, but left before being arrested. I was one of the support people.

The “Fantastic Five” Mabel, Kate, Sue, Fran and Pat, photo by Wendy Dwyer

Four of the five civil resisters, Kate, sue, Fran and Pat, photo by Mabel Leon

Early in the sit-in, Janet, Greg, Mickie, Pat, Sue, Kate and Fran, photo by Mabel Leon

While we were sitting in at the Federal Building (from 1:45 PM to a little while after the building closed at 5:30 PM) we had a really good public conversation with Steve Mann in the lobby. Sue was able to read him our letter to Chuck Schumer

Then Wendy read her letter that explained how frustrated we were that we couldn’t reach his local office or his Washington DC office by phone to leave messages or talk to someone; and that we couldn’t arrange meetings in a reasonable time frame.

Sue Clark reading our letter to Steve Mann, Senator Schumer’s Deputy State Director, photo by Wendy Dwyer

We had members of several other peace and justice groups who stopped by for much/ or a little of the sit-in. A couple of people stood outside with signs as well. Some of the people who joined us were members of Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, the Beyond Afghanistan/No Drones Project of WAW, Peace Action, The Friend’s meeting, Schenectady Neighbors for Peace and Veterans for Peace. The size of the group varied during the 4 plus hours From 16 to 7, with five people arrested

Senator Schumer’s staff were kind to us and offered us water, which Jennifer and Esther brought down later in the sit-in.Two women from the Building manager’s office stopped by to let us know that we would need a permit for any action inside the Federal Building or on the plaza outside – if we planned future actions.

An Albany police Sergeant stopped by to convince us to leave by closing time, but Sue in particular wanted to make a point by getting arrested. He was really interested in what we had to say and stayed for a long time, Having been deployed in the military several times; he didn’t agree that the JCPOA was a safe deal but we gave him some points to consider. Anyhow, he left having decided that the APD would not arrest us and if any arrests or tickets were to be issued it would be the job of the Federal security officers.

However at closing time Federal Security tried to get the fantastic five to leave voluntarily and they refused. So they were issued $80 appearance tickets and released.

Arrests at the Federal Building, photo by Wendy Dwyer

Sue being wheeled out of the building by Homeland Security, photo by Marcia Hopple

In a show of solidarity the Upper Hudson Peace Action chapter decided to pay their fines if they decide to pay rather than contest them. They have 30 days to decide. And we don’t know yet what they will do.

More about the arrest/booking process from Marcia again:

The arrest scenario was that we had been lectured during our four hour sit in by Property Management staff, then an Albany city police sergeant, and finally a Homeland Security agent, all well before closing time, to think about what we were doing, realize we weren’t influencing the Senator, be realistic about media coverage since they would not allow photographers in, and leave on our own. The woman who first proposed the sit in replied, “I will not leave willingly.” The other four agreed with her. Just after the building closing time, the Property Management staff and Homeland Security officer returned to give them one last chance to walk out, and then processed them.

Here’s another description from Mabel:

[A woman officer from Homeland Security], tried every way possible to talk us into walking out voluntarily and she told us what we were doing made no sense and it was not going to affect anything. Sue answered her in a strong, steady voice with compassion. She was incredibly articulate. Finally, they locked the doors at about 5:50 and brought a wheel chair for Sue and booked her first in a little office. We were each given a ticket and fine for $80.00. The press never came, but it was a good day and Sue fought the good fight!!

Pat and Fran leaving the Federal Building after the arrests, photo by Wendy Dwyer.

Pat and Fran leaving the Federal Building after the arrests. Fran holding the ticket for ” failure to comply.” photo by Wendy Dwyer.

It was a great sit-in. We had hours to be in each others’ company and to inspire each other. Schumer’s staff [Jennifer Wilson and Esther Hering] actually brought us cups of water, the police sergeant was humorous and interesting, the building security were very relaxed, and almost all of us were there to support Sue who was very passionate about taking her commitment to the peace deal to another level.

Working in coalition to end war, stop drone killings and jump start nuclear disarmament.

Posted on August 16, 2015 by admin

On Friday, August 7th in the midst of several events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, including a film series offered by Peace Action and Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and a wonderful Schenectady Peace Pole Walk [See the blog article on Waging Peace]

Gathering at the peace pole, photo by Mabel Leon

Many of the materials from earlier Grannies for Peace and Beyond Afghanistan/No Drones Project were incorporated into that week’s Schenectady Neighbors for Peace vigil by Mabel Leon and others. Mabel carries a vigil in her trunk to the weekly Friday demonstrations that take place in Schenectady from Noon to 1 PM.

Here are a few photos from their August 7th vigil, taken by Mabel Leon:

Grannies for Peace and other community members join the Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace at an anti-racism vigil on Monday, June 22nd at the 4 Corners

Posted on June 23, 2015 by admin

On Monday, June 22, 2015 Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace added the theme of Black Lives Matter and ending racially motivated violence to their weekly Monday vigil at the 4 Corners in Delmar. Since Grannies for Peace had our large and wonderful banners and our “Racism Breaks Grannies’ Hearts” signs from the Tulip Festival vigil we decided to join them in this vigil timed to honor the 9 members of the Emanuel Mother Church slain by a racist gunman in Charleston, South Carolina.

Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace has a regular anti-war, pro justice rally every Monday evening from 5 PM to 6 PM and people are always welcome to join them for a few minutes or for the whole hour.

Because people arrived and left at different times it was difficult to estimate the number of participants but from the photos I counted at least 25 people from Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Grannies for Peace, MoveOn, and others from the Capital District peace and justice community.

To avoid the brightly shining sun we occupied three of the 4 corners of Delaware and Kenwood Avenues with signs, banners and our passion for change. The response from drivers and passengers traveling home during drive time was very positive.All photos except the one with Mabel in it were taken by Mabel Leon, our activist photographer. Mabel also brought the Black Lives Matter banner and some of the neck signs made by Kim Kennedy. Many of the BNP members and other community members had signs of their own.

The rest of this article will consist of more photos of the vigil. Click on an individual photo to enlarge it.

Report on the Grannies for Peace “Racism Breaks Grannies’ Hearts vigil at the Tulip Fest, 5/8/15 from 1 PM to 2 PM, followed by leafleting.

Posted on May 11, 2015 by admin

Here’s a brief update about our exciting and very successful Grannies for Peace vigil and leafleting at the Tulip Festival on Saturday, May 8th during the Mother’s Day weekend. The photos are from Mabel Leon and Dinah Farrington.
At the end of the article is a link to a longer and more detailed blog article with 20 of Mabel’s photos and more about the leafleting as well.

End Racism Now, photo by Dinah Farrington.

The vigil and leafleting were received with enthusiasm above and beyond any experience that we’ve ever had at our annual Tulip Festival vigils. It was exhilarating and extended not only to the hour long silent vigil itself, but to Grannies walking to and from the vigil site before and after the formal vigil began at 1 PM. If we were wearing our “Racism Breaks Grannies’ Hearts” neck signs young adults came up to us by the tens and asked to take a picture with us.

Black Lives Natter, photo by Dinah Farrington.

Black Lives Matter, photo by Dinah Farrington.

While we were standing, many people came up to us and walked along the whole vigil semi-circle shaking hands, high-fiving each of us, and hugging us. People stopped to thank us constantly. More young adults (Millennials) and slightly older parents were the most responsive, which gives us great hope for the future. There were also people of all races, ethnicities and ages who stopped by. People jumped into the vigil to be photographed and others took selfies in front of us.

The half hour of leafleting was equally exciting. Here’s Mabel’s description:

The leafleting was an amazing experience-people wanted the flyers and the stickers and wanted their photos taken-it was an exhilarating experience. They expressed gratitude for what we were doing… In fact when we walked back to the car, young people on their stoops thanked us and wanted flyers and stickers. Amazing. One woman stopped us on the street and had her young child give us hugs. I have never had an experience quite like this.

Here’s a link to our very simple but direct leaflet about why we were there at the Tulip Festival: Black Lives Matter leaflet 2015 edited for website.

Here again is the link to our Waging Peace blog article, titled “Making Waves ~~~ Grannies’ anti racism message resonates in the Park”

Spotlight News also reported on this event: WAW in the News

Iran Project joined students and faculty at Union for an informational picket, May 5, 2015

Posted on May 8, 2015 by admin

Three part Iran banner at counter demonstration to John Bolton’s lecture at Union College

Informational picket line across from Memorial Chapel before John Bolton spoke at Union College

On Wednesday, May 5, 2015 when John Bolton, former advocate of the war on Iraq and now proponent of bombing Iran to prevent them from acquiring a nuclear weapon, was invited to speak at Union College as part of a lecture series the students and faculty were outraged. They invited Women Against War and other community peace groups to join them in an informational picket. Marcia Hopple of the Iran Project coordinated our presence and invited other groups. Many others helped in communication, photography, and by their presence.

We have a detailed blog article on Waging Peace, with many photos taken by Mabel Leon and links to some campus opinion pieces. You can get details and wonderful visuals here.

Photo showing Andy Feffer, Mabel and Bertha from the Concordy

Photo, from the Concordy, showing Andy Feffer, Mabel and Bertha

The Drones Quilt Exhibit and Drone Replica has moved on and found a new home in the Hudson Valley

Posted on January 15, 2015 by admin

The Drones quilts exhibit has found a new home at the congregation of Chris Antal, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rock Tavern, NY in the Hudson Valley of New York. The five quilts and the drone replica created by Nick Mottern were all moved to the Hudson Valley on Wednesday night, November 19th after the annual dinner.

Front of the UUCRT building built in 2010

Chris Antal and Everett Cox, a Vietnam Veteran for Peace attended the dinner and the performance of Grounded and then loaded their vehicle with the quilts, quilt square making supplies, racks and dowels for exhibiting the quilts and the drone replica parts.

Reverend Chris and his family, some of whom made quilt squares at College of Saint Rose on Novemver 11th.

Reverend Chris and his family, some of whom made quilt squares at College of Saint Rose on November 11th.

Everett had arranged for the quilts to be seen at the Veteran Arts Showcase [of writers, poets, musicians and performers who are veterans, family members of veterans, or military connected.] Which was held at the FDR Presidential Library/Wallace Center on Route 9, Hyde Park, New York, November 21, 22 and 23.

Everett Cox, working with the Leaving Theatre Project.

The quilts and drone replica will be moved to the sanctuary of the UUCRT and will be featured at their December 6th craft fair. Then Chris will preach a sermon about drones on Sunday, December 7th.

Drone quilt displayed on a table at an earlier drones quilts exhibit by Veterans for Peace

Quilts and drone replica will remain at the UUCRT through January 19, 2015 and will be featured in several events during that time.

Ground the Drones Exhibits of the Drone Quilts was here in the Capital District from October 20th Through November 14th at Three Venues.

See all details at this link:

Ground the Drones brochure- edited

view of the Tableau before the Media Conference at Noon on October 20th at the LOB, photo by Connie Houde

Grannies for Peace Joined Saratoga Peace Alliance for the third roving anti-drone vigil,on Saturday, October 11th at Noon. Photos by Mabel Leon

Posted on October 13, 2014 by admin

On Saturday morning, October 11th, at about 11:40 am a small group of intrepid Grannies for Peace met in the Woodlawn Avenue municipal parking garage in Saratoga Springs to assemble Nick Mottern’s impressive 1/5 scale reaper drone replica in preparation for the Saratoga Peace Alliance vigil. We also had many dramatic photos, two banners (one the Grannies for Peace banner) and other posters brought by Mabel, who was also our photographer.

This time we encountered some difficulty stabilizing the wallboard lifter base that holds the replica – in spite of the best efforts of Kim and Joan, our “mechanical thinkers” – with the encouragement and physical support of Mabel, Bertha, Pat and Mickie.

So we went with plan B. We carried the partially assembled replica and the parts for the wheels and lifter, along with the wings, fins, bombs and missiles over to the main Post Office on Broadway.. There some of us worked to get the replica set up while others put up banners and photos to began the vigil.

Towards the end of our assembling process, we were joined by the members of the Saratoga Peace Alliance. A cheerful and helpful group who welcomed us and began to assist in the fine adjustments to the replica.

They had arrived from Their “Being Peace” discussion group, and came fueled by coffee and energized by a long discussion that evidently also involved politics as well as peace!

Weather-wise it was a very fine afternoon. There was a lot of appreciation by each group for the other. And some of us saw old friends that we hadn’t seen for quite some time. We also gave out brochures for the upcoming “Ground the Drones” drone quilt exhibits that will be opening in the Capital District on Monday, October 20th with a media conference at the Legislative office Building in Albany. More details about this on our home page.

We had some good interactions with pedestrians and one passenger in a passing car applauded us, which was kind of amusing but also nice.

The vigil ended with a closing circle where each person stood in silence for a couple of minutes and then we went around and introduced ourselves.