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Cleveland Peace Action

Stopping violence, war, and terrorism trough peaceful, just, and democratic means

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Peace@ThePub: Steve Cagan on Colombia

Pessimism and hope, three years after the peace accords

Tuesday, June 11th⋅7:00 – 8:30pm

Market Garden Brewery, 1947 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH

Peace accords between the Colombian government and FARC guerrillas in 2016 raised hopes. Steve Cagan will report on his most recent visit with the people of El Chocó, along with his photographs. The renewal of armed conflict in the countryside, repression of community leaders, environmental destruction, and regressive economic policies are worrisome, but there are also glimmers of hope.

Steve is a Cleveland-based long-term activist and activist-photographer. He’s made 18 visits to Colombia and the El Chocó area since 2003, working closely with the activist Catholic Diocese of Quibdó, federations of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, and activist NGOs. His photography and writing about the area have been exhibited and published on four continents, though his greatest satisfaction is seeing his photography used as an instrument of struggle by his friends in Colombia.

Free and open to the public. Peace@ThePub is a monthly meeting featuring interesting conversation, camaraderie, food and drink.

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The Weaponization of Antisemitism

Do we truly understand the term “antisemitism”? Mark Weber shed much light on the subject in this talk at Peace@ThePub on May 14, 2019. Many in the audience wanted to read it and share his remarks with others. So here it is, in it’s entirety.  

Note that you can also add your comments to this blog!

By Mark Weber

Recently, we’ve watched with dismay as supporters of Israel in the United States have launched attacks on first-term Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), accusing her of antisemitism because she’s been critical of Israel and has raised the specter of “dual loyalty.” This is just the latest of many incidents in which false charges of antisemitism have been used to stifle criticism of Israeli policy and support for Palestinian human rights. In particular, we have seen this term used to bully and to intimidate young activists on campuses across the country. Spineless college administrators and corrupt politicians of both parties in state legislatures, under pressure from wealthy donors and the Israel Lobby, have sought to suppress these student activists’ work on behalf of Palestinian rights.

Today, antisemitism has become associated with Israel and its policies toward the West Bank and Gaza. To put our discussion in perspective, let’s go back to the origins of the term “anti-Semitism.” Let’s reflect on the politicization of antisemitism in the United States and the use of the term “antisemitism” as a cudgel to bludgeon critics of Israel, forcing them to abandon their criticisms of Israel while defending themselves against false charges of bigotry.

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On Recent Deaths in Gaza and Israel

Cleveland Peace Action, 2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 – peaceactioncleveland.org

Contact: Don Bryant – 216-255-1576 – email.donbryant@gmail.com

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Gaza and Israeli Deaths and Palestinian Human Rights

The recent deaths and violence in Gaza, Palestine and the Negev area of Israel were not initiated by Hamas or Islamic Jihad as described in mainstream news. If we want to lay blame on one entity for the May 4-May 6, 2019 exchange of missiles and bombs, we can site Israel for firing and killing two nonviolent demonstrators on May 3 in the weekly “Great Return March” in Gaza that began in March 2018. The Gaza health ministry reported that the Israeli army has killed 275 pro-democracy demonstrators and wounded 17,000 in the past 14 months of demonstrations at the Gaza – Israel border.

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Hands Off Venezuela! No War With Iran

Cleveland Peace Action, 2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113

peaceactioncleveland.org

Contact: Mark Weber  –  216.870.1594 –  laboraction2000@gmail.com

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Statement from Cleveland Peace Action on Provocative U.S. Actions Toward Venzuela and Iran

 The United States is trying to orchestrate a coup to oust socialist President Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela and install a pro-U.S. regime headed by Juan Guaido.  Guaido has already called for U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. He has declared himself to be “interim president” and openly courts a military attack on his country.

At the same time, the United States is dispatching warships to the Middle East to threaten Iran. Pressured by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, the U.S. government is weighing its military options. The Trump Administration has systematically alienated the government in Tehran beginning with the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear treaty negotiated during the Obama Administration.

 Neoconservative foreign policy adviser John Bolton is championing BOTH regime change in Venezuela and an attack on Iran or Iranian interests.

Cleveland Peace Action demands that the United States keep its hands off Venezuela and that there be no war with Iran. #

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Kim Hill: Progressive Except for Palestine?

Kim Hill offers his reflections on Noura Erakat’s visit to Cleveland and Oberlin, March 3 and 4, 2019. The video of her complete remarks in Cleveland, produced by Jeff Kassouf, can be viewed here.
 

After speaking at Cleveland Peace Action’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, Noura Erakat made a presentation at Oberlin College as a guest of Students for a Free Palestine and the students in Jewish Voice for Peace. In Cleveland she stressed that we need, and lack, “an analytical framework” with which to understand the complex issues surrounding the roles of the U.S., Israel and Palestinians in the Middle East.   

The issues are nothing if not complex. In Oberlin, she provided this framework, drawing from her new book, Justice for Some. The book is organized historically, with five turning points which she ties to potential issues of law. But ultimately, existing law and international politics render both law and politics tragically impotent to address the obvious human rights outrages. These outrages have been normalized. In 1948 Jews conquered and ethnically cleansed Palestine, and in 1967 Israel occupied the remnants left to the survivors, leaving no real avenue for justice or peace.

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A surprised Lou is invited to address “Rally for the Troops”

For some 18 years or so, attorney John “Kiks” Kikol has done a very impressive job organizing an event on the last Sunday of April devoted to show support for our active military and for veterans. The first one I went to was around six years ago.It was too chilly that day to wear my vintage dress uniform, so I wore my 1966 U.S. Army field jacket issued to me at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I was surrounded by black leather clad motorcyclists whose attire was complemented by red-white -and blue star-spangled bandannas. I  figured, well, for reasons of personal safety, I ought not unfurl my peace flag, allowing only the red and white stripes to show, certain the macho bikers would assume I was carrying an American flag.. I became even more resolute in my decision when “Kiks” mentioned at the microphone that when he saw people on Public Square years earlier protesting the war in Iraq, he wanted to run them over. Well, okay, that cemented the deal for me. I kept my peace flag furled. In subsequent years of the rally, however, I carried my unfurled flag while wearing my vintage Army duds and was greeted with stunned, but respectful silence. Some even came up to shake my hand and thank me for my service. Kiks never gave me any grief and over the past couple of  years we have had pleasant conversations.  He even treated me to lunch at the Landmark restaurant at W. 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard a few weeks ago. The lunch was subsequent to a surprising offer he made via e-mail to speak at today’s Rally For Troops.I was one of several speakers today, others including two Gold Star mothers who lost sons in our wars in the Middle East. Before and after the event, I again was met with stunned, albeit respectful silence–save for a comment made by a man after the conclusion of the rally. He said my speech was  “disrespectful.” Here it is. Judge for yourself.


Thank you, Kiks, for inviting me to provide comments from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran who also is a member of Veterans for Peace. When I was drafted in 1966, I was what you might call a “baby hawk” as opposed to the aging, elderly dove that I am today. I softly supported the Vietnam War, accepting our government’s claim that communist North Vietnam was trying to take over South Vietnam; South Vietnam was our ally and therefore we had a moral obligation to defend South Vietnam.
 

Over the years, however, I came to realize our government manipulates us with alarmist, fear-mongering rhetoric. Political leaders at both ends of the spectrum are guilty of such unconscionable manipulation. For example, President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat, intimated in a speech in the 1960s that if we did not defeat the communists in Vietnam, we would be fighting them here. Of course, that did not happen.
     

Here’s another example of alarmist, fear mongering rhetoric.  President George W. Bush, a Republican, lied about Saddam Hussein having weapons of mass destruction. Excuse me, Mr. Bush. Please look in the mirror. You YOU are the one with Weapons of Mass Destruction.
 

When we kill people and destroy property with our WMDs we generate more hatred for the United States among survivors of our attacks and make it very easy for terrorist leaders to recruit new terrorists. Revenge REVENGE is the operative word in this tragic scenario. As we all know, of course, revenge is incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. He would not be happy with those taking the lives of many of His father’s other children.
 

Survivors of our attacks want revenge, just as WE wanted revenge after we were attacked on 9/11, which led to a dramatic increase in military enlistments. We have been sucked into a never-ending extremely costly and bloody downward spiral. Well, on that happy note, I’d like to offer a somewhat whimsical idea that I think would be very effective in generating good will for us in the Middle East among survivors of our attacks who currently hate us.

Here’s the idea: Have transport planes parachute drop large pallets enveloped in clear plastic with the words: “United States of America” on the plastic, with the pallets landing in populated areas. And what would be on those pallets?  Hundreds and hundreds of boxes…of Girl Scout COOKIES!!. Oh, YEAH!!  Who doesn’t love Girl Scout cookies? Everyone loves Girl Scout cookies!! And I’m positive that would include our sisters and brothers in war-torn Middle Eastern countries. We would convert survivors of our attacks from haters of the United States into lovers of the United States.
       

Well, enough of the whimsy. I’d like to finish on a somber, serious note. My heart goes out to Gold Star parents, especially ESPECIALLY Gold Star mothers, since they are the ones who bring new life into this world. I think we would all agree, regardless of our opinions on war and other social issues, that losing a child is a parent’s absolute worst WORST nightmare. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Thank you for listening, and thanks again, John, for inviting me.        

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Peace & Justice Blog: Nina McLellan’s International Womens’ Day speech

This is the first entry in our new Peace & Justice Blog. It will feature mostly local writers, as well as Peace Action position statements.
We can’t think of a better place to start than former CPA Co-President Nina McLellan’s inspiring keynote speech, at Cleveland’s 2019 International Women’s Day  observance, March 8th, on the Cleveland City Hall steps. 

Radical women launched International Women’s Day early in the last century.  They fought for women’s rights.  They also fought for labor rights, sanitation, child care, and for peace.
I’m 83 and grew up in 40’s and 50’s. No one talked about women’s rights or celebrated International Women’s Day.  Back then, we girls were taught to be compliant and obedient.   Times have changed. Are you compliant and obedient?  No!  Are you activists? I see activists who envision better world and are angry at injustice! Yes!  
I’m angry about constant war. In the whole history of our country, we’ve been at war most of the time. Only 17 years of peace in since 7776! Women know that to bear and nurture children, to raise the next generation, we must have peace and security in our homes, neighborhoods and countries. War brings rape, death, destruction, displacement, traumatizing terror.    
Women and children are starving now in Yemen amid the destruction from the bombs we supplied to Saudi Arabia.  Here in Cleveland women and children are are homeless and hungry while the Pentagon can’t track it’s billions and war contractors rake in profits.  
If you’re angry like me, join Peace Action and Code Pink. Let’s rise for diplomacy and peace! Rise for Peace!
I’m angry that Trump sent U.S. troops to our border and trumped up an emergency to fund his racist wall. Never mind that the U.S. has repeatedly intervened, militarily and covertly to support U.S. business interest in the Central America countries from which desperate people now flee. And our government pays profit-making corporations to run abusive immigrant detention prisons like the one run by Core Civic Corp. where I demonstrated with IRTF.  
At the heart of so much violence and injustice is corporate power and greed perverting our democracy and sucking up the nation’s wealth. Privatizing what should be public, like health care, like education. Profiting from war and incarceration.  
If you’re angry too, Join Move to Amend to help pass the We the People constitutional amendment to ensure that political money is not protected speech and corporations do not have human rights under our constitution.   
What do we want? We want Women’s Rights including reproductive rights. We want peace and justice in our homes, work places, our courts, our communities and all around the world! Let us rise for peace and justice! 
Think of the women who founded International Womens’ Day standing beside us.  You, women of today, can and will lead!  Thank you! 

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Cleveland Peace Action calls on the Trump Administration to cease actions against the government and people of Venezuela. We call for an end to sanctions, attempts of regime change, and threats of military action in Venezuela.

Former United Nations rapporteur Alfred de Zayas has criticized the U.S. for engaging in “economic warfare” against Venezuela, which exacerbates the economic and humanitarian crisis facing the country. We concur with his assessment that sanctions on the country are illegal and could amount to “crimes against humanity” under international law.

The United Nations, the Red Cross and other relief organizations have refused to work with the U.S. on delivering aid to Venezuela, which they say is politically motivated.

Three members of the US Congress, California Rep. Ro Khanna, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, have condemned the U.S. actions in Venezuela, the recognition of Guaidó, a $20 million aid package to the Venezuelan opposition, and the threat of further action, including military

“A U.S. backed coup in Venezuela is not a solution to the dire issues they face.” Omar tweeted. “Trump’s efforts to install a far right opposition will only incite violence and further destabilize the region. We must support Mexico, Uruguay & the Vatican’s efforts to facilitate a peaceful dialogue.”

Trump’s recent appointment of Elliot Abrams as U.S. Special Envoy sends a strong signal of planned intervention. Abrams is notorious for being found guilty for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal. He guided U.S. policy towards supporting genocide in Guatemala under Reagan, planned the Panama invasion under George H.W. Bush, and was instrumental in the failed coup in Venezuela against Hugo Chavez in 2002 under George W. Bush.

Let us not assume that such an attack would go any better than the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. A high-ranking U.S. general Retired Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, who led command over South America,said that a military intervention was the wrong course of action. Venezuela has 515,000 troops that would resist any intervention. Even if an intervention succeeded in removing Maduro, civil war and a U.S. occupation could follow.

Trump’s policy must be stopped by the people of the United States, with calls to Congress to stop this trek down a path of folly and chaos. The governance of Venezuela is up to its people.

https://peaceactioncleveland.org/2019/02/22/657/

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Cleveland Peace Action supports troop withdrawal from Syria

Cleveland Peace Action regrets the deaths of four U.S. citizens including two servicemen, one Department of Defense civilian, and one contractor, who were killed in a bomb blast in northern Syria on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The U.S. should never have stationed troops in Syria without congressional approval and with “regime change” as its goal. It was under the Obama Administration that military supervisors were first placed in Syria for that very purpose and promoting the interests of Israel: to contain Syria’s benefactor, Iran, and to deter Iran from gaining nuclear parity with Israel’s clandestine nuclear arsenal. At some point, the official stated purpose for U.S. intervention in Syria shifted from “Assad must go” to a battle against the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIL or ISIS). Arbitrary and shifting justifications for military action are a recipe for endless war.


Cleveland Peace Action welcomes the announcement by the Trump Administration that U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Syria by mid 2019. We concur with National Peace Action’s statement https://www.peaceaction.org/2018/12/19/trump-is-right-to-withdraw-from-syria-should-also-step-up-diplomacy-and-aid/
that “President Trump is right to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. President Obama deployed U.S. soldiers to Syria in violation of international law, and the ongoing U.S. presence there only serves to prolong the war and fuel the risk of confrontation with Russia, Iran, and other parties to the conflict.” 

The U.S. should contribute to a better future for the people of Syria by releasing funds for reconstruction and humanitarian aid. The Trump Administration should also rethink its anti-refugee policies – increase the number of refugees allowed into the United States rather than continuing to deny Syrians fleeing violence that the U.S. helped inflame.
The Trump Administration should also begin withdrawal of U.S. forces from the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan, and from the disastrous Saudi-led war in Yemen. The U.S. has been feeding rapacious wars for decades, wasting trillions of dollars and costing countless lives, with no benefit to the general population. We need a security strategy that employs cooperation and diplomacy to work for international justice and peace. The new Congress should reclaim its authority on peace and war so that these critical decisions are deliberated by our elected representatives and not left to one person.

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Lou greets Mike DeWine along with Browns fans

With the weather being agreeable–chilly but no rain–I took the RTA rapid downtown with the idea of greeting folks streaming toward FirstEnergy Stadium for the Cleveland Browns-Kansas City Chiefs game last Sunday, November 4th. Complementing my peace flag was my 52-year-old U.S. Army field jacket decorated with the six medals pinned to the left breast pocket that the army had awarded me upon my honorable discharge in July, 1968, after serving for a year in Vietnam as a reporter, then editor for the First Infantry Division (“Big Red One” ) newspaper.

      As I arrived at my post about 100 yards from the southwest gate of the stadium, I was pleasantly surprised to see gubernatorial candidate Mike Dewine and his wife, Fran, greeting people going to the game, two days before the election. I walked up to Mike to shake his hand and mentioned I’m also a Miami University alumnus. (Mike graduated in 1969 while I am a member of the class of  ’64.)

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216-393-7986

2592 W. 14th St. Suite 109
Cleveland, OH 44113