Pro-Peace and Pro-Justice Letter to Senator Baldwin August 2021

August 22, 2021

Dear Senator Baldwin

You are our Senator, representing us in congress.  We have supported you in the past, but it is getting more difficult because for many years now we believe you are not representing us in your votes promoting militarism.  Militarism, as Martin Luther King Jr. stated, is one of the triple ‘evils’, along with racism and excessive materialism, that harm our American society.  As you know, the U.S. government spends more on militarism than the next 11 countries combined. We would like the money we spend on militarism moved to spending on human needs, such as health care, housing, food, education, and a green energy economy.

Therefore, for our continued support we ask that you commit to:

Lowering the 2022 spending from the 2021 present military budget of 740 billion dollars, over 60% of the total US discretionary budget.  It is against  our values when the Department of Defense gets more of our taxpayer dollars than all the other departments of our government, education, health, housing, State, etc. combined.

Withdrawing your advocacy and support for the F-35 being based in Madison.  This plane, a major polluter of the environment, air, water and noise, is considered by many military experts a “boondoggle”, too big to fail.  Madison and Wisconsin residents have made it clear they do not want it. 

Stop supporting increased funding to the largest industrial polluter in the world, the US military.  In a world on the brink of climate destruction, we must lessen our support for major polluters.  War is nonsustainable and only leads to more wars with destruction to continue.

Supporting more jobs in education, clean energy and health care over military jobs.  We know that “1 billion in military spending creates approximately 11,200 jobs, compared with 26,700 in education,16,800 in clean energy, and 17,200 in health care.” https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/economic/economy/employment  

We will gather in front of your office on the square on Sept. 11, 2021 at 10:00 am to hear your response to these demands.  We would like you or your representative to be present and show us that you hear us and will represent us.  We wait for your response on 9/11 at the Madison Farmers Market, a day we remember the terror of 9/11 and also celebrate sustainability.

Sincerely,

Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars

[email protected] 608 239-4327

Aug 24 – No Drone Action – Ground the Drones and End the Wars

~ VIGIL AGAINST THE DRONES ~

OUTSIDE THE GATES OF VOLK FIELD

TUESDAY AUGUST 24, 2021    3:30-4:30 pm

We need YOU there 

 

Dear Friends,

 

We must continue to stand against all forms of US Militarism.  Please join us on August 24 to stand against drones.

And then please join us on Sat. Sept. 11 at 30 W. Mifflin St., in front of Sen. Baldwin’s office at 10:00 am for our Mobilization Against Militarism.  See attachment for more details.

The vigil at Volk Field is a legal vigil where we will be on public property.  As always, it will be a solemn vigil, remembering the victims of US government drone attacks.

DIRECTIONS – To get to the vigil, take the Camp Douglas exit off Interstate 90/94 between Mauston and Tomah.  When you exit take County Rd. C to the northeast.  You will see the base straight ahead, but follow County Rd. C to the right and within a few blocks is a picnic wayside where you can park.  The wayside is open for the summer and bathrooms are available.

 

Volk Field Google Map

 

THE VIGIL – We will gather at the wayside around 3:15 for introductions and to review the plan for the vigil, and then process together to the gates of the base where we will hold a solemn vigil for one hour to remember those killed by drones.  Participants can stand in silence or read poems and stories about the effects of drone warfare.  It is important that the voices of the victims be brought to the gates of Volk Field.

Bring posters if you can.

A WORD ABOUT THE WEATHER – If you have questions about the vigil because of the weather, please make sure to call Joy at 608 239-4327 or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 for an update.

CARPOOLING –  If you are interested in carpooling to Volk Field from Madison, please contact Bonnie at 608-256-5088.

We hope to see you at the vigil on August 24.  If you can’t come this time, mark your calendar.  We usually vigil on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  If you have any questions please call or email Joy at 608 239-4327 or [email protected] or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 or [email protected] .

Peace,

Joy and Bonnie

Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars

 

Help for Afghans – About Face 

Need help for Afghans trying to evacuate, or want to know how to help? 🚨
About Face: Veterans Against War
Facebook ***There are ways to help that don’t require military intervention, that give Afghan people their inherent dignity and a choice other than oppression and occupation. We must help the most vulnerable in Afghanistan and be responsible for the terrible situation the US has created. In the coming days we will be centering the voices of the Afghan people, and in the meantime, here are ways you can help:



Stay away from Kabul’s airport! It’s not safe. Email any documentation of your work to an American friend or save it to the cloud. There are phone apps for scanning (e.g. GeniusScan). Do not have hard copies on your person.




AMERICAN CITIZENS: If you or someone you know is an American in Afghanistan that wants to get out, have them fill out this form. They can also email [email protected] or call his office at (202) 225-4765 if we can help follow up and push.





AFGHAN CIVILIANS: US citizens can fill out the following form for Afghan human rights defenders, women/gender rights advocates, journalists, and civil society leaders. Evacuate Our Allies sends the list to relevant U.S. government officials daily at 6 PM EST.





INTERPRETERS: If you/someone you know has an approved petition for a Special Immigrant Visa, email [email protected] or call 1-603-334-0828. For those with/without approved petitions, email [email protected] and Rep Andy Kim so he can try and push for an urgent evac: [email protected].


Other helpful SIV resources for interpreters and their supports, including templates:






P-2: If you/someone you know worked as a contractor with NGO, media, etc. Rep Andy Kim is pushing for P-2 holders to have safe passage immediately. If you have questions, or are eligible and need assistance contact [email protected].





HELPING HERE IN U.S.:


• If you want to volunteer for airport pickup, apartment setups, and/or meals for Afghans, go to https://t.co/bw2zeqFzQL?amp=1


• If you want to help provide transportation, housing, and other basic needs for Afghans at Fort Lee in Virginia, go to https://t.co/Z8lV7hJrnQ?amp=1


• If you are an attorney and you would like to help with Afghan pro bono cases, please sign up here: https://t.co/MWzKmRr6tN?amp=1


• Here are NGOs/charities working in Afghanistan you can support: https://t.co/CnqMuWdY8q?amp=1




Look up Afghans For A Better Tomorrow on twitter to see how you can continue help: www.twitter.com/afghanstomorrow








































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