The Chatham Peace Initiative -a community gathering for peace . . . We are residents of Columbia County, NY, who first came together in the fall of 2002 to vigil in protest of the looming war in Iraq. We are deeply committed to peace and social justice and to the plight of detained immigrants.

Chatham Peace Initiative, P.O. Box 34, Chatham, NY 12037 www.chathampeace.org  Write the webmaster poetapoetus@taconic.net if you want to get on our email list of upcoming events and actions.

 

Last updated 03/25/2009

 

Co-founder of www.afterdowningstreet.org David Swanson and Valeria A. Gheorghiu Esq., at the invitation of the The Chatham Peace Initiative, will speak on Prosecuting the Bush Administration for war crimes at the Albany Friends’ Meetinghouse on April 20 at 12:00  noon and at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield MA co-sponsored by GIRO (Global Issues Resource Organization) on Monday, April 20 at 7 PM. Press release

 

Directions to Albany Friends Meetinghouse (Quakers) 727 Madison Avenue, Albany NY (2 houses from  the corner of Lake Ave. and Madison Avenue next to Washington Park)

Downloadable flyer for Albany event

 

Directions to BCC Directions: http://www.berkshirecc.edu/Maps%20and%20Directions

Downloadable flyer for BCC event

 

Link to video of the Justice Robert Jackson Conference for the Planning of the Prosecution of High Level American War Criminals

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www.projectsalam.org, set up to free the innocent Muslims unjustifiably serving long prison sentences, has composed its second petition and needs your signatures!  It lists five incarcerated Muslim men who should be released:  Dr. Rafil Dhafir, Yassin Aref, Mohammed Hossain, Dr. Sami Al-Arian and Syed Hashmi.

 

For the Latest on convicting Bush and Cheney go to http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/39585

 

The Chatham Peace Initiative holds a vigil every Saturday from 12-1 PM on the village green in Chatham NY under the clock tower, next to the old railroad station.  We protest against any war or violence as a solution to the world's problems. This vigil also supports the prosecution of the Bush Administration for war crimes. We have extra signs.

 

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The following article and accompanying picture appeared in the register star about our Jan 12 vigil in front of Congresswoman Gillibrand’s office.

 

 

Demonstrators outraged at Israel-Gaza war


Hallie Goodman/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

HUDSONChatham Peace Initiative members protested in front of U.S Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s Hudson office yesterday to voice their moral objections to Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza. The group called the attacks a humanitarian crisis and said they are in violation of international law.

Last week, Congress passed resolutions “recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel in its battle with Hamas, and supporting the Israeli-Palestine Process.” Gillibrand, D-Greenport, along with an overwhelming majority of representatives, voted in support of the proposal.

Only five representatives voted against it: Ron Paul, R-Texas, Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., and Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.

Protesters held signs that referred to the attacks as a slaughter or genocide, and distributed copies of the letters they had written to Gillibrand.

Among other things, the letters alleged that Israel has been using white phosphorus chemical which burns flesh to the bone and has been outlawed for use against humans.

“Killing people is not going to solve the problems of the world. It will only make more enemies.” said Marion Lathrop of Canaan. “I hope Gillibrand understands that a lot of her constituents do not agree with her vote.”

Lathrop, and others in the crowd, said that if the U.S., which is the largest supplier of arms to Israel, were to stop supporting Israel, peace negotiations might have a chance to work.

“It’s not like I support Hamas, I have a Jewish last name,” said a female protester who asked not to be identified. “But when I hear an account of a woman hiding along with 30 other people in her house, her baby in her lap, and her baby gets hit by shrapnel, and the baby’s mouth opens and she realizes that her baby is dead ... I know that some people say that they are like the Hatfields and McCoys and they will always be fighting, but we can’t give that our approval.”

“Stop the slaughter... on both sides.” said Nancy Rothman.

“But it is disproportionate,” said Susan Davies, an organizer of the protest. “International law says that disproportionate violence is illegal. For one thing, Palestine is not a country, they don’t have a military or an air force, and Israel is hitting them with everything they’ve got. The death toll [in Gaza] is 900 and we know that 275 of those are children and half are civilians. Meanwhile there are 13 dead Israelis and four of those were a result of friendly fire.”

Bob Elmendorf said, “Kucinich put it well. He said that he was a friend of Israel, but that good friends speak out when things go awry.”

Wendy Dwyer from Canaan said she had come because she was against the United States issuing Israel a “blank check paid for with tax dollars. I don’t like that, because it makes us all terrorists. It is setting both Israel and the U.S. up for being hated in the world.”

“The Gaza situation is totally wrong,” said Robert Bisson. “They both have to stop. People used to say that the conflict in Ireland would never end. But it has. And this could end too.”

 

 

 

 

The following letter was given to Representative Gillibrand’s staff on Monday Jan 12, 2009 at our protest against US support for Israel’s attack on Gaza which we held outside her Hudson office. The letter was subsequently sent to the Register Star and the Independent.

 

 

 

 

Chatham Peace Initiative

P.O. Box 34, Chatham, NY 12037

www.chathampeace.org    info@chathampeace.org

Contact: Susan Davies 518-392-9477 or Bob Elmendorf 518-766-2992

 

January 12, 2009

 

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand

446 Warren Street

Hudson, NY 12534

 

Dear Representative Gillibrand,

 

We strongly urge you to withdraw your support for Israel’s military attack on the occupied territories of Gaza which began on December 27 and has already caused 895 deaths and a devastating and worsening humanitarian crisis. 

 

Since the withdrawal of the Israeli forces and settlers from Gaza in 2005, Gaza has become more and more like a prison. In response to Gaza’s electing a Hamas controlled government in 2007, Israel cut off all access to Gaza creating a humanitarian crisis by crippling Gaza’s already weak economy and limiting the entry of food, fuel, water and medical supplies. This is “collective punishment” and is clearly outlawed by international law.

 

For 17 days now Israel has been bombing and firing on the most densely populated area on earth where people are trapped in an open air prison. Nearly half of the population of Gaza are children and already over 270 of them have been killed by the Israeli military.  The Israeli military shelled a UN school to which Gazans had fled for refuge killing 42 people. Israel has been using white phosphorus in Gaza, a chemical which if it lands on a human being burns them to the bone and which has been outlawed for use against human beings.

 

The US government provides Israel with billions of dollars of support and with the air force jets and helicopters which are being used to bomb and shell the people of Gaza. Just this past week the US Congress passed resolutions (Senate Res 10 introduced by Sen Harry Reid (D- NV) and House Res. 34 introduced by Rep. Nancy Pelosi)  “recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel in its battle with Hamas, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.” Considering the brutality of Israel’s attack on Gaza and Israel’s disproportionate use of force against an occupied territory which doesn’t even have a military, this resolution is essentially encouraging Israel’s engagement in war crimes against the people of Gaza.

 

The only representatives who had the courage to vote against this resolution were: Ron Paul (R-TX), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Nick Rahall (D-WV). We are displeased that you did not join them in standing up for international law both on ethical and humanitarian grounds. We ask you to  re-examine your position and  provide the kind of leadership so badly needed in Congress at this terrible moment by condemning Israel’s attacks and urging them to immediately stop the attacks, end the punishing blockade on Gaza, and sit down for peace talks with all parties involved including Hamas without preconditions. This is not only in the best interests of the Palestinians people but also of the people of Israel, the US and the world.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

The Chatham Peace Initiative

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The Chatham Peace Initiative has restarted its peace vigil.  It will be held every Saturday from 12-1 pm at the village green in Chatham NY.  Bring signs to end the war.  We have been waving to every car and 95% have been waving back.  Passengers gave us 3 donations at one of our vigils. 

 

Vincent Bugliosi’s latest book  is “The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder”  Here is a review of it by Bob Elmendorf, treasurer of CPI.

 

If you, like most people who are desirous of seeing the President impeached, which in any event could lead to some kind of deal or pardon, have given up on that outcome, Mr. Bugliosi’s book is the perfect antidote for your frustration. 

 

According to Democracy Now  “In his career at the LA County District Attorney’s office, he successfully prosecuted 105 of 106 felony jury trials, including twenty-one murder convictions without a single loss.”  Mr. Bugliosi brings that experience and a thorough knowledge of the law and couples it with evidence that the President lied that Iraq was an imminent threat to show how a murder charge could be brought by any county district attorney in the country that had a soldier who had been killed Iraq.  Although the book has copious footnotes and annotations, it is enlivened by Mr. Bugliosi’s unbridled scorn for the President which manifests itself in fulminations of peppery adjectives.  The arguments are easy to follow because he explains legal terms carefully, and shows you how he would conduct the trial depending on which choices the President made to defend himself.

 

All that is required now is for some District Attorney to take the initiative, and Mr. Bugliosi volunteers to help in any way he can.

 

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Register Star article on 3 hour rally against 5 years of war held at Congresswoman Gillibrand’s office in Hudson.  60 protesters attended and signed the log in her office. 

 

 

 

Register Star 02/03/08

 

 

The picture below is of Congresswoman Gillibrand in front of the Hudson Opera House on February 2, 2008, with a bundle of completed impeachment petitions collected by the Chatham Peace Initiative, talking with Wendy Dwyer displaying an impeach sign with Martin Baumgold behind waving a peace flag.  Below that picture is Congresswoman Gillibrand inside the Hudson Opera House with Max Greishaber on her left who made and presented her with this banner entitled “Congress Gillibrand: Support the woman and children of Iraq!” Bob Elmendorf is on her right and Nancy Rothman is in the rear.

 

We handed out the following letter to those who attended the event:

 

Chatham Peace Initiative

P.O. Box 34

Chatham, NY 12037

www.chathampeace.org

 

February 2, 2008

 

We welcome Congressmember Kirsten Gillibrand to Columbia County and we welcome the opportunity to address the many concerns facing cournty today. Today’s event with Congressmember Gillibrand and author Dr. Alida Black focuses on the legacy and accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt, who is an eminent figure in our District’s history. In light of the daily tragedies besetting us, Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy is an inspiration for she faced challenges equal to and exceeding our current situation. We recognize her contributions empowering people in the struggle for human, women’s and children’s rights for history has taught us that these accomplishments offer greater human rewards to the world than even the noted efforts of her husband.

 

Out of the destruction, terror and tragedy of World War II Eleanor had the vision to guide the nation and world in the creation of the United Nations, an institution which implements actions for the betterment of human kind and mediates world disputes.

 

Today we are again engaged in the terror, torture, repression and tragedy of war. We know that the events that unfold before us each day cannot stand the review of law nor withstand the test of the Constitution. Were Eleanor with us today, she would combat this repression and war effort. Eleanor would not hesitate to bring our military back home.

 

Our demands are grounded in Eleanor’s legacy, and our loyalties, principles and convictions speak in harmony with hers. We citizens of the 20th District  feel reassured in the knowledge that Congressmember Gillibrand also embraces Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy.

 

We demand complete military withdrawal, respect for the human dignity and rights of the peoples, women and children of Iraq and Afghanistan, and demand total restitution for these nations, their peoples and infrastructures. In keeping with her promise to provide ethics in government, it’s time for Kirsten Gillibrand to take an ethical stand on these issues.

 

CPI: Susan Davies, Bob Elmendorf, Max Greishaber, James Rothenberg, Nancy Rothman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following letter conveyed to petitions to Congresswoman Gillibrand:

 

The petition signatures here presented represent the modest collection efforts of a very small group of people. Most were gathered on the main street of Chatham, essentially in a matter of hours on a single Saturday.

 

We were greatly impressed not only by their number, but by the relative ease of obtaining them. The teeth were falling out by themselves, to reverse an expression. One quickly got the feeling that public resentment against the White House ran deep and wide. Indeed, public opinion polls seem to reflect this, is spite of the scant attention the matter receives in the Congress and from elite opinion.

 

Impeachment is only the first step in the search for justice. But failing to take it, for whatever reasons, is to push justice into an indefinite future. One must at least be able to say, I tried.

 

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway.

                                                                                    - Eleanor Roosevelt -

 

This search for justice goes beyond the President and Vice President having to answer to the American people for their crimes. The people they harmed on foreign shores are waiting as well.

 

Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

 

 

 

Chatham Peace Initiative

Susan Davies

Bob Elmendorf

Max Greishaber

James Rothenberg

Nancy Rothman

 

 

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From the Register Star

 

From The Independent

 

 

The Chatham Peace Initiative

 

Is Rallying To

 

Call for the Shutdown of Guantanamo Prison

Friday, January  11, 2008 from 4:00 -5:00 PM

 

Corner of Park and Main St. by the Converted Train Station

 Chatham Village Green, Chatham NY

STOP THE TORTURE

DEMAND JUSTICE

For more information call 766-2992

www.chathampeace.org

 

 

Go to http://www.witnesstorture.org/jan11_call for downloads of signs, and more background information.

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Thursday, December 6 at  7 p.m.

Screening of “Little Birds”

Tracy Memorial (Chatham Village) Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham, NY

Presented by the Chatham Peace Initiative

 

 

 “This is a film that simply cries out to be seen more widely.” – Jasper Sharp, Midnighteye

 

Little Birds (Japan, 2005, Arabic etc. with English subtitles, DVCAM, 102 minutes) is a touching ,eye-opening documentary by Japanese freelance video journalist Takeharu Watai.. Watai went to Iraq before the US invasion and remained through “Shock and Awe” and for the first months of the occupation, capturing what critic Jasper Sharp calls “the kind of day-to-day footage that the sound bite-dominated mainstream Western media has by and large kept us shielded from.” 

 

"I tried to depict the devastation caused by air strikes and how attacks with cluster bombs cruelly involved ordinary Iraqis," said the 35-year-old Watai, "And such scenes seemed to be quite new to U.S. citizens. They told me after seeing the film that I should show it to Congress and that (President George W.) Bush should watch it."

 

The film provides an intimate look at the lives of Iraqi families during the invasion and after. It especially focuses on 31-year-old Ali Saqban who lost three of his four small children in the initial bombing of Baghdad, and on Hadeel Kadem, a 12-year-old girl, and her father who await an operation to remove a piece of shrapnel from her eye.

 

The film has no distributor in the United States although it has won many awards including the Human Rights award at the 2005 Locarno International Film Festival.

 

The Chatham Peace Initiative has arranged for a series of screenings in the area including at: The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 – 6th Avenue, Troy, NY (518-272-2390) on Thursday, December 13 at 7 p.m.; the Rock Hill Bake House Café, 19 Exchange St Glens Falls, NY 12801 (518-615-0777) on Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.; and at the Media Education Community Room, 60 Masonic St. Northampton, MA "Little Birds" on Fri. Dec. 14.

 

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As of October 27, 2007, twenty-two congress members have signed onto house resolution 333. 

 

 

Mass Grave in Lebanon from the Israeli attacks.  Note the shorter coffins for the children.

 

Amy Goodman posted a story on May 8, 2007 “One In Eight Iraqi Children Die Before the Age of Five Iraq's infant mortality rate has soared by 150 percent since 1990 according to a new report by the charity Save the Children. One in eight Iraqi children now die of disease or violence before the age of five. In 2005 alone, 122,000 Iraqi children died before reaching their fifth birthday. Save the Children said Iraq's child-survival ranking is now the lowest in the world.”

 

Click for information on Dr. Rafil Dhafir, unjustly imprisoned for 22 years for the false charge of medicare fraud because he sent aid to Iraq during the US/UN sanctions.  Click on http://www.chathampeace.org/rafil dhafir's grand jury indictment.pdf   for the grand jury indictment. Click for Rafil’s appeal brief submitted to 2nd district federal court. Click on http://www.chathampeace.org/usdhafirbrief ca2.pdf for the government’s reply.  Click on http://www.chathampeace.org/05-5965.reply-forecf.pdf   for Rafil’s attorney’s reply brief.

 

Click for information on the cases of Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain both sentenced to 15 years on evidence that Albany and Schenectady newspaper editorials said was non existent. Click for a special website on Yassin Aref.

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Call Congressional Switch Board free 1- 800-828-0498 and ask for your congresswoman/man or senator to oppose the escalation in Iraq and call for an immediate exit to be replaced by the UN, NATO, the Arab League and any other peaceful consortium of countries that can help rebuild Iraq or how about letting the Iraqis have their own country back and find their own internal solutions.  With war reparations from the US sent immediately to Iraq.  Also oppose any non-diplomatic solution with Iran.  Also call your congress person and ask that the President and Vice President be impeached.  For the months of July-October 2007 CPI has been collecting signatures on petitions calling for impeachment.

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The following statement from the Chatham Peace Initiative was published in local newspapers:

 

Dear Editor,

 

“The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right.” – Thomas Jefferson

 

The Chatham Peace Initiative joins many other members of our local and national community in an endeavor to restore a sense of humanity to our country and to ourselves as a people as we witness US war and destruction abroad being perpetrated in our name. Open public dissent and discussion are essential if we hope to peacefully effect changes in our national policies. The US Constitution defends this essential right:


Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

Over the past four years the Chatham Village Board has on occasion arbitrarily refused use of public spaces within the village to CPI and other individuals seeking to express public grievance regarding the US’s illegal and immoral war. The village board’s actions contradict constitutional guarantees and appear in the end to promote a particular point of view on the Village Green. At a Village Board Meeting in January, one Board member characterized CPI’s actions in placing a peace wreath on the Green as “malicious.” This introduction of the question of motivation in the context of free speech is both a distraction  from the issue at hand and serves to intimidate members of the community who might dare to express dissent with US policy in public spaces.

 

The passage of the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and other repressive anti-Constitutional legislation initiated and promoted by the Bush Administration is evidence that the American people are losing faith in the ability to maintain a free and open society.  CPI  wonders if the fear and doubt fostered by our government’s policies is causing us to check our liberties at the village gate and at the national border.

 

CPI firmly believes that free speech and community discourse are an indispensable part of a free society.  We will not be dissuaded from fulfilling our responsibility as citizens to verbalize our grievances against our government.

 

for the Chatham Peace Initiative: Susan Davies, Terry Dix, Bob Elmendorf, Max Grieshaber, Nancy Rothman, James Rothenberg

 

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 DONATIONS

 

We are in need of donations to cover the expense of speakers, meeting room rental, mailings, phone calls and printing.

Donations can be made out to Chatham Peace Initiative and mailed to: Chatham Peace Initiative, PO Box 34, Chatham, NY 12037

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A history of our work with Ansar Mahmood and championing the rights of immigrants

(Click on the pictures below to bring up a page.)

 

 

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