WRL NEWS

Countdown to A Day Without the Pentagon
We know that the odds are against us-the money the Pentagon spends in one day could fund WRL's current budget for four million years. Nevertheless, we have reason to hope as "A Day Without the Pentagon" approaches.

More than 30 local groups-from Providence, RI, to Portland, OR, and from Katy, TX, to East Lansing, MI-are planning events and actions for October 24. Many more have expressed interest in the campaign, and a growing endorsers' list shows broad support.

Although most local groups are still in the early planning stages, the outlines of a very exciting day of protest are taking shape. Military contractors, universities receiving Pentagon contracts, and high school recruiters are some of the Pentagon's local symbols that activists have identified to protest.

A recent house meeting in the Bronx showed the campaign's potential. Organized by Disarmament Task Force member Gerry Mooney, it gathered more than 20 long-time community organizers and activists. Many had been active in the peace movement but have shifted the focus of their work to community concerns. Some came with college-age children now becoming organizers themselves.

After brief presentations by campaign organizers, members of the group looked at the possibilities of "A Day Without the Pentagon" for them. The budget issues are clear: The concerns they address-mixed-income housing, public education, lead paint removal, housing for homeless people with AIDS, welfare reform, the quality of life in working class communities-are underfunded because of the Pentagon's porkbarrel corporate welfare.

As task force member Joanne Sheehan said, "If you talk about budget issues without talking about the Pentagon, there is something wrong with your analysis. Too often, people in human services compete against each other rather than challenge the single largest item in the federal budget-the military budget." As the discussion developed, it examined ways to engage staffs, boards and clients with questions that will lead them to challenge the myths of the military.

The group left the meeting considering how "A Day Without the Pentagon" can be relevant in their communities and how they can work the campaign into their agenda. They know that they will be doing something October 24,what will you be doing?

The Disarmament Task Force makes a special appeal to readers of the Nonviolent Activist in New York City. The WRL office is compiling a list of military recruiting billboards in New York. If you see recruiting billboards, please note the location and the message. Then call Chris Ney at (212)228-0450 with the information and add the billboard to the list.

And check out A Day Without the Pentagon's website at http://www.warresisters.org/nopentagon.html.

The Nonviolent Activist is published bi-monthly by:
WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE
339 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012. (212) 228-0450, fax (212) 228-6193, e-mail:wrl@warresisters.org.

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