2012: A Year in Peace Work
From a local to global scale, 2012 was a year of trials and tribulations. We saw military escalations in Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, El Salvador, between Israel and Palestine, and here at home where a series of high-profile shootings have brought counter-terrorism efforts to our front door like never before. Many activists and organizations are aware that this is ‘crunch-time’ to work for peace.
As we begin a new year in peace work, we at SPC would like to highlight some of our successes from the past year. We started our 76th year carrying the momentum of a record-breaking Plowshares, and the excitement just kept coming as the year unfolded. We maintained organizing energy around myriad crucial issues; organized a successful Bowlathon, birthday dinner and Plowshares; and published ten PNLs. On top of all that, the following efforts led by volunteers, interns and staff were unique to 2012:
● Organized and hosted PeaceSongsCNY release party
● Hosted Medea Benjamin & a weekend of anti-drone organizing including a march and rally
● Supported six separate arrest occasions at Hancock Airbase and one trial for drone resistors
● Laid groundwork & built momentum for Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign
● Hosted Rabbi Brian Walt to teach us about the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions campaign to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine
● Supported Aly Wane in his Coming Out of the Shadows party, and by extension lent support to the Undocumented and Unafraid movement
● Partnered with Peace Action of CNY to host the Peace Picnic, a family-oriented event promoting abolition of nuclear weapons
● Partnered with the Onondaga Nation for Water is Life festival
● Facilitated a new youth anti-war effort that led a work-in at SU’s ROTC office, protested drones at the NYS Fair, and did CIA counter-recruitment on SU campus
● Organized and led the Drone Country Tour, a tour of local facilities contributing to global drone warfare
● In the midst of all this great organizing SPC said goodbye to longtime staff members Jessica Maxwell and Andy Mager, and welcomed Steering Committee members Jessica Azulay and Amelia Ramsey-Lefevre to the staff collective.
Thanks to each and every one of you who contributed to and participated in all of this work. We look forward to another active and inspired year in solidarity for peace.
