Veterans For Peace Daniel Ellsberg Chapter 92, Seattle

Last Updated: August 13, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

Golden Rule: 2024 The Pacific Northwest

THE GOLDEN RULE 2024 EVENT SCHEDULE IN SEATTLE

IMPORTANT UPDATE as of 7/27/2024
The Golden Rule’s arrival has been delayed because of mechanical problems and has been stuck in Eureka, CA, getting a new transmission. They plan to leave for Seattle now on Saturday, July 27. The expected arrival is now the 31st of July or the first of August.

We will update this event schedule as we get the new dates.

JULY 28^TH TO AUGUST 9^th

- Sunday, July 28^th – CANCELED– Golden Rule Welcome Ceremony and Press Conference.
  This event may be rescheduled; stayed tuned for updates as we get progress reports from the crew as they travel North.
  Join us in welcoming the Golden Rule and its crew to Seattle at 5pm at Pier 62 on the Seattle downtown waterfront. Mayor proclamation, music, and greetings from the Seattle peace community will comprise the short program. Opportunity to see the boat and visit with the crew.
- Tuesday, July 30^th – Protest the Navy Parade of Ships into Elliott Bay for Seafair. Join the Golden Rule on the water or on land to “welcome” the Navy bringing their militarize ships into Seattle and Seafair to entertain and recruit. Boats will go in at Noon at Bell Harbor; land protester meet at Pier 62 at 1pm.
- Friday, August 9^th – Potluck and program about the Golden Rule.
  - Visit the Golden Rule from 1-5pm at Ivar’s Salmon House dock on north Lake Union.
  - Potluck starts at 6pm at the University Friends Meeting House (near the northwest side of the University Bridge),4001 – 9^th Ave NE. Bring something to share and a drink.Dinnerware will be provided.
  - Program starts at 7pm. Learn about the Golden Rule through a short film and hearing from the ship’s crew and manager about its historic mission.
    Music provided by Seve & Kristi Nebel.
    Parking is limited at the facility; parking in the neighborhood to the West will require a walk of a block or two.
Plan an event with the Golden Rule, dockside or elsewhere.

Would your church group, book club, school group, summer camp, or neighborhood like to plan a visit or tour of the Golden Rule? Or have some of the crew come to your place for a program or picnic? Email us at mail.vfp92.org.

Similarly, if you would like to go sailing on the Golden Rule there are opportunities during its visit for up to 4-6 people at a time. Email us and we will let you know date and times that the GR is available to take people sailing. mail@vfp92.org

For more information about the Golden Rule, check out their website at: vfpgoldenruleproject.com .

DON’T MISS THE GOLDEN RULE IN SEATTLE

BEFORE IT LEAVES!

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

Cancel RIMPAC!

Veterans For Peace, Daniel Ellsberg Chapter92, Seattle endorses the Cancel RIMPAC campaign for the following reasons:

1– We agree that: ” …The US uses RIMPAC to strengthen the abilities of 26 of its allies’ militaries to wage wars of aggression around the world, as threats of war between major military powers continue to rise. Through weapons testing and war-making, defense contractors and fossil fuel corporations reap hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. Meanwhile, our tax dollars are spent on war and occupation not on the basic housing, food, employment and healthcare needs of our communities. The US military occupation of Hawai’i is a violation of native Hawaiian sovereignty. RIMPAC leads to environmental destruction, violence against women, and a gross neglect of the day to day needs of people all over the world by advancing US-led wars.”

— from “What is RIMPAC” on the campaign website (https://www.resistusledwarmovement.com/cancel-rimpac.html)

Our mission as Veterans For Peace is to:

1— Increase public awareness of the causes and costs of war

2– Restrain our governments from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations

3– Resist racism and repression in our home communities

4– Oppose the militarization of law enforcement

5– End the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons

6– Seek justice for veterans and victims of war

7– Abolish war as an instrument of national policy.

RIMPAC is on the wrong side of all of these.

The exercises themselves are addressed in # 1, 2, 5 and 7. The effects on the environment and people of weapons testing, pollution, military tourism and violation of local self-determination are addressed in # 3, 4 and 6.

Last Updated: June 4, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

Join VFP92 at 10am on Saturday, June 15, 2024, as we celebrate the legacy of Daniel Ellsberg and announce the renaming of our chapter in his honor.

Veteran For Peace Greater Seattle Chapter 92
is now
Veteran For Peace Daniel Ellsberg Chapter 92, Seattle

This celebration is part of the Daniel Ellsberg Week, a week of education and action to honor peacemaking
and whistleblowing. It is cosponsored by RootsAction Education Fund & The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy.
The event will be on Zoom and will begin at 10:00 am with the renaming program and proclamation followed by a screening of the movie “The Most Dangerous Man in America”.

Join VFP92 on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 10 am as we celebrate the legacy of Daniel Ellsberg and announce the renaming of our chapter in his honor.

The Zoom meeting info:
Meeting ID: 878 5458 0030
Passcode: 513539
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87854580030?pwd=Cq6cIydSa17jf86jffbN7AwQhbOiAa.1

Daniel Ellsberg was “the most dangerous man in America and he must
be stopped at all costs.”
 Henry Kissinger

Event Leaflet: name change flyer

Posted: April 13, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

Tax Day to Earth Day: Events!

Care for People and Planet not Warfare
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 15, 2024 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Congressman Adam Smith’s office, 15 S Grady Way Bldg, Renton, WA 98057
10:30 am Wave your peace, climate and justice signs and send messages to Congressman Adam Smith to invest our taxes spent for education, health , & earth care, not military and war; abolish nuclear weapons 11:00 am Sing, chant, share speeches; then wave signs until noon. Questions? suggestions? Contact Earthcare not Warfare hosts, Beth or Mona, 207-898-5452, mona_lee@centurylink.net
Sign Up Now
Seattle Tax Day to Earth Day Event
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 16, 2024 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT
Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98174
Veterans For Peace, alongside the Fellowship of Reconciliation Seattle, Ground Zero for Nonviolent Action, the Seattle Anti War Coalition, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Washington Against Nuclear Weapons, will be at the Federal Building in Seattle to demand that Congress disband efforts to spend over $2 trillion tax dollars to grow and rebuild the entire nuclear weapons arsenal and move the money to housing, health care and the climate crisis. Meet at noon near the southeast corner of the building, look for the banners.
Sign Up Now
TaxDay2EarthDay – It’s Your Tax Dollars
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 18, 2024 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PT
Outside Issaquah City Hall, 130 E Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027
Community engagement to increase awareness of how our tax dollars are spent.
Sign Up Now
Meaningful Movie & panel: Move our money from war to protect our planet
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 18, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT
on Zoom, On Zoom, Seattle, WA 98144
Meaningful Movies and South Seattle Climate Action Network will stream movie “Dear President Biden” Calling him to declare a climate emergency and take bold action protect our climate. Then panel “What can we do now to move our money from war to protect people and planet? Veterans for Peace, 350Seattle, Green New Deal leaders Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84322063054?pwd=UWxOQjJIUG53cS9ubXd0MWRHY2ZUZz09
Sign Up Now
TaxDaytoEarthDay
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 20, 2024 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT
Main Bothell Intersection, All 4 Corners NE Bothell Way (Hwy) And B All 4, Bothell, WA 98011
Holding signs at the corner of NE Bothell Way and Bothell Way NE. Put our tax dollars towards climate change solutions, not weapons, war, and destruction. Bring a sign or come as you are. Your sign tells what you’re passionate about – the money, the weapons, the Earth – or, all of these interrelated issues. Let me know if you’d like to get together to create more signs. WE, THE PEOPLE, CAN MAKE CHANGE!
Sign Up Now
TOWARDS A SAFER WORLD
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 20, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Zoom link at ?, 2524 16th Ave S # 300, Seattle, WA 98144
Towards a Safer World is a zoom program featuring two long-time peacemakers in their opposition to nuclear weapons: Dr. Ira Helfand, a two-time winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Physicians for Social Responsibility both internationally and in the US, and James Thomas, a dedicated advocate for nuclear disarmament speaking about the urgent task of citizens to demand nuclear disarmament.
Sign Up Now
Activating faith communities for climate justice
COMMUNITY EVENT
April 28, 2024 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM PT
First United Methodist Church of Seattle, 180 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109
A community discussion prompted by The Letter, a documentary film about the impact of climate change on people around the world and of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s encyclical on the climate crisis. Two faith leaders in the climate movement will share how faith communities are responding to the climate crisis. People are welcome to attend in person or via Zoom. For more information and a link to register, visit https://firstchurchseattle.org/events/activating-faith-communities-for-climate-justice-meaningful-movies-at-first-church-seattle-sunday-april-28-at-noon/
Sign Up Now

Full List for Washington: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/VQ10Ljl-OkCrMbsYyAwFZg2

Washington Against Nuclear Weapons Coalition

Last Updated: April 12, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

Tax Day to Earth Day 2024

Join us to demand that our federal tax dollars go to housing, healthcare, and the climate crisis and not to wasteful nuclear weapons and an ever growing military budget!
12 noon to 1pm on April 16, 2024, at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave, Seattle.
Sponsored by Veterans For Peace, Daniel Ellsberg Chapter, Seattle 92
Endorsed by

• ANSWER/PSL
• Bayan
• Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity
• Resist US Led Wars
• Seattle Democratic Socialists of America
• Seattle Anti War Coalition
• South Seattle Climate Action Network
• Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Washington Against Nuclear Weapons
• Fellowship of Reconciliation Seattle
• Ground Zero for Nonviolent Action
• Lake Forest Park For Peace
• 350 Seattle
Leaflet to print:
fullleaflet4april16 new2

Last Updated: March 10, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

No to Boeing Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit!

Last Updated: February 9, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

SEATTLE: SHUT IT DOWN FOR PALESTINE THIS SATURDAY 2/10 from 4-6pm (PSL_Seattle)

“As part of the international week of action to #shutitdown4palestine, we will be demonstrating outside of Union Station Great Hall (Sound Transit’s Headquarters) to denounce the links between the publicly-funded Sound Transit and multinational conglomerate, Siemens, who works to enhance Israeli occupation and colonisation in Palestine….. Union Station Great Hall, International District, 401 S Jackson Street
Saturday, February 10th at 4PM”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3EqeoWrscO/

Last Updated: January 4, 2024 by TPete Schoonmaker

MLK Day 2024!

The Seattle Martin Luther King Organizing Coalition is planning the 41st annual region-wide Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration with workshops, rally, and march in Seattle. Our theme this year is “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream Unfinished.””
(Veterans For Peace: Plan to meet at 12:45am over by 23rd street on the “grassy knoll” by 23rd Ave at Garfield HS. (Look for the VFP flags).)

Source and more info: https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/new-page

Last Updated: November 30, 2023 by TPete Schoonmaker

Veterans For Peace Hamas-Israel Statement

October 12, 2023

Veterans For Peace is an organization of former soldiers and allies who know too well the costs of war – the obvious, visible wounds; the unseen wounds that curse us and our families for generations and the cost to society of maintaining a military larger than the next ten nations combined. Bitter experience taught us that war is insanity and suffering.

We oppose all targeting of civilians. We denounce Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians and deplore Israel’s crushing response in Gaza. We also recognize this war did not start last week, it has gone on for decades. Over $150 billion of our tax dollars have provided Israel unlimited weaponry and diplomatic cover has allowed it to expand its occupation such that 16 years ago former President Jimmy Carter clearly labeled it apartheid.

Our government fans the flames beneath the pressure cooker of occupation and our taxes make us complicit. We should not pretend shock at a violent response after Palestinian homes are destroyed to make way for Israeli “settlers” and Gaza is locked down, year after year, by a draconian air, sea and land blockade. History is defined by when you start the clock.

In the war of competing propaganda, we recognize that U.S. officials fabricate incidents for corporate media consumption, such as President Biden claiming he saw photos of beheaded Israeli children. Hours later, as reported by news outlets from the Palestine Chronicle to Business Insider, a White House spokesperson had to “walk back” Biden’s claims. But just like the Bush administration claims in 1991 that Iraqi soldiers threw Kuwaiti babies out of incubators, once the lie is out, the truth rarely catches up.

This cycle of violence, coupled with the reality that war is an uncontrollable force with its own agency and purposes, results in the terrors we witness.

Neither side has a military path to victory, which is why we strongly oppose our government’s plans to send troops, aircraft carriers and more munitions and President Biden’s promise to fully support Israel’s assault on the people of Gaza. We support a ceasefire, negotiations and release of prisoners from all sides.

Only a political process will dismantle the apartheid system, answer the grievances of the Palestinian people, create a democratic system that provides rights for all the people of Israel and Palestine, and finally bring lasting security and peace. Without that political process, the cycle of violence will magnify, dooming more generations of Israelis and Palestinians.

We lift up the words of our brother and sister military veterans, both Palestinian and Israeli, members of Combatants for Peace:

“Our hearts are with all of the victims and their families, and we hope for the safe return of those held captive, and for the safety of the civilians trapped inside Gaza…Together, we must retain our humanity, and value all life as sacred and cherished…The only solution is ending the occupation, uniting Israelis and Palestinians and focusing our collective efforts on achieving peace.”

October 12, 2023

https://www.veteransforpeace.org/pressroom/news/2023/10/12/veterans-peace-hamas-israel-statement

Last Updated: June 10, 2023 by Editorial Team

August 6: From Hiroshima To Hope

From Hiroshima to Hope is created annually by the non-profit organization, From Hiroshima to Hope, and is supported by local peace, community and faith organizations. The event, held on Green Lake’s northwest shore, has been held every year since 1984.

It is held just south of the Bathhouse, on Green Lake’s northwest shore at West Green Lake Drive North and Stone Ave North, and is free and open to the public. Sponsors include City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Parks and Recreation, and local peace, community and faith organizations.
For more information: 206-928-2590. http://fromhiroshimatohope.org; https://www.facebook.com/FromHiroshimaToHope.

Donations are welcome, on-site, or in advance here.

Volunteers are welcomed and needed. To volunteer, complete the 2023 volunteer form here.