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BFP Summary of Activities 2013
Overview
We sponsor, co-sponsor and endorse actions that are needed to try to establish a more just society (stopping the war at home, abroad, and on the planet). Among them were marches, walks, and rallies against sequester cuts, military spending/waste, lack of gun control, drone use, drone weapons development, government spying, reducing social security benefits, nuclear weapons, and encouraging divestiture from companies selling West Bank products.
Literature Distribution
- We produce a variety of print literature concerning topics such as:
- the cost of war to our society,
- the threat of specific military escalations,
- the dehumanizing (literally and figuratively) use of drones,
- the BDS movement
- what to do about climate chaos.
Anti-militarism (counter-recruitment)
We continued our information distribution to high school students and their parents about the non-military educational and career choices available to them and spoke to several high school classes.
Arts & Culture
Book release : discusing the case of Bradley Manning with lawyer, activist, author, Chase Madar, Held an Jan 25, 2013, WORD bookstore in Greenpoint
Utilizing the artist rouster, provide entertainment for UCC East New York Farms Farmer’s Market.
Climate Action
We encourage community members to participate in the public comment process to governmental agencies (against Rockaway Pipeline, re fracking regulations, against a Liquefied Natural Gas port on Long Island) and have petitions on these topics available to sign.
- We sponsored a bus to join a massive demonstration against climate change in DC.
- We co-sponsored a bus trip to one of the fracked areas in Pennsylvania to observe the effects of that process.
Fundraising
Our first annual PathMakers to Peace awards reception replaced our Peace Fair this year as a major fundraising activity with a strong educational and community building component. We honored four Brooklyn residents and one organization for their groundbreaking work in the arts as well as community organizing in diverse areas of Brooklyn. Their work was outlined in our program journal and in their speeches to the attendees.
Israel-Palestine
- We sponsored several rallies addressing the issue of products taken from the West Bank and sold by Israeli companies, to protest of the continued Israeli settlements.
- We also sponsor a reading group involving approximately 12 persons on topics relating to the Israel/Palestine conflict.
- the Nakba/Israel Independence Day and the conflicting meaning of that date for two peoples;
- "Brokers of Deceit" discussing the Israel/Palestine history and obstacles to peace.
Other events we co-sponsored:
- the use of Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions,
- a film "My Neighborhood" about nonviolent resistance in Israel,
- a report concerning the drone war in Yemen.
Peace and Economic Justice
- We joined the campaign against the possible military attack on Syria and we work to end the Afghan war.
- We had a postcard campaign to elected officials opposing increased sanctions on Iran.
- We encouraged people to attend the trials in the case of Bradley Manning and also “Floyd et al vs NYC” (the class action opposing the use of “stop-and-frisk” tactics by the NYC Police Department.)
- We estimate that we involved over one thousand persons in these actions.
- There has been a spate of threatened hospital and library closings in our borough and city so we acted with those fighting to save these institutions, participating in four rallies.
- We also participated in rallies to stop the privatization of public housing in New York City and to save a bus route.
Forums
- A Forum "Are Drones Making us Safer?,"
- a panel discussing the problem of Guns in America
UNICEF
Our Trick or Treat UNICEF campaign was very successful. We distributed 2000 boxes at three locations, involved four schools and vendors on two busy streets before Halloween, and then collected the boxes for four hours on Halloween in connection with the parade.
We hope to have helped the many contributing children to understand the importance of helping their global counterparts who are facing challenges of their basic right to a safe healthy childhood.
We collected $1100 which was sent directly to UNICEF. Local schools which we encouraged to participate raised $3251.
Community-Building and Outreach
We had six information tables at street fairs, and also distributed information at and helped table at a local farmer's market. Also we make literature available at all our forums. During the Syrian crisis we distributed flyers opposing a military attack.
Open Community Meetings
We held two open community meetings.
- One discussed how to integrate our work with the many problems facing us: continuing wars, militarization of foreign policy, climate change, economic crises.
- The second was about stopping US intervention in Syria.
We co-sponsored a third community meeting and forum about ending stop and frisk in NYC. - We co-sponsored the 10th Annual Children of Abraham Peace Walk which visits synagogues, churches and mosques to bring understanding among these faiths.
Social Media Outreach
We produce a monthly program on Brooklyn Community Access Television, available on cable TV and also live-stream on computer, broadcasting highlights of our forums which community members may have been unable to attend.
- Our (usually weekly) e-mail newsletter announces our events and actions as well as those of other groups (totaling over one hundred eighty items).
- Also we produce an online monthly newsletter "Eco-News" which features items about environmental issues.
- Our website is a resource with analysis and information about current events, and also offers information about work of our committees and task forces.
- We estimate we distributed 17,500 pieces of literature and reached 4000 with our electronic information.
Task Force - Nuclear Zero
We endorsed several other events, including a film-showing about Japan's nuclear meltdown.
Awards Given
Our first annual PathMakers to Peace awards reception replaced our Peace Fair this year as a major fundraising activity with a strong educational and community building component. We honored four Brooklyn residents and one organization for their groundbreaking work in the arts as well as community organizing in diverse areas of Brooklyn. Their work was outlined in our program journal and in their speeches to the attendees.
Neighborhood Peace Groups
We co-sponsored three additional forums:
- "Where are our Tax Dollars Going?"
- "They were Soldiers" addressing what happens to soldiers on their return to civilian life,
- Forum on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Intern and Volunteer Opportunities
We provided opportunities for young people to engage in a concrete and practical way with our peace and justice work by offering opportunities for volunteers (particularly high school students with community service requirements, as well as energetic retirees) and interns (who receive a modest stipend).
Get Involved!
Our working committees meet regularly to plan and carry out our work. Visit the events page for the latest schedule.
E-mail Newsletter: Join our mailing list to say up-to-date on anti-war activities in Brooklyn.
Join Us! Become a member of Brooklyn For Peace, and advance our work for peace.
Visit our Year End Summary pages and see the work we've done over the years: 2013/2012/2011/2010/2009/2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003