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by Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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ATen Years on the Peace Bridge
On June 17, WAMM commemorated 10 years of resistance to war on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge. The vigils began in spring 1999 in response to U.S. bombing of Yugoslavia and over the years have focused mainly on opposition to U.S. policy in Iraq. Protests have also raised other issues: threats of war against Iran, North Korea, Syria; torture; attacks on civil liberties; the war on Afghanistan; and U.S. support for the occupation of Palestine. Thousands of people have attended the rallies over the years, ranging from seven on a freezing January day to 1,200 on the day when the BBC filmed the adoptive parents of Mordecai Vanunu.
Russia - U.S. Arms Reductions
A preliminary agreement on nuclear arms reduction, which must be approved by the Senate, was reached by President Obama and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev July 6. The agreement would replace the Cold War-era Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December, and could reduce their nuclear arsenals by nearly a third. It would also require both countries to cut the number of delivery vehicles capable of starting a nuclear war. If Russia and the United States, which have the majority of the world’s nuclear weapons, can reach an agreement, it may serve as a model for other countries to reduce their nuclear arsenals. (NPR, 7/6/09)
Obama Calls to Freeze Settlements
President Barack Obama called for a freeze on West Bank settlements, including those justified by the Israeli government as “natural growth.” Leaders from a number of countries and organizations, including French President Nicholas Sarkozy, the Quartet of Mideast negotiators (the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations), and the G-8 (Group of Eight industrialized nations) agree. The 2,000-member Central Conference of American Rabbis issued a statement supporting Obama’s call for the freeze, saying it is in “the best interest of the United States, of the State of Israel, and of peace.” (StarTribune; JTA, 6/10/09)
New Holiday Declared in Iraq
Iraqis declared a holiday to celebrate the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Baghdad and other cities by June 30. However, more troops remain than the total during the surge. The full withdrawal is set for completion by the end of 2011. (StarTribune, 6/24/09)
A Time for Peace . . . in Northern Ireland
Protestant paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland said they had decomissioned some or all of their weapons after a similar move years ago by the Irish Republican Army. The Ulster Defense Association began destroying weapons, witnessed by independent monitors; the Ulster Volunteer Force said it had completely given up its weapons. Both groups were responsible for hundreds of civilian deaths and say the time has come for peace and democracy. (StarTribune, 6/28/09)
“Women Thrive Worldwide” Promotes Women Farmers
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Obama administration is committed to ending global hunger by promoting sustainable farming. She outlined seven steps (including providing fertilizer, credit, and training; improving transportation; and increasing access to trade). But according the Women Thrive Worldwide, the seventh step is the most important: taking women and children into consideration. Clinton said, “70 percent of the world’s farmers are women, but most programs . . . target men. This is unfair and impractical.” Women Thrive urges Clinton to support women in agriculture by integrating them into all seven steps. Women produce 80 percent of the world’s food but own only 2 percent of the land. Making credit and training available to all women will benefit not only them, but also their communities. (Women Thrive Worldwide, 6/18/09)
Kuwaiti Women Elected
Four women were elected to the Kuwaiti parliament in May for the first time since women were allowed to vote and run for office only four years ago. Attempts to elect women have failed in the previous two elections. Aseel al-Awadhi, one of the women elected, said she knows she will have a tough time in the conservative male-dominated legislature. “Even before the results, people were piling up to congratulate me either from my own district or from other districts,” she said. “I think that shows you the tremendous amount of support for women’s role in politics. And I think today I can confidently say that [the] gender issue is history in Kuwait regarding women’s role in politics.” Of the 210 candidates who ran for 50 seats, 16 were women. (CNN, 5/17/09)
Dalai Lama Honored
The Dalai Lama received honorary citizenship from Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë in spite of threats by China’s foreign ministry that such a move could spark renewed anti-French sentiment in China. China considers the Dalai Lama to be an agent of Tibet’s efforts at independence from China. (StarTribune, 6/8/09)
Carter Center at work in the Congo
The Carter Center is training police officers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help them understand and protect the rights of the accused. Many officers have never had training on human rights principles. Two-day officer training focuses on laws related to sexual violence and the rights of women, children, and detainees, including the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent. Officers face poor working conditions and often deal with detainees in public spaces because they lack offices. The Carter Center is working with government officials to encourage them to provide officers with the tools and resources to conduct their work appropriately and respect the rights of detainees. (Carter Center Update, Summer 2009) |
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© 2009 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete July-August 2009 Index - click here
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