NEWS

By Dianne Blais

February 2024

The first open-to-all-WILPFers virtual Jane Addams branch meeting was held with Dr. Judith Hand as the first guest speaker of these Open-to-all meetings. Judith has worked for years on A Future Without War, and introduced Project Enduring Peace (PEP), which includes the outline of a plan to end international wars. Please check out her website and watch some of her videos to more fully understand her work. 

You can watch a YouTube recording of the open Jane Addams meeting at WILPFUS today!

Judith wrote “The Jane Addams Branch, which is digital and inclusive of all WILPF members, is a wonderful addition to WILPF! And I was honored to be able to introduce Project Enduring Peace there. As I said in my presentation, when PEP was looking to begin outreach for support, my partner Anne Hoiberg and I immediately agreed WILPF was the place to begin. An organization of women who for over a century have been dedicated to ending wars! I look forward to keeping us all informed about PEP, and being informed by Jane Addams Branch meetings.”

WILPF US board members, the Issue Committee and ad hoc committee chairs, and Branch chairs then spoke and responded to questions followed by comments and discussion.

The meeting format, starting with a guest speaker, followed by WILPF leaders and then opening the meeting to all will continue to be the model for future meetings. 

• Save the Date: Future meetings, where all WILPFers have a chance to speak, will be Feb. 21, March 20, April 17, etc. – the 3rd Wednesday each month at 5:00 PT/ 8:00 ET.
   

Leni Villagomez Reeves repping Women's International League for Peace and Freedom at a Fresno demo for peace and freedom in Gaza and Palestine. Credit: Leni Villagomez Reeves

By Teresa Castillo, WILPF-US Fresno Branch Chair
Leni Villagomez Reeves, WILPF-US Fresno Branch Secretary and Cuba and the Bolivarian Alliance Issue Committee Co-chair

December 2023

Fresno Branch members, along with other WILPF members, have been reaching out to US government officials (although some will not even meet with representatives of the Palestinian and pro-Palestine community) and urging a ceasefire, as well as participating in demonstrations and prayer vigils.

The immediate issue is the collective punishment of the people of Gaza. A disproportionate number of Palestinian civilians are being killed – some believe intentionally – by Israel. The relentless, weeks-long, intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza is not self defense, and is not precise, targeted attacks. Civilians are being slaughtered. It is estimated there is one Palestinian child killed every 10 minutes in Gaza, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in mid-November. There  are frequent targeted attacks on “safe zones”, including medical  facilities, schools, refugee camps and other essential infrastructure for maintaining life. Photo: Candlelight prayer vigil for Ceasefire, Fresno. Credit: Leni Villagomez Reeves

We believe this is a war crime. A crime against humanity.

In addition, Israel, the occupying power, began cutting off the food, water, electricity and fuel to the Palestinians living in Gaza, causing death by starvation and dehydration. All while the US is providing $$$billions in aid, especially military aid, to Israel without regard for the obvious fact that the money is used to attack a defenseless civilian Palestinian population.

Not In My Name!

The devastation to lives, to families, to homes, to entire city blocks, plus the trauma the Palestinians are suffering from the displacement, the blanket bombings and the starvation. They will never recover the bombed and bulldozed infrastructure. We believe Israel must stop and must be held accountable for their crimes against humanity imposed on the Palestinian people of Gaza and the West Bank. 

A ceasefire is only the beginning. Israel must release the siege and end the occupation. Plus, Israeli settlers and soldiers must stop terrorizing Palestinians while they illegally move in and take over the West Bank. It is time for all people living in the region to be treated equally, under a real democracy! 
Photo: Fresno WILPF Chair Teresa Castillo with Hashid Kasama at a Ceasefire/Free Palestine demonstration. Credit: Hashid Kasama (used with permission)

We call for:

• A real ceasefire, and end to the killing and to the siege
• An end to US support of apartheid and genocide
• A balanced media coverage that treats Palestinian lives as equal to Israeli lives
• Equitable language that recognizes that the thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons without trials or even charges are just as much hostages as those held by Hamas
• An acknowledgement that an attack kills 15,000 people with 5,000 to 6,000 children among them  in just weeks is not war but genocidal murder
• Recognition that this is Israeli policy, as Israeli government ministers have declared in the clearest possible terms: “We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza,” Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. “There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel.”
• Support for Amnesty International’s call for the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to expedite the investigation into war crimes and other crimes under international law. “Our research points to damning evidence of war crimes in Israel’s bombing campaign that must be urgently investigated. Decades of impunity and injustice and the unprecedented level of death and destruction of the current offensive will only result in further violence and instability in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International. “Without justice and the dismantlement of Israel’s system of apartheid against Palestinians, there can be no end to the horrifying civilian suffering we are witnessing.”

Actions to take:

• Petition to Biden 
• Call your members of Congress
• Call Congress again
• Email and call your elected officials daily - as often as you can
• Tell your friends and family to do the same

People spoke against Israel’s attack on Gaza.  WILPF Southern Piedmont member Steven Smith spoke at the rally. Credit: Layna Hong/WFAE

by George Friday

December 2023

Hear about what actions branches took as part of International WILPF’s Week of Action. From November 9-15, branches organized vigils, demonstrations, rallies and public actions to draw attention to the attacks in Gaza.

International WILPF called for action from November 9 to the 15 for members to organize feminist actions against genocide in Palestine, inviting all to mobilize globally to call for an immediate ceasefire and a two-day arms embargo on the transfer and provision of military equipment to and from the state of Israel.

From the Statement on WILPF website:

The situation in Gaza demands urgent attention and action, as the escalation of Israeli hostilities and the mounting attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and within Israel continue to grow in gravity and magnitude. It’s time for a WILPF Week of Action: let’s mobilize globally to call for an immediate ceasefire and an embargo on the transfer and provision of military equipment, including arms, to the state of Israel. 

Here are highlights of actions taken by Branches in the US in the past few weeks:

Southern Piedmont Branch

On Thursday, November 4 about 100 students at UNC Charlotte attended an evening vigil Thursday in support of Palestinian lives lost in the Gaza Strip. The rally was organized by student organizations, including the Palestinian Cultural Organization and Muslim Student Association.

Fannie Low Hamer Branch

On November 9,  the Fannie Lou Hamer Branch kicked off the Week of Action with an action at a location in Columbus, GA where many passing cars could see them again with a small number of members. 

Des Moines Branch

On October 10, the Des Moines Branch held a public rally at night with a handful of Branch members. 

Greater Phoenix Branch 

Greater Phoenix branch members joined forces with several other groups to participate in several demonstrations on street corners and at Arizona State University. Attendance has been as high as over 1,000 people. They also leafletted at or near public events, including sports, cultural, and arts events.

They are now turning their efforts to working with the Palestine Solidarity Committee, an umbrella organization, on making the upcoming visit of Rep. Rashida Tlaib a success. Since the original venue was canceled, the many groups involved in planning have worked to find a secure venue and to insure Rep. Tlaib's safety, as well as the safety of attendees. 

Participating groups include a variety of ethnic-oriented organizations, political and religious groups, as well as both Arab and Jewish groups.  The location is not being widely publicized, in an attempt to avoid a chaotic situation.

Peninsula/Palo Alto CA Branch

The branch holds silent vigils, in the Quaker tradition, where their signs speak for them.

On October 8, emails were forwarded to members from the PopularResistance.org announcement, as well as signs and banners to protest the war.

The first vigil was held on October 13. After  the announcement that Israel told the U.N. that all of northern Gaza should evacuate to the south (many of them under fire), all members and/or supporters were asked to consider wearing black at the next vigil in mourning for the loss of life on both sides of the conflict. Wearing black was in reference to the Israeli women in the first intifada, who wore black and became known as the Women in Black.  

On November 11, the coalition member group MVPJ (who supported the vigil at the beginning of the war in Ukraine) organized an evening candlelight vigil calling for peace in the Middle East, with an estimated 150 in attendance.

On Monday, November 13, branch members attended a vigil organized by Palestinians at  Palo Alto’s Representative Anna Eshoo’s office, with statements read and recorded by her staff, and a peaceful march around the block. Our vigil signs and ‘Wage Peace Now’ banner were on display. Branch member Cherrill Spencer, one of the co-chairs of the U.S. DISARM/End War committee read to the group of about 60 the  U.S. WILPF statement calling on the U.S. Congress to “act urgently to prioritize the protection of civilians…loss of life …serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” with other stipulations. The event closed with testimony given by one a member of WILPF Palestine on the overwhelming injuries and suffering in Palestine and Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing.

These vigils continue every Friday. On the 17th, they were joined by a contingent of local climate activists from Fridays for Future, who have joined past vigils on other occasions against nuclear weapons and to support the TPNW, as a nuclear accident, or detonation, could lead to nuclear winter, the ultimate climate change event. .

Humboldt Branch

The Humboldt Branch hasn't been doing vigils, but they have been regularly calling their local congressman and senators.

The branch also was involved in a local community radio show about peace, that included reading poems about peace. The poems included one by a local Rabbi and several by Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans.

The branch is currently working on making an appointment to talk to our congressman in person, probably in mid-December.  We're planning to talk about Human Rights Day and other issues.  

by Nancy Price
National Program Chair

December 2023

The program for the WILPF US 2023 Triennial Congress will focus on the most immediate and future challenges of water for people and the planet, and is designed to create an impact that not only reflects the work of so many of our dedicated WILPF members on areas ranging from militarism to the environment, but also to illustrate how the range of our WILPF program work intersects with the global issues of human rights and racial, climate and environmental justice.

The program is nearly complete, and we should be ready to begin registration by January. Please look for additional information in future eNews and on the upcoming new Congress page on WILPF’s website. 

The layout of the program will encourage WILPF branch and issue committees to continue this work, as well as new members who join by hearing about and experiencing our activism during the Congress. We will also be inviting members of local organizations and groups to attend the Congress.

The Congress Planning Committee, who have been meeting weekly to plan the event for the past 3 months, have confirmed some wonderful speakers (TBA). They have also consulted with organizations, such as the United Nations Association of Minnesota, as well as some environmental and peace groups, and have reached out to a number of experts who can educate us and work with us on issues surrounding our precious water — particularly on the issues of water contamination and the human right to health. The Committee is also reaching out to diverse communities, including indigenous tribal groups,  in the Twin Cities to learn about local water issues.

We are working to keep registration affordable. The hotel is on the Mississippi River with a walkway to the river. An optional dinner riverboat cruise is also planned for those who would like to attend for a small fee that can be selected during registration.

The National Congress Programming Committee’s 35th Triennial Congress will be held from May 30 through June 2, 2024 at the Saint Paul Intercontinental Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota. The theme of this Congress is “Water on the Frontlines for Peace.”

Nancy Price
National Congress Program Chair 

Dee Murphy
Congress Coordinator

Program Committee Members:
Rita Gonzales
Lois Herman
Patricia Hynes
April Knutson
Eileen Kurkowski
Jazmine Roberson
Tina Shelton
Dace Zeps