New Activities for MAPJ

MAPJ Anti-War Task Force - Focus on Peace and Ending War

Working to put an end to war is basic to The Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice. MAPJ’s origins were with the Gulf War in 1991. With that in mind and as part of and in response to the recent MAPJ survey and focus meetings, MAPJ proposes that we address the issue of Peace with four well-defined and doable projects.

These projects can be engaged one at a time or severally, depending on involvement of members. We will not initiate an activity until we have a core group of interested activists.

MAPJ discussed many aspects of fighting militarism, bad and illegal U.S. foreign policy, as well as flawed domestic and military policies in the U.S. Plus, we looked at our resources and the opportunities that Manhattan offers.

Proposed Projects:
Each of these project proposals includes specific actions and goals not listed here. Actions can be adapted by the group working on the project.

1. Public Education
2. KSU Campus Anti-war promotion/recruitment and a film series
3. Foster local Youth involvement
4. Assist in development of a local chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War

1. The Education component includes getting facts out about the cost of war in dollars and in lives affected, truth in recruiting, illegality and unconstitutionality of our government’s/military’s actions, etc. This will include writing, art, fliers and publicity and more..

2. Our Focus on KSU Campus effort would feature an anti-war film series, for which manyfilms are available. To be shown as a series in a Union room – Big 12? - followed by discussion and letter writing. These could be daytime or evening showings or both. This includes finding a campus co-sponsor and student decision making.

3. Fostering Youth Involvement component is geared to promote interest and activism. This includes finding and contacting interested Manhattan High students, then developing any one of several possibilities such as fliers, posters, speakers, theater and can be done thru an existing high school organization or outside the school structure.

4. Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans Against the War: Assist in the development of a local IVAW chapter that would operate on its own. This would involve reaching out to Ft Riley GIs and local veterans. Includes working with regional IVAW organizers.

If you are interested in working on any of the above activities please contact Victor Force at rabbif@ksu.edu or Anne Cowan at anne_cowan@sbcglobal.net