WILPF East Bay Branch

WILPF NEWS
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
East Bay Branch
August-Sept 2011 Newsletter
Visit our web page www.EastBayWILPF.org
Meetings are 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon

International WILPF meets in Costa Rica
“Social advance depends as much upon the process through which it is secured as upon the result itself.” – Jane Addams
From July 30 until August 6 2011, women from around the world gathered together for the WILPF International Congress in San José, Costa Rica. WILPF – the oldest women’s peace organization in the world – will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015. Women peace activists will meet in The Hague again to honor and reaffirm the work and principles of their fore-mothers in promoting peace. This meeting in Costa Rica was the last official Congress – the highest decision making body of WILPF and the final authority – before the centennial event. Over 120 peace women traveled from twenty-four countries to discuss the theme “Women, Peace and Security – Transforming the Agenda” and the work of WILPF members, sections and international.

With great enthusiasm, the 2011 Congress formally endorsed five new WILPF sections – Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Spain, Mexico, and Pakistan – and recognized the innovative and strategic work which these groups have been doing on redefining security and advancing women as peacemakers. The Congress also adopted 11 resolutions, the international program of work 2011-2015 and several statements. In addition to officially reviewing the work of the organization and its future direction, operational issues were dealt with, including the election of the new executive committee and the formation of new standing committees and working groups.

The new Executive Committee was elected with overwhelming support for the new International President, Adilia Caravaca (Costa Rica). Other elected officers include: Kerstin Grebäck (Sweden), Dr. Ila Pathak (India), Neelima Sinha (India), Martha-Jean Baker (UK) (Vice Presidents), and Nancy Ramsden (USA) (Treasurer). The outgoing Executive Committee and the out-going Co-presidents, Annelise Ebbe and Kerstin Grebäck, were thanked for their work.

This was a special Congress with the dynamic new Secretary General, Madeleine Rees, at the helm who challenged the meeting to be creative, focused and impactful. Madeleine articulated the integrated vision for WILPF 2011-2015 in an inspiring presentation that included personal anecdotes and her motivation for joining the WILPF movement. She described the integrated approach as a sort of “WILPF jigsaw”- where the many pieces of WILPF work fit together to form the whole. Directors of WILPF’s two Projects, Ray Acheson (Reaching Critical Will) and Maria Butler (PeaceWomen), presented their respective work, reports and objectives to the Congress and were enthusiastically received by the WILPF members gathered in Costa Rica.

The Congress agenda was packed with discussions on WILPF themes and strategies for moving forward. Workshops and roundtables allowed for maximum participation and covered issues such as: Environment; Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons; Food sovereignty and security; Resolution 1325 – global indicators; and Armed violence against women. Young-WILPFers (known as Y-WILPFers) also played a significant role in this Congress and organized the Gertrud Baer Seminar and workshops.

The resolutions adopted reflected WILPF’s position on: the Arms Trade Treaty; Forced Migration; UN Women; Nuclear Weapons; SCR 1325 National Action Plans; the high-level meeting on the Durban Declaration; on the situations in the Middle East, in Nepal, and related to the Arab Spring; Palestinian Prisoners; and on Costa Rican Militarization.

Participants also had a private viewing of the “Whistleblower” – a movie in which Madeleine Rees, now WILPF General Secretary, then head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bosnia, is portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave. Following the screening of this horrific story, which takes place in the late 1990s when trafficking was at its height, Madeleine shared with WILPFers her experiences, the challenges and problems of human trafficking, sexual slavery, torture, and the role of UN, corporate contractors, and governments in these complex issues, and how WILPF can make a meaningful impact in this work. Adabted from “Peace Women”

Jane Addams Peace Association book Awards Announced
Many members purchase these children’s books each year to give as gifts to family members.  East Bay WILPF donates them to our libraries.  To order your copies or to see the 2011 awards  link to Jane Addams Peace Association at:

http://www.janeaddamspeace.org/jacba/2011ceremony.shtml.

The Truth About the Debt Ceiling Agreement
From the coverage in the mainstream media, you might believe the debt ceiling agreement’s budget cuts are an essential step toward righting the U.S. Economy.   The National Organization for Women ‘s view is that the agreement will primarily hurt women, seniors, poor families and children. http://www.now.org/issues/economic/080411debtdeal.html

“Under the deal, nearly $1 trillion will be cut from discretionary spending over the next 10 years, with another $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction through “tax reform” (a term that few believe will entail requiring the wealthiest to pay their fair share) and spending cuts to be proposed by a congressional super-committee in November.

Because no new tax revenues are included in the first phase — the Tea Party faction in the House opposed that — all the burden of reducing the federal deficit falls on low- and middle-income families. Without increasing revenues by fairly taxing multi-millionaires, billionaires and large, highly profitable corporations, the federal government will be left with few resources to help grow the economy and put millions of the unemployed back to work. Cutting important government programs at a time when millions are out of work, state budgets are in crisis and economic recovery is stalling is a very bad solution, and the economic consequences to the country will be severe.

Assessing the exact damage that’s been done, and what could follow, is a big task. The mainstream media, for the most part, are clearly not up to the challenge — in fact, their continued promotion of discredited right-wing talking points suggests the media are acting on behalf of big business and not in the public interest. So, to best inform you about this massive injustice, NOW has collected informative analyses of the debt deal from our most authoritative allies and responsible commentators.
Link to “Unbalanced Debt Ceiling Deal Cuts Vital Programs; Critical Fights Ahead”
National Women’s Law Center:

http://www.nwlc.org/resource/unbalanced-debt-ceiling-deal-cuts-vital-programs-critical-fights-ahead

The Truth about Social Security
Social Security is a social insurance program that protects workers and their families when income is lost due to retirement, disability, or death. Social Security is especially important to women’s economic security: for nearly three in ten female beneficiaries 65 and older, Social Security is virtually the only source of income.

Social Security is not in the initial round of cuts and will not be subject to automatic cuts. However, though Social Security is a social insurance program with its own dedicated funding and $2.6 trillion in reserves, the super-committee can consider cuts to Social Security, such as reducing the annual cost-of-living adjustment and raising the retirement age, to meet its $1.5 trillion deficit reduction goal.  For more information link to Berkeley Gray panthers lies about social security http://berkeleygraypanthers.mysite.com/Truth_SS.html

East Bay WILPF supports “Tax on California Oil”
East Bay WILPF supports “Tax on California oil, revenues to education.” The initiative petition signatures are due by the end of September to qualify for the November ballot.  You can link to the following web page to download a petition to be signed, and send to “Rescue Education California.”

http://www.rescueeducationcalifornia.org/#!action/vstc3=petition

This initiative imposes 15% of value of each barrel of oil extracted from California.  The money raised would be allocated to education:   30% to K-12 schools, 48% to community colleges and 11% to California state and University of California.  The increased revenues would be expected to be $ 2-3 billion per year.

August is Nuclear Abolition Month

Support WILPF member Jackie Cabasso and the anti-nuclear work of the Western States Legal Foundation:
Saturday July 16th at 7pm
Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St, Berkeley
Come meet Jackie and join in celebrating the work of Western States Legal Foundation.  This event is an opportunity to acknowledge Jackie Cabasso, a WILPF member and director of the Western States Legal Foundation (WSLF).
WSLF is a non-profit, public interest organization. It recognizes that nuclear weapons affect the environment, the economy, the role of violence in society, and democracy itself. Rather than enhancing our “national” security, nuclear weapons threaten our fundamental human security. WSLF seeks to abolish nuclear weapons, compel open public environmental review of nuclear technologies, and ensure appropriate management of nuclear waste. For comprehensive articles link to Western States Legal Foundation web page at http://www.wslfweb.org/

Japanese Peace Lantern Ceremony
Saturday, August 6 6:30-9:00pm.
North end of Aquatic Park, Berkeley
Save Saturday, August 6th and bring family, kids and friends to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1945.    For more info and to volunteer for this beautiful event link to:   http://www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns/

Tri-Valley CAREs Anti-Nuclear Events for August
Join Tri-Valley CAREs and other Bay Area peace groups for the annual gathering near Livermore nuclear weapons lab to remember those lost in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan on August 6th 1945 and August 9th 1945.
On August 6th, 6-8pm there will be a gathering at Bill Payne Park, across the street from Livermore nuclear weapons laboratory. The rally will focus on confronting the “two-headed dragon” of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Speakers will address the recent nuclear power disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the ongoing nuclear weapons related pollution in Livermore and the growing US nuclear weapons budget, and first hand accounts and lessons from a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima.
On Tuesday, August 9th at 8am, there will be a rally and nonviolent direct action at Livermore Lab’s West Gate. Those who choose can risk arrest as a form of non-violent protest. For more information, http://www.trivalleycares.org/

Read the ” Livermore Lab-Perception Vs. Reality” Op-Ed in the San Francisco Chronicle by Marylia Kelley’s, Executive Director Tri-Valley CAREs.  She writes about our own local disaster waiting to happen, “Livermore Lab- Perception Vs. Reality”   http://www.sfgate.com/ op.ed on June 27 2011.
“When I first began monitoring Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a working scientist there told me, ‘Follow the money if you want to know what is really going on.’ Look at the Department of Energy’s 2012 budget request for the Livermore Lab and it becomes apparent that PR has an inverse relationship to budget.”
“Some 89 percent of the funds are for nuclear weapons activities. Yet, more than 89 percent of the press releases showcase programs like renewable energy and science that receive less than 3 percent of the spending. This has caused many to believe that Livermore Lab is converting from nuclear weapons to civilian science.”

“China Syndrome”
Friday, August 19 , 7:30pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists. 1924 Cedar Street (at Bonita Avenue), Berkeley
The China Syndrome is a 1979 American thriller film that tells the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant.  It stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas.  Activist Barbara George of Women’s Energy Matters will be there to discuss the film. www.womensenergymatters.org/

WILPF Cluster Meeting – Save the Date: Saturday, November 12th
Santa Cruz,  DETAILS IN NEXT NEWSLETTER

Resolution Honoring Barbara Lee at WILPF National Congress
WILPF-US honors California Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her courage in 2001 in being the only member of Congress to vote against giving President Bush unlimited power to attack any individual, organization or country without Congressional approval.  In the wake of the tragedy on of 9/11, Congresswoman Lee stood up for hope and for democracy.  Since then, she has worked tirelessly to end war and redirect our resources to peace, justice and equality.
Look for an article in the next Peace and Freedom about Congresswoman Lee.

Memorial for Geronimo Pratt
The history of the political prisoners, especially those from the Black Panther Party was discussed at our meeting.  There will be a memorial for Geronimo Ji Jara “Celebrating the Life of a Revolutionary” at Eastside Art Alliance, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland
For more details, see www.itsabouttimebpp.com/ or call 510-533-6629

AUGUST ACTION:  End the Death Penalty in California
Write letters to your State Legislator in support of California’s SB 490 – a California Senate Bill which if passed would place an initiative on the 2012 ballot to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.  The bill, introduced by Loni Hancock (D-Oakland), passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-2.  The bill now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it is expected to be heard in mid-August. If it passes both houses of the Legislature, it will go to the Governor for his signature. The bill directs that the issue be placed on the ballot as a Legislature-sponsored initiative in the November 2012 election.

Social Security is still under threat. Reminder –last month East Bay WILPF supported The People’s Budget written by The Progressive Caucus.  See  http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70.  There is a solution to budgets and the debt without cutting the funds to our most vulnerable.
Beyond cuts  Reperations are needed. Reparations for older women and others who were underpaid during their working years. Our Social Security system should guarantee that our elders live in dignity and be able to afford the necessities of life– housing, food and health care and a decent standard of living.  Women and people of color who were discriminated against and underpaid during their working years are especially affected. They worked all their lives for low wages as teachers, domestics, nurses, clerks, and secretaries and part time. They are now retired and living on low incomes because their Social Security pensions and pension plans are based on their earnings. That is, their current pension plans are continuing the injustice and discrimination that many received during their working years. They often live on basic Social Security of less than $1000 a month, and struggle for the basic necessities of life such as housing, food, and health care.
A recent report from the Department of U.S. Labor showed that women today are still paid only 72 cents for every dollar a man earns. “Even more troubling — the study found that at least one-third — or about 11 cents — of the pay gap is caused by pay discrimination against women — and this is 38 years after the Equal Pay Act became law.” said Senator Tom Harkins.

For inspiration, check out “The Girl who silenced the world for 6 minutes” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhaLMotfvqg

NEW Nuclear Abolition Bill Needs Your Support Now – Take Action
Explosion and Meltdown at Japan Nuclear Plant could happen here

Washington DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton plans to re-introduce the “Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act” for the TENTH time, but with some significant revisions to the bill which address nuclear energy and waste, re-directing the money from nuclear weapons to provide carbon-free, nuclear-free energy resources.

No nuclear power plant has been built in the U.S.A. since 1974, and the new nuclear power plant construction being planned is only possible because the U.S. taxpayer will have to provide what Wall Street won’t: 100% loan guarantees, and funding nuclear waste repositories on as yet unidentified sites. Nuclear power provides 20% of this country’s electric energy; we can easily follow Germany’s lead in committing to building no new plants, and replacing those still on-line with renewable and sustainable energy sources. We must all keep the memories of both Hiroshima and Fukushima alive wherever we go.

Let’s act now to turn popular opinion into public policy! This may be the last chance we get to turn to truly clean energy and away from war and destruction.  Take Action on Nuclear Abolition Legislation.  Ask your representative to support this legislation.  Link to www.wilpf.org or link to Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility website:  http://a4nr.org/

ACTIONS

For the past 5 years, the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA)  has been working with our California legislators and oversight agencies to make sure that the seismic threats at Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuclear reactors are thoroughly evaluated and independently peer-reviewed. Our state has requested PG&E to do the latest, advanced 3-D studies on both old and new earthquake faults beneath Diablo Canyon BEFORE granting any ratepayer funding for license renewal applications. We even approved giving them money for the study!  And yet, for over a year, PG&E’s application has been sitting at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

PG&E has opposed and fought the requirement to do the studies.
PG&E has not even applied for the permits required to begin the underwater studies.
Why the delays by PG&E?
Why the inaction by the CPUC??

PG&E and the CPUC are already under scrutiny for their failures that led to the devastating explosion in San Bruno. San Bruno was tragic. San Bruno PLUS radiation could be catastrophic.

TAKE ACTION–SEND A LETTER:
Action Letter to Governor Brown and CPUC opposing Relicensing  of California’s aging nuclear plants.
Please “copy” the following letter, add or modify with any of your own personal comments,  and then click on the link below to open the web site for email to Governor Jerry Brown.  At his web site, choose “energy issues/concerns” from the drop down menu, add your personal information and then paste the contents of the letter.
You can then click the second link below to email the Public Advisor at the California Public Utilities Commission.

http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php

public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

RE: RELICENSING OF CALIFORNIA’S NUCLEAR PLANTS
CPUC Application. 10-01-022 (Diablo Canyon)

Dear Governor Brown and CPUC Commissioners:
In light of the tragic events unfolding in Japan due to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns, we are gravely concerned about the seismic  threats at California’s nuclear power plants.  As the Japanese have sadly learned, despite assurances from their regulators, the seismic risks were greatly underestimated. After the discovery of a new fault only 1800 feet from Diablo Canyon, which has yet to be independently studied, analyzed, and peer reviewed, there is no reason to delay fully implementing the studies authorized under AB 1632 for both operating reactor sites.
We ask that you instruct the CPUC to rescind the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for both PG&E’s Diablo Canyon and SCE’s San Onofre nuclear power plants, and allow them to operate conditionally only under the agreement by the utilities to immediately begin to fully comply with completion of the state-directed AB 1632 studies.  These studies must be completed and independently peer reviewed by 2015, and any ability of the utilities to operate the facilities after that date will be contingent upon the results of the studies and analysis.
We cannot wait for a disaster like the one befalling Japan to strike before we act.
Yours truly

Events
BFUU Benefit Dinner to Honor 3 Women Peace Makers
Berkeley Fellowshop of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Berkeley
Friday, April 29th,  6:30pm
Join us for a benefit dinner honoring three women of peace:  Cindy Sheehan, Karren Pickett and Susan Crane (disarmnow.org).

If you haven’t seen the movie “Gasland”it will be shown at BFUU Thursday April 21 and 28 at 7pm.  After seeing the movie “Gasland,” we voted to take a position that oil and gas drilling should be under the regulations rules of the Clan Air and Water Act.

Madeleine Rees’ story in the “The Whistleblower” will be featured at the San Francisco International Film Festival. http://fest11.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=100
Screenings:  Tuesday, Aprril 26, 9:15pm, & Thursday, April 28, 9:30p / Kabuki Theatre

Madeleine is now the Secretary General of WILPF International. Madeleine brought cases both to the European Court of Human Rights and The European Court in Luxembourg.   In 1998 she began working for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as the gender expert and Head of Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that capacity, she worked extensively on the rule of law, gender and post conflict, transitional justice and the protection of social and economic rights. The Office in Bosnia was the first to take a case of rendition to Guantanamo before a court.

Wilpf Eastbay will  donate this year’s Jane Addams award to the West Oakland and Concord Public Libraries. To read about the books selected and order a set link to www.wilpf.org/JACBApeacekit

Save the Date: David Cobb on the Move to Amend May 19.

We support “Bring the War Dollars Home” sponsored by Code Pink. They are asking Mayors to sign on to: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S. Congress to bring these war dollars home to meet vital human needs, promote job creation, rebuild our infrastructure, aid state and local governments, and develop a new economy based upon renewable energy.”

WILPF NEWS
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
East Bay Branch
February/March 2011 Newsletter

Meetings are now 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon
Gray Panther’s Office, 1403 Addison St., Berkeley, 94702

Oakland Protests on January 21st against Corporate takeover of Democracy

Two Oakland protests, organized by the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom East Bay Branch,  had more than 100 attendees over the course of four hours on January 21, 2011 beginning at noon in front of the Federal Building and at 5:00 PM at the Rockridge BART station. East Bay WILPF is calling for full disclosure of all donations to political campaigns as well as limits on time and money spent on political campaigns. It was a lively event with speeches and live music provided by Vic Sadot. “Declaration of Independence from Corporate Rule” flyers were distributed. Many thanks to WILPF member/organizer Phoebe Sorgen, who was on the KPFA radio evening news with Laura Wells:

http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/66997

For updates on the battle to regain our democracy from corporate control, including  passing a constitutional amendment, here are some important links:
www.wilpf.org/cvd,  www.MoveToAmend.org,  or www.ReclaimDemocracy.org/

EVENTS

GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE WAR POTLUCK
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1-4PM
4114 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland
Grandmothers Against the War have decided to have a party.  It was 5 years ago that these brave women first came together, walking into Military Recruiting Centers to demand that the army, “Take Us Instead.”  So, come and hang out with other “grannies” and toast friendships, activism, and the ability to still have a good time. If you have friends or relatives who might be interested in joining GAW, do invite them to the party.
RSVP: 510-845-3815

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS IN SAN FRANCISCO sold out !
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 7:00 PM www.bernie.org
Bernie Sanders is one the most progressive member of the U.S. Senate. He understands that the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few is fundamentally incompatible with democracy — and he acts on that understanding in ways that can inspire all of us.  Come to hear solutions that puts the needs of people first and offers restoration of fairness in governing so absent from the currant media discussion.
He is adamant in his conviction that the budget must not be balanced on the backs of working families and the most vulnerable among us. He is working for a Medicare-for-all/single-payer system and to safeguard Medicare itself for current and future recipients.  He wants to break America’s dependence on fossil fuels and has authored legislation which is now providing billions for the creation of wind, solar, bio-mass, and geothermal projects.
Bernie is also working actively to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to make major cuts in military spending, rather than slashing desperately needed social services and spending that creates jobs.

ACTIONS

March 7th:  Celebrate International Women’s Disarmament Day
by visiting WILPF International sites:
www.wilpfinternational.ch ,www.reachingcriticalwill.org, and especially  http://www.peacewomen.org/

WILPF International is sponsoring a 2011 International Women’s Disarmament Seminar in Geneva, aiming to bring together international experts and grassroots activists on the issues of gender, disarmament and human rights. The event will include testimonies as to the impact of the presence and use of weapons, and the economic disruptions arising from military expenditures in areas such as the Caribbean, Central Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The seminar will provide a basis for discussion on the implications of and suggestions for follow-up to the UN General Assembly resolution on “Women, Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-proliferation” (A/RES/65/69).

PeaceWomen Project    http://www.peacewomen.org

The PeaceWomen Project promotes the role of women in preventing conflict, and the equal and full participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security. PeaceWomen monitors the UN Security Council, the UN system, and provides a hub of information-sharing on women, peace and security. They are a project of our own Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the oldest women’s peace movement in the world.  Check out their website.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
June 1-5, 2011
National WILPF Triennial Congress
Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Put June 1 – 5 on your spring calendar for a trip to the 31st U.S. WILPF Congress. Expanding on the theme of WILPF Works For Women: Local 2 Global, the congress will be held on the campus of the University of North Carolina, in the vibrant university town of Chapel Hill, hosted by the Triangle branch, all aglow from their successful 75th anniversary celebration this past December.  For more information, go to:  www.wilpf.org

THE COSTS OF WAR

Financially, morally and politically, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing too much.   More than 4000 U.S. soldiers are dead. More than 700,000 Iraqis and Afghans have been killed.  The new Congress is proposing to pay for these senseless wars by drastically cutting domestic programs, while 57% + of the federal discretionary budget goes to military spending.   We need to keep up a grassroots movement of citizens demanding an end to these wars and an investment in our own country’s needs for better education, better health care, and better jobs.
It’s hypocrisy at its worst. House Republicans are pushing a budget resolution for 2011 to slash $100 billion for domestic spending while letting the bloated Pentagon budget grow.  They have even threatened to shut down the government if they don’t get what they want.
Our own House representative Barbara Lee has helped initiate a much-needed solution to the national debt with the Nadler-Lee-Stark amendment. This amendment to the budget for FY 2011 would strike $90 billion from the proposed $100 billion allotted for Afghanistan, leaving $10 billion for the withdrawal of US troops.    In Barbara Lee’s own words:  Congress cannot continue to write a blank check for war in Afghanistan that has ultimately made our country less safe… The costs of this war are too enormous in blood and treasure.
For more detailed information about these issues, link to:
WAND on Defense and War funding www.wand.org

ACTION:  Write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper.
In your own words, say why you think our country should spend less money on war and more money on the needs of its own citizens.  Speak from your heart.  If your letter is printed either online or in the newspaper, please email us to let us know:  wilpf@wilpfeastbay.org
Here are the links to several  newspapers, or just look at the Letters to the Editor page of your community paper:
Oakland Tribune:  http://www.insidebayarea.com/feedback/tribune
San Francisco Chronicle:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Berkeley Daily Planet:  email opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com

Disappointing news: Madeleine Rees, our new WILPF International Executive Director, had to cancel most of her Bay Area events due to a family emergency.
Elections, yearly dues and National Congress.   US WILPF ballots are being printed for national elections.  Current dues-paying members should be receiving ballots in the next few weeks. One way to know if you are currently a member in good standing is if you receive the magazine “Peace and Freedom”.  If you have any questions about your status,  please contact our Treasurer   at: wilpf@wilpfeastbay.org
As usual we had long discussions of the effects of IMF, Global capitalism, tax policy.  Join us for lively in-depth discussions with experienced activists.
Meeting are 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon
Gray Panther’s Office, 1403 Addison St., Berkeley, 94702