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WELCOME OXFORD CITIZENS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE is a local group whose mission is to educate and act locally in order to recruit and organize others into a citizens' movement with the sustained political power to construct a world of peace with social and economic justice. Our geographic home is Oxford, Ohio (the home of Miami University). We network with others actively working to effect positive change at local, state, national, and global scales. [more]
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ PEACE AND JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTOR- In November we bid a fond farewell to our long-serving Peace Center Director, Linda Musmeci Kimball. On February 6, we gave a warm welcome to Janis Dutton who is taking over the position as the new PEACE AND JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER Director and already actively sending notices out on the list serve. Janis has been an Oxford resident since 1977, a member of OCPJ for over 20 years, a member of OCPJ's board for the past six years, and an activist for peace and social justice for many many years. She comes with an undergraduate degree in journalism, a recent MA in Leadership for School and Community Change, and a strong commitment to effective commuication and oranization for positive change.She bring some fresh perspectives on our issues, some much-needed technological skills (i.e., Facebook), and, as she put it during her interview, a spirit of fun. Please join the Board in welcoming Janis and pledging to support her in our mission. 2012 ELECTIONS AND THE AFGHANISTAN WAR-- The big question for the peace movement is how do we flex our political muscle on behalf of the over 65% of the public (and over 80% of Democrats) who no longer see the war as worth fighting? Peace Action has launched a unique nationwide petition campaign to mobilize the broad cross-section of self-identified Obama supporters to press the administration to take action now, before the real electioneering begins. The petition campaign will be the linchpin of a political strategy for many in the peace movement to remind Candidate Obama that inaction on this issue would endanger the possibility for as big and excited a grassroots mobilization in 2012 as he enjoyed in 2008. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee told representatives of several peace organizations in a recent meeting that President Obama needs to be convinced to "shift his political calculus" and campaign in 2012 to "a platform of ending the war in Afghanistan." Please print out the petition, sign, circulate to others for their signatures, and send to us at: OCPJ, Peace Center, 19 1/2 E. Walnut St., Oxford, OH 45056. Help us gather signed petitions. We assure you that the collection of signatures in our community will reach the pool of signatures from all over the country. OCPJ 2011 PEACE AWARD- OCPJ has been recognizing the outstanding contributions of active peacemakers each year since 1985 and this year the Board of Directors selected Linda Kimball as the 2011 award recipient in honor of over 30 years of service to the organization and her work as Director of the Peace Center.
START RATIFICATION- The Senate
vote on December 22 to approve ratification of the New Strategic
Arms Reduction Treaty is a victory for commonsense arms control
solutions to reduce the dangers posed by the world's most dangerous
weapons. With the 71-26 vote, a bipartisan coalition of senators
recognized that U.S. and international security is stronger when
the United States takes the lead to reduce the size of the world's
two largest nuclear arsenals and to limit the ability of other
states to improve their nuclear capabilities. The strong vote
for New START is remarkable in this time of hyper-partisanship.
Senator Kerry and Lugar, along with President Obama and Vice-President
Biden pursued a smart, patient plan to consult with Republicans
and take their concerns about the treaty into account and, as
a result, New START is truly a success for the nation. The treaty
had the overwhelming support of the American people, the U.S.
military, and Republican and Democratic national security experts
alike. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP runs from November 1 to October 31. Membership dues are the main source of support for the Peace Center and for many OCPJ activities. Your financial support and participation are important to OCPJ's efforts to further peace and justice through education and action. We prompt you to respond to this request- renew or join now-- because...well, quite simply, we need you. |
