Spring 2023 Organizing Update
February 2023
Protesting the Merchants of Death
Photo credit: Linda Novensky
On Valentine’s Day, activists gathered for a demonstration outside of the Lockheed Martin offices near Times Square in NYC. Lockheed Martin and similar “merchants of death” military contractors have been subpoenaed to appear at a Tribunal that will take place in November in Washington, D.C. At the demonstration (pictured left), famed actress and longtime activist Vinie Burrows read the Subpoena. Bud Courtney of the Dirty Rotten System band sang “Masters of War” and the NYC Raging Grannies led everyone in song. Representing CODEPINK, Teddy Ogborn also spoke.
Iraq War +20
Online Event
February 15th, 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of global Iraq War protests which mobilized millions of protestors in approximately 800 cities around the world. To commemorate this historic event, PANYS Executive Director Emily Rubino helped co-moderate an online panel for the International Peace Bureau (IPB) as part of their larger commemorations of these global protests. Recordings of these events are available on Youtube at the links provided below.
Part 1 (2/15) click here
Part 2 (2/15) click here
Part 3 (2/16) click here
Calling for Peace in Ukraine
Photo: Brooklyn For Peace/Ann Fawcett Ambia (via Facebook)
In February, several PANYS chapters and allied organizations held vigils to call for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Urkaine. In Binghamton, Broome County Peace Action demonstrated outside Senator Schumer’s local office to call attention to the human costs of U.S. support for the war in Ukraine. On February 25th, activists in Brooklyn gathered at Grand Army Plaza (pictured) not far from Senator Schumer’s Brooklyn home to do the same.
March 2023
Taking Action for Yemen
Photo: Peace Action New York State
March 25th marked the eighth anniversary of the brutal war on Yemen — a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and wreaked havoc on the country. While we’ve seen some progress made toward ending ongoing U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, we need to rally the grassroots and continue pressuring Congress to once and for all end U.S. participation in this war. On March 1st, peace groups rallied nationwide to demand peace for Yemen, including South Country Peace Group in Long Island, who demonstrated outside of Rep. Andrew Garbarino’s office in Patchogue. Meanwhile, PANYS joined with the Yemeni Alliance Committee, DSA-NY, and Brooklyn For Peace to rally at the office of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ office in Brooklyn (pictured left) to urge him to do the following:
Support a Yemen War Powers Resolution.to end U.S. participation in the war in Yemen.
Stop weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Call on President Biden to use his leverage to press for the immediate lifting of the devastating Saudi/UAE blockade.
Call for the expansion of humanitarian aid for the people of Yemen
Rally: End All Wars!
Photo credit: Hideko Otake
March 19th marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. For this important anniversary, more than 200 peace organizations joined in solidarity actions to rally against all war. In New York City, Peace Action NYS joined War Resisters League, Veterans for Peace/Chapter 34, NYC Granny Peace Brigade, the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Rising Together Guerrilla Theatre, and many more to rally in Union Square and march to Washington Square Park (pictured). In Geneseo, Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace joined with Veterans for Peace/Chapter 23 gathered to rally despite the cold weather.
Women’s March 2023
Photo credit: Western New York Peace Center (via Facebook)
On March 26th, Western New York Peace Center hosted Women’s March 2023 in Buffalo, NY. After rallying in Niagara Square and marching to the Buffalo Erie County Public Central Library, attendees heard from speakers and performers in the library’s Ring of Knowledge while themed activities were available for children. At this year’s event, the organizers emphasized bringing awareness to international women’s rights, environmental sustainability, and peaceful negotiations in war-torn countries. Speakers and presenters included WNYPC Executive Director, Deidra EmEl; march coordinator, Talia Rodriguez; Bury the Violence Director & USA Today NYS Woman of the Year, Kareema Morris; PUSH Buffalo Executive Director, Dawn Wells-Clyburn; Jill Clause of the Tuscarora Nation; Nadia Shahram of the Freedom for Iran Movement; Valerie Juang of the WNY Youth Climate Council; and many, many more.
Move the Money!
Photo: Peace Action New York State
Move the Money-NYC has been hard at work gathering co-sponsors for New York City Council Resolution 423, also known as the “Move the Money” Resolution. As of April 3rd, the Resolution has already gained 21 co-sponsors! The bill, introduced by Council Member Carlina Rivera, would put the City on official record as opposing the bloated Pentagon budget that Congress passes each year, robbing cities and their residents of the funds needed for vital public resources such as schools, housing, food aid, modern subways, and sanitation. The resolution calls on Congress and the President to move significant funds away from the military budget in order to fund social services, and to hold in-depth public hearings on the basic human needs of City residents that are unmet because of government appropriations for the Pentagon.
