Comments from TMC Executive Director Tim Vining
December 7, 2001
Many of us in the justice and peace community are still dealing
with our shock, anger and disappointment over the Allegheny County Council vote
against the living wage. If you have not already done so, thank your Council
Member if he or she voted for the bill and express your outrage if they voted
against the bill. Most disappointing was the no vote by Dr. Simms, who was one
of the co-sponsors of the bill. He caved in to pressure from County Executive
Jim Roddey, the Chamber of Commerce and rich corporate interests. Shame on Dr.
Simms for going back on his promise to the people of his district! Be on the
lookout for more actions on behalf of a living wage.
Many excellent educational forums were held in Pittsburgh this past
week that provided a fuller analysis of the war in Afghanistan, an analysis you
are not going to find in the mainstream media. The highpoint of the week was
the lecture by a woman from RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of
Afghanistan). Congratulations to Chatham College and the YWCA for organizing
the event.
We also thank the CMU students and other local peace activists who
participated in the peace refugee camp on the CMU campus. The event generated
some media interest and raised awareness about the plight of the Afghani
refugees, in addition to providing blankets and other humanitarian assistance.
Mark Egerman, Matt Toups, Pete Shell, Mary Alice Shemo and others did a great
job organizing the event.
Join us tomorrow night at Roboto II for the benefit concert sponsored
by Mr. Roboto project in conjunction with Anarchy WOW! Also, don’t forget the
Peace Mobilization Meeting on Sunday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m., First Baptist
Church in Oakland. Also coming up this week is a Rally in defense of Civil
Liberties on Monday at 1:00 p.m. in Market Square and the monthly interfaith
vigil and trip to Harrisburg in support of public education, hosted by Good
Schools PA. The CBC meeting on Thursday, December 13th will focus on the
domestic agenda that is often being ignored by the warmongers in Washington,
DC. See you on the streets!
November 30, 2001
The Living Wage Campaign has kicked into full gear with the big
vote expected at the Allegheny County Council meeting on Tuesday, December 4th,
4:00 p.m. It is important that we generate a huge turnout at the meeting and
contact County Council members to demand that our tax dollars be used to fund
jobs that pay a living wage. Anything less would be to support the exploitation
of low-wage workers being done in our name!
Members of the Thomas Merton Center will be joining student activists
and others on the CMU campus for the Refugee Camp for Peace being set up for
Saturday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 5. Please join us for part of
the vigil and help us collect blankets and food items for those affected by war
and violence in our world. A full schedule of events can be found in the
calendar section. We also hope you can join us for the many educational forums
planned for the upcoming week. And of course, you won’t want to miss he
Anti-War benefit show at Mr. Robot Project II.
If you have not done so yet, stop by the Center at 5125 Penn Ave. for
a warm greeting, a cup of coffee and stimulating conversation. Your gifts of
time and talent to the peace and justice community are definitely needed during
this time of war and uncertainty.
November 23, 2001
A bus load of Pittsburghers participated in the annual protest at
the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia on the weekend of November 16-18. We left
Friday evening and arrived Saturday in time for an amazing rally that included
music by Mike Stout, local labor musician and social agitator. The movement to
close the U. S. Army School of the Americas will not go away until this
terrorist training school is shut down! The funeral procession on Sunday
morning was inspiring, with nearly 10,000 people calling for the closure of the
U.S. Army “School of Assassins.” Well over 100 people were arrested in
nonviolent civil disobedient actions at the gates of Fort Benning. The Thomas
Merton Center and the Western PA Coalition to Close the SOA is grateful for the
many people who contributed to make this bus trip and public action possible.
During this holiday season, the peace movement will be engaged in
efforts to dramatize the effect the war is having on Afghani refugees. Such
efforts include collecting blankets for the refugees, a lecture by a member of
RAWA (The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan), and a Refugee
Peace Camp on the CMU campus. Citizens Budget Campaign is also building
grassroots lobby against the Economic Stimulus Plan proposed by the Bush
administration, saying NO to war profiteering in the guise of economic stimulus
at the expense of worker and the unemployed.
Hope to see many of you at the Peace Cabaret tomorrow evening at the
Quiet Storm!
November 16, 2001
The address by Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, at the
annual Thomas Merton Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening was both uplifting and
challenging. Well over 500 members and friends of the Thomas Merton Center
gathered to celebrate and honor this remarkable woman whose voice continues to
cry out for sanity and peace in a world that so often seems out of control.
Written copies and audio and video tapes of Sr. Joan’s talk will soon be
available at the Center and on our website.
As the Taliban government crumbles, many in the U.S.
think that a “victory” is right around the corner. However, as Sr. Joan so
convincingly reminded us, there are no winners in a war. With each act of
violence by the U.S. government on our behalf, a part of the hope and vision of
what America could be dies. Our sense of justice is eroded as it is replaced
with acts of vengeance. And our own cherished civil liberties are being
destroyed at home in this call for a “war on terrorism.”
Be a part of the growing movement for a world built
around true justice and peacemaking. Some very talented individuals are
planning “Peacemongers Cabaret” to be held on Saturday, November 24th, 9:00 p.m.
at the Quiet Storm, corner of Penn and Graham. Call the Center at 412-361-3022
for more information. Hope to see you there!
November 9, 2001
The peace march and
rally in Oakland this evening was inspiring. I was most impressed with the energy the youth bring to this movement
and the diversity of the speakers from the Pittsburgh Anti-War Coalition. Our gratitude goes out to all the organizers
of the rallies and other public actions that have been attracting growing
numbers of participants willing to take a public stand for peace.
The Thomas Merton
Center is pleased to honor Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB at our annual
Thomas Merton Award Dinner on Wednesday, November 14th. Sr. Joan has been a consistent voice for
peace, feminism and human rights. Over
500 people have already reserved tickets to hear her message of peace and to
draw strength from one another during these difficult times.
A group of Pittsburghers are also leaving next Friday
on a bus trip to Fort Benning, Georgia to join in the annual
protest to close the U.S. Army School of Americas. A growing number of Americans are waking up and
saying NO to the use of taxpayer money to train future terrorists throughout
Latin America. For more information on
the SOA, visit www.soaw.org. To get involved in local efforts the shut the
SOA, contact the Thomas Merton Center.
November 2, 2001
News from the American empire is that we are to prepare for a
long, protracted war, one that is sure to result in the death of perhaps
millions of innocent Afghanis. And despite this expected slaughter of the
innocents, the stated goals of “eradicating terrorism” will in no way be
achieved. In fact, such violence unleashed throughout the world can only result
in more violence and acts of terror, both home and abroad.
Yet, here in Pittsburgh, the peace movement refuses to give up
hope for a better world. Over a thousand of us will be marching for peace on
Friday, November 9. We hope that this act of resistance against the war machine
will plant the seeds for peace in the midst of what often feels like a hopeless
situation. Join us while there is still time to “give peace a chance.”
October 26, 2001
As the war continues to escalate, the Pittsburgh peace
movement is taking to the streets, classrooms and places of worship to dialogue
with fellow Americans about the possibilities of peaceful solutions to the
current crisis. At times, many of us feel like voices in the wilderness calling
for a world vision difficult to cling to in the midst of real feelings of anger
and fear. We grope for words and actions that can be both faithful to our
principles and understood by mainstream America. At times, we falter.
Hopefully, we can strengthen one another to continue the struggle, despite our
shortcomings.
On Sunday, October 28th, everyone will have the
opportunity to bring their gifts to the peace movement and be a part of
developing a plan that is both principled and effective. Join a committee, plan
a rally, make some phone calls, help with a mailing, send a donation, renew a
membership, write a letter to the editor, or invite a speaker from the speaker’s
bureau to your synagogue, mosque or church. More than ever, the peace movement
needs you!
October 19, 2001
The news from Afghanistan is not good. More
and more innocent Afghani people are being killed in a “war on terrorism” for
which they can in no way be held responsible. And back at home most Americans
seem willing to sacrifice their own civil liberties for a war they cannot win.
As the war escalates and the desire for vengeance blinds so many, it seems the
terrorists are winning by causing so many good people to submit to a world of
destruction and vengeance, a world created in the terrorists’ own image. If we
do not destroy war soon, it will destroy us!
Yes, there remains the stalwart “peaceniks” who hold their
lit candles in a dark world. And they are being joined by more and more youth
who are already on the front lines for global economic and social justice. We
are witnessing, right here in Pittsburgh, the emergence of a
revitalized peace movement, one that offers hope for a new world.
Be a part
of this movement! Join us Saturday, October 20th at Freedom Corner
and get a glimpse of the world of peace and justice that we are trying to
create. Sing a peace song, march to the federal building with a new friend, be
inspired and gain strength for what may be a long journey through this war. The
peace movement needs you at this crucial time! If you cannot make
tomorrow’s march, be sure to participate in the larger, more visible peace march
on November 9th. Join in the conversation about values and tactics
at the mobilization meeting on Sunday, October 28th. Whatever your
gifts, use them in the service of peace!
October 12, 2001
As I write, U.S. bombs continue to reign down
upon the people of Afghanistan. More innocent people are being killed in
acts of retaliation against terrorism. Our prayers and cries for peace are
but a small flicker of light in the darkness of a violent world. Yet, I
remain hopeful that the light from our peace candles will continue to shine
and the darkness will not overcome it.
The Thomas Merton Center continues to host
educational events and has been able to generate a couple of articles in the
local media this past week, reminding others that the peace movement is not
going away and has not given up hope. The midday rally in Market Square and
the candlelight vigil yesterday evening were visible signs of our presence and
strength. Plans are underway for larger peace gatherings and public events
that will call our nation to abandon the ways of war and seek peaceful
solutions to the current crisis. The words and challenge of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. presented on April 4,1967 are now more urgent than ever:
“We still have a choice today: nonviolent
coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to
action. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and
shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without
compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.
Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate
ourselves in the long and bitter, but beautiful struggle for a new world. If
we will but make the right choice, we will be able to speed up the day, all
over America and all over the world, when justice will roll down like waters,
and righteousness like a might stream.” --- Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King
October 5, 2001
In the midst of those calling for war and
vengeance, the local peace movement remains vigilant. The committees that
emerged from the September 23rd mobilization meeting continue to
meet, along with numerous other organizations dedicated to peace and justice.
Educational events, a rally, candlelight vigil and silent procession are some of
the events planned for this week. Members of The Merton Center will be out in
full force proclaiming that peace is still possible, and indeed necessary if we
are to survive as a global community. Encouraged by coverage of our activities
in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Wall Street Journal, we
hope to be a visible sign of a growing peace movement in the 21st
century.
The educational speak-out on September 30th
exposed many of the underlying unjust conditions in our world that breed an
environment for terrorism to flourish. As pointed out by Michael Drohan,
economics teacher at Edinboro College “There is world revulsion at the way
this economy is structured. We are sitting on a powder keg of poverty, misery,
alienation and hopelessness.” The problems inherent in the current global
economy become more pressing each day, since there will be no real and lasting
peace until there is justice, and this justice must include all citizens of the
earth. See you on the streets!
September 28, 2002
The mobilization meeting of
September 23rd that brought together nearly 300 peace activists is a
source of inspiration and hope for us at the Thomas Merton Center. The crowd
was diverse and the energy level high. Clearly we are witnessing the emergence
of a revitalized peace movement. Hopefully, you have all received the report
back from the meeting and have decided to join one of the committees. Or
perhaps you have begun forming your own committee that best represents your
interest and ability. Please keep The Thomas Merton Center informed so that we
can more effectively serve as a Clearinghouse for the activism of the local
peace movement.
One of the most exciting events
that many of us from the Merton Center were privileged to participate in this
week was the demonstration for peace organized by students from CMU, the
University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. The student organizers
deserve our respect and support for the tremendous job they did in pulling this
event together in a couple of days. Yes, a new generation of leadership is
prepared to meet the challenges we face as peacemakers in this trying time.
These student activists give me hope in times of despair.
You are all invited to attend what
promises to be an exciting and informative speak-out on the University of
Pittsburgh campus this Sunday afternoon. The details of the speak-out are
available on the Thomas Merton Center website (
www.ThomasMertonCenter.org). Speaking of the website, please
join me in thanking Frank Shaffer for so graciously redesigning our new site and
making it more user friendly. The website will be daily updated to better
inform the justice and peace community of Pittsburgh of the many ways we can all
get involved in building a better world with a brighter future.
Hope to see many of you on Sunday!
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