February / March 2004

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Annual Concert for Peace Saturday, February 28 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:15 PM) Pre-concert Sponsor Dinner with the Artists-6:00 PM Nassau Presbyterian Church 61 Nassau Street, Princeton Michelle Shocked became an overnight sensation 15 years ago with the release of her major-label debut, “Short Sharp Shocked.” Her East Texas twang, earthy guitar playing, witty yarns, and outspoken political views put her at the forefront of a revival in folk rock, along with Tracy Chapman and Lucinda Williams. Her new record label, Mighty Sound, recently reissued her first four albums. Ms. Shocked’s strong political beliefs continue to influence her music and her performances. John Sebastian has been thrilling audiences for nearly forty years. As a member of the Lovin’ Spoonful, Sebastian has left his musical mark on a generation with such hits as “Do You Believe in Magic”, “Nashville Cats”, and “Summer in the City” among others. Sebastian remains in-demand as a solo act, studio musician, and TV/film scorer. A charismatic and engaging performer, Sebastian continues to wow audiences on stages around the world. Tickets are selling strongly, so if you haven’t yet ordered yours, we urge you to do so now! Click Here.

Film: “Civilian Casualties” September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows Film and Talk Wednesday, February 11 7:30PM Dodds Auditorium, Princeton University (Corner of Prospect St and Washington Rd) In January of 2002 four of the founding members of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan to share their grief and offer their condolences to Afghan victims of the U.S. bombing. The story of their journey is a profoundly moving search for reconciliation in the midst of war. A story that questions what we have been told, who we are, and where we are going. Peaceful Tomorrows is an organization of family member survivors of victims of September 11, 2001 attacks. Bob McIlvaine, member of Peaceful Tomorrows will be presenting a short talk following the film. Mr. McIlvaine's son,Robert McIlvaine Jr., Princeton class of 1997, died at the World Trade on September 11, 2001. IRENE GOLDMAN ASSUMES POSITION AS NEW CHAIR AS OF JANUARY 1, 2004 The Steering Committee (board) of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA unanimously elected Irene Etkin Goldman to become the new Chair of the organization as of January 1, 2004. She replaces the Rt. Rev. G.P. Mellick Belshaw, Episcopal Bishop (retired) of the Diocese of New Jersey, who had been Chair for five years. Ms. Goldman lives in Ewing Township with her husband, Clifford. She has been involved with CFPA for 15 years, during which she has served as Chair of its International Citizen Diplomacy Committee, Representative to the UN, and Steering Committee Vice-Chair for Outreach. In November 2003, National Peace Action, the largest peace group in the US with some 100,000 members, recognized Ms. Goldman with the award for Outstanding Board Leadership at the grassroots level. Ms. Goldman has initiated and chaired some of the most successful events of CFPA in recent years. The events resulted in broadening awareness of CFPA goals while highlighting the global nature of peace making. Ms. Goldman, who majored in Russian Language and Literature at Douglass College of Rutgers University, has also been a prominent human rights activist. She co-led efforts that secured the release from Russian prisons of two “whistleblowers” who revealed illegal activities regarding chemical weapons production and nuclear dumping, as well as of private citizens who have been wrongfully imprisoned in Russia. She also helped start one of the first non-governmental organizations for women’s rights in the former Soviet Union.

February/March Peace and Justice Events Wednesday February 11 Film and Talk by September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows 7:30 PM Dodds Auditorium Bob McIlvaine, member of Peaceful Tomorrows will give a talk and take questions after a showing of “Civilian Casualties” Saturday February 28 Concert for Peace Michelle Shocked/John Sebastian 6:00PM Pre-concert dinner 8:00PM Concert Nassau Presbyterian Church Princeton, NJ Monday March 8 International Women’s Day Potluck Dinner and Discussion 6:30 PM Carl A. Fields Center, Princeton Corner of Prospect and Olden St. Saturday March 20 The World Still Says No to War March New York City NJ Peace Train with pre-boarding rallies in AM. Info on back page.

Potluck and Discussion Monday, March 8 • 6:30PM Carl A. Fields Center, Princeton corner of Prospect and Olden Streets Join women and men helping to continue the work of women’s empowerment and freedom at home and abroad, as we celebrate International Women’s Day. The focus will be on networking with groups and volunteers who make a difference in our community and around the world. Representatives from local non-profit groups such as Isles, Womanspace, and the Coalition for Peace Action will give brief presentations and have roundtable discussions on their on-going work and how to get involved. Please join us for a fun and informative evening as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2004. Please bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share. A kitchen is available to re-heat dishes. Children are most welcome to attend. For more information please contact CFPA Associate Director Karen Sisti at 609-924-5022 or karen@peacecoalition.org.

In Memory and Appreciation of Isabelle Sayen By the Rev. Robert Moore Isabelle Sayen, already an activist against the Vietnam War and nuclear power and for environmental protections, was on the original Steering Committee and co-founded the Coalition for Peace Action in 1981. Isabelle provided steady and supportive leadership for the early years of the Coalition’s work, and remained strongly supportive until her death in late September 2003. She was always thorough in her research of the facts, and firm but sensitive in her presentation of them. It was an honor and a privilege to know and to work with Isabelle Sayen. She was always courteous, dedicated, well informed, and—above all—willing to act fearlessly on her convictions. Her life was a major contribution to advancing the cause of global nuclear disarmament and world peace. Together, these traits made her a model citizen. We are honored that Isabelle’s family has designated our Peace Education Fund (PAEF) for memorial gifts. If you knew Isabelle, you can still send one and we will notify the family.

Fasting for Peace The Peace Circle, an interfaith group based in Morrisville, PA, is asking faith-based and secular peace and justice groups and individuals across the country to participate in a one day fast on Monday, March 1, 2004. There are two objectives of the fast: Make Iraq a safer place for our troops. Encourage the Pentagon to create a simple and quick process for families in Iraq to find their loved ones who have been imprisoned for months without record or recourse. Authorities in Iraq have admitted that they have the information, the computers are there and so is the network capability. The informative process would be easy to accomplish. The two objectives of the fast are related in that a simple and quick process would help relieve the growing anger and resentment that is turning into violence against our sons and daughters by Iraqis who are otherwise happy that Hussein is gone. In addition to the fast on March 1st, the Peace Circle is seeking groups and individuals who will sign-up to fast on subsequent Mondays until the objectives are achieved. It is believed that by keeping the “rolling fast” moving across the country, we will be able to keep a small but constant pressure on the government to address our objectives by keeping the story in the news. The Peace Circle also urges all people concerned with the safety of our troops and the humane treatment of innocent Iraqi people to contact their state and federal representatives and senators and ask them to address these issues with President Bush. For more information and to sign-up for the March 1st day of fasting and/or one of the subsequent Monday fasts, please email to PeaceCircle@GodHQ.net Contact: The Reverend Alfred Krass, chairperson 215 547-2656 OR The Reverend Frederick Boyle, Peace Fast Coordinator 609 577-3604

PEACE TRAIN TO NYC ON SATURDAY, MARCH 20 NOT ONE MORE DAY! NOT ONE MORE DEATH! NOT ONE MORE DECEPTION!

The NJ Coalition Against War in Iraq, of which CFPA is the co-coordinator, is again planning a “Peace Train” into New York for the major international mobilization on March 20, the first anniversary of the US attack on Iraq. Last February 15, a major worldwide day of protest succeeded in drawing 1 million people to New York, though only about half of the protesters made it to the Rally site near the UN due to the authorities’ refusal to grant a march permit (We do expect to get a permit this year). CFPA sent over 600 Peace Train riders from stops at Trenton, Hamilton, and Princeton Junction. There were pre-boarding rallies at each, with significant NJ press coverage. We plan to have a vigorous peace train this year to demonstrate that NJ and the world “Still Says No to War.” The need to oppose the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive unilateral strikes, and endless war and occupation is greater than ever! Save the date, and watch for more details in the near future.