By TomRico on March 11, 2010
The Peace Education Center is joining activist and peace groups from Greater Lansing (Michigan)in local actions to mark the 7th Anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Iraq on March 19, 2010. All local peace supporters are encouraged to attend the scheduled events.
Michael T. McPhearson
The local coalition will host a public talk by Michael T. McPhearson, the former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace, at Michigan State University’s International Center, Room 115, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010. McPhearson will join local peace supporters the next day at a peace rally and vigil in front of the State Capitol Building at noon on Friday, March 19, 2010. He will address the gathering at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday. All events are free and open to the public.
DETAILS OF TWO LOCAL EVENTS:
- Michael T. McPhearson, former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace
- Speaking at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 18, 2010
- International Center, Room 115
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Greater Lansing Peace Rally and Vigil
- With Special Guest Michael T. McPhearson, former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace
- Noon – 1 p.m.
- Friday, March 19, 2010
- Front of State Capitol Building
- Downtown Lansing, Michigan
These local peace actions are being organized by a local coalition including the Peace Education Center, the NorthStar Center, the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice (GLNAWI). McPhearson’s talk on the MSU campus is also being sponsored by the MSU Peace & Justice Studies Program.
McPhearson and spokespeople from the local event organizers are available to the press for advance interviews by contacting the Peace Education Center at 517-515-5634. McPhearson will be available for interviews at the State Capitol Building on Friday, March 19, 2010 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
As of March 10, 2010, icasualties.com estimated 4,382 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq during this current occupation and over 31,000 have been wounded. It is estimated by some international organizations that hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have died during this U.S. military incursion.
Posted in Events, Press Releases | Tagged Iraq, McPhearson, peace action, protest, rally, veterans, vigil, war
By TomRico on March 3, 2010
What began as a community response to the Vietnam war and global nuclear threats has become so much more over the last 40 years. The Peace Education Center (PEC) of Greater Lansing has been there, from opposing wrongful imprisonment to protesting wrongful occupations, from demonstrating on and near Michigan State University’s campus to participating in nationwide marches. The PEC been a leader in the struggle for peace and justice.
Kate Darnell's "Love"
This year the PEC is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is in the process of taking a look back on its accomplishments and is looking forward to future challenges.
To kick off its anniversary celebration, the PEC is hosting an open house and art auction on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 6 p.m.–9 p.m. The event will be at the PEC’s office location, which is housed at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove Street, in East Lansing, Michigan. Featured artists include illustrator and calligrapher Kate Darnell and potter John Masterson. Also for auction will be Chinese brush paintings done in traditional spontaneous style by Laurel Ponist.
Light refreshments will be served. Harpist (and PEC co-chair) Melissa Osborn will be playing several selections throughout the evening, as well as auctioning a harp performance, perfect for weddings and other celebrations.
Proceeds from the art auction will benefit the PEC in its continuing efforts to promote peace with justice through serving as a resource center and information clearinghouse; assisting in organizing, coordinating, and creating networks for peace and justice activities; and offering educational programming and services to groups and individuals in the Lansing area. The Peace Education Center also works with state, national, and local peace and justice groups.
EVENT DETAILS
Peace Education Center’s Open House and Art Auction
Saturday, March 6, 2010
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: PEC Office at 855 Grove Street, East Lansing, Michigan
Posted in Events | Tagged art, Darnell, Events, fundraiser, Masterson
By admin on March 1, 2010
Please see below our Spring 2010 Interview with a Peacemaker: Ann Francis
You can read the accompanying article about Ann in our most recent newsletter by reading it here: PEC Spring 2010 Newsletter.
Posted in PEC Video | Tagged Ann Francis, Interviews, Youth Outreach
By TomRico on February 26, 2010
The Peace Education Center and GLNAWI’s two-site peace vigil on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, garnered support in both Lansing and East Lansing. Car horns honked in support of signs that demanded peace and called for an end to the U.S. military violence in Afghanistan which, at the time, resulted in 1,000 U.S. troop deaths. The casualty number today has already risen to 1,007 with no end in sight. Thousands of Afghanistan civilians have been killed or injured over the last eight years.
Lansing Vigil Participants
On a day following a snow storm, there were an estimated 30 peace supporters in East Lansing on the median at the corner of Abbot and Grand River. Approximately 14 – 18 people were highly visible during rush hour near on South Cedar Street near the I-496 ramp. The State News published a report about the vigil here. See the PEC’s photos from the East Lansing site here and Lansing site here.
Lansing resident Carol Baker articulated the sentiments on the street in the video interview below.
Posted in Events
By TomRico on February 22, 2010
The 1,000th U.S. troop death in Afghanistan was announced today on www.icasualties.com. In response, the Peace Education Center and the Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice (GLNAWI) are asking mid-Michigan residents and supporters of peace to participate in one of two vigils to be held simultaneously on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The two vigil sites on Tuesday beginning at 4:30 p.m. will be located here:
- In EAST LANSING, on the median of Grand River Avenue at Abbot Road.
Signs will be provided. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly for the weather conditions.
The Peace Education Center and GLNAWI have called this action to give Lansing-area residents an outlet to mourn the losses of U.S. troops, of NATO forces, and of the people of Afghanistan who lost their lives in war. Members and supporters of both organizations state emphatically that the costs of war are too great and it is time to stop endless wars.
Posted in Events | Tagged action, afghanistan, protest, vigil
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