First published 05/07/2003 14:35
by {article_topic_desc}
IN THIS ISSUE:
"I'M VOTING FOR BOOKS NOT BOMBS"
NATIONAL YOUTH AND STUDENT LOBBY DAY
May 6, 2003
On March 5th, on the eve of the war with Iraq, almost 500 high school and college campuses participated in the "Books Not Bombs" student strike to tell politicians and school administrators that we were against a war with Iraq.
Despite opposition here at home and around the world, the Bush administration escalated its attack on Iraq.
The United States today is engaged in an unjust war and occupation with untold human and financial costs. At the same time our schools and social services are under attack as local, county and state governments find themselves in deep financial crisis.
In fact, the cost of one day of war on Iraq (about $1.1 Billion) is enough money to prevent cuts to education programs in the entire 2003 fiscal year. *
The Bush administration has made his priorities clear. We know that Iraq is one stop in a longer campaign of a pre-emptive "war on terror." As youth and students we understand that this will only mean more bloodshed, more budget cuts, and an increased attack on our democratic rights. We as the youth of the U.S. have to step up and play a role in making the government accountable to OUR priorities.
As we saw with the March 5th Student Strike, we show our power best collectively - that's why the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition calls for a NATIONAL YOUTH AND STUDENT LOBBY DAY MAY 6th, 2003
In the weeks leading up to the lobby day high school and college campuses
can build up to the lobby day by:
* Registering people to vote
* Collecting the 'I will vote for books not bombs' pledge cards
* Holding teach-ins and/or workshops on the effects of war on our schools and communities including discussion of the budget and fiscal crisis that are occurring all around the country
On May 6th take your pledge cards and a delegation of students to visit the local offices of your Congressional representatives and/or Senators to demand:
* An end to the war/occupation of Iraq and prevent future war drives
* Support international law and the UN to ensure self-determination and democracy for the Iraqi people
* Focus on OUR priorities of funding education, health care, job training and rebuilding our communities not war.
Then once you've made your visit let us know how many cards you collected and the number of students who went to turn the cards in to the local congressional offices.
"I Will Vote for Books not Bombs" Pledge cards and other information and resources will be available at www.nyspc.net
National Youth and Student Peace Coalition is a national coalition whose member organizations include:
180/Movement for Democracy and Education, Black Radical Congress-Youth Division
Campus Greens, Muslim Students Association of the US and Canada, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, "Not With Our Money," Student Environmental Action Coalition, Student Peace Action Network, Students United for a Responsible Global Environment, Students Transforming and Resisting Corporations, United Students Against Sweatshops, United States Student Association, Young Communist League, Young Democratic Socialists, Young People's Socialists League, Youth Bloc-NY
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