Not One More! is our biggest project yet, and mine personally as well. It's requiring applications and permits and money and LOTS of networking, so it's a good thing i don't have to do it alone: i've got YOU! PLEASE look over the event info and help where/when you can. Look for THIS COLOR!
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Not One More!
As of now, there have been 3,963 U.S. military members killed in Iraq. As this number approaches 4,000, most groups and individuals calling for an end to the war will use that as a "milestone" date on which to protest. Locally, we're wondering why we should passively wait for a specific number to react to, and instead will stand together whatever the number and be heard: Not One More!· Our action will take place on the weekend of March 14-15-16 in the fountain area of Libbey Park. Volunteers will staff the area in two-hour shifts during the day. Sunday evening the action will close with a candlelight vigil after the last name is written. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO COVER THESE SHIFTS.
· It will be a community-created memorial to those already killed in Iraq by providing opportunity for specific high-profile guests as well as volunteers and passers-by to write one or more names on the concrete in chalk.
· It will be paired with a petition to the Ojai City Council to urge drafting and adoption of a resolution to end the war and bring the troops home, built on the example and model of the resolutions recently passed by the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara city councils.
· Signers will also recieve a blue ribbon to wear, signifying their desire for and commitment to Peace.
This is BIG, and EXCITING! There is certainly a desire and need for volunteers, primarily to sign up for any of the several two-hour shifts that will comprise the days of our action. The action will take place from 9am - 3pm on Fri and Sat, and 1-7pm on Sunday. i also need a volunteer to call through the OPC Phone List and alert those non-email folks about this (as well as our other exciting projects!). WE ALSO NEED SPONSORS: the costs involved primarily include rental of the park and event insurance. We are offering event sponsorships at four different levels, so if you personally or as a business owner would like to explore a sponsorship, please let me know. If you can support this community action with a gift of your time, talents, or resources: please contact me to volunteer. You can also forward this message to friends and family!
Not One More!
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Peace Pole Project
This project got jump-started with a donation designated for it, so i've purchased a beautiful 8-foot 4x4 and have begun preparing it for painting. My hope is to have it ready by this week.
Our next step is to paint it. To that end, WE NEED THREE ARTISTS who would be willing to be responsible for creating one "panel" of the four-sided pole (i already have contact for one artist). If you are an artist or you know one who might be interested, please call me at 805.746.3750 so we can keep this project moving. i want this pole in the ground by June!
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War Taxes: Why Pay 'Em?
Tax Day is coming, and we're certainly all aware of the role we play in financing the violence and destruction that we deplore. i'm in contact with the Los Angeles team of the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, and they'd be willing to come to Ojai to give a presentation on protesting war through nonviolent tax resistance. There are many ways to do it, and a responsible action means understanding the history, risks, and benefits. This is likely to take place the first week of April.
WE NEED A VENUE! i like to think big, but frankly i don't envision tax resistance as a huge crowd-maker. i'm thinking that the Chaparral Auditorium is too big, so we need something moderately-sized. If you have connections to a meeting-space that we can pursue, please let me know right away.
-evan austin, 805.746.3750
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