Black Voices for Peace Call for Peaceand Justice Events on MLK Jr. Holiday, January 20 : Houston Indymedia

Black Voices for Peace Call for Peace and Justice Events on MLK Jr. Holiday, January 20
January 9th, 2003

Black Voices for Peace call for Washington, DC national event and local actions/commemorations nationwide on Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday January 20, 2003, focusing on organizing for peace, racial and economic justice, and civil rights and liberties.

The D.C. national event: "Fulfilling Dr. King's legacy: Organizing against war and militarism, racism, poverty and injustice---a national training workshop and conference for justice and peace.

Local actions: BVFP calls on groups around the nation to incorporate a focus on organizing against war and militarism (for peace), racial injustice, and for justice and human needs into planned MLK holiday events and to organize other events with this specific focus.

When: Monday, January 20, 2003

Where for national event: tentatively scheduled at Plymouth Congregational Church, 5301 North Capitol St, Washington, D.C.

What: training and strategy sessions and plenary gathering focusing on addressing the following issues:

1)Ending the sanctions and war against Iraq

2)Ending U.S. military and financial support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine/working for negotiated two state solution

3)Defending the constitution and civil liberties: beating back the assault on our rights

4)Promoting a national people's agenda for affordable housing, accessible and affordable health care, education, jobs at livable wages and job training, income security and food safety net, environmental protection and other human needs-- linking opposition to militarism as part of this effort.

In addition, on Sunday, January 19, 2003, Black Voices for Peace calls on that day to be "peace with justice Sunday".

1)Churches around the nation are asked to incorporate this theme into Sunday services, consistent with the issues agenda outlined above. BVFP calls upon black pastors and churches to lead this effort.

2)In Washington, D.C., BVFP working with the interfaith community here and around the nation will help organize a national interfaith gathering at 7:00 pm in Washington, D.C. at a place to be announced. Spiritual leaders around the nation are asked to do the same in cities and towns nationwide.

More details coming soon. For more information call 202-232-5690.