Make Our Spring Break Your Spring Break

Still looking for something to do this spring break? Want to help in the anti-war protests? Does the compelling urge to lobby keep you up at night? (Need somewhere to crash this break?) If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Yael Chanoff '11 has the program for you!:

Our Spring Break is a youth-led spring break trip, started by former Wesleyan student Ashley Casale '11[?], which brings hundreds of people from around the country to Washington DC during their spring breaks. We stand against all illegal war and occupation. We want the billions of dollars the United States on war redirected towards the education, jobs, housing, health care, green energy, and other programs that we desperately need at home.

By day, we lobby congress, do outreach and direct action, and by night we hold trainings, open mics, film screenings, and concerts, all working together to inspire each other, learn from each other and promote our goals.

Housing and transportation is free, and you can come join us at any time between March 8-22 (Wes spring break.)

Interested? There will be an informational meeting at 4:00, Monday February 23 in the 200 Church lounge.

There will be cookies.

For those curious about the former student mentioned in this, Ashley is one of two students who got some attention last year for their cross-country march. The Argus article on that accomplishment is here.

What: Meeting about Our Spring Break
When: Monday, February 23 @ 4:00
Where: 200 Church Lounge

[edit - 2/21/09 @ 1:03 pm - the difference between an alum and former student has been clarified]
[edit - 2/22/09 @ 11:23 pm - the difference between the 24th and the 23th has been clarified]

Gaza Antiwar Panel in Middletown

If you're on campus tomorrow afternoon, a panel discussion and strategy session is being held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, about how to build the antiwar movement in the Obama era and help end the conflict in Gaza.

A Panel Discussion and Strategy Session with . . .

• Chris Grohs, CT Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Mike Winterfield, Working Families Party Steering Committee Member, West Hartford Citizens for Peace Justice Board Member
• Youness Bakr, Palestine American Congress, organizer of recent Gaza actions
• Marissa Blaszko, CCSU student antiwar activist, recently returned from the UFPJ convention
• Tahnee Stair, ANSWER Coalition (Act Now To Stop War and End Racism)
• Chris Gauvreau, National Assembly to End the Wars in Afghanistan & Iraq

The U.S. Congress is backing the invasion of Gaza to the hilt. Obama's political appointments make it clear, the Status of Forces Agreement not withstanding, that a real end to the occupation of Iraq is not assured. Violence is on the upswing in Iraq and few displaced Iraqi civilians are ready to go home. In addition, plans to send a minimum of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan are not being challenged by anyone in the US government. US bombings of Pakistan are threatening an even greater destabilization of the region. How can we build a movement to force the US government out of this quagmire? How can we force Congress to spend the money on human needs and not war, occupation, and the bailouts of the corrupt financiers? What antiwar activity is planned for Spring 2009 and how can we engage the not-yet-mobilized part of the population? Come discuss with activists committed to mass mobilizations & door-to-door work this spring.

Refreshments will be served. Humanitarian Fundraiser for Gaza at 5:30.

Date: Sunday, January 18
Time: 2 pm-3:30 pm
Place: Church of the Holy Trinity, 134 Main St.