Join Peace Action New York State (PANYS) for an online discussion on military recruitment practices targeting low-income and immigrant youth and how to respond with sustainable options.
Leading the discussion will be author Sofya Aptekar, an Associate Professor at CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. She will be joined by Ramón Mejía, National Organizer for the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance.
While the popular image of the US military is one of citizen soldiers protecting their country, the reality is that nearly 5 percent of all first-time military recruits are noncitizens. In Green Card Soldier, Sofya Aptekar talks to more than seventy noncitizen soldiers from twenty-three countries, including some who were displaced by conflict after the US military entered their homeland. Their stories—stitched through with colonial legacies, white supremacy, exploitation, and patriarchy—show how the tensions between deservingness and suspicion shape their enlistment, service, and identities.
Ramón Mejía enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 to support his family. His experience in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 led him to convert to Islam and develop into an outspoken advocate and organizer against U.S. wars and the growing militarization of our communities.
Giving voice to a little-heard group of immigrants, Green Card Soldier shines a cold light on the complex workings of US empire, globalized militarism, and citizenship. It highlights the need for united action to defend immigrant and LGBTQ rights, end white supremacy and promote anti-militarism.
The event fee is $25 for general admission, $10 for students and those on a low income. All proceeds to benefit the advocacy work of Peace Action New York State. Register here.
Join Community Responders for Erie County for their general body meeting to call on Erie County to fund community responders NOW! Learn about the effort to bring a non-police community responder team to Erie County, and how you can get involved!
At this meeting, you’ll:
- Enjoy a meal together from Sunshine Vegan Eats
- Recap what community responders are and our work in Erie County
- Take action together & call on our leaders to fund a community responder pilot in this year’s County budget
Please register so we can get a headcount for food, and keep you informed of any changes.
Join us for another taping of Talking Peace Radio! On “Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki for a Nuclear-Free Future” featuring Jim Anderson, President of Peace Action NYS, Steering Committee Member of Peace Action ( joining us from Japan, where he’s working with the Hibakusha and community of Hiroshima/Nagasaki); Martha Hennessy, Kings Bay Plowshares, Catholic Worker, granddaughter of Dorothy Day (CW founder); Shannon Seneca, Haudenosaunee Environmental Engineer, Mohawk, Turtle Clan, Environmental Health Specialist working as Assistantt Faculty at Roswell Park’s Center for Indigenous Cancer Research, Alternate Member on West Valley Citizen Taskforce; Sameria Mbili, Past President Peace Action Canisius College, Member of WNY Peace Center (WNYPC); with host Victory Ross, WNYPC Board Chair.
Discussion topics will include:
- values
- remembering US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
- nuclear weapons are illegal since Jan 2021 passing of Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – campaign for US passing TPNW
- the danger and destruction of the nuclear chain (mining, refining, weapons, power, waste – here, in Japan, plus…)
- costs in pollution, human life, suffering in natural world, extreme threat and risk; opportunity cost
- ways people can help with environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, strengthen UN
The show is taped for just under an hour by Think Twice Radio: Home of the Future (thanks to Richard Wicka, our wonderful producer). The Zoom recording, livestreamed on Facebook during the taping, will air on WBNY 91.3FM on the following Monday at 1pm EST. After airing, you can also find the video archived on the WNY Peace Center YouTube channel.
