OntheWilderSide

UPDATE 10/19/2008: Veterans against the Iraq war who went to Hofstra to try to deliver two questions to candidates were attacked by mounted police. Story is here.

On Wednesday, October 15th, 2008: Please show up at the Hofstra Debates – before, during, and after – to demand open debates and demand an end to all wars! The festivities start at 3pm at the Hempstead Train Station. Then, across the street from the debates on the South Side of Hempstead Turnpike at 4:30pm.

So many of the Long Island peace groups have lined up behind the typical, pro-war, moderate Democrat, who this time is Barack Obama. People are turning a blind eye to the fact that Barack Obama is promoting the continuation of war with Afghanistan, and that Obama is not even committed to getting out of Iraq fast enough. Oh, well.

So, the best that the peace movement could come up with is a pre-debate demonstration at Hofstra, with a list of demands – not adamantly enough demanded – that do not include getting out of Afghanistan.

Oh, well. These are our people nonetheless. So, the Greens are going to show up at that pre-planned event, and try to educate our peace colleagues and passers by about other issues, too. Bring signs, bring literature, be ready to explain and/or argue:

1.Open the debates! If the two parties had to face third party voices, the American people could hear a message of true peace and non-violence. (Not part of the organizers concerns)

2. End all the wars – even Afghanistan (Not part of the organizers concerns)

3. No nukes – (Not part of the organizers concerns. John McCain and Barack Obama both plan for more nuclear power plants.)

4. Single-Payer Universal Healthcare. (This issue made it to the organizers concerns/petition. Hurrah for them! But, note that neither John McCain nor Barack Obama are for single-payer healthcare, and Obama recently showed an ad against single-payer.)

Here are the details of the event designed for peace people, that Green Party members, Nader folks, and people who are passionate about non-violence hope to attend:

Join us on October 15, 2008

4:30—6:30 p.m.

At the final Presidential Debate at Hofstra, as
We the People tell Senators McCain and Obama that
we expect our next President to:

End the war in Iraq, bring our soldiers home now and provide full medical benefits
for veterans Reallocate war funds to housing, jobs, health care, the environment, and education Create a universal, single-payer health care system for all Americans Develop a sustainable energy policy that substantially reduces global warming and creates good-paying jobs Eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness Restore all Constitutional rights and human rights Implement a foreign policy based on the rule of law, justice, and human dignity

Bring Your Voice to the Debate!

4:30 p.m.–Gather and line up on the south side of Hempstead Turnpike starting from Uniondale Avenue and spreading west toward California Avenue and Oak Street.

We will be joined by United for Peace and Justice, Peace Action NYS, Brooklyn for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and other peace and social justice organizations.

Parking available on side streets south of Hempstead Turnpike
Signs will be available or bring your own.

For more information: LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, 516-741-4360, www.longislandpeace.org

This event is being coordinated by the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives in collaboration with organization that have endorsed The People’s Agenda: Suffolk Peace Network; Great Neck SANE/Peace Action; Code Pink LI; The Shelter Rock Forum; Interfaith Alliance LI Chapter; Pax Christi LI; LI Veterans for Peace, Chapter 138; LITHR, Hofstra University; Social Justice Committee of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock; The Islamic Center of Long Island; Veterans for Peace; Five Towns Forum; South Country Peace Group; Long Island Progressive Coalition; NYS Peace Action; LI Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Long Island Immigrant Alliance; Progressive Students Union; S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Inc. , School of Americas Watch LI (List in formation)

______________

This just in from UFPJ:
(with commentary from KW)

TODAY, Oct. 15
Events go from 3:00 – 6:30 PM
Final Presidential Debate demos – south side of Hempstead Turnpike
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY (Just 45 min. from NYC)

Final Presidential Debate
TODAY, Oct. 15
3:00 – 4:30 PM Rally at Train Station, walk
Rally at Hempstead Train Station with Iraq Veterans Against the War and other groups and then march to meet up with the peace demo.

4:30 – 6:30 PM
Line Hempstead Turnpike at Hofstra University with the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. The Long Island Alliance has a People’s Petition which they will present. It has some strong points and mentions single-payer universal healthcare. Though, this petition and this group do not specifically deamnd to get out of Afghanistan, and they do not specifically demand an end to nuclear. So, bring your own signs and your own energy. It will be up to third party activists and individuals to say I WON’T VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO DOESN’T END THE WARS. – KW

Also note:

Sunday in NYC: There are strong reports that Cynthia McKinney will be part of a 4-way, alternative party debate which will include Ralph Nader and others. Details and confirmation will be posted at wilderside.

Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, Anti-War, Barack Obama, cynthia mckinney, debate, election, Election 2008, elections, events, green, Green Party Websites, Green Presidential Campaign 2008, Iraq, local, long island, Long Island Politics, News, Peace, Political Websites, president, presidential race, progressive politics, Ralph Nader, third party, US Politics, war Tagged: | afghanistan, debate, health care, hofstra, Iraq Veterans Against the War, IVAW, LI Alliance, long island, Long Island Alliance, Nader, Nassau County, Open the Debates, Presidential Debate, Single Payer, SPN, Suffolk Peace Network, Uniondale