Past Events Put On by Huntington Woods Peace, Citizenship & Education Project (HWPCEP)

You may be interested in knowing about the kinds of programs and activities we have sponsored thus far:

• "Dying Empire: U.S. Imperialism and Global Resistance" An authority on twentieth century U.S. social-cultural history, Wayne State University's Professor Fran Shor spoke about his latest book. You may read more about his book at www.dyingempire.org .

• Blackwater- Muddying the Waters of War (3/17/10)-  Viewing of Democracy Now's interview with Jeremy Scahill and Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Discussion of Scahill's book "Blackwater- The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercanary Army" and the grave implications of a for-profit security force involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Schakowsky has introduced HR 4650 (Stop Outsourcing Security Act) to address the growing threat of mercenary armies. For an abbreviated introduction to the topic, see Scahill's article in the Nation ("Bush's Shadow Army"- http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070402/scahill ).
• Where Is Obama Leading Us In Afghanistan? An in-depth look at the president's speech at West Point on December 1, in which he announced an escalation of 30,000 troops in Afghanistan. We will also look at the immediate reaction to the speech. What did he really say? Where is he really leading us?
• Who's Afraid of the Afghan War? -- Wed., May 20. Speaker Prasad Venugopal of University of Detroit-Mercy gave a primer on the American war in Afghanistan and actions in Pakistan. Detailed summary (PDF). 
• Tax Day Protest -- At Royal Oak Post Office. 54 cents of every $1.00 of our federal income taxes go toward the Defense Department, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our 750+ bases around the world, or some other military-related expense. Over $1 trillion dollars per year.  What does this military spending crowd out? Spending on alternative energy and energy independence. Health care for all. Education to help our children to compete. Or simply paying down our national debt. For further info: http://www.warresisters.org/files/piechartFY2009.pdf
• Withdrawal from Iraq Meeting (3/18): The group viewed a February 8, 2009 Meet the Press interview of Tom Ricks (Senior Pentagon Correspondent for the Washington Post). View the six minute video. The group then viewed Bill Moyers' interview of Pierre Sprey (former Pentagon official) and Marilyn Young (historian and author who has written about Vietnam and civilian bombing) about the war in Afghanistan. View the twenty-eight minute video.
• Israel / Palestine Town Hall Meeting: Promoting Peace and Justice in the Middle East-- An important panel discussion of what needs to be done to promote peace with justice in Israel/Palestine. Panelists: Dr. Aaron Ahuvia (Professor of Marketing- University of Michigan, Board of Directors Member- Brit Tzedek v'Shalom), Hasan Newash (Director, Palestinian Office of Michigan), David Finkel (Jewish Voice for Peace, American Jews for a Just Peace), Natan Fuchs (Rabbinic Candidate- International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism). Video
• Since 9-11: Remembering the Victims, Challenging Our Leaders -- Sept. 11, 2008. An interfaith and secular memorial hosted by the HWPCE Project and Temple Emanu-El. Participants: Rabbi Joseph Klein; Temple Emanu-El, Oak Park, Reverend George Covintree; First United Methodist Church, Berkley, Imam Mohammed Musa; Muslim Unity Center, Bloomfield Hills, Professor Ronald Aronson; Wayne State University/HWPCE, Cantor Darcey Sharlein; Temple Emanu-El.
• The Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict --
  A discussion of Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard University lecturer/government finance expert Linda Bilmes' book and subsequent interview on Democracy Now. Beyond the immediate expenses the Iraq war will leave us with, as they have conservatively estimated, a three trillion dollar bill. To attain this estimate, they painstakingly researched the cost to the United States in money, death, oil prices, restricted growth/neglect of other pressing issues, and the costs to come: interest, debt and the cost of caring for the tens of thousands of injured service men and women for the rest of their lives. Discussion also included examination of U.S. military budget.
• Iran: Threat or Another Lie? -- Jan. 26, 2008. More than 400 attendees. Speakers: Scott Ritter, former UN Arms Inspector in Iraq, and Jeff Cohen, author of Cable News Confidential and founder of FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting). Here is Mike Duffy's Reflection on Scott Ritter's Talk. For those of you who were unable to make the Ritter/ Cohen Tour of Duty event in January -- or if you would like to hear (see) it again -- it is now available online. This is an hour-plus video presentation.
• Impeachment: Is it Good or Bad for the Country? -- Oct. 21, 2007. Speakers: Al Fishman, Peace Action, and Julie Hurwitz, civil rights attorney. Flyer (PDF)
• Arlington Midwest: Worked with Detroit Area Peace & Justice Network to bring this powerful exhibit to Detroit -- Sept. 20, 2007. Read more
• HW Fourth of July Parade -- July 4, 2007.
• Bill Goodman talk -- May 20, 2007. Report.
• Rudy Simons talk -- April 18, 2007. Report.
• The Ground Truth -- March 21, 2007. This searing documentary includes footage that stirs audiences. The subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq - as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities.
• The Politics of Hope, Citizenship and Activism, a talk by Paul Loeb -- Feb. 11, 2006 (co-sponsored with Workmen's Circle)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Vigil -- January 14, 2006
• 11 Moms on 11 Mile -- Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. 200-300 people rallied for peace at 11 & Woodward. Members of the Cindy Sheehan bus tour participated in this inspiring event. PDF flyer.
• Community Teach-In On Iraq, featuring Tom Hayden and several panels of speakers -- Saturday, April 9, 2005. Some 300 people attended this full-day, thoughtful, information-packed event. PDF flyer.
• Demonstration & March for Peace -Saturday, March 19, 2005, began at 11 Mile & Woodward in Royal Oak. PDF flyer.
• Bush's War ... or Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Vision? Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, Oak Park Community Center: Two-hour presentation on MLK's vision of peace.
• Weekly Peace Walks -- HW Peace spent every Wednesday night for 5 months (mid-May to mid-October) walking the streets of Huntington Woods, successfully knocking on doors at every house in the city. We talked with neighbors about the war and the then-upcoming election. We sold peace signs and political signs, leaving a trail of visible evidence on each successive block we walked. We began the process of building a community of peace within our city.
• Participated in the HW 4th of July parade each year since the start of the Iraq war and occupation.. Our giant doves were one of the hits of the parade. Photos.
• Rifts Over War & Violence End a Famous Friendship -- Local author and WSU Professor Ron Aronson discussed his newly published book, Camus & Sartre and its relevance to today's situation. PDF flyer. Reviews of this book.
• "The World Still Says No To War" Peace Vigil (3/20/04) -- On the first anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, 350-400 people demonstrated for peace at HWPCEP's peace vigil at Woodward & 11 Mile Road. PDF Flyer .
• Effects of the War on Iraq on Our Lives -- U.S. Congressman David Bonior & xState Representative Andy Meisner, addressing the consequences on the xhomefront of the war in Iraq . They both called the 200 people in the audience to action (3/7/04). PDF Flyer.
• Holiday dinner party (12/20/03)
• Candlelight Peace Vigil (12/20/03) -- More than 70 people held a vigil on Woodward Avenue commemorating the dead and injured Americans and Iraqis.
• Civil Liberties & Security: We Don't Have to Make a Choice -- Wendy Wagenheim, ACLU, and Professor (WSU) Ron Aronson , Lecture & Discussion Groups (11/9/03) USA PATRIOT Act. PDF flyer.
• Group trip to the Presidential Candidates' Debate at the Fox Theatre
• Introduction of the HWPCEP group to HW City Council
• Perpetration of War -- Presentation and conversation: Hatto Fischer, long-time European political activitist (9/28/03)
• Peace Picnic (9/20/03)
• Participated in the HW 4th of July Parade (7/4/03) Photos
• Why Did We Go To War? -Professor (WSU) Fran Shor (6/8/03) Flyer PDF
• Iraq: What Next? -- Peace Speak Out & Town Meeting, Speaker: Rudy Simons, lifelong human rights and peace activitist (4/13/03)
• Prospects for Peace -- Al Fishman, Co-chair Detroit Peace Action (3/30/03)