The U.S. military's presence abroad and at home is oftentimes accepted without question. Public interest in the military's role in the Middle East is waning, and public awareness of the military in our schools is all but nonexistent. The MSPJC seeks to change this through its anti-war work and the Alternatives to the Military Project.
The Military Abroad
The U.S. military's presence abroad and at home is oftentimes accepted without question. Public interest in the military's role in the Middle East is waning, and public awareness of the military in our schools is all but nonexistent. The MSPJC seeks to change this through its anti-war work and the Alternatives to the Military Project.
Since the U.S.-Iraq Status Forces Agreement began t
he withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, many Americans have grown complacent about the presence of the United States military abroad. We must remember, though, that from 2003 to 2011, almost 4,500 troops were killed in Iraq according to the Iraq Index. By 2011, the number of troops in Afghanistan was three times higher than when Obama became president. Just as in Iraq, it is unknown how many civilians have died in Afghanistan, but the number is in the tens of thousands. From 2001 to 2011, over 1,700 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan and another 13,000 wounded.
The U.S. launched cruise missile and air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in March 2011—in direct violation of the Constitution and the War Powers Act. Additionally, the U.S. continues to launch air strikes in Yemen using unmanned Predator drones, an action that similarly contravenes the War Powers Act. The MSPJC seeks to enforce more responsibility on the government when it comes to deploying troops and putting lives at risk.
At the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center our members have a shared vision. A vision for Memphis, the Mid-South, Tennessee and our country. A vision where homelessness and poverty is not a crime; where we funnel people into places of help and support not jail cells; where slumlords and big banks are held responsible to the communities they are destroying through predatory lending and foreclosure; where tax dollars are used to lift all of our communities up, prioritizing those that are suffering; where no human being is illegal. A place where the the dignity of the human person is held above the motives of profit and greed.
We know that the only way we will achieve this social change is by building movements comprised of those that are most affected by social problems in our society. While politicians argue with each other and focus their attention on everything but the needs of low-income communities, we are training and organizing grassroots leaders to lead campaigns of social, economic, and racial justice. We are working to build a movement of those that suffer the most, yet have the least input in decisions that directly affect their lives. That’s why movement building is a permanent effort: in both good times and bad, we always need to build the next push for changeleader by leader, community by community.
Our work together continues forward as we work to build a movement to challenge injustice and put power back into the hands of our community. Last year was a banner year for our community. So we are proud to present to you our 2012 Annual Report.
March 30: Confront the Klan by Building Community.
There has been much written and said about the planned March 30th rally of the KKK. This rally is inspired by recent Memphis City Council action changing the names of three Confederate parks, Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, Jefferson Davis Park and Confederate Park. The parks were given temporary placeholder names and their permanent names will be decided later with a great deal of promised public input.
These facts have been presented and these stories covered in the media and discussed in our workplaces, classrooms, places of worship and homes. Yet, it falls to the public, to the people of Memphis and Shelby County to answer one pivotal question. What is to be our response to this?
Our State, Our Stories :: A Better TN is Possible
On Tuesday March 12 hundreds of everyday citizens will climb onto buses, cram into vans, and carpool from Memphis, Chatanooga, Knoxville and the towns in between to descend on the capitol for the People's Day on the Hill. We will come together under the banner of Our State, Our Stories: A Better Tennessee is Possible because we know that the grassroots communities of our state have the solutions to the problems that plague us. We know that real change never comes from the halls of the legislature, it comes from the people.
Join grassroots communities all over the state as we mark Tuesday March 12, 2013 as the first annual People’s Lobby Day on the Hill.
We know that the problems faced across the state can be fixed using grassroots solutions. We are the experts; we are the voices that our representatives need. Join us!
On December 17th, the three month anniversary of the occupation movement, Memphians will join together and Occupy 4 Memphis.
At noon, rallies and vigils will be held at three locations, coordinated by ally groups. Participants should choose one location to converge on at noon.
Today marks one month since members of the 99% began the occupation of Memphis. We at the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center have stood in solidarity with this movement and have offered resources, training and our personal support to this inspiring movement. Unfortunately as those occupying Civic Center Plaza prepared to celebrate the 1% in New York began evicting thousands at Occupy Wall Street. In response, the 99% will rally today at 5pm at Civic Center Plaza (map) and march at 6pm.
You are us, we are you, we are the 99%! Join us as we raise our voices and voice our discontent with the systems that allow 1% of Americans to have undue control over the rest of us.
What follows is an official statement from Occupy Memphis:
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