Palestinian Voices & Peter Beinart's Dramatic Change of Heart

Reprinted with permission; originally published for MennoPIN (Mennonite Palestine Israel Network) August 2020 email update; see website: www.mennopin.org

 Mennopin’s annexation coverage in the August 2020 email update includes writings from three Palestinian voices from today and one significant American Jewish voice who just changed his mind.

Vigil Stands in Solidarity with Immigrants at Cedar Rapids ICE Check-In

By Alison Gowans

Republished with permission 2020 The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS — Solidarity was on display at a vigil Tuesday accompanying three immigrants living in Iowa City as they completed a mandatory check-in at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Cedar Rapids. 

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Remembered in Des Moines 2020

 By Christine Sheller

On August 6, 2020, Des Moines area citizens gathered to remember the horrific events of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan 75 years ago. 

A Peace Proclamation in Washington, IA

By: Roger Farmer

 At the Washington Iowa City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, a routine request was made to use the Washington Central Park on Sunday August 9, 2020, for a public presentation entitled "A Peace Proclamation" by Dr Kesho Scott, a professor at Grinnell College, about the meaning of anti-racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Tax Day 2020 Letter to Congressional Delegation

Tax Day actions in Des Moines this year were more simple than in years past.  A couple of peace group leaders met and agreed to send letters to Sen. Grassley, Sen. Ernst, and Rep. Cindy Axne for this Tax Day relating to military budget and use of nuclear weapons, as Tax Day was moved to July 15 because of COVID.

Grounded… or Flying by the Seat of our Pants? & Bewildering Federal Budget

By Chrissy Kirchhoefer; reprinted with permission; first printed for the NWTRCC (National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee) newsletter June/ July 2020

An increased number of military planes have been flying over the US and targeting cities, often in clusters, to show appreciation to “front-line workers.” 

Covid Connections

By: David Shogren; reprinted with permission; printed originally for the Iowa Chapter MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) newsletter, Social Questions Bulletin (SQB) Spring 2020

This year has brought perhaps the most radical shift in multinational lifestyles since World War II as Covid-19, a novel coronavirus, erupted in Wuhan, China, population 11 million. The pandemic spread quickly and pervasively.

The Good, the Potential, and What Might Happen

By David Swanson; reprinted with permission, first published for davidswanson.org

https://davidswanson.org/the-good-the-potential-and-what-might-happen/


Already we’ve seen, as a result of people taking to the streets in the United States:

-Four policemen indicted.

-More racist monuments dismantled.

Racism in the Military Justice System: The GAO Responds

By:  Kathleen Gilberd; reprinted with permission; originally printed for Committee Opposed to Militarism and the Draft newsletter, Jan.- Mar. 2020 

The military portrays itself as an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting racial discrimination, punishing racist behavior and offering strong careers to people of color. The reality is far different: African-Americans and other people of color serve predominantly in the lower ranks and perform less glamorous jobs.

Letter to the Editor: What We Can Do About Gun Violence in Iowa

We applaud the Iowa Nurses Association in its recent issue of Iowa Nurse Reporter for taking a firm, evidence-based stance on gun violence: it is a public health crisis. We are two retired RNs who have been working in Decorah to educate our citizens about safe gun ownership and sensible gun legislation.