IPN Signs a Letter to the President Elect Joe Biden about War in Yemen

 

 

Below is a letter Iowa Peace Network signed earlier this month on divesting from investing in war on Yemen.  Codepink is collecting signers and sending to Biden soon. 

 

Dear President-Elect Joe Biden:

 Congratulations on winning the presidency. We know that you have an enormous task ahead of you and that there are a number of critical domestic and foreign policy issues that need to be addressed on day one of your term. As organizations representing millions of Americans concerned about the grave crisis in Yemen, we urgently ask that you include bringing an end to U.S. participation in the war in Yemen.

Kingian Nonviolence Origins & What is Kingian Nonviolence?

 

From On Earth Peace- onearthpeace.org & Fall 2020 On Earth Peace newsletter; reprinted with permission; David Jehnsen interviewed by Matt Guynn

 

Kingian Nonviolence Origins (excerpt)

Together with Bernard LaFayette Jr., David Jehnsen authored the Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation curriculum to codify what they learned from working with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other Civil Rights Movement organizers.  David is a member of Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Columbus, Ohio.  Matt Guynn interviewed David to learn more about the roots and vision of Kingian Nonviolence.

IPN Alternative Gift Guide

 

Iowa Peace Network

 Alternative Gift Guide

No Holiday Open House and Alternative Gift Fair this year? No problem!

(Although we sure will miss seeing all of your smiling faces.) Since we can’t gather together in person, the IPN Joint Oversight Committee thought it would be fun to share our favorite businesses and organizations that are perfect for holiday shopping—and end-of-the-year contributions. Below you’ll find both local and international businesses and causes to support, all concerned with some form of environmental, social and/or racial justice. We hope you enjoy perusing this list, and perhaps find one or two perfect gifts along the way. Here’s to a safe and peaceful holiday season!

 

Letters about Election Sent to Congressional Delegation and to state Election Officials

 

Letters about a fair and safe election were sent by the signers below (IPN is among them) to both our congressional delegation and a similar letter was written to other election officials.  Those were sent approximately two weeks ago.  Additionally, a letter is going to be sent soon to the Des Moines Chief of Police and City Council, though they will be slightly different.  We received letters back from Senator Grassley and Rep. Cindy Axne.  They are shown below as well.

Four Major Health Care Systems

 

By Jeffrey Weiss

There are about 200 nation-states and each devises its own set of arrangements for meeting the three basic goals of a health care system: keeping society healthy, treating the sick, and protecting families against financial ruin from medical bills.

For all the local variations, health care systems tend to follow general patterns. There are four basic systems:

 

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.