[Organize] Minutes for Hiroshima Day call 7.24.06

[Eileen Olsen]

Hi Everyone,
   
  Thanks Ralph, for getting the minutes out so quickly.
   
  I would like to suggest that since indigenous rights figures so prominently on the august6,org site, that we should get a quote from the Western Shoshone Nation.  While Bechtel has victimized other indigenous communities worldwide, the Western Shoshone have numerous grievances against Bechtel through the administration of the Nevada Test site, continued involvement in Yucca Mountain, as well as involvement in other  water and nuclear projects on Western Shoshone land.  I volunteer to take point on getting a quote from Carrie Dann, Corbin Harney or Raymond Yowell, all of whom have international as well as national name recognition. Since Corbin will be unable to speak on Aug 9, the press release will be a different opportunity for indigenous participation.
   
  We can also likely get indigenous participation in the events on Aug 6 and Aug 9, as  there has also been keen interest through the Divine Strake coalition in protesting against Bechtel.
   
  If we consider different press releases for the national and international media,  I would like to note that the international media has been very good about stressing the impact of US weapons testing on indigenous communities, not just in the US, but in the Marshall Islands as well.
   
  Let me know on getting a quote, and I'll start the ball rolling.
   
  Eileen

ralph hutchison <orep at earthlink.net> wrote:
  H Day call 7.26.06 (also attached in Word)

ALERT: If you want to submit a quote for Jackie to consider in the 
press release, please do it ASAP. We are working on a FAST turnaround. 
see timeline in bold below.

on call: Tara (TVC), Ralph (OREPA), Jackie (WSLF), David (Pittsburgh), 
Susan (UFPJ)
Chelsea (NDE), Melissa (PSR, Maine), Bob (PPC), Steve (WSLF), Carol 
(WILPF), Shannyn (LAPP)

media:
The main messaging.
Tara put up draft, with Ralph offering some amendments.

Jackie reported on the UFPJ Nat’l steering committee meeting over 
weekend in NY. Discussed lots of issues. August 6-9 would be launch of 
fall campaign which would prioritize Declaration of Peace and other 
events going on (Camp Casey, Troops Out Fast, etc). Only 19% of UFPJ 
groups in internal poll said Aug 6-9 should be a priority, but 46% said 
they were planning events.

Jackie: propose we call for cease-fire in Middle East (along with 
nuclear free zone)

Noted that Shundahai has offered media list they’ve been using re: 
Divine Strake.

We have 60 actions planned across the country. Lists on UFPJ and 
August6 are being reconciled by hand on both sites. Jackie/Susan will 
work to get UFPJ groups listed on web sites.

Ralph: does adding emerging issues get us more attention, or does it 
begin to look like we’re covering the whole map.

Bob: a couple/three issues. Hiroshima/Nagasaki is one, then what’s in 
the public’s mind: may be the mess in the Middle East.

Jackie: complicated by the reality that we are connecting the 
dots—including indigenous people and corporate responsibility— maybe 
>From Hiroshima to Yucca Mountain to the Middle East: No Wars! Maybe 
Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Bechtel, Middle East.

David: Feel it’s worth creating a map of the issues and see if we can 
diagramatically see what connects to what and package coherently. See 
six areas:
US hypocrisy
Bechtel profiteering/Iraq and Apocaplypse
Lebanon crap
Nuclear power/enviro
H & N commemoration
Indigenous rights
Do we want to figure out what is most marketable to media, or do we 
want to think of it from movement perspective: this is what groups are 
doing, so how do we tie that together?

Tara: Thinking we want to pitch this to movement through call to action 
and website. Media advisory is aimed at them, to get them to cover what 
we’re doing so they’ll run the story. Would like to tailor it to get 
them to cover it.

Melissa: Idea we had: include paper crane with press release, so they 
get a message, not just a piece of paper.

Shannyn: Hiroshima Day radio project, ceremonies happening there on our 
August 5. We have local radio station downlinking from web site and 
churches to do bell ringing simultaneous to ringing in Hiroshima.

Jackie: Think it’s right that we want to attend to movement building 
part—probably more important—and we have made significant new 
connections. We want to pitch to media in recognizable form. Include a 
point that we have a new coalition. A page with background points. And 
a page with quotes from different areas. Streamline as set up now.

Tara: connect the dots/collaboration could go toward end. National Days 
of Action are being organized by UFPJ in partnership
connecting the 
dots, etc. Like quote page. Concern re: issue briefing piece is time. 
August 2 is the latest we could get this out.

Jackie: would like to get something out by Friday, to get comments over 
weekend, revised draft Monday night, finalize on Tuesday and go out on 
2nd.

Tara: avoid weekend?

Jackie: Media Advisory will be posted by Friday. Feedback due at noon 
Monday, synthesize and we can blast it out on Wednesday.

Contacts and quotes: hibakusha quote, quotes from key site organizers,

David: identifying who would provide quotes might reflect our 
emphasis
what are real priorities for national release?

Tara: can we try having everyone say what their top two priorities 
would be so we can get a feel?

Chelsea: Bechtel, multi issue/connect the dots aspect
Carol: We dropped the bomb sixty-one years ago, NPT, still nukes center 
of our policy
Jackie: US nuclear hypocrisy and Middle East
Tara: US nuclear hypocrisy, significance of dates
Steve: Bechtel and connect the dots
Ralph: Significance of dates and Bechtel
Melissa: smart security, work together (GNEP)
David: Bechtel/ connect the dots (includes US hypocrisy)
Shannyn: how to spend tax dollars/real national security (energy 
independence)
Susan: significance of dates and Bechtel (positive message)

Jackie: redefining security is a theme I heard – positive message

Susan: I like connect the dots, but the media will refuse to get it.

Bob: I agree with general thrust. Trying to put everything together 
will be lost on media unless dots are simple and obvious. Also: 
difference between advisory and news release. National release is 
different from local, which can be more detailed and nuanced.

Jackie: Generally agree. Some reporters are looking for stories about 
“state of the peace movement,” who might find story in consciously 
making links. Maybe not in lead, but included in there somehow, maybe 
like Tara talked about. We contexualize nuclear abolition as ultimate 
anti-war message.

Tara: We chose Bechtel because it does connect the issues. We don’t 
have to make it abstract


Ralph: Is it newsworthy to say emerging peace coalition announces focus 
on Bechtel?

Bob: Potentially. Bechtel does connect the dots. Way national stories 
have been framed usually starts with something local—a demo—and then 
paint the larger picture and background. Go from specific commemorative 
demo to larger issues rather than vice versa. There are a couple we can 
itch big picture to, but that is more likely through one-on-one phone 
or e-mail.

David: Another point re: Bechtel and Global Justice. Feel important we 
use Middle East Free Trade area—makes it possible for us to say “Here’s 
a corporation with many NNSA contracts, stands to gain most from 
continuing US/ally escapades in Middle East.” The economic angle makes 
it easier to get past the eye-rolling media does when we say Connect 
the Dots.

Carol: What’s happening in Middle East is terrible, but we need to keep 
big picture in focus. India. North Korea, pressure to make everyone go 
along with US nuclear policy.

Ralph: Middle East Free Trade idea is a great soundbite. Would not be 
comfortable trying to explain what that means to a reporter. Think it 
is great quote material, but if we put it in advisory as priority 
language, might overwhelm other message and put me in position of 
having to explain something I can’t explain intelligently.

Jackie: who will quote?
Tara; Antonia (MEFTarea); David (Bechtel); Ralph (H/N Day); Jackie (US 
hypocrisy); Carol (WILPF); Jackie, hibakusha; Steve (Int’l Treaty 
Council); Leslie (UFPJ); Mavis (PeaceFarm)

Release to go out on August 5: Demonstrators call for

Release on 7th about events on 9th re: Bechtel and Indigenous peoples

People can modify and use texts locally.

Jackie: Steve (intern) can you tackle a press release wrap up on 6th 
/look at 9th?

Steve: with great enthusiasm Yeah. Mmmm.hmmm.

Jackie: and I can do thing on the 7th about the 9th.

Carol: the post card—trying to track Kucinich; not up yet, and house is 
adjourning on Friday, so it seems not much chance to get it up before 
August 6. Maybe we just drop it and stick with 373. I think the post 
card is ready and on the site; I think Andrew made the changes. Should 
be able to modify it locally because it’s in Word. Congress people will 
be home in August.

Jackie: How about we wait until the weekend to see if Kucinich does 
anything, formally launch on Monday. Until then, people can give 
feedback. Will want a pdf version on UFPJ site.

David: Democracy Now—anything to set in motion? Working personal 
contacts. Who should we try to get on it
what we would want from 
advance story.

Carol: Had Frida and Antonia.

Jackie: She has been covering these dates. Last year did coverage 
around the country. Should be an easy approach.

David: An advance piece? We can make contact with them and tell them 
some people are available David is making T-shirts with Bechtel logo 
and mushroom—let me know and I’ll let you know how to get them.

Jackie: available on web site?

David: should have them at Pax Christi conference.

Jackie: another call?

Ralph: Would like a debrief, talk about followup call.

Jackie: could offer that UFPJ Disarmament Working Group is interested 
in.

Ralph: Next call. Debrief and next steps. August 23rd. 11:00Pacific, 
2:00 Eastern















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Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. 

--Anais Nin
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