Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice

For Peace and Just Relations among People and Nations

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Mission

The Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice is an initiative to promote citizen understanding, raise public awareness, and encourage participation in the democratic process for the purpose of achieving peace and just relations among peoples and nations and protecting civil liberties.

January, 2008: RCPJ chair Dr. Kenneth Yorgan describes the need for organizations such as the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice:

"The American promise was about respect for the rights of others, justice for all people, and a strong democracy. We have been working toward completion of that promise for 230 years yet it remains an elusive dream for too many. We are now being told that the dawn of fulfillment has receded even further into the darkness of 'global terror,' and we must content ourselves with less liberty, increasing injustice and a degraded democracy.

"Sadly, it is our President and Vice President who not only deliver this message, but seem to work diligently to bring it to pass. The unprecedented suspension of 'Habeas Corpus,' the very foundation of our republic, is the most egregious assault on our Constitution since it first defined our aspirations as a people. Coupled with credible and multiple reports of spying on American citizens, secret prisons and torture, we are confronted with the defining crisis of this generation. Every past generation has stood up, when called upon, to preserve and advance our American promise.

"We are a 'nation of laws.' and among those laws are the provisions for a just and peaceful removal of officials who disrespect and degrade our Constitution. The Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice, along with millions of other Americans, believes that there is more than sufficient evidence to warrant Congressional hearings into the activities of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney with the expectation that impeachment and removal from office will be justified.

"We believe that this problem must be addressed, not only to remove an intractable impediment to the advancement of peace and justice, but to repair the damage that has been done to our democratic infrastructure and warn future political opportunists that their ambitions will not go unchallenged.

"We extend an open invitation to anyone who feels a need to be part of a community of like-minded citizens who choose to be active participants in this great democratic endeavor we call The United States of America , which has created so much hope for people worldwide. If you feel a need to take an active role in the process of bringing the American dream to fulfillment, we would welcome and be grateful to have you join with us. If you are already active in this process, we would be encouraged to know of your efforts and offer our encouragement to you in return."

MONTHLY PEACE RALLIES

Spring/Summer 2008

US OUT OF IRAQ NOW

NO ATTACK ON IRAN

Highways 20 and 31, Racine

(SE corner) 10:00 to 11:00 am

Saturdays: 19 April 2008

17 May 2008

21 June 2008

19 July 2008

16 August 2008

info: Ken Yorgan (262/634-2950)

Wayne Johnson (262/639-7149)

Text Box: Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of each month, 7:00 pm, at the César Chávez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave., Racine. All are welcome. We are a member of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice and an affiliate of Peace Action Wisconsin. RCPJ works closely with other local organizations with similar goals. Most RCPJ communications are by e-mail. We distribute an events calendar every few weeks. Our e-mail group list includes members and anyone who wishes to be included. RCPJ does not engage in partisan electoral activity. We are political but issue-based. RCPJ is organized as a Wisconsin nonprofit corp. It does not have charitable status with the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions to RCPJ are not tax deductible. To join, go to "Contact info" or “Membership Form”

Interview With Members of The RCPJ

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, coalition members Wayne Johnson, Sister Alice Rademacher and Dr. Kenneth Yorgan participated in a radio interview with Linda Flashinski at 11:15 am on WGTD, 91.1 fm, on the University of Wisconsin’s, Parkside Campus. The focus of this installment of Community Matters was peace and justice.

To listen to today’s broadcast online, click here to access the Community Matters archives to play the program through your media player.

For more information on issues discussed by coalition members during this interview, interested individuals are urged to check out the following links:

For more information on the Iraqi refugees:

http://www.domlife.org/Justice/Iraq/Instructions%20for%20PostCard%20Campaign.doc

For information on the School of the Americas Watch, and torture:

http://www.lvindependent.org/_mgxroot/page_10824.html

For information on Kathy Kelly and Voices for Creative Nonviolence and their walk to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis:

http://vcnv.org/witness-against-war-2008