Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor(DFL)
CD2 Peace Page

Minnesotans outside of the Russell Senate Office Building after lunch are left to right, Andy Edgar, Raven Kinnell,  Allen Christian, Mary Jane LaVigne, Greg Skog, Sky Miles, Eric Skog, Faith Kidder, Sue Skog, Chelsea Skog, Jane Miles.

Senate Soul Force

Letter from Mary Jane LaVigne: Her story about the MN group meeting with Senator Dayton at the Department of Peace conference.

Gandhi entered the Empire theatre in South Africa on September 11, 1906 not knowing he was about to call forth satyagraha or "soul force" from those present.  Ninety-nine years and three days later, eleven of us from Minnesota, supporters of the Department of Peace, sat in the U.S. Senate dining room excitedly looking forward to lunch with our Senator, Mark Dayton (D-OH).

Two nurses, a couple of union members, we had one first grader and a grandma, an environmentalist, a sculpture, a teacher and a grocery store manager.   The Senate dining room, like many things, looms larger in imagination than it is in fact.  So, seated as we were in the center, we created a gravity of our own.

We talked about small things, like how you shake hands, Senator Dayton extends his palm down, giving the other person control of the strength of grip.  Senator Dayton went round the table and listened to each of us express our opinion on who ought to be his successor.  We talked about Robert Kennedy and Paul Wellstone.  "Why is it always planes with our people that go down?" burst out of one of the adults.   

"No one's plane should go down," said 12 year-old Raven Kinnell. Sitting next to her, Dayton nodded quietly, then asked the young woman to pin a button on his lapel.  "We need a Department of Peace," it read.

We didn't talk about the campaign until after desert.  Faith Kidder asked Senator Dayton if he'd be willing to consider proposing the creation of a Department of Peace in the Senate.  "Should he?" the Senator asked the youngest member of our group.  Eric looked up at his nodding mom and said "yes."  Then he asked Eric's middle school sister Chelsea and finally Raven, "yes" they said.   

Senator Dayton pushed himself away from the table, stood up and said, "then I will."

With a new bounce in his step the Senator ushered us up to the Senate Gallery, then down, in the Senators Only elevator, to the underground tram.  I got to sit in the car with the Senator.   The breeze blew my hair.   He was grinning.  I'll never forget that moment.  "It's like Willy Wonka," the kids in the car ahead giggled.   

We entered his office and were introduced to his staff.  "We're going to be Senate sponsors of a Department of Peace Bill," Dayton told them.   

They may call us naive.  And perhaps we are.  But no more naive than any group who dares to claim a better world.  No more naive than those who joined Elizabeth Cady Stanton in little Seneca Falls New York, calling for gender equality in 1848.  No more naive than the folks who braved the hot coffee poured on their heads determined to desegregate Southern lunch counters in 1963.   No more naive than all those who packed the Empire Theatre 99 years ago and with only the strength of their intention, inaugurated a new kind of force.

We are all around that lunch table now, our hearts on our sleeves.

Mary Jane LaVigne

• Department of Peace - more info
• Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers - more info
• Peace in the Precincts -a Minnesota-based coalition of citizens from established peace organizations and neighborhoods. A project of MAP member, Friends for a Non-Violent World.
• SE Minnesota Peacemakers - Southeast Minnesota peace organization modeled on MAP principles.
• Altera Vista, MTN Channel 16 and SPNN Channel 15 - A news and views service FOR the community BY the community, sponsored by MAP
• Minnesota Neighbors For Peace - Mission to create the largest network of grassroots, community-based, program .
• Peaceworkers International.  The methods of conflict resolution by third parties have been found highly workable as a means toward peace and justice - in India, China, Cyprus, the United States, and other countries. Peaceworker volunteers help make non-violent means a visible force in world affairs.  See also Peace Brigades International
• Mothers against War. Promoting Peace as the Only Honorable Way of Life
• Campus Antiwar Network
• Peace Majority - PeaceMajority.org is a project to turn the peace movement into the peace vote, by building a "community of communities" for peace.
• Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors. Networks and programs to support get the military out of our schools and community.
• Colombia Support Network, NYC Chapter
• Fellowship of Reconciliation
• Grandmothers for Peace International
• Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Jewish Voice for Peace
• No Draft, No Way Campaign
• MotherSpeak
• National Youth Student Peace Coalition
• Not in Our Name
• Redwood Peace and Justice Center
• Traprock Peace Center
• War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada)

Documenting for Conscientious Objectors (CO) Status 

How to compile a CO Claim:

Below is the basic information on how to compile a claim as a Conscientious Objector (CO). CCCO has a more detailed handbook called 'Choosing peace' which they sell. For more information check here.

1. If you register, write that you are a CO on the card before sending it in. Photocopy the card and send it to yourself. FIle the sealed envelop in a secure location , leave it sealed.
2. Write a statement of beliefs that explain why, how, when, where, etc that you became a CO. List anything that could have influenced your beliefs against war and killing, such as religion, films, books, events attended, protest, vigils, personal involment in peace issues.
3. Find three (3) people who know you very well, ask that they write a letter on your behalf supporting your beliefs as a CO.
4. Write a letter to CCCO explaining that you are a CO, Keep a copy for yourself, with the receipt of it being mailed. CCCO doesn't archieve these letters (we suggest you find a third party to do so>>>your church, a family member, close friend), however CCCO will send you a letter confirming having received your letter. That should also be kept in your CO file. You can send your CO file and letter to the Center on Conscience and War to be archieved.
5. Compile all of these docuemtns, add in any supporting documentation such as pictures, and get them notarized.
6. Put them in a safe place. If you get drafted, your material will be ready to go and your claim to the local draft board that you are a CO will be much stronger.

Build a paper trail and document everything that defines you as someone who will not go to war. If you attend war protest or peace vigils, have your picture taken as proof you were there, keep flyers, and annotate a calendar. Basically, you need to show you genuinely oppose the war and won't fight.

Addtional Resources:

• CO Belief Sheet (pdf)
• CO and the draft policies (pdf) A must read for anyone seeking CO status. It explains how a military draft would work if it was reinstated. It explains what you, a conscientious objector, can do now to be ready for the draft. A great resource for young men who are coming up on draft age.
• Draft and registration information (pdf) Step by Step Information
  

WAR?

The world still faces difficult questions about war and peace. Each of us probably asks at some time in our life, "What do I believe about war?" The purpose of this questionnaire is to encourage people who have strong concerns about participating in war and who might be conscientious objectors to answer that question and make a record of it. The answers could prove useful especially for those who might deal with the Selective Service System or the military in the future. The answers could also help those who are struggling with questions concerning paying taxes for war and working in war-related jobs.

What is Conscientious Objection?

Generally, conscientious objection is a sincere conviction, motivated by conscience, that forbids someone from taking part in organized killing. This objection may apply to all forms or to particular aspects of war.

The Military Selective Service Act and government regulations recognize two types of conscientious objectors:

1. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS: These are persons who, by reason of religious, ethical, or moral belief, are "conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form." These people may be discharged from military service. They are exempt from military service, in the event of a draft. If called up, they may perform alternative service as civilians.

2. NONCOMBATANT CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS: These are persons who, by reason of religious, ethical or moral belief, are conscientiously opposed to killing in war in any form but who do not object to performing noncombatant duties (such as being a medic) in the armed forces. These people are reassigned to non-combatant duties in the Armed Forces or, in the event of a draft, are trained without weapons and assigned to non-combatant service.

What other types of conscientious objectors are there?

3. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS TO PAYING FOR WAR: These are people whose consciences forbid them to pay the military portion of their taxes because of ethical, moral and religious beliefs. Many impoverish themselves by living below taxable levels, others suffer garnishment, court appearances, property loss, and, in some cases, imprisonment. If provision for conscientious objectors to paying war taxes is enacted, most of them will be able to pay all their taxes without this agonizing moral dilemma. For more information about this issue, visit the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund or contact them at 1-888-PEACETAX (1-888-732-2382).

4. SELECTIVE OBJECTORS: These are persons whose consciences would not permit them to participate in what they believe to be an "unjust" war but do permit them to participate in what they believe to be a "just" war. For example some people who were conscientiously opposed to the Vietnam War because they believed it was unjust said that they would have fought in World War II. Selective objectors may also object to certain weaponry or to particular targeting and therefore request reassignment.

5. NUCLEAR PACIFISTS: These are persons whose consciences would not permit them to participate in a nuclear war, or what they believe would likely become a nuclear war. Some nuclear pacifists are opposed to all war because of their belief that any war fought today could lead to the use of nuclear weapons.

At this time federal law does not recognize war tax objectors, selective objectors and nuclear pacifists as conscientious objectors. Unless the law changes, these persons would not be granted conscientious objector exemptions from military service in a draft situation or from taxes for war. These people might enter CO claims in the hope of expanding the law, asserting their beliefs, or mitigating the penalties for violating the law.

6. NONCOOPERATORS WITH THE DRAFT: These are persons whose consciences forbid them to cooperate with draft law requirements. Many of these conscientious objectors refuse to register for the draft. Nonregistration is currently illegal. Current law stipulates that young men who fail to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday are subject to possible criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They also forego Federal financial aid for higher education and job training as well as employment in the Federal government. Some states have similar penalties, even prohibiting obtaining driver's liscences..

Am I a conscientious objector?

This question is not as simple to answer as it may seem, so it is important to give it serious thought. You may want to consult your relatives, friends, teachers, or religious advisors. It may take some time to come to a conclusion. More information isd available in CCW's publication, "Who is a Conscientious Objector?". The important thing is to start thinking about this now. What do you believe about war?

Why is it so important to think about this now?

If a war were declared today, the draft could begin immediately. Or a peacetime draft or compulsory national service might be enacted. A plan to register and conscript health care professionals has been prepared and probably would be implemented in a war emergency before other conscription measures are implemented. Under current regulations, conscientious objectors have a very limited time following an induction order to document their claim for an exemption from military service. Since time would be short, as little as nine days, conscientious objectors should think through the basis of their claim now. In peacetime or war, early documentation of beliefs is one evidence of their sincerity. 

Few reservists or active duty personnel ever consider conscientious objection prior to enlistment or commissioning. (They cannot enter the military as conscientious objectors.) When military personnel begin to question their tasks, responsibilities, and mission, they should take a careful look at their beliefs about war. The questions on the worksheet will prepare them for making a claim according to the procedures in each of the armed forces. Military procedure adds questions about when CO beliefs crystallized in the military person’s life and the limits the service man or woman would put on the use of force.

About half of Federal income taxes go for military purposes. Many taxpayers object to paying others to go to war or for preparations for war. If provision is made in law for conscientious objectors to paying for war (the U.S. Peace Tax Fund bill), they will have to establish that they are conscientious objectors in order to have the military portion of their Federal income tax redirected for peaceful purposes. They, too, should begin to document their beliefs.

What about women?

Despite the fact that women are not yet required to register for the draft, Congress has the power to include women in a draft and they do pay taxes. Plans for a draft of health care professionals include women, and women already make up ten percent of the U.S. military. It is, therefore, important that women, as well as men, consider what they believe about war.

What obligations would I have as a conscientious objector?

As a result of being classified a conscientious objector, you would be required to give two years of alternative service in some civilian agency or non-combatant service in the Army, if you are drafted. Taxpayers would still have to pay the full amount of taxes due.

What should I do if I am a conscientious objector?

Prepare now. "Basic Draft and Registration Information".

If you think you are a conscientious objector, answer the questions on the attached worksheet as clearly and completely as possible. Make a separate copy and mail it to the Center on Conscience & War (CCW) and/or your own religious body or counseling agency. CCW will be happy to receive your statement whether or not your objection is based on traditional religious grounds. Keep a copy for your own records.

If you send a copy of your statement to CCW, Center on Conscience & War, 1830 Connecticut Ave NW, WA, DC, 20009, telephone 202.483.2220. A counselor will review it and send any recommendations that might help in the presentation of a future conscientious objector claim. Go to: http://www.nisbco.org/

We also recommend that you gather letters of support.

What are letters of support?

Letters of support are letters written by people who know you well and will attest to the sincerity of your conscientious objector claim. These letters can be very important. It is not necessary that the writers agree with your beliefs. The best letters are often written by persons who disagree with the conscientious objector but believe in his or her sincerity. Two or three good letters are advisable. The letters, as well as your statement, can be revised if and when you have to apply for CO status. (You will be allowed witnesses at your draft hearing, and the writers might appear on your behalf.)   See more about letters of support here: Draft and registration information (pdf)

What happens next?

If the draft begins, or provisions are made in the tax laws, or you decide to apply from within the military, you will have all of the answers to the questions on your worksheet plus letters of support on file with CCW and/or your religious body or counseling agency. You will also have your own copy. (These records will be invaluable in documenting your conscientious objector claim.)

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Documenting for Conscientious Objectors (CO) Status 

How to compile a CO Claim:

Below is the basic information on how to compile a claim as a Conscientious Objector (CO). CCCO has a more detailed handbook called 'Choosing peace' which they sell. For more information check here.

1. If you register, write that you are a CO on the card before sending it in. Photocopy the card and send it to yourself. FIle the sealed envelop in a secure location , leave it sealed.
2. Write a statement of beliefs that explain why, how, when, where, etc that you became a CO. List anything that could have influenced your beliefs against war and killing, such as religion, films, books, events attended, protest, vigils, personal involment in peace issues.
3. Find three (3) people who know you very well, ask that they write a letter on your behalf supporting your beliefs as a CO.
4. Write a letter to CCCO explaining that you are a CO, Keep a copy for yourself, with the receipt of it being mailed. CCCO doesn't archieve these letters (we suggest you find a third party to do so>>>your church, a family member, close friend), however CCCO will send you a letter confirming having received your letter. That should also be kept in your CO file. You can send your CO file and letter to the Center on Conscience and War to be archieved. Contact information is: www.nisbco.org, Center on Conscience & War, 1830 Connecticut Ave, NW, WA, DC, 20009, tele:202.483.2220, email: nisbco@nisbco.org.
   
5. Compile all of these documents, add in any supporting documentation such as pictures, and get them notarized.
6. Put them in a safe place. If you get drafted, your material will be ready to go and your claim to the local draft board that you are a CO will be much stronger.

Build a paper trail and document everything that defines you as someone who will not go to war. If you attend war protest or peace vigils, have your picture taken as proof you were there, keep flyers, and annotate a calendar. Basically, you need to show you genuinely oppose the war and won't fight.

Addtional Resources:

• CO Belief Sheet (pdf)
• CO and the draft policies (pdf) A must read for anyone seeking CO status. It explains how a military draft would work if it was reinstated. It explains what you, a conscientious objector, can do now to be ready for the draft. A great resource for young men who are coming up on draft age.

'Opting OUT' at School:

Greetings --

You may not know it, but under a little known provision of No Child Left Behind, public high schools must hand over personal information about students -- including minors -- to local military recruiters. I think it's a real invasion of family privacy. The good news is, parents can get their kids off this list by submitting a request in writing to their school district superintendent.

I just found some great information and a useful online tool that makes it easy to "opt out" children from the list high schools are required to release to military recruiters. Just go to http://www.leavemychildalone.org/friends .

Not only can you get your own kids off the list, you can help change the law that lets military recruiters prey on our minor children without the parents' explict permission. Hope you find it useful! And tell other people you know about LeaveMyChildAlone.org!

The law gives Military Recruiters access to your personal information such as name, address and telephone number, unless you OPT-OUT! What is Opt Out? It's your legal right through written notification to your school that you DO NOT want the military to receive your personal information. It's your choice. If you decide to Opt Out, print this form out. Fill it out, make a copy to keep, and give the other to your conselor at school

Opting out must be done every school year. The best time is within the first few weeks of the school year before the information can be shared. Remember, this is your choice and right. Read more

More peace forms under forms!

Participate in an historic citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace, sponsored in the House of Representatives by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. The bill will be re-introduced on September 12, 2005. To read our update, click here. This bill establishes nonviolence as an organizing principle of American society, providing the U.S. President with an array of peace-building policy options for domestic and international use.

The Department would focus on nonmilitary peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent violence and promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights. 

Join us now. Create a Department of Peace. We can do this.

• To help move the polarization of our national political dialogue towards the implementation of our common goals in the areas of reducing violence and cultivating a more peaceful society.
• A Department of Peace would appropriate approx 8 billion dollars, ( the equivalent of 2 percent of our annual defense budget) to go toward proactive, proven policies and programs that address the sources of domestic and international violence.
• A Department of Peace would implement measurably effective intervention for issues such as, school and gang violence, racial and hate crimes, domestic violence, reduced prison incarceration rates, and international conflicts with programs and methodologies that are fundamentally more effective than the application of brute force.
• A Department of Peace would establish a U.S. Peace Academy as sophisticated and effective as a U.S. Military Academy.

What would a Dept. of Peace do?

• Address matters both domestic and international in scope;
• Endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights;
• Strengthen non-military means of peacemaking;
• Work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict, use field-tested programs, and develop new structures in non-violent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution;
• Encourage the development of initiatives from local communities, religious groups, and nongovernmental organizations.
• For much more information on what it would do, read the bill here!

Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers

1. The Primacy of Justice Enduring peace requires social and economic justice at all levels of human interaction, including global, national, state, local, neighborhood, workplace, and family or household.
2. A World Based on Law Rather than Force Social organization and governance at any level must be based on the force of law, not the law of force.
3. Disarmament and Conflict Resolution The enormous waste of the world’s resources on weapons and militarization must cease. All forms of peaceful conflict resolution are to be supported.
4. Support for the U.N. System The United Nations system provides a necessary institutional framework for nations to work together to avoid conflict and seek peace and justice for all people. Substantial strengthening of the U.N. Charter to fit this changing world is needed to make the U.N. system more democratic and effective.
5. A Healthy Ecosystem The well-being of the earth that provides all of the necessities of life is crucial for the well-being of people everywhere. The needs of plants and animals with which we share this earth must be recognized and their well-being must be protected.
6. Unity in Diversity All human beings are equal in dignity and worthy of respect. Diversity among us, as among all life on earth, is to be sustained, and celebrated. Cultural diversity is a precious heritage and should be promoted.
7. Providing for Future Generations For future generations to inherit a livable world, the twin threats of overpopulation and overconsumption must be addressed. The developed world must reduce consumption substantially and help less affluent countries achieve economic sufficiency, in turn helping to reduce population growth. Participatory democracy and civic responsibility needs to be promoted.
8. Fundamental Human Rights All human beings are entitled to fundamental civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. These are set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other covenants that have become a part of customary international law. Persons who have been denied fundamental rights, no matter what the circumstances, require special concern.
9. Responsibility and Accountability The enjoyment of rights implies the acceptance of responsibility and accountability, whether by individuals, governments, religious groups, corporations, the media, academia, or any other human institution.
10. The Education of Children All children need a peaceful, nonviolent home environment; opportunity for spiritual growth; and an education that not only provides basic learning but emphasizes ethics and a global perspective.

The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors has been there continuously since 1948, helping people who get caught in the military’s we. We still help them get out, just like we helped people get out of the tragedy of Vietnam. Now we need your help.

CCCO is an independent, non-profit organization funded primarily by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions. Because of the nature of our work, it is difficult for us to obtain support from large foundations or corporations. Not surprisingly, none of our money comes from the government. Thus, we rely on people of conscience — people like you — to give generously. You make this work possible.
he military and its recruiters are present in almost every school in the United States. Recruiters are at schools to sell students military enlistment, using half-truths and outright deception. We believe the military’s sales pitch should not go unchallenged.

Despite the military's yearly recruiting budget of $1.9 billion, activists in local communities have gained some astounding organizing victories.

• Three school districts ban recruiters entirely; in dozens more, activists give alternative presentations in classrooms and career days.
• The military's Adventure Van was stopped from making visits to schools in the entire state of Minnesota.
• A peace flotilla greets the Navy's Great Lakes Recruiting Cruise every year.
• The 1996 expansion of Junior ROTC ended with 900 fewer new units than initially planned, thanks in large part to community protest.

Programs available:

Military Out of Our Schools

The military and its recruiters are present in almost every school in the United States. Recruiters are at schools to sell students military enlistment, using half-truths and outright deception. We believe the military’s sales pitch should not go unchallenged.

Despite the military's yearly recruiting budget of $1.9 billion, activists in local communities have gained some astounding organizing victories.

• Three school districts ban recruiters entirely; in dozens more, activists give alternative presentations in classrooms and career days.
• The military's Adventure Van was stopped from making visits to schools in the entire state of Minnesota.
• A peace flotilla greets the Navy's Great Lakes Recruiting Cruise every year.
• The 1996 expansion of Junior ROTC ended with 900 fewer new units than initially planned, thanks in large part to community protest.

The GI Rights Hotline

200,000 young people enlist in the military every year. Those who made a mistake don’t know where to turn. 

In the year 2000, CCCO and our partners on the GI Rights Hotline will answer 11,800 calls from members of the military seeking information about discharges, grievance and complaint procedures and other civil rights.

Third World Outreach Program

CCCO’s Third World Outreach program seeks to address the historical relationships between Third World people and militarism; establish community-wide dialogues on issues of military recruiting, militarism of public schools, and our rich tradition of resistance to militarism; and to work in coalition with other national and local groups and organizers, and to organize, inform and aid our communities in fighting the “economic conscription” of young people.
Our REAL STORY campaign focuses on organizing 50 or more Equal Access presentations in inner city schools in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Washington, DC, and Oakland.

Volunteering with CCCO

Volunteer to answer the GI Rights Hotline in our Oakland office! Or support the Hotline by helping out with mailings and other support work.

Confront the military recruiting trucks when they come to your community. Contact us to be put on our alert list.

Don’t let the recruiters have access to your local school unchallenged. Take CCCO materials to your local guidance counselors office and ask that they be placed next to the recruiting brochures, table at a career day fair, or place ads in the high school newspaper telling young people they can get out of the Delayed Enlistment Program.

Our Freeman Bristol Internship is open to young people every summer. Contact us for details at (888) 236-2226 or info@objector.org.

Violence breeds violence. Let's breed peace.

We can bomb the world to pieces; we can't bomb it to peace.

Peace; not shattered lives.

Be the change you want to see.

There is no way to peace; peace is the way.

Refuse powerlessness. Act now for Peace.

Conversation, not confrontation.

Peace begins with justice.

Will work for peace.

We did not bring children into the world to kill for the rich.

Brains not bombs.

Earth to Bush: no war!

Read my lips: No war in Iraq.

Many voices, one plea: no war in Iraq.

Violence grows from desperation. Let's take the high ground.

Act like it's a globe, not an empire.

Choose compassion not sides.

We can do better than this.

Books not bombs.

Go solar, not ballistic.

Be the change you want to see.

UN Yes! No Wild West!

If the people will lead, the leaders will follow.