Needed: Peace activists in Mt Vernon

In my inbox today...

Dear Mt. Vernon/Lisbon Peace People, and Counter-recruiters,

I was contacted by a parents concerned that the National Guard will be possibly helping high school students make the move to a new high school building next Tuesday, May 30, and definitely providing free lunch to the student movers. (SEE BELOW from the HS newsletter.) While this is a decent use of the National Guard, the parent was concerned that it may be used as a recruiting venue-- last day of school, seniors who have no plans yet, etc.

I discussed possible responses with Marsha Acord and Gail Ireland (who work in IC-- convenient for me), and then checked back with the parent, and all thought the best strategy would be for peace people to show up to help and maybe provide food also. The community in general is invited to help, so this should be easy. To make this peace-oriented presence known in a non-confrontational way, the peace folks could simply volunteer as community members and show up all wearing peace-related t-shirts or buttons. It might also be helpful to join in conversations with Guard members at lunch.

The first priority is to get Mt. Vernon/Lisbon community members to volunteer to show up. We will be less effective if only out-of-towners show up. If we get even a few community volunteers, we could then try to get other volunteers to provide food (cookies with peace signs??), and we could also ask a few more people from out of town to help.

If anyone knows of any change of plans regarding the move date, PLEASE let me know ASAP.

Please reply to this e-mail ASAP and let me know if you can help with the move.

Thank you very much,
Lori Nelson
Iowans For Peace

From the newsletter:
We will be asking the student body to help move these items . . . on the last day of school, Tuesday May 30. (In the event of inclement weather, we will move the next possible day.) Student permission slips with more information will be sent home as this date draws closer. The National Guard will be providing all food for a picnic lunch for all movers. We are asking the community for help. If you would be interested in assisting with this move, please contact Stephanie Timm in the high school office at 895-8843. We will need people to help carry boxes, direct traffic in both buildings and do general "moving" type duties. Come be a part of a new chapter in the history of our school.

If anyone wants to help out, pm me for contact information. I put in for a vacation day - if it is approved I'll be there.

Peace,

Maggie