Metrowest Peace Action Holds First Anniversary and New Member Meeting

Sherborn, MA - Approximately 45 people attended the first anniversary and new member meeting of Metrowest Peace Action (MwPA) on Saturday at the Peace Abbey. Congressman Barney Frank spoke for about 20 minutes and took questions for another 25. He talked about a strategy for cutting the military budget (25% solution)and challenging the notion that we have to be #1 superpower, world's policeman etc. His current thinking is to recommend to Congress, that in deficit reduction talks, any cuts to domestic/civilian programs be met with comparable cuts in the military budget. If we don't cut within the military, the cuts to social and domestic programs will be too severe. Due to time constraints of Frank and MwPA, questions were cut off after a lively exchange on US/Gaza.

State Rep. David Linsky (most of Natick, Sherborn, and most of Millis) mentioned his days standing with the Natick vigil when they were working on the nuclear freeze and that it was a seminal experience for him. Metrowest Peace Action was founded with the help of the Natick Vigilers and Ridgely Fuller's Metrowest Peace and Justice group. Linsky presented Metrowest Peace Action with a citation from the House of Representatives congratulating them on their "first year anniversary and efforts to promote peace and political engagement in the community".

Sarah Fuhro and Carol Coakley did a workshop on the federal budget and military spending.

The business meeting of Metrowest Peace Action followed and upcoming events were announced:

Pax Christi announced Chris Hellman of NPP will speak April 29th at the Natick Library at 7 PM and Metrowest Peace Action will co-sponsor.
Outside of Metrowest: Cole Harrison announced the 1000th death will prompt a vigil at Park St., probably on Monday. David Keil announced NEU planning meetings on anti war rally in DC on March 20th. Discussion of local actions for those unable to get into Boston or to DC followed.
Sign up sheets were made available for the Peace Abbey, Metrowest Peace Action and 25% Solution.

The next meeting of Metrowest Peace Action is March 13th, location tbd.

Carol Coakley is chair of Metrowest Peace Action