The nonprofit elected its officers for 2008 at its January meeting and reiterated its purpose as an organization. The officers for this year include (all were incumbents):
Chair - Dr. Ken Yorgan
Vice Chair - Sister Alice Rademacher
Secretary - Sonali Knotek
Treasurer - Richard Kinch
The Coalition 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.
The Coalition has focused its efforts on the US war against Iraq, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and threats to civil liberties since September 11. It sponsors speakers, organizes demonstrations, and distributes a variety of informational materials, especially by means of the Internet. In its role as clearinghouse, it encourages alternative voices that may be opposed to official US government policy and the relatively narrow range of opinion that dominates the national media.
RCPJ chair Ken Yorgan describes the need for such an organization:
"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 'Habeus 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. More information can be found on our website at http://www.racinepeace.org."
The group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, 7 PM, at the César Chávez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave., Racine. Suggested membership dues are 30 dollars a year (or what one can pay). RCPJ is affiliated with the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Peace Action Wisconsin, and United for Peace and Justice.
Recent presentations sponsored by RCPJ included David Liners on the "war on drugs," Jonathan Olsen on "The Nature of Fascism," Bonnie and Bob Block on Iran, Chuck Baynton on nuclear disarmament, Arthur Heitzer on Cuba-US relations, and Harriet Lavin on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
RCPJ sponsored units in Racine's 4th of July and Holiday parades and helped develop the peace curriculum project known as Peace Learning Circles, now housed at UW-Parkside.
RCPJ's frequent public demonstrations and vigils are calls for peace, especially in Iraq. These are usually held at Monument Square, the corner of Highways 20 and 31, or in front of Congressman Paul Ryan's Racine office. The Coalition organized the successful advisory referendum calling for the immediate return of our troops from Iraq. This ballot measure was approved by City of Racine voters in November 2006.
RCPJ events are telecast on local public-access cable television, CAR 25. The Coalition regularly compiles and distributes by e-mail a list of local peace activities, its "peace calendar." Interested individuals are welcome to be included in RCPJ's e-mail list. RCPJ's new Web site can be found at www.RacinePeace.org.
Scheduled RCPJ events for early 2007 include the following:
a.. Monthly "Stand for Peace." Peace rallies at SE corner of Highways 20 and 31, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Saturdays 26 January, 16 February, 15 March, and 19 April.
a.. Thursday 24 January. "Is Peace Possible? Reflections on Human Nature and Evolution," 7:00 pm, Michigan Room of the Racine Building, Gateway Technical College, -- presentation by Joseph Pearson and Wayne Johnson, UW - Parkside..
a.. Monday 4 February. "The War on Terror: Who Wins? Who Loses?", presentation by Simon Harak, SJ, Huron Room of the Racine Building, Gateway Technical College.
a.. Thursday 6 March. "Women in Islam," presentation by Inshirah Farhoud, 7:00 pm, at a place to be announced.
a.. April. Othman Atta, "Religious Extemism: Muslim and Christian," 7:00 pm, at a place to be announced.
a.. May. Louise Cainkar, "US Arabs since 9/11." 7:00 pm, at a place to be announced.
For further Information contact Richard Kinch at: dkinch@rootcom.net or 262/638-0204.
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