Minutes of General Meeting
April 21, 2009

A general meeting for USC4P&J was held at Gene's apartment on April 21st 2009. Attending were: Anna, Becky, Carolyn, Eugene, Jenny, Marci, Maria Chiara, Raoul, Roberto. Anna chaired the meeting and Jenny took the minutes. Please see below the summary of the meeting:

1) CodePink call for delegations to Gaza
Issue:
CodePink is planning on sending delegations to Gaza over a period of 22 days (to mirror the 22–day siege on Gaza) from 28 May to June 14.
The focus of their delegation is to support children in Gaza with toys, school supplies, and materials to build playgrounds (they are aware of the difficulties involved in entering with these materials, and have made alternate plans for setting up encampments, protests and other actions in case they are not allowed in).
They are calling for people to join them either as individuals or by forming their own delegations. There are several possible dates and arrival points (i.e. entering via Egypt or via Israel) – see www.codepinkalert.org/gaza for more information.
Cost: airfare + $600 for cost on-site.
Question: Does USC4P&J want to be involved and how?
Discussion Points:
Options for USC4P&J involvement include:
a) Sending out a call for individuals interested in joining CodePink directly;
b) Organizing a small USC4P&J delegation;
c) Fundraising to support Code Pink initiatives for the children.

USC4P&J interested, but not sure about ability to organize a delegation as a group. Cost is also an issue.

Decision:
Will send announcement to USC4P&J members to see if and how many people might be interested (Anna or Stephanie)
Will look into price of flights to Cairo/Jerusalem (Maria Chiara)
Will ask for donations for Code Pink’s initiatives at events during next month.

2) Pope’s Statement on Condoms
Issue:
On his recent trip to Africa, the Pope commented that condoms were not the answer to the HIV/AIDs problem on the continent, but actually contributed to the problem (by creating a false sense of security).
His comments have created a big polemic and were criticized by various organizations including the WHO. Petitions have been circulated to send the Pope the message that he shouldn’t make such comments in the future.
Is this an issue we feel USC4P&J should be involved in? If so how?
Discussion Points:
General consensus that USC4P&J should be involved due to the seriousness of the human rights implications of his statement, and the Pope’s power of influence on both his religious followers and on political matters;
Various ideas about how this could be done (i.e. helium-filled condoms at Piazza San Pietro on Sunday when the Pope makes his appearance), and whether or not we should try to get a permit to demonstrate (the point was made that as it belongs to the Vatican, there would be no point in asking the Questura for permission);
Question about what are we asking, and how to frame it (i.e. a positive request rather than a negative criticism);
Suggestion to contact the “No Vat” group that is active in countering some of the Vatican’s policies, and possibly UNAIDS/WHO;
The main question is that of timing: does it make sense to do it now, 1 month after he made his comments? We could try to link it to a date that would make sense.
Decision:
Will create a working group (the condom committee) to discuss what to do and when (Gene and Becky, with Anna and Marci as support);
The Condom Committee will contact the No Vat group to see if they are planning anything on this issue.

3) Continuation of Israel /Palestine Events
Issue
In March, USC4P&J had its first event (a discussion) on Palestine, which was meant to be the first in a series.
What to do next?
Discussion Points:
As the “Eyes Wide Open” film series is ending 30th April, we could hold a Palestinian film festival in May with weekly documentaries on Palestine (Anna had suggestions for 4 documentaries). In at least one case, the film’s director could present, in one other case he could or do a video presentation or possibly be skyped in.
Arco is available on Thursdays or Sundays. Could pick one date or alternate.
Decision:
Agreement to hold mini film festival in May.
Will either alternate Thurs/Sun or show the documentaries twice (Israel/Palestine working group to make final decision on dates after consulting with presenters and Mario at the Arcobaleno.)

4) Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Spending
Issue:
Although Obama has agreed to pull out of Iraq, a supplemental military appropriations for $83.4 billion (75.5 billion of which would be for US military and intelligence spending) for Iraq and Afghanistan for the remainder of 2009 is currently being discussed.
Is this an issue USC4P&J wants to make a statement on? If so, how and what?
Discussion Points:
If we do want to make a statement, now would be a good time, as it is still under discussion.
It would be good to have more information (i.e. about how the $$ will be spent, about whether or not Obama really has a choice, etc.) before responding.
What are other groups doing on this issue?
One angle could be “this is the last time” (holding them accountable for that). Another could be that more of the spending should go towards reconstruction and less for military.
Decision:
Anna will look into what other groups are doing (it was suggested Steph could maybe ask Dems Abroad when she returns), and then decide what action to take.

5) Petition to UN to set up a international penal court to try Israel for war crimes
Issue:
Action for Peace (whose “un futuro per Gaza” initiative USC4P&J has previously fundraised for) has brought to our attention a Brussels-initiated petition that requires 500,000 signatures so that the UN will open war crimes investigations against Israel.
How can USC4P&J support this initiative?
Discussion Points:
Is it enough to send out initiative to members/listserve, or do we want to organize to have people sign the petition on the streets?
Idea: if someone is part of the “generazione Obama” facebook group, could try to get signatures that way.
We could also try to have some kind of lead-in (i.e. a specific day on which people are asked to sign the petition, or by a deadline, such as May 1).
Decision:
We will send out the initiative to USC4P&J members with May 1 deadline for response.

6) CIA torture of Al Qaeda suspects
Issue:
Obama released a CIA classified document (against the CIA’s advice) detailing the CIA’s use of torture against Al Qaeda suspects. Many groups, including Amnesty, are pushing for further investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
Does USC4P&J want to respond and how?
Discussion Points:
Strong sense that this is an important issue to respond to (at least to ask for further investigation/special prosecutor).
Obama released it, and should be ready to hold the perpetrators (not just those who executed orders, but also those who issued them) accountable.
What are other groups doing? Could have a petition or a fax blast (although that is expensive). Idea to fundraise at Howard Zinn’s event suggested (see below).
Decision:
Will go to the next Dems Abroad “speak easy” event to gauge their stance (Becky)
General support for fax blast (contingent upon ability to fundraise) or at least petition (Raoul will help CCom)

7) Miscellaneous
Announcement: On Wed 22, 18:30-19:30, the Donne in Nero will have a sit in at Largo Argentina, to protest the blockade invasion of Gaza. All members are welcome to join in.

Howard Zinn’s “Marx in Soho”. The CCom has been contacted by a group planning to bring Howard Zinn’s one man show, “Marx in Soho”, to Europe. They would like to come to Rome and are looking for organizations, spaces, interest. They also do benefit performances. Is this something USC4P&J wants to become involved with? Some support/interest was expressed, and it was suggested the Arcobaleno could be a suitable venue. It was decided we should find out more about the show, and then possibly ask members to see if there is interest.

Thanks to Gene for his outstanding hospitality and to Maria Chiara for her delicious sweet and savory torta rustica!

Next general meeting: date to be announced. Join our mailing list for updates.

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