The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Peace & Civil Liberties Committee

Formed in October 2002, the Peace & Civil Liberties Committee (PCL) educates about and organizes against unjust wars, such as the current US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and fights against encroachments on civil liberties in the name of patriotism. Understanding that wars are driven by economic forces, the committee also educates and organizes on issues caused by the global economic crisis. We generally meet at 12:30 p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of each month and we welcome all members and friends of UUCCSM to join us at our meetings and events and to participate in our e-mail discussion list. The chair of PCL is Rick Rhoads.

Recent PCL events have included:

Jan. 31, 2010: Resolution from PCL supporting prompt US withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan passes at a Faith in Action Commission Town Hall Meeting. Now PCL will put the motion to a congregational vote and enlist the aid of other UU churches in promoting this resolution at the UU General Assembly in June.

Nov. 8, 2009: Panel discussion on the war in Afghanistan and what to do about it. Chuck O’Connell, lecturer in sociology at UC Irvine; Mohammad Nouri, Committee on American-Islamic Relations.

Oct. 25, 2009: Presentation of documentary film Afghan Women: A History of Struggle and discussion led by filmmaker Kathleen Foster.

Sep. 18, 2009: Presentation and discussion on capitalism and socialism. James Devine, Professor of Economics, Loyala Marymount University.

June 17, 2009: Video, Capitalism Hits the Fan, by Richard Wolff, Professor of Economics, U. of Massachusetts.

May 3, 2009: 7 members participated in a conference on Afghanistan at USC sponsored by Interfaith Community United for Justice and Peace.

March 21, 2009: Participated in a march and rally in Hollywood against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

January/February 2009: PCL collected 71signatures on a petition to President Obama to withdraw all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. No reply from the White House.

Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2010

Present: Rick Rhoads, Peggy Rhoads, Dan Yoder, Kathy Converse, Marguerite Spears, Joan Verdon, Shirley Gholson, Johnie Watson, Roberta Frye, Marge Zifferblatt, Wendy Gladstone, Carol Allen, Diana Spears, Lloyd Drum

Next meeting:  Sunday Feb. 21 12:30 Cottage

Agenda Items

1.    Resolution on withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan/FIA Town Hall meeting Jan. 31

Discussed that we would like to go to UU General Assembly in June in Minneapolis to get it passed.  Need to get a good turnout at the Town Hall meeting.  Asked everyone to call people they know to encourage them to attend Town Hall. 

2.    Relaunching the economic crisis survey

Rick got info from Liz Fuller on how to put survey on-line. Discussed members going to after-service coffee time and have clipboards with survey, asking people to answer questions.

Diana suggested putting pressure on Obama to pass new laws affecting financial situation, and to bring up creating and getting signatures at 1/31 Town Hall.  We need to show the connection between money spent on wars resulting in less dollars available for domestic needs.  Nora has been working on getting speaker on economic crisis – has not found anyone yet.

3.    Help at Haiti fundraising event Saturday January 30 afternoon

Diana and Marge volunteered to help at event. Rick will send out a call to our committee and throughout FIA for people to take 2-hour shifts. (last sentence added by Rick)

4.    Suggestions for future speakers/films

A few of the committee have seen Robert  Greenwald’s “Rethink Afghanistan” and reported that it was excellent.  Joan volunteered to contact Robert Greenwald to request his hosting a showing of the film, even though we would not be able to do that before Town Hall meeting.

5.    Other Items

Peggy suggested someone research and put together a statement of the need for our nation to pass people’s rights legislation (CEDAW) which our country is one of the few who have not passed it.

— Minutes prepared by Joan Verdon