Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & Environment
Minutes: Monthly Meeting July 15, 2020 via Zoom, 7pm
Attending were: Tony Palomba, Pam Phillips, Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin, Ernesta Kraczkeiwicz, Carol, Ardeth, Pat Rathbone, Abby Yanow, Alyn Ware, Arun Sannuti, Janet Jameson, Jeanne Trubek, Ron Webber, Robin Lloyd, Susan Mirsky, Suzanne Carlson, Tod Gross, Jacqui Gross, Vicki Elson, Dr. Timmon Wallis, Tina, Dianne Blais, Cherrill Spencer
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS Tony and Sue-Ellen welcomed all attendees, who briefly introduced themselves. In addition to guest presenters TImmon and Vicki, especially appreciated were attendees Cherrill Spencer from the Palo Alto branch of the Women’s Int’l League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF), Dianne Blais from the Fairfax, VA branch of WILPF, and New Zealand peace educator/nuclear disarmament consultant Alyn Ware
AGENDA, MINUTES The evening’s agenda and the minutes of our June 7 Annual Meeting were reviewed.
WORKING GROUP REPORTS
- Bee and Garden Tour: Pam reported that the 3rd week of June was “Pollinator Week” at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, and Pam did a presentation via zoom. She will be adding a recording to the WCPJE website.
- Watertown Faces Climate Change: Pat reported the group collected 400 signatures on a petition for Climate Change Action and 300 signatures on a petition for transparency in the State Senate and State House of Representatives. These will be on a ballot as nonbinding actions. The group is working on a pilot program for organic waste pick-up. Group members are also working on transportation issues. Members continue to be involved with New School Building planning.
- Watertown Citizens For Black Lives: Arun reported an influx of new members, which has led to ongoing reorganization of the working group. There will be a leadership group with POC (people of color).; a “worker bee” team coordinating volunteer activities and meetings. Last night, 7/14/20, the monthly vigil (with social distancing and masking) was held.
- Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group: Sue-Ellen reported a continuation of activities supporting refugees and immigrants who are in dire straits, including collection of food and supplies and cash for undocumented families in need. Folks were encouraged to contact our legislators in support of the Safe Communities Act.
PRESENTATION Tony Palomba introduced our guest speakers, Vicki Elson and Timmon Wallis. Dr. Wllis is the author of Warheads to Windmills, How to Pay for the Green New Deal. It was noted that the presentation they gave was engaging, well-designed, thorough and informative. It was also commented that they brilliantly described the intersection of issues, e.g. the pandemic; racial, social and economic inequality; environmental devastation, and the nuclear arms race. This was followed by a stimulating Q&A, including discussion of past, present and future nuclear treaties.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Tomorrow, 7/16/20, at 10:30 am at the State House there will be a protest rally concerning a New State Seal and State Flag. The seal shows a white arm holding a sword over a Native American. All who feel it is time to remove this image from our state’s insignia should contact Hecht, Lawn, and Brownsberger.
- Tomorrow, 7/16/20 at 7pm there will be a Zoom Webinar Meeting at Abolition2000.org/event/100-seconds-to-midnight-what-does-this-mean-what-can-we-do.
- Sunday, August 9th is the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration at the Watertown Delta(in Watertown Square)
7:30-8:00pm——-Silent Vigil
8:00-8:30pm——-Testimonials, speeches, music
8:30-9:00pm——-Lantern lighting and Luanching of Candle Boats on the Charles River
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacqui Gross