Code Pink: Columbia, SC

John Edwards To Visit Columbia This Week

2007-03-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

You're invited to join John Edwards this Monday for a special College Tour event with Benedict College students. Over the past weeks, John Edwards has been traveling to college campuses across the country to get young people involved in his "campaign to change America."

WHAT: A special college tour event with John Edwards
WHEN: This Monday, March 19th at 1:45 pm
WHERE: Benedict College, 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204

This event is free and open to the public. Please confirm your desire to attend by clicking here. For more information please visit their website- http://johnedwards.com/r/7655/820441/ -or call 803-338-6225.

Special thanks to Kristen for the tip!

Massive Peace Demonstration Underway in D.C.

2007-03-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

CNN has details here. Please keep the attendees in your thoughts!

Don't Buy Bush's War

2007-03-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

The National Code Pink organization has recently begun a new campaign entitled "Bush's War: Don't Buy It", in hopes of expressing to Congress that continuing to fund the war is an endorsement of the war. They've launched a new webpage and series of actions designed to spport the effort. Please click here to learn more, discover how you can help and keep up with all the action. I hope to spend a week in the Peace House working on activism this summer!

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

2007-03-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

I just got this in my inbox...

Last night, Rep. Pelosi and the democratic leadership decided to pull language from the Supplemental Appropriations bill which stated that no funds may be authorized for military operations in or related to Iran unless specifically authorized by the Congress.We DO have a chance to reverse this in committee, but we urgently need you to phone calls TODAY AND TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14th AND EARLY ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15th).

The toll-free number forCOngress is (800) 828-0498. Aother number is (202) 224-3121. The Supplemental Appropriations bill is scheduled to be marked up in full committee on Thursday (MARCH 15) at 9 am. PLASE CALL IN AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

What you can do for peace this week

2007-03-12T07:09:00.000-05:00

This is an incredibly important week, as we commemorate the 4th anniversary of the war and lots of pending legislation pertaining to the conflict. I’ve included a few ideas below, highlighting how you can work for peace. While it is by no means exhaustive, I do hope you’ll grab an item or two…

Saturday, March 17th
Fayetteville Peace Rally
A day-long event to mark the anniversary of the war. Enjoy a march, rally, live music and children’s program. Click the link above for all the details.

Saturday, March 17th
Charleston Peace Rally
March through downtown Charleston starting and ending at the U.S. Custom House (200 East Bay Street). Bring signs and friends, and wear comfortable shoes. March begins at 11am and this one is co-sponsored by the newly-crowned Code Pink Charleston!

Saturday, March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Columbia
Dress as a “pixie for peace” and join reBELLEious (SC’s radical cheerleading squad) to march in the parade. Contact Melanie for more information at 803.446.2772.

Tuesday, March 20th
Columbia Peace Rally
Vigil to mark the anniversary of the war will be held from 5-7pm at the Statehouse (Gervais & Main Street). Enjoy speakers from a Veterans For Peace group.

ALL WEEK LONG
Call your congressman and express your outrage. ON March 12th, President Bush announced that he’s calling up 8,200 additional troops. Yes, that’s in ADDITION to the 21,500 he just ordered. Please help stop this nightmare- call your congressmen and tell them that you won’t sit idly by. Express to them how much value you're putting in their war stance when deciding who to vote for at the next re-election. Emphasize to them that they’ll lose your vote if they support the surge. Let them know that they can't say that they're against the war, yet still fund it. Don't know how to get in touch with your congresspeople? Click here, enter your zipcode, and it will do the rest!

Thanks so much for joining us!

2007-03-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

The meeting last night was incredible and I sincerely thank each of you for attending, and those of you who were with us in spirit. We had an amazingly diverse group of women and I was so encouraged to see your beautiful faces! From early 20-somethings to grandmothers, from life-long activists to new converts, from those with military service to those who have never served but support our troops- we ran the spectrum last night. It was a wonderful evening for brainstorming and creative thinking about where we want to sail this ship.

I need to dash off a few thanks. First and foremost, special thanks to Earthfare for offering us a meeting space at no cost. Thanks to The State newspaper who wrote a wonderful bit about the meeting in last Sunday's paper, and much appreciation to the USC Daily Gamecock, which is publishing an article about the meeting in today's edition. Special thanks to the many local organizations who had representatives present, including the Carolina Peace Resource Center, The Richland County Women Democrats, Military Famillies Speak Out and the National Organization For Women.

If you haven't joined our email newsletter, then please do so by entering your email into the sign-up box at the top right corner of this page. Then drop by this page frequently to check in as plans develop. We'll be meeting again in April...details to follow soon!

If I can't appeal to your inner sense of justice...

2007-02-26T12:55:00.000-05:00

...then I am more than willing to appeal to your stomach. I just ordered some delicious food for our kickoff meeting and I hope you'll join us at Earthfare to enjoy it. We've got organic fruit & cheese platters, classic sandwich platters, a scrumptious crudite platter with Italian herb dip and Garlic Roasted Hummus with pita chips. Mmmmmm mmmmm....

Please help spread the word to anyone you think may be interested. The more the merrier!

You're Invited To Our Kickoff Meeting!

2007-02-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

CodePink:Columbia is just stretching its legs and getting its feet off the ground...and we need your help! Please join us at our kickoff meeting to help us energize, organize and brainstorm!

What: CodePink:Columbia's Kickoff Meeting
When: Monday, March 5th at 5:45 pm
Where: The Community Room @ Earthfare
3312-B Devine St.Columbia, SC 29205

We plan to meet for 1-1.5 hours and EVERYONE is welcome- men and women, young and old, Democrats/ Republicans/ Libertarians...please join us to help define what we want to accomplish, brainstorm how to get there, and make plans to shake Columbia out of its complacent slumber. Hey, I'll even feed ya if you come. :) Questions? Contact Lela at 803.467.4997.

Barack Rocked the House

2007-02-17T22:29:00.000-05:00

Barak Obama had a stellar tournout last night for his first Columbia appearance. More than 3,000 people came out to show their support and the energy inside the Convention Center was nothing short of electric! Sen. Obama had some terrific ideas and he certainly delivered an enthusiatic talk...my sincere hope is that Barak walks out what he said last night. That remains to be seen. Enjoy a few pics of the event, courtesy of Ira Cooper. Click here to read the USA Today article on Obama's visit to SC.

Special thank to Wade Fulmer, Elaine and Ira Cooper who had to work some magic to get a ticket to the event for me. I am in your debt!

Hillary Clinton's Coming To Columbia

2007-02-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

Senator Clinton will be visiting Columbia on Monday, February 19th.

Conversation with South Carolinians

When: Monday, February 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Allen University, John Hurst Adams Gymnatorium (1530 Harden Street in Columbia)

Click here to view Hillary' latest videocast on her plans for the Iraq conflict. These presidential candidate visits are the perfect opportunity to make your voice heard...think the candidates on the mark with their views n the war? Show up and tell them so. Think they're not doing enough? Make a sign expressing your opinion and attend the event. Completely disagree with their thinking? Put in a call to their office letting them know where you stand. Better yet, make a banner and demonstrate outside the event. No matter where you stand, this is a critical time to make an impression on the people who stand a good shot at running this country soon. Please consider getting involved!

Code Pink Gallery

2007-02-17T21:49:00.000-05:00

From Columbia, SC to Washington DC- CodePinker's are making their voices heard!

Peace Demonstration this Saturday

2007-02-15T20:57:00.000-05:00

Join Code Pink and Military Families Speak Out this Saturday (the 17th) at the Five Points Fountain for a peace rally. The gathering begins at 1pm and wraps up around 2:30, with coffee following at Adriana's. Hope you can make it!

Barak Obama visits Columbia

2007-02-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

Sen. Obama will be at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Friday afternoon (that's tomorrow!), with doors opening at 4:30pm. The supply of free tickets has been exhausted, but there will likely be extras available if you show up at the venue.

If you miss Barak on Friday, Sen. Obama will be at Claflin University in Orangeburg for a Town Hall Meeting. Doors at the Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center open at 10:00am.

Preparing For Non-Violent Political Action

2007-02-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

It doesn’t matter if you’re attending a large national rally or a smaller, local event, here’s some valuable info on how to prepare:

1.Wear comfortable shoes. This is not the time to break in those new boots or show off those hot heels you’re madly in love with. Put comfort above all else.

2. Bring a sign. Your warm body at a rally is invaluable, but bringing a sign boosts the impact. Click here to visit our tutorial on creating effective signs.

3. Leave your valuables at home. If you can’t stand to lose it, please don’t bring it. Tuck some cash and your ID in your pocket and leave your purse at home or locked securely in your car.

4. Pack a snack. If you’ll be there for a while, bring along a granola bar, dried fruit or dry cereal to boost your energy.

5. Check the weather before you go. Make sure you’re aware of current conditions and dress appropriately. Bring a hat, scarf and gloves if you need it. If possible, dress in layers that you can peel and tie around your waist if things start to heat up.

6. Don’t forget your cell phone. It’s easy to get separated in large crowds and a fully-charged cell phone may be your saving grace.

7. Prepare your children. They can be an important part of the process of they’re adequately prepared. To learn more, visit our tutorial on preparing children for political action.

8. Get your head in the game. Understand that while some people you encounter will enthusiastically support your efforts, others you see may be less than thrilled. Take a moment before entering the rally/protest/march area to contemplate why you’re there and what you hope to accomplish. When you are faced with ugliness, the best technique is to smile gently, flash a peace sign, and silently reflect on your purpose for being there. You’re expressing your views and others will express theirs, but that’s the beauty of the system…

Creating Effective Protest Signs

2007-02-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

Don’t worry if you’ve never before made a sign for a rally/march/protest. It’s actually quite easy to do if you follow the basic guidelines.

1. Choose the right material: Posterboard is fine, foamboard is better. Both are inexpensive and easy to find- check your local art supply and office stores. Foam board is less likely to crinkle and distort shape and less likely to send you flailing about in a strong breeze. Handles are optional…the easiest way to create a handle is to use a 36” wooden dowel, about ½” in diameter. Check Home Depot or Lowe’s…

2. Pay careful attention to your message: The fewer words, the better. Remember that cars will be zooming by, media cameras will pan quickly, etc. The fewer words you include, the bigger the impact you’re likely to make. Short quotes, large images and brief catchphrases are best. Remember to make 2 identical signs and attach them to one another to create a “front” and “back.” If you only letter one side of your sign, you’ll miss half of your audience!

3. Format is everything: The easiest way to make a bold, clear statement is to print out your message using a color or black & white printer and adhere it to your board. If you choose to hand-write your sign, be sure to use large block letters, and strong colors with a high level of contrast to your background. Try not to over-adorn the sign as it will detract from your message.

4. Assembling an effective sign: If you print out your message, adhere it to the poster or foamboard with rubber cement- you can remove the message later without harming the board itself (which means you can make one basic sign and continually change the message to suit the event!). After your message is complete, attach the two signs to each other, back-to-back, using foam tape or mounting tape and insert the optional handle between the two boards. This type of tape is ultra-sticky, double-sided and perfect for the job.

Need some inspiration? Click here for dozens of anti-war quotes. Remember…shorter is better!

Still unsure of how to design an effective sign? Click here for some great examples of various signs.

Bringing Children to Events

2007-02-12T21:40:00.000-05:00

Children can play an invaluable role in the process of non-violent political action. In addition to the energy they contribute to the gathering, their presence at such events teaches them critical lessons about their role and responsibilities as citizens of a democracy. I've taken my children to large, national events and smaller, local gatherings and below you'll find a summarization of what I've learned. Many of the suggestions are tailored for events with huge crowds, but most are just as applicable to smaller gatherings.

1. Make sure you have a fully-charged cell phone on you at all times. It will likely become your most valuable tool if you become separated. Consider taking two-way radios if you’ll be in a large crowd.

2. Tuck your contact info into your children’s pockets. Take a moment to jot down your child’s full name, your name, address, home and cell phone numbers and slip it into your child’s pocket. Make sure they know it’s there and instruct them to approach a policeman immediately if they feel lost. They can present that piece of paper to a person of authority who can immediately connect the two of you.

3. Think creatively about how to stay close to your kids. Strollers and wagons can easily get tangled in crowds, so they’re not the best option in larger crowds. For smaller children, try using a baby carrier that straps to your body. Older children can stay close by with a child leash.

4. If riot police are present, introduce your children to them before the rally/march/protest begins. Horses and riot gear can frighten young children, but allowing your kids to meet the police (and possibly pet the horses) will help to de-stigmatize them. Explain that they’re there to help keep everyone safe. Riot police are usually only present at HUGE events.

5. Use the buddy system. If possible, attend the event with another family that includes children. Discuss before-hand how you’ll handle any disruptions or unforeseen events. Make a commitment to help watch each other’s children…the more eyes, the better.

6. Ensure they understand the context of the event. Explain the basic premise of the action, what you hope to achieve and why you feel compelled to participate. These concepts can be explained to even the youngest of children as long as you tailor the information to their age and level of understanding. Encourage your children to ask questions.

7. Prepare children for differing opinions and counter-protestors. The reasons that people attend rallies are as varied as the people who attend them. Some attendees have lost loved ones, some are scared of losing loved ones, others are angry at the current political powers and some just disagree with violence in general. Whatever your reasoning, explain (in the most basic terms possible) that people are there for different reasons and there may be some words, signs, etc. that you don’t agree with. Reiterate that all attendees are exercising important rights and that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you disagree. Model for them how to speak out responsibly.

8. Make them a part of the process. My children’s favorite part of the process is making the signs we’ll carry. Give them the materials for signs (posterboard, glue, glitter, ribbons, large markers, etc.) and let them decide what to say and how to say it.

9. Make sure they’re fed and warm! For more general information about preparing for rallies, please click here.

Welcome!

2007-02-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled that you've discovered CodePink:Columbia as we begin to launch a new women's peace movement in the Columbia area. Watch this space for lots more news and updates...coming soon!