Your tax dollars at war...

Your tax dollars at work war...

Final days of Occupy Boston...

Please watch this beautiful video of the final days of Occupy Boston.

A chilling video...

On the Dark Side in Al Doura - A Soldier in the Shadows from Pulse TV & Maverick Media on Vimeo.

From Vimeo site: "WARNING: Graphic and disturbing photos between 38:40 and 40:45.
U.S. Army Ranger John Needham, who was awarded two purple hearts and three medals for heroism, wrote to military authorities in 2007 reporting war crimes that he witnessed being committed by his own command and fellow soldiers in Al Doura, Iraq. His charges were supported by atrocity photos which, in the public interest, are now released in this video. John paid a terrible price for his opposition to these acts. His story is tragic."

Annual Party & Fundraiser at Johnny D's -- tons of fun!

For event flyer, click here.

Annual Party and Fundraiser for the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of Veterans For Peace -- Thursday, November 17 at Johnny D's in Somerville...  Dinner 6-8 p.m.... entertainment 7-10 p.m.  $15 cover charge.  Raffle -- win great prizes!  Featuring: Public Interest, with Opening Act Marcia Deihl.  Please join us!

Join us for Veterans Day Parade and Event, November 11!

To download the flyer, click here!

Join us Friday, November 11, for our Veterans (Armistice) Day for Peace Parade and after-parade event!  See details above!

Smedley D. Butler Brigade of Veterans for Peace at Occupy Boston

Above: footage from October 11, 2011, as the arrests began, starting with Smedley members.

There's been quite a bit in the news about the early Tuesday morning events (October 11) at Occupy Boston.  This post is an attempt to capture different Smedley accounts of the event, different video links, and different news reports.  (This post will be updated as new relevant links are found.)

Here is a link to several pictures from the event (on the Smedley VFP Facebook page): (click here) to see photos.



Above: An excellent film of the evening's events.



Above: more "raw footage" from the arrests.



Above: an interview with Smedley Member John Niles on his experience that night.



Above: an interview with Smedley Member (and Coordinator) Pat Scanlon, shortly before the arrests.


Veterans For Peace describe the 10/11/2011 Police Raid on #OccupyBoston from Closed Loop-Films on Vimeo.

Above:  Interview with Smedley Member Rachel McNeill and Smedley Coordinator Pat Scanlon about the events of the night (with great overhead footage).

Here is a statement on the event from Veterans for Peace national Acting Director Mike Ferner (click here).

Great "exit interview" with Smedley Member Rachel McNeill (click here).

  Here is a letter of thanks from Sefira Bell-Masterson, a Boston Occupier (click here).

Here is an account of the events that transpired, from the perspective of Smedley Associate Member Bob Cable (click here).

Here is an account from the perspective of Smedley Member (and Secretary) Lara Hoke (click here).

Here's a statement from national VFP about the Occupy Movement (click here).

New music video! "War Is Not the Answer, Never Was, Never Will"

Hello VFP Chapter leaders and members,

Here is our music video:  "War is Not the Answer, Never Was, Never Will"



You can also Google youtube.com and type in the whole name of the song.

To see lyrics and chords for this song, click on the image to the left.

When was the last time you heard a peace song on the radio? It is virtually impossible to get these types of songs on the air. People like Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs etc. would never be heard today. The vast majority of radio stations today are owned by corporate media giants like Clear Channel and these wonderful artist would never make it onto today’s play lists.

The song: "War Is Not the Answer, Never Was, Never Will" was literally written on the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. The word “imagine” is in the song. The song is totally financed by Veterans For Peace chapters, individuals, national and local peace groups. We have forty-five people singing on the chorus, we had a fabulous time recording it. We think it is pretty good – you be the judge – please watch and listen.

PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE - The effort really starts right now! It is up to each and every one of us to distribute this music video far and wide and ask them to send it on, so on and so on.

Please send it to all your family members, friends and contacts, to all your VFP members and contacts, send it to as many people, organizations, churches, politicians, radio stations, etc.

Let's put some music back into the peace movement. Please pass this music video on to all of your family, friends and contacts. Ask them to pass it on to their friends and contacts, so on and so on. The lyrics and chords are listed at the end of the video; please copy and share the song with friends. It is up to each of us to help make this happen by passing this music video on to everyone you know and asking them to pass it on.

At the beginning of this effort, a friend asked me what I thought would happen with the project; He wanted to know if I had a plan. I told him no, I didn't have a plan – but I knew I had to do this... I have a saying above my desk, a quote that I live by: "You may never know what results come from your actions. But if you do nothing there will be no results" – Mahatma Gandhi

So I hope you all join me in acting, helping get this distributed. Please take a few moments, right now, and send it out.

Thank you,
Pat Scanlon and all the folks that made this music video possible.

Memorial Day for Peace

Christopher Columbus (Waterfront) Park

Atlantic Ave. & Richmond St. (Near the Aquarium)
Monday, May 30, 2010 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Please join Veterans For Peace, Military Families Speak Out and the American Friends Service Committee for a ceremony for Peace on Memorial Day.

Speakers to include:

John Schuchardt – House of Peace, Ipswich, MA

Ross Caputi – Marine veteran of the Iraq War (2003 – 2006)

President of Boston University Anti-War Coalition

Kevin & Joyce Lucey, parents of Corporal Jeffrey Lucey, U.S. M.C.

Melida & Carlos Arredondo, Gold Star Families for Peace, parents of Marine Lance Corporal Alex Arredondo U.S,M.C.

Oday Mahmood & Ayfer AbedAljibar– Iraqi Refugees – Will speak on behalf of the new Iraqi community here in Massachusetts.

James Vanloy – Poet

John Olivere – Singer Songwriter

Brian Quirk – Bagpipe player (Merrimack Valley People for Peace)

Directions from the Aquarium T stop:

Follow the signs in the station for Waterfront and Aquarium.

As you exit the T station, turn right on Atlantic Ave. and turn right again after passing the Long Wharf Marriott. Enter Christopher Columbus Park. The event will be taking place along the harbor, look for the Veterans for Peace white flags.

War is a Racket: Major General Smedley D. Butler, USMC

Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade

Join us!

When: Sunday March 20, 2011

Where: South Boston, same route as the “official parade”

Meeting details: Meet at 2:00 p.m. near the Broadway  

MBTA T Station (Red Line) --
click here for directions to assembly point  

Specifically:  The assembly spot for the Saint Patrick's Peace Parade is at the corner of Greenbaum St. and Foundry St., which is just two blocks west of the Broadway T station.

From the T stop, walk west on West Broadway across Dorchester Ave. 
Greenbaum Street is straight ahead, go one block to Foundry St.

There will be guides with flags to direct you to the location.

Themes for the Day:

• How is the War Economy Working for You?
• Bring the Troops Home, Take Care of Them When They Get Here
• Cut Military Spending, Save Jobs: Teachers, Fireman, Police
• Peace is Patriotic! “Not a Dirty Word”

Please join Veterans For Peace and other peace and social justice organizations for this historic alternative “people’s parade” following the official Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

Background: Again this year Veterans for Peace was denied permission to walk in the “Official Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.” The stated reason was because the Allied War Veterans Council (War Council) did not want the word “peace” associated with the word “veteran.” They also stated that Veterans For Peace were too political for the parade, as if all the politicians, military formations and bands in the parade are not political?

The City of Boston has issued a permit to Veterans For Peace to have its own Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade, immediately following the “official parade.” Our parade is a “people’s parade for peace and justice.” We invite all progressive groups (peace, environmental, women’s rights, civil rights, labor, GLBT etc.) in the greater Boston area to please join us as we follow behind the official parade.

We will enjoy the same police protection and courtesies offered the official parade.

For information on how your group can participate, contact one of the following:

Pat Scanlon, Veterans For Peace: 978-475-1776
Cole Harrison, United for Justice with Peace: 617-466-9274
American Friends Service Committee: 617-497-5273