Women Against Military Madness

Programs: Wamm conducted public outreach and education and advocated shifting federal budget priorities away from militarism and toward human needs such as healthcare, education, housing, and maintaining infrastructure. Wamm educated about u. S. Policy and advocated for nonviolence and understanding among people of the world in place of violence and aggression, which affects women and children most; provided opportunities for discussion and legal exercise of civil liberties. Events are free and open to the public. Wamm organized and co-sponsored 11 youth specific events. Events were at area colleges and universities and in the public schools. Events included st. Thomas law school graduation, macalester's community involvement fair, roosevelt high school's peace jam, peace site dedication, and parent fair, and all minneapolis public high school's career fairs. There were a total of 2,271 young people at our youth events. Wamm's walk against weapons had over 400 participants this year. Weekly e-mail calendar of peace and justice events: 51 times per year, reach of 2,500. Newsletter: with original articles and opinion pieces; 10 per year/1500 reach by mail and on website. Educational talks: wamm organized and co-sponsored 31educational talks and forums for a total of 1,900 in attendance, with guest speakers such as : author and professor jack nelson pallmeyer on foreign policy and the cost of war; international law professor peter erlinder on us foreign policy's effect on rwanda and the congo , an educational forum on the laws surrounding torture, forum on legislative opportunities for peace in israel/ palestine ; housing activist rosemary williams foreclosure process and the law; university professor april knudtson on the role politics plays in slowing delivery of disaster relief in haiti, a forum on immigration issues, and a talk on the lutheran's church's stand on conscientious objection. . Eyewitness speaking tours: organized and co-sponsored five local events for eyewitness speaking tours about recent experiences in iraq, palestine and pakistan. Speakers included sami rasouli on water conditions in iraq and their effects on healthcare; three time noble prize nominee kathy kelly on political and social conditions in afghanistan, and jennifer lowenstein on the living conditions of palestinians on the gaza strip. There was a total attendance of 434 folks at these events. Community participation events: organized or participated in 22 community events including candlelight vigil and ecumenical service for the child victims of war; twin cities glbt pride festival, mayday parade and celebration, and augsburg college's nobel peace prize forum for a total of 4,444 in attendance. Documentary film or book club and discussion. Wamm held 26 events for a total of 417 in attendance. Vigils, rallies and marches-wamm held 234 events with a total of 6,579 people in attendance.