NEW ANTI-WAR CRISIS CENTER IS NOW OPEN!
-by Doug Noble
"A locus of Rochester's anti-war commitment"
The Anti-War Crisis Center storefront at 658 Monroe Avenue, sponsored by the Peace Action & Education task force of Metro Justice, is now open! This space offers a new locus for the collective commitment
of the many peace and anti-war organizations in the greater Rochester area, who are deeply concerned about the continuing war and occupation in Iraq, the mounting potential for conflict with Iran, and the erratic resolve of the Democrats in Congress.
The storefront will host many varied anti-war activities, including gallery exhibitions, poetry slams, teach-ins, video shows, press conferences, consignment sales, an anti-war library, and other information/education and arts events, with the goal of keeping anti-war issues continually before our government representatives, the media, and our community. One emphasis will be to serve as a meeting place for the growing number of young antiwar activists and student groups, with social events and discussions on conscientious objection, truth in military recruitment, and draft counseling. We also plan to do regular phone banking of our Congressional legislators from the location, and offer the space to other local antiwar groups.
The storefront’s name, Anti-War Crisis Center, reflects the focus of our efforts. We are against war, which is almost always started under false pretenses, with horrific consequences. We are in a massive humanitarian crisis, caused by our own country, with no end in sight. And we provide a center, a pivotal space, to focus our resistance and locate ourselves as the (only) solution.
This unique initiative is completely staffed and funded by volunteers and free-will public contributions. The storefront's multi-use space has been rented for 2-1/2 months from April 15, 2007 to June 30, 2007, with expectations that other organizations will step forward to sponsor its continuing presence far beyond that date.
The Storefront enjoys endorsements (to date) from Rochester Against War, Veterans for Peace, Rochester Declaration of Peace, Rochester Truth in Military Recruitment, ISO, 911 Truth Commission, and Colgate Divinity School Social Justice Committee .