The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC) calls upon students on campuses across the United States to join us in a one-day student strike on March 5th, 2003.
As students and youth, our futures will be shaped by the actions that the Bush administration takes today.

For more information see the National Youth and Student Coalition Website.

Download flyers in english and spanish to distribute on your campus.

We believe a US attack on Iraq will inevitably:

• Endanger the lives of US servicemen and women
• Increase the suffering of the Iraqi people while slaughtering thousands of innocent people
• Encourage terror attacks against the US around the world and at home
• Be used as an excuse to erode civil liberties
• Divert resources from education and social services
• Subvert historical precedent and international law

As students and youth, the future of this country, we are disturbed by the lack of attention paid to the real needs of Americans, especially education. Financial aid opportunities and family income are rapidly losing ground to the rising cost of higher education. *1 Low-income families are facing decreasing access to education. Student debt is increasing. *2 All while the US military budget steadily increases (12% from 2000 to 2002 *3).

We say NO! to this war of terror to increase American power and take control of strategic oil supplies.
Join us in a student strike March 5th to demand:
US Government:

• End the drive for military action and economic sanctions that target the people of Iraq
• Fund education to ensure that everyone in the US has access to higher education
• Re-allocate military funds to eliminating poverty and building peace and home and abroad
Campus Administrators:
• Declare opposition to the war
• Disclose and eliminate military research contracts
• Freeze or lower tuition and fees
• Transfer money for JROTC to college preparation and counseling and from ROTC to financial aid

The Bush Administration’s war on Iraq is a venture for control of the region and its oil supplies, not national security, democracy, or human rights. Our campuses provide implicit support for this through military research, recruiting, and ROTC programs. As students who value freedom, democracy, and our education we say: THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE! The best way to improve our national security is to halt drives for illegal and immoral wars and redirect public funds from the military and arms trade to education and social services at home and humanitarian aid abroad. Take a stand with students across the nation on March 5th to build toward this collective vision.

Sources:
1. College Board (as reported in the Michael A. Fletcher, Washington Post, Dec. 10, 2001, Page A01)
2. Sherschel, Particia M. USA Group Report. June, 2000. See:
3. Deen , Thalif. “U.N. says Nations Reveal Arms Spending - but Spend More.” Inter Press Service. Oct. 7, 2002

II. Volunteer Your Time:
The following is a list of positions that are being filled by committed volunteers for the next two and 1/2 months in order to organize for the National One-Day Strike - March 5th. The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC) is the national body spreading the word about the strike.

· Media Team:
Number of Available Slots: 5
Description: The Strike Task Force needs a media team who can effectively spread the word about the strike as well as represent the political issues and agenda of the NYSPC coalition.
Contact: Andy Burns - 501-244-2439(office), <clearinghouse@tao.ca>

· Web Team:
Number of Available Slots: 2
Description: The Strike Task Force needs skilled web technicians to build and maintain an active website capable of answering questions; referring contacts; in taking, sorting, displaying, and sending information; and generally getting people excited about the strike.
Contact: Jason Fults - 215-222-4711(office), <jasonfults@hotmail.com>

· Outreach Team:
Number of Available Slots: 11
Description: The Strike Task Force needs folks to be compiling regional & local coalitions to contact about organizing for the strike. Also, at least 8 regional organizers will be needed to stir up support for the strike amongst student organizers and grassroots students across the US.
Contact: Lenore Palladino - 212-265-7000x548(office), <lenore@usasnet.org>

· Resource Development Team:
Number of Available Slots: 3
Description: The Strike Task Force needs folks with some layout skills to compile, create, and format a strike-organizer's resource packet to be accessible through the website; as well as an easily-reproduced small handbill/palm card and a large poster/flyer for mass-distribute by local organizers on campuses.
Contact - Jessica Marshall
(646-643-7702 -jase@alum.dartmouth.org


III. BOOKS NOT BOMBS! - National Student Strike - March 5th, 2003 ORGANIZING CONFERENCE CALL FOR STRIKE VOLUNTEERS...
There will be an organizing conference call for all volunteers and other interested parties in the upcoming „One-Day National Student Strike for Books Not Bombs ˆ March 5th, 2003.

This call is open to anyone willing to work in good faith toward the successful completion of this project and toward strengthening and broadening our democratic peace movement.

The conference call will be Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm EST/4:00 pm PST.
Contact Andy Burns at 501-244-2439 to get the access code and number and join in on the conference call.
The call and the strike are being coordinated by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC).
THE BASICS:
WHO: „Books Not Bombs‰ Strike volunteers and interested parties
WHAT: open organizing conference call
WHEN: Tues., 1-28-03; 7:00 pm EST/4:00 pm PST - 8:30 pm EST / 5:30 pm PST
WHERE: On the phone: contact Andy Burns at 501-244-2439 to get the access code and number
WHY: to organize and coordinate action for the March 5th Strike
Be ready to offer your ideas and input, as well as plug into one or more of the strike committees: Outreach, Media, Website, and Resource Development. Below are some more details including the strike‚s call to action, and the call for volunteers.