The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was the day that the Armistice between WWI Allies and Germany went into effect in 1918.  

World War I or the War To End All Wars was fought from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918 mobilizing 70 million military personnel.  Sixteen million died in this war (9 million combatants and 7 million civilians).

As WW II and subsequent wars bear out, including the Endless Wars of today, wars are still with us, fueled by a global arms industry and competing international interests seeking resources and hegemony.

As a long time peace activist, I have marched many times for peace, to object to wars and military actions that the U.S. wages.  I could even say most of my adult life has been affected by wars – the millions killed and wounded in the War on Vietnam, the hundreds of thousands killed in Central America during the eighties, and the U.S. Global War on Terror waged without mercy or heed following the attacks of September 11, 2001 that has killed and wounded millions across the Middle East, widened to engulf more countries and has caused millions of people to flee their homes, adding to the global refugee crisis of 65 million.

I live in the Boston area where we are fortunate to have a number of Vietnam War veterans (and still a couple of Korean War vets) who are part of a very strong chapter of Veterans For Peace:  the Smedley Butler Brigade.

The Brigade took its name from Smedley D. Butler, one of the most highly decorated Marines in history, who later became an outspoken critic of U.S. wars.  “War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.”

The Smedleys (as they are affectionately known amongst the peaceniks) have tried many times to march in the official Veteran’s Day Parade (Armistice Day was changed to Veteran’s Day in 1954) but they are denied a place.  Veterans For Peace are not wanted.  Member Pat Scanlon has a song about it.  Click the hyperlink, it’s a great video on youtube!  

Therefore, they march after the official parade (after the street sweepers) every November 11th and invite friends and allies to join them.

I go as often as I can and my love for these men and women cannot be overstated.  I have seen members of the brigade angrily attacked by an onlooker surround the angry man and speak with him in gentle, knowing terms.  And I have seen the angry man weep and be embraced by brothers who knew his pain in a way no one else could.

Many years, the Smedleys leaflet young recruits who have been bused into Boston and then out again to march in the parade.  The recruits take the flyers and engage in (hopefully) useful conversations with the veterans.  

There is always a rally at the end, at an outdoor plaza by Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall, with speeches, poetry and song.

I look forward to accompanying Veterans For Peace Smedley Butler Brigade this year – we can even bring out own signs because they say the current moment is so dangerous and crazy.  We meet at the Parade Ground between Boston Common and The Public Garden at noon on Saturday November 11th. 

The post Action On Armistice Day appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.

Tarak Kauff, Elliott Adams, and Mike Hastie were met by South Korean authorities when they landed on Jeju Island via Shanghai, China.  The South Korean authorities had a photo of each of them in their hands and told them they would not be allowed to enter Jeju Island.

They were instead taken and put on a plane back to Shanghai.

When they arrived in Shanghai they were told that they each had to pay $280 for the change in flight schedule.  But Tarak told the Chinese that they had just been denied entry into South Korea because they were going to protest against a Navy base that was being aimed at China.  When the Chinese authorities heard that they waived the $280 fee for each of them.

Tarak, Elliott and Mike are severely disappointed that they will not be able to stand with the people of Gangjeong village on Jeju Island.  South Korean members of VFP were planning on flying from Seoul to Jeju Island to meet with the American VFP members.

This case though illustrates just how much the South Korean puppet regime fears the growing international movement to support the fight against the Navy base on Jeju Island.  We know where the South Korean authorities got the photos of the three American veterans.  They got them from the US military who is pressuring the South Korean government to build this base that will be used to port U.S. warships that will be used in Obama’s military “pivot” into the Asia-Pacific region.

Just yesterday Angie Zelter (UK) and Benji Monnet (France) were deported from South Korea after being arrested for protesting against the Navy base.

Please help send a strong message to the South Korean government by calling and/or organizing a protest at the nearest South Korean embassy/consulate to your community.

Also call the South Korean embassy in Washington DC 202-939-5692 or 202-939-5600 to lodge a strong complaint about them denying the three VFP members entry to Jeju Island.

Can there be an question that we are now living in a corporate dominated police state?

Please remember too that the South Korean corporation Samsung is the lead contractor building the Navy base on Jeju.  Boycott Samsung!

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