Cost of War

The No Soy El Army Tour is on its way! The Tour will be in stopping in 12 different communities in Oregon, from August 26-30 and September 26-Oct 1. Full Tour schedule is below.

Latino veterans and youth activists will dialogue with community members about the connections
between the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on immigrants here in the US. This tour is the
first Spanish-language tour in Oregon that focuses on the experiences of Latino veterans and shares specific alternatives to military enlistment for youth after high school!

The August and September the Rural Organizing Project, AFSC and PCUN are teaming up to bring the No Soy El Army Justice Tour to Oregon. See description below!

We are in needed of skilled translators (Spanish and English) for nine different stops in rural Oregon. We have a small pool of funds available for translators, amount per person will depend on the number of translators.

* Must have experience doing simultaneous translation using headset equipment.
* Must be able to translate both from Spanish into English and vice versa.
* Must either ride with Tour organizers on for more than one day road trips or have own transportation.

Dates and stops:
Date Time Location
Wed, 8/25/2010 evening Eugene
Fri, 8/27/2010 madras
Sat, 8/28/2010 afternoon (12-3) Hermiston
Sat, 8/28/2010 evening (5-8) TBD
Sun, 8/29/2010 noon-3 Newport
Sun, 8/29/2010 5-8pm Corvallis
Mon, 8/30/2010 evening TBD

Sund, Sept 26 evening Medford
Mon, Sept 27 evening Forest Grove
Tues, Sept 28 12-2pm Forest Grove

The No So El Army Justice Tour description:

No Soy El Army Bilingual Justice Tour is coming!

Come together to share how the wars on immigrants, youth, the poor and abroad are affecting our town and your family.

War is present in our community whether our children are being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, federal agents are deporting our families, or the war on poor is cutting our most vital services. Latino veterans and activists on this tour will share how we can combat the different facets of war in our home towns and lead a discussion on the biggest threat that you see for the future of your family and what alternatives exist for youth graduating from high school beyond the military.

No Soy El Army features Latino Veterans and Activist who will share their experiences with fighting in and against the wars at home and abroad. We will discuss how war and the military affect the local communities, hear your experiences and learn about alternatives for youth considering the military.

If you are interested, contact Kari at kari@rop.org or 503.543.8417
Include your name, contact information, brief synopsis about your experience translating and dates that you are available.
Thank you so much!

The Rural Organizing Project is excited to announce the No Soy El Army Peace Tour

coming to rural Oregon in August 2010.

** NEW ** Resources for No Soy El Army Tour **

What is No Soy El Army?

Human Dignity Groups are invited to host a stop on the No Soy El Army 2010 Tour in Oregon to open a dialogue between the traditional peace community and Spanish-speaking and Latino communities about war, military recruitment, race and cross-community organizing.

No Soy El Army  will present bilingual (English/Spanish) military veterans and community leaders from across the US speaking about their personal experiences and facilitating a dialogue about the experiences of those in the room, then offering concrete information about the military and alternatives for youth.

"I will not tire of declaring that if we really want an effective
end to violence we must remove the violence that lies at the root
of all violence: structural violence, social injustice, exclusion
of citizens from the management of the country, repression. All
this is what constitutes the primal cause, from which the rest
flows naturally."  September 23, 1979. Archbishop Oscar Romero

Peace, like many of the issues that we organize around, is currently shrouded in questions and sparking an exciting new phase of strategizing and discussions.

Friday, September 18

• Fourth Annual Pinwheels for Peace, 3:30 to 4:45 pm on the Courthouse lawn in Corvallis.  Speakers, entertainment by the Raging Grannies and River Rocks, and PINWHEELS! (literally they are making pinwheels from paper and sticks and decorating the courthouse lawn with them)

 Saturday, September 19

• First Annual Corvallis Peace Fair, 1:00 to 4:30 pm at Central Park in Corvallis.  Musical performance by “Absolute,” Mexican, Hawaiian and Egyptian dance performances, an interactive rhythm circle, games and craft activities for kids, video messages for our sister cities and sister state, and a parade!
• Peace Concert, 7:00 - 8:30pm, First Baptist Church in McMinnville with Yamhill Valley Peacemakers.  Featuring stories and songs and visitors from the Hiroshima World Friendship Center. 

Monday, September 21

• Interfaith Choral Concert, at 7:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd.
• Human Dignity Advocates will be celebrating the International Day of Peace with an all day vigil (7 am - 7 pm) in Pioneer Park in Prineville.  Our theme is "Peace Begins When the Hungry are Fed."  We're asking people who stop by our table to bring a non-perishable food item.  And at 5:15 there will be an hour of free yoga for people to enjoy in the park. 

Friday, October 2

• "The Invasion of Afghanistan, 8 Years Later": Expanded Rally and March for Peace and Justice, 5:00 PM, Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Yamhill and Broadway in Portland.  Organized by Portland Peaceful Response Coalition (PPRC) in cooperation with Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group and others. More info: http://www.pjw.info/afghanistan8ylannounce.html

Saturday, October 17

• Peace March with Community Alliance of Lane County in Eugene.  (Check back for details!)