Current Actions & Events

Sidewalk Tabling for a Ceasefire in Maplewood

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Senate Approves Iran Nuclear Deal!

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On Thursday September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to uphold the Iran nuclear deal by blocking a Republican effort to submit a bill to reject the deal.

Republicans needed 60 votes to move the bill forward, but they only got 58 votes because 40 Democrats and 2 independents voted No -- against "cloture" which ends debate and moves the bill to consideration by the Senate.

There will be no rejection by Congress and the deal will go into effect.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/us/politics/iran-nuclear-deal-senate.html?_r=0

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Rally in Maplewood Celebrates
Senate Approval of Iran Deal

Two hours after the Senate approved the Iran nuclear deal, South Mountain Peace Action held a rally to celebrate the deal's approval and to thank Senator Cory Booker and Representative Donald Payne, Jr., for supporting the deal.

Letter from Rep. Payne read at rally

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photo by Mary Gallagher

Here's the media coverage so far:

Village Green article:
Peace Groups Rally in the Rain

Maplewoodian video:
Rally video

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SUPPORT THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

Urge Our Representatives to Support the Deal:

Call Senator Menendez: (202) 224-4744
Email Senator Menendez here:
http://www.menendez.senate.gov/contact/?i=DEF

Call Senator Booker: (202) 224-3224
Email Senator Booker here:
http://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact

Call Congressman Payne: (202) 225-3436
Email Congressman Payne here:
http://payne.house.gov/contact/email-me

Critique of Senator Schumer's
Statement Opposing the Deal
Critique of Senator Menendez's Statement Opposing the Deal
Critique of Rabbi Boteach's Criticism of Senator Cory Booker's Endorsement of the Deal
Graphics below from:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/foreign-policy/iran-deal

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Support a Nuclear Agreement with Iran

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South Mountain Peace Action has sent the following letter to President Obama with cc's to Senators Menendez and Booker and Congressman Payne. Please copy and email your endorsement of this letter to the three officials at the links above.

[See exchange with Senator Menendez HERE]

The White House Washington DC

November 18, 2014

Dear President Obama,

South Mountain Peace Action of Maplewood and South Orange NJ would like to express its strong support for your efforts to negotiate an agreement with Iran that would assure the world that its nuclear program remains peaceful.

We agree with the president of the Arms Control Association, Darryl Kimball, who endorsed your goals for a nuclear energy agreement with Iran that would:

-- increase international inspections in Iran
-- reduce Iran's enriched uranium stocks
-- prevent Iran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade
-- reduce in half Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity
-- increase the time to about a year that Iran would need to enrich enough uranium for a nuclear weapon -- should it decide to break the agreement.

We agree with Darryl Kimball that such an agreement would be a good deal for America and the world.

Thank you for your efforts to negotiate a realistic, responsible and verifiable agreement with Iran that would make America and the world a safer place.

We are hopeful that such an agreement can be reached by the upcoming deadline of November 24, 2014.

Sincerely yours,

Paul Surovell, Chair
South Mountain Peace Action

Cc: Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, Congressman Payne, Congressman Pascrell.

Attachment: Daryl Kimball's article on the Iran nuclear talks:

http://www.armscontrol.org/ACT/2014_11/Focus/A-Good-Deal-in-the-Making

A Good Deal in the Making

November 2014

By Daryl G. Kimball

After extending talks on Iran's nuclear program beyond the original July 20 target date, Iran and six world powers are closing in on a long-term, verifiable, comprehensive deal. Such an agreement would block Iran's potential uranium and plutonium paths to nuclear weapons, removing a major threat to international security for many years to come.

Iran and the six-country group -- known as the P5+1 because it comprises the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany -- have worked out solutions on several key issues, including some that appeared to be intractable just a year ago. They agree in principle that the design of Iran's Arak heavy-water reactor project can and should be modified to drastically cut its output of weapons-grade plutonium and that Iran shall not build a reprocessing facility to separate that material from spent reactor fuel.

Iran is amenable to implementing and ratifying measures that would strengthen International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection authority. With the option of short-notice inspections of undeclared sites under the terms of an additional protocol to its safeguards agreement and with regular inspections of Iranian centrifuge workshops, the international community would have the capabilities necessary to promptly detect and disrupt an effort to pursue nuclear weapons in the future, even through a potential clandestine program.

Both sides understand that the ongoing IAEA investigation of past Iranian activities with possible military dimensions will continue after a comprehensive nuclear agreement is reached. At the same time, it is clear that key sanctions, including UN Security Council measures tied to the issue, will not be removed until and unless the investigation is resolved.

The members of the P5+1 agree that the goal is not to extract an admission from Iranian officials that their country engaged in nuclear weapons-related work in the past, but to ensure that the IAEA has sufficient information to determine that no such efforts are taking place now or in the future.

On uranium enrichment, the two sides agree that Iran should limit its enrichment of uranium to normal reactor-grade levels: 5 percent or less of fissionable uranium-235. They agree that Iran's underground Fordow enrichment plant need not be closed, as the P5+1 originally demanded, but shall be limited to a research-only role.

But as the negotiators have stressed, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed." With less than a month before their current Nov. 24 deadline, the two sides still need to hammer out technical understandings and make important decisions on at least two major issues in order to get to "yes."

Until recently, Iran has sought to maintain its current number of operating centrifuges -- approximately 10,200 -- with the option to increase its uranium-enrichment capacity over time to provide fuel for potential new power reactors. The United States and its P5+1 negotiating partners want Iran to cut the current number of operating centrifuges for several years and to disable machines that are installed but not yet operating.

Given Iran's past actions, suspicion over its nuclear intentions is justified, particularly when its uranium-enrichment capacity exceeds its needs on the ground. Iran should be willing to accept a reduction in its enrichment capacity for a period of several years. This capacity could be allowed to expand in the future if Iran's needs for enriched uranium increase.

Reducing Iran's current enrichment capacity by half, combined with a significant reduction in the size of the country's enriched-uranium stocks or removal of those stocks to a third country, would increase the time it would take Iran to produce enough weapons-grade enriched-uranium gas for one nuclear weapon to nine to 12 months or more. That is more than enough time to detect and disrupt any effort to develop nuclear weapons.

In exchange for a significant reduction in Iran's uranium-enrichment capacity, the P5+1 will likely need to agree to allow limited research and development on more-advanced centrifuges. It is unrealistic to expect Iran to agree to a deal that limits it to using only first-generation centrifuges, which are inefficient and unreliable. The agreement can and should put in place verifiable restrictions that block Iran from manufacturing advanced centrifuges for production-scale enrichment for the duration of the comprehensive agreement.

Iran's current practical needs for enrichment are limited, but to assure Tehran that its needs can be met for the duration of an agreement, the P5+1 may also offer nuclear fuel-supply guarantees, including the shipment of several years' worth of fuel for Iran's one operating light-water power reactor, at Bushehr.

To enhance Iran's incentive to meet its nonproliferation obligations under the agreement, the two sides agree that the P5+1 will phase out and later lift nuclear-related sanctions as Iran meets its nonproliferation obligations and the IAEA investigation of Iran's nuclear program is concluded.

Policymakers in Washington and Tehran need to recognize a good deal when they see one. An effective, verifiable, comprehensive P5+1 nuclear agreement with Iran is within reach. Such a deal is critical to guard against a nuclear-armed Iran and an escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and it is the only way Iran can obtain relief from further international isolation and sanctions.


Working for an Israeli-Palestinian
Two-State Solution

J Street Annual Conference, Gala and Advocacy Day September 28-October 1

Washington DC, Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Information and Registration: Click HERE


J Street Meeting at Maplewood Library
May 1, 2013

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J Street New York area field organizer Amy Levin addresses the crowd.

For more photos click here.

Here are excerpts from the article in the New Jersey Jewish News:

J Street rep praises Arab League initiative

by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Staff Writer

May 8, 2013

J Street's new regional field organizer urged local followers to seize on current headlines to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Amy Levin's May 1 appearance at Maplewood Memorial Library on behalf of the "pro-Israel, pro-peace" group came during a week in which the Arab League endorsed a Middle East peace plan allowing for agreed-upon land swaps.

"Your timing is kind of amazing. In the last two days, there has been a sea change in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process," said Paul Surovell, chair of South Mountain Peace Action, which hosted her talk. "Last week, the two-state solution appeared to be dead; today it is more alive than ever."

Levin, who lives in Brooklyn and is based in New York, called on those present -- about 40 people, most of them Jewish -- to press for the renewal of the two-state process.

"Change comes from the ground up," she said. "Don't be afraid to speak out."
[...]
In her talk, Levin stressed the importance of "engaging with those whom you disagree with" and conducting a "vibrant but respectful debate" with regard to Israel.

"Strong and vibrant debate has characterized the Jewish tradition for millennia," she said. "That's why we believe it is necessary to engage with those with whom we disagree. We're bringing more pro-Israel, pro-peace activists into the community."
[...]
"I know that many of you are here because you are committed to peace, in all of its forms and contexts," she said. "Let's not stay silent when our president is calling on us to take action. Change, he said, lies in the hands of the people, especially young people."
[...]


May 1, 2013 J Street Meeting

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May 1, 2013
Maplewood Memorial Library
7:30 to 9:00 PM

Amy Levin, J Street NY-NJ Field Organizer
will speak on:

"J Street's Program for Israeli-Palestinian Peace and a Two-State Solution."

Free and open to the public.

Watch President Obama's Speech in Jerusalem
Text of President Obama's Speech in Jerusalem
President Obama's Remarks in Ramallah

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Download PDF version of flyer here

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January 19, 2011

Video of meeting is on Maplewood Online.

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Click button above to view video on MOL.

::Video by Jamie Ross. ::Photos by Mary Gallagher and Maggie Surovell.


CLICK FOR SMPA ACTIONS AND EVENTS ARCHIVE


Petition to Bring Troops Home Rebuild America

SMPA launched the following petition at Maplewoodstock on July 9, 2011:

Petition

to President Obama, Senators Lautenberg and Menendez and Congressmen Payne and Pascrell

Bring Our Troops Home and Rebuild America

It is time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq, reduce nonessential military programs and redirect the resources saved to rebuild America. In this manner, we urge you to enact military spending cuts totaling $2.3 trillion over 10 years, as provided in the "People's Budget" of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and to use the funds saved for job creation, education, the environment and deficit reduction.

To sign the petition, copy the above and paste it into an email and send to:

paul@beaboutpeace.com.


Matt Hoh Speaks on Afghanistan at Maplewood Library

January 19, 2011

Video of meeting is on Maplewood Online.

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Click button above to view video on MOL.

::Video by Jamie Ross. ::Photos by Mary Gallagher and Maggie Surovell.


CLICK FOR SMPA ACTIONS AND EVENTS ARCHIVE


"Budrus" Shown at Maplewood Civic Center June 25, 2011


Photos of Matt Hoh Meeting 1-19-11


Obama Drops Call for Settlement Freeze

On December 10, 2010, Hillary Clinton outlined the new approach of the Obama Administration to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
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Obama Calls on Israel to Extend Settlement Freeze (9-10-10)

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Please Send a Message of Support To:

President Obama (email) http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ (phone message) 202-456-1111

Prime Minister Netanyahu (Israeli Embassy in DC) info@washington.mfa.gov.il (phone) 202-364-5500

President Abbas
(PLO mission in DC): info@plomission.us (phone): (202) 974-6360
_____________________________________________

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE FORUM
at MAPLEWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
MARCH 24, 2010

Video of forum Part-1

Video of forum Part-2

Transcript of forum

Article in Jewish News of New Jersey

Article in News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange, NJ: Download file

Click for three pages of photos:

page 1 :: page 2 :: page 3

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Commendation by
Congressman Donald Payne
in the Congressional Record



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Ori Nir, spokesman for Americans for Peace Now

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Hussein Ibish, senior fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine

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Debbie Schlossberg, Central NJ representative
of J Street

photos by Mary Gallagher

Click for background info: ::1 ::2


Letter by SMPA chair Paul Surovell
on Pres Obama's Call for Settlement Freeze


Be About Peace Day 2010


Photos-1 Israeli-Palestinian Peace Forum 3-24-10


Photos-2 Israeli-Palestinian Peace Forum 3-24-10


Photos-3 Israeli-Palestinian Peace Forum 3-24-10


Israeli-Palestinian Peace Forum 3-24-10



Be About Peace Day May 30, 2009

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Click for SMPA Statement on Be About Peace Day, Posters and Proclamations by Maplewood and South Orange

Click for Photos of Be About Peace Day at the Burgdorff Center: 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6

Click for Photos of Ceremony for Major Dwayne Kelley: 1 :: 2

Click for Maplewood Online Video
of Be About Peace Day by Jamie Ross:

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Ceremony for Major Dwayne Kelley, 5-30-09: Part 1


Ceremony for Major Dwayne Kelley 5-30-09: Part 2


Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-1


Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-2



Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-3


Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-4


Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-5


Be About Peace Day 2009 Photos-6


SMPA in Maplewood Memorial Day Parade 5-25-09


Commemoration of Iraq War Anniversary 3-21-09


Calls for a Gaza Cease-Fire by Jewish-American & Palestinian-American Groups


Maplewood Memorial Day Parade 2008



MoveOn Report on Recession
and Iraq War Delivered to NJ Senators


Be About Peace Day, March 29, 2008


Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-1



Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-2



Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-3


Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-4


Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-5


Be About Peace Day March 29, 2008 -- Photos-6


MoveOn Vigil for 5th Anniversary of War in Iraq - Part 1


MoveOn Vigil for 5th Anniversary of War in Iraq - Part 2


Tell Democrats: No More Blank Checks for Iraq War


Seton Hall Forum: Can Liberals & Conservatives Find Common Ground on Iraq 12-05-07 / Part 1


Seton Hall Forum: Can Liberals & Conservatives Find Common Ground on Iraq 12-05-07 / Part 2


Seton Hall Forum: Can Liberals & Conservatives Find Common Ground on Iraq 12-05-07 / Part 3


Seton Hall Forum: Can Liberals & Conservatives Find Common Ground on Iraq 12-05-07 / Part 4


Paul Mulshine and Fred Profeta to Speak on Iraq
at Seton Hall Forum 12-05-07


Peace March in NY City October 27, 2007


Delegation Urges Senators to Take Leadership to End the War

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On September 26, 2007, a delegation from Maplewood and South Orange urged representatives of Senators Lautenberg and Menendez to stand firm and oppose any Iraq appropriations that do not have a binding timetable for withdrawal.

The group also urged the Senators to take a stronger leadership role among their colleagues to encourage Congress to use its constitutional powers to end the war, and to support diplomacy rather than military action to resolve differences with Iran. A plea was made for global peace and for using resources for human needs and the environment instead of war.

Click here for documents presented by the delegation to the Senators.


SMPA launches letter-writing campaign at NJ Senators in August 2007


Mayor Profeta and TC Member De Luca Speak at Cities for Peace Day in DC

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More Photos-1 of Cities for Peace Day


More Photos-2 of Cities for Peace Day


MoveOn Vigil Aug 28, 2007 Launches Letter-Writing Campaign to NJ Senators


August 16, 2007 Vigil on Cost of War in Iraq


Three Local Events in August 2007

Thursday August 16th

MoveOn.org Local Costs of the War Report-Release.

Click here to sign up.
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Saturday August 25th

Newark March for Peace and Justice

Lincoln Park, Newark 12:00 noon

Click here for details.
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Tuesday August 28th

MoveOn.org Nationwide Vigil to End the War

6:00 pm Ricalton Square, Maplewood Center

Click here to sign-up.


House passes bill on 7-12-07 to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq; Senate votes on similar bill next week


South Mountain Peace Action's Letters to Senators and
Congressmen on Recent Votes on Iraq


Rally to Protest Veto at Maplewood Town Hall 5-2-07


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Veto Protest Rally 5-2-07 Photos-2


Veto Protest Rally 5-2-07 Photos-3


SMPA Sends Letter to Congress with 1,337 Signatures


Be About Peace Day 2007 Links

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Evening Forum Photos
Be About Peace Day Program
Maplewood and South Orange Proclaim Be About Peace Day


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Be About Peace Day 2007 Photos-2


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Be About Peace Day 2007 Photos-4


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Be About Peace Day 2007 Photos-6


Be About Peace Day 2007 Evening Photos


Be About Peace Day 2007: Program


Maplewood and South Orange Designate March 24, 2007
'Be About Peace Day'


MoveOn Events at Payne and Pascrell Offices 2-22-07


Photos from Jan 27 Rally in DC -- Part 1

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Some of the riders on South Mountain Peace Action's
bus at the Greenbelt, Md, Metro station.
Courtesy Joel Simpson.


Photos from Jan 27 Rally in DC -- Part 2

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courtesy Joel Simpson.


Photos from Jan 27 Rally in DC -- Part 3

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Five photos from Kathy Grady.


Bus to DC for Jan 27th Peace Demo

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website 1-14.jpgTo reserve a seat on South Mountain Peace Action's bus
from Maplewood, NJ to the Washington DC rally on January 27th, or for further information, call SMPA chair Paul Surovell at
973-763-9493 or email him at paul@BeAboutPeace.com or paul4sure@aol.com.


Candlelight walk for 3,000 soldiers killed 01-02-07


Petitions Delivered to Congressmen Pascrell and Murtha


Petitions Delivered to Senators Lautenberg and Menendez


Peace Candidates Who Need Your Help

Maplewood and South Orange, NJ, have Congressmen (Donald Payne and Bill Pascrell) who are strong opponents of the war in Iraq. Here are some other key peace candidates who need help in 2006:


September 16th Rally in Summit | NJ Senators Vote


Petition for Withdrawal from Iraq

Petition 2.5.jpgSouth Mountain Peace Action is circulating a petition called "A Responsible Withdrawal from Iraq," which is co-sponsored by Families of the Fallen for Change Click photo for full-size version.

One of the first signers of the petition was Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta, pictured here as SMPA member Agnes Brophy and Jamie Ross look on.

The Petition seeks legislation in Congress to combine the FoF proposal for negotiations with all Iraqi factions, including the insurgents but not Al Qaeda, and Congressman John Murtha's resolution to end US military deployment in Iraq "as soon as practicable."

The petition follows the February 8, 2006 Forum in Maplewood: "A Responsible Withdrawal from Iraq," co-sponsored by SMPA and FoF, which featured reports on 5 categories of Iraq withdrawal proposals as well as the President's "National Strategy for Victory."

Here's the text of the Petition:

Petition for A Responsible
Withdrawal from Iraq

to Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez;
Congressmen Donald Payne and William Pascrell

The undersigned residents of New Jersey, noting that 72% of US troops in Iraq want all United States troops to be withdrawn in 2006*, urge you to work for legislation in the Senate and House to implement a responsible US withdrawal from Iraq as follows:

(1) The US commits to ending its military deployment in Iraq and disavows any desire for permanent military bases there;

(2) The US immediately offers to negotiate with all Iraqi factions, including the insurgents but not Al-Qaeda, to reduce US troop levels to zero in stages, in exchange for reduced levels of violence, and to increase US economic assistance in exchange for protection of Iraqi minority rights;

(3) After six months if such negotiations fail to take place or do not achieve reduced troop levels and reduced violence levels, the US will then proceed to end its military deployment in Iraq as soon as practicable.

* Zogby-Le Moyne poll

If you'd like to help circulate the petition call or write SMPA chair Paul Surovell at 973-763-9493 or paul@beaboutpeace.com


Concert for UN International Day of Peace 9-21-06

Brittney1a.jpgSouth Mountain Peace Action Concert for UN International Day of Peace was held at the Ethical Culture Society in Maplewood on September 21st. Continue for photos.


Call Senators to Support Kerry Resolution on Withdrawal


SMPA in Peace Festival at April 29th March in NY


Mario Murillo Speaks at NJPA Annual Dinner April 30th


Be About Peace Day Attended by Nearly 400

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Nearly 400 parents and children paricipated in South Mountain Peace Action's second annual Be About Peace Day in Maplewood on March 18, 2006. The Star-Ledger reported the event in its March 19th edition as follows:

In Maplewood, several hundred people gathered in the public library for the second annual "Be About Peace Day."

Children sat at tables, penning letters to President Bush, assembling fabric patches for a peace quilt and tracing the Russian, Japanese and Sanskrit words for "Peace" onto T-shirts.

The political rhetoric was muted, which organizer Paul Surovell said was intentional.

"We're for peace. We're for changing our priorities. We don't get involved in name-calling or attacking anyone," Surovell said. "Iraq is in the back of everybody's minds, but this is about creating a peaceful world for children."

-- The Star-Ledger 3-19-06

Links to photos of Be About Peace Day activities:

General
Beading
Buttons
Cookies
Face-Painting
Letter-Writing
Music, Dance
Posters
Puppet Show
Quilting
T-Shirt Decorating
Wall Hangers

Part Two -- Rededication of Peace
Memorial


Initiative for Peace in Iraq Announced at Be About Peace Day


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / General photos


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Beading


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Buttons


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Cookies


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Face-Painting


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Letter-Writing


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Music, Dance


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Posters


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Puppet Show


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Quilting


Be About Peace Day 03-18-06 / T-Shirt Decorating


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 / Wall Hangers


Be About Peace Day 3-18-06 Part Two:
Re-Dedication of Peace Memorial


Second Annual Be About Peace Day March 18th


MoveOn Event for Constitution Feb 22d at
Maplewood, S Orange Train Stations

Help distribute MoveOn flyers against illegal wire-tapping and other violations of the Constitution at the Maplewood and South Orange train stations Wednesday Feb 22d during 6:00 am to 9:00 am.


Feb 8th Forum: "A Responsible Withdrawal from Iraq" Held


MoveOn Petition to Congress: Out of Iraq in 2006

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"Congress must insist that America have an exit strategy from Iraq. We need a timeline that starts now and gets us out of Iraq in 2006."

South Mountain Peace Action members participated in petition deliveries to Congressmen Donald Payne and Bill Pascrell


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MoveOn petitions from New Jersey's 10th Congressional District delivered on 12-14-05 to Adrienne Sneed Byers, District Director, at Congressman Donald Payne's Newark office.

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Outside Congressman William Pascrell's 8th Congressional District in Paterson after delivering MoveOn petitions on 12-14.

Signatures of more than 400,000 people were delivered to nearly 300 Congressional District offices across the country, including all 13 New Jersey CDs.


Fifth Annual NJ Peace Train Saturday Dec 3rd

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Delegation Urges New Jersey Senators:
Co-Sponsor the Feingold Resolution

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Photo by Molly Crossin

A delegation of civic and student leaders from Maplewood and South Orange NJ, presented a letter on Oct. 27, 2005, to representatives of New Jersey Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, urging them to co-sponsor the Feingold Resolution, which calls on the President to declare an exit strategy from Iraq.

The delegation, pictured above, (l-r) included Seton Hall University Student Government Association Treasurer Santino Certo, President Sheena Collum and Assistant Treasurer Matthew Rivers; Columbia High School Student Council President Daniel Symonds; South Mountain Peace Action chair Paul Surovell; Maplewood Township Committee member Kathy Leventhal; South Orange Trustee Terriann Moore-Abrams and Maplewood Township Committee member David Huemer. Receiving the letter were Lisa Plevin, NJ deputy director for Senator Corzine and Mada Liebman, senior advisor to Senator Lautenberg. The delegation members and letter signatories were acting as private citizens and not in their official capacities.


Daniel Ellsberg speaks at NJPA Luncheon in Maplewood

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Daniel Ellsberg addressed more than 400 people in Columbia High School's lunchroom in Maplewood, NJ, at New Jersey Peace Action's annual soup luncheon, in 11-12-05.


November 7, 2005:
Israelis & Palestinians for Peace: The Next Steps

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Vigil in Maplecrest Park for 2,000 Soldiers Killed in Iraq

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On October 26, 2005, South Mountain Peace Action hosted a vigil in Maplecrest Park to honor and reflect on the 2,000 American soldiers killed in Iraq. The vigil was called by MoveOn and the American Friends Service Committee.


Scott Ritter Returns to Maplewood

Scott Ritter spoke and signed copies of his new book, "Iraq Confidential" at the Woman's Club of Maplewood on October 17, 2005.


DARFUR Fund-Raiser Oct 20, 2005


November 12th: Daniel Ellsberg in Maplewood

Antiwar icon Daniel Ellsberg will speak at New Jersey Peace Action's Soup Luncheon on November 12th at the Columbia High School cafeteria. Call NJPA at 973-744-3263 to make a reservation.


Buses to DC for Sept 24th Rally to End the War in Iraq
Bring the Troops and the National Guard Home!

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Statement Circulated by SMPA at the September 24, 2005 Demonstration in Washington, DC:


Statement by South Mountain Peace Action
on the The Two-State Solution
and the "Right of Return"

One of the organizers for today's September 24, 2005 rally is making the unacceptable demand that all Palestinian refugees who left Israel in 1948 and their descendants (a total of 4 million people) be allowed to return to Israel and be given back the lands they lived on in 1948. This demand, which is being called the Right of Return, is equivalent to calling for the dissolution of the state of Israel, which is a call for war, not a call for peace.

We believe the rights of Palestinian refugees should be addressed through a two-state solution -- Israel and Palestine -- living in peace and security. We recommend the following Statement of Principles by the American Task Force on Palestine, a Palestinian-American group, as a framework for addressing the issue.


Candlelight Vigil for Cindy Sheehan, Maplecrest Park

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More than 200 people came to Maplecrest Park on August 17, 2005, to support Cindy Sheehan's antiwar protest in Crawford, Texas.


Candlelight Vigil for Cindy Sheehan, West Orange

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More than 100 people attended the candlelight vigil for Cindy Sheehan in the K-mart parking lot in West Orange.


SMPA Urges New Jersey's Senators:
Support the Feingold Resolution

South Mountain Peace Action has sent letters to Senators Lautenberg and Corzine, urging them to co-sponsor the Feingold Resolution which calls on the President to develop an Iraq exit strategy with timetable. Feingold recently called for a US troop withdrawal by the end of 2006.


Sign MoveOn Letter for Cindy Sheehan

MoveOn plans to take out an ad in The Waco Tribune Herald, the newspaper nearest to Crawford, Texas, calling on President Bush to meet with Cindy Sheehan. MoveOn hopes that at least 200,000 Americans will sign the ad. Please Click here to sign the ad.

If you'd like to help pay for the ad, please click here.

Here's the text of MoveOn's email about Cindy Sheehan:


Picnic for Peace July 30 2005

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Click here for coverage by the News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange.


Mothers Take Action: Darfur / Petition Drive

Mothers Take Action: Darfur has begun circulating Africa Action's Petition to President Bush calling for United Nations intervention in Darfur.

The Petition says:

"Genocide is taking place in Darfur, Sudan. On September 9, 2004 your Administration rightfully acknowledged this fact, but the U.S. has failed to take sufficient action to stop the violence. Up to 400,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced, their livelihoods and villages destroyed by Sudanese government forces and their proxy militias. We call on you to assert U.S. leadership by taking every step necessary through the United Nations to:


Peace Action urges emails for Homeward Bound Resolution


SMPA Tables at Maplewoodstock

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July 9, 2005 in Maplewood Memorial Park


SMPA Tables at "Two Towns in Harmony"

TwoTownsWeb1.jpgSouth Mountain Peace Action had a lively booth at the "Two Towns in Harmony" day on Flood's Hill in South Orange, on July 3, 2005.


Mothers Take Action: Darfur

Darfur mothers and children.jpgConcerned women from Maplewood and South Orange have formed a new group to raise public awareness and action on the genocide taking place in Darfur.


Downing Street Memo

Congressman John Conyers is inviting citizens to email President Bush, demanding answers about US-British plans to "fix" intelligence


Congressman Payne Cites SMPA
Congressman Pascrell Votes for Woolsey Amendment

On May 25, 2005, Congressman Donald Payne cited South Mountain Peace Action and referenced our petition in a speech supporting the Woolsey amendment


Senator Lautenberg Responds to SMPA Petition

Lautenberg Statement on SMPA in Congressional Record2.jpg

SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERG
STATEMENT ON SOUTH MOUNTAIN PEACE ACTION
On the Floor of the Senate, Monday, May 9, 2005


SMPA Delegation Presents Petitions to Congressman Pascrell

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To view SMPA's four petition presentations click on:

Senator Corzine Senator Lautenberg

Congressman Payne Congressman Pascrell

On Thursday, March 31, 2005 an SMPA delegation of Ginny Brown, Cathy Casriel, Paul Surovell and Donez Xiques visited Congressman Bill Pascrell in his Paterson office and presented him with South Mountain Peace Action's petition, "SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE WAR IN IRAQ" with 1,304 signatures collected in South Orange and Maplewood.

Most of South Orange is in the 8th Congressional District which Pascrell represents.

The petition reads as follows:


SMPA Delegation Presents Petitions to Congressman Payne.

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To view SMPA's four petition presentations click on:

Senator Corzine Senator Lautenberg

Congressman Payne Congressman Pascrell

On Monday, March 28, 2005 an SMPA delegation of Saundra Addison-Britto, Peggy Auer, Paul Surovell and Dan Symonds visited Congressman Donald Payne in his Newark office and presented him with South Mountain Peace Action's petition, "Speak Out Against the War in Iraq," with 1,304 signatures collected in South Orange and Maplewood.

Maplewood and parts of South Orange are in the 10th Congressional District which Pascrell represents.


SMPA Delegation Presents Petitions to Senator Lautenberg

On Tuesday February 22d a delegation of 13 residents of Maplewood and South Orange presented SMPA petitions to Senator Lautenberg urging him to Speak Out Against the War in Iraq signed by 1,256 people in the two towns.

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To view SMPA's four petition presentations click on:

Senator Corzine Senator Lautenberg

Congressman Payne Congressman Pascrell


SMPA Delegation Presents Petitions to Senator Corzine

On February 17, 2005, a South Mountain Peace
Action delegation of 10 Maplewood and South Orange
residents presented petitions with 1,228 signatures to Senator
Corzine's senior advisor Mada Liebman in the Senator's Newark
office.

To view SMPA's four petition presentations click on:

Senator Corzine Senator Lautenberg

Congressman Payne Congressman Pascrell


 
Previous Actions & Events

South Mountain Peace Action sends letters to Congressmen and Senators on Recent Votes on Iraq

Be About Peace Day 2007


Letter to NJ Senators from Maplewood, S Orange

A public letter to New Jersey Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, urging them to co-sponsor the Feingold Resolution, has been signed by all 5 members of the Maplewood Township...


SCOTT RITTER in Maplewood Monday October 17th

Scott Ritter returns to Maplewood on October 17, 2005, for an appearance at the Woman's Club of Maplewood, 60 Woodland Road, at the intersection of Woodland Road and Inwood Place, one block from the BankAmerica building on Maplewood Avenue. CLICK...


Candlelight Vigils for Cindy Sheehan Wed Aug 17th 7:30 pm

Candlelight Vigils for Cindy Sheehan


MoveOn Urges Letters on Bush Speech / 06-29-05

MoveOn Urges Letters on Bush Speech /06-29-05


Poster for Picnic for Peace July 30 2005

Poster for Picnic for Peace July 30 2005


DeLuca & Profeta Win Maplewood Primary / Symonds Wins CHS

DeLuca & Profeta Win Maplewood Primary


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Vic DeLuca

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Vic DeLuca


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Ian Grodman

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Ian Grodman


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Fred Profeta

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Fred Profeta


Forum with Military Families Against the War June 9th

Forum with Military Families Against the War


Jennings, Moore-Abrams and DeVaris Elected

Jennings, Moore-Abrams and DeVaris Elected


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by David Belasco

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by David Belasco


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Paul Salvatoriello

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Paul Salvatoriello


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Jeff Dubowy

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by JEFF DUBOWY


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Stacey Jennings

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Stacey Jennings


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Terriann Moore-Abrams

Response by Candidate for South Orange Board of Trustees: Terriann Moore-Abrams


Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Eric DeVaris

Response to Candidate Questionnaire by Eric DeVaris


Amy Goodman in Montclair April 27

Amy Goodman in Montclair April 27, 2005


Sunday May 1st - Trains to March & Rally in New York

March and Rally in New York May 1, 2005


Sunday May 1st in South Orange: Asylum vs Imprisonment

May 1st in South Orange Asylum vs Imprisonment


Americans for Peace Now Asks Emails for Palestinian President

Americans for Peace Now Emails for Palestinian President


Sign MoveOn Petition to Demand Iraq Exit Strategy

MoveOn Email for Iraq Exit Strategy


Email Senators for April Senate Debate on Exit Strategy

The Council for a Liveable World is trying to encourage a debate in the US Senate on mandating an exit strategy from Iraq, and a commitment to no permanent US bases there.


Boe Meyerson on Dept of Peace Sunday April 3rd

Boe Meyerson on Dept of Peace Sunday April 3rd


South Mountain Peace Action's
Be About Peace Day, 3-19-05

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South Mountain Peace Action's Be About Peace Day took place on Saturday March 19, 2005.


Links to Be About Peace Day Events

Overview of Be About Peace Day (3-19-05)
Library Photos - Peace Tiles by Kids
Library Photos - Door-Hangers by Kids
Library Photos - Quilting by Kids and Adults
Library Photos - Origami by Kids
Library Photos - Handcasting by Kids
Library Photos - Beading by Kids
Library Photos - T-Shirt Painting by Kids
Library Photos - Poster Painting by Kids
Library Photos - Clayworks by Kids
Library Photos - People at the Library (1)
Library Photos - People at the Library (2)
Ethical Culture Photos - Speakers, Music
Ethical Culture Photos - Poetry, Cong. Payne, Vigil


Peace Tiles at the Library 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of kids and adults making peace tiles that were used to build the peace memorial which was installed at the Ethical Culture Society on Be About Peace Day, 3-19-05


Peace-Sign Door-Hangers Made at the Library 3-19-05

Peace-sign Door-Hangers made at Library 3-19-05


Peace Quilting at the Library 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of kids and adults making peace quilts on Be About Peace Day, 3-19-05


Origami at the Library 3-19-05

Origami at the Library 3-19-05


Hand-Casting at the Library, 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of kids making hand-casts for peace on Be About Peace Day, 3-19-05


Beading at the Library on 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of kids and adults doing beadwork at Be About Peace Day in the Library, 3-19-05.


T-Shirt Painting at Library, 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of T-shirt painting for peace at the Library on 3-19-05


Poster Painting at Library, 3-19-05

Click "Continue" below to see photos of poster painting on Be About Peace Day at the Library on 3-19-05


Clayworks at the Library, 3-19-05

Click to see photos of kids making clay sculptures at the Library on 3-19-05


People at the Library (1) 3-19-05

People at the Library (1) 3-19-05


People at the Library (2) 3-19-05

People at the Library (2) 3-19-05


Be About Peace Day
In the Evening at Ethical, Part 1

After the afternoon's events at the Library, we reconvened at the Ethical Culture Society for an evening of speeches, music, poetry and a candlelight vigil to dedicate our peace memorial created by children and adults in the afternoon.


Be About Peace Day
In the Evening at Ethical, Part 2

Click on "Continue" to see more photos of the concluding events of Be About Peace Day.


Scott Ritter Speaks at Maplewood Library March 1, 2005

RITTER-4.jpg Scott Ritter, former chief UN Weapons Inspector in Iraq, spoke at Maplewood Memorial Library on March 1, 2005, to a standing-room only crowd of more than 160 local residents.


Maplewood Township Proclamation of February 1, 2005

On February 1, 2005, the Township of Maplewood issued a Proclamation to thank Paul Surovell for his efforts on behalf of South Mountain Peace Action.


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