Press Release for Feb 15 Peace in the Park and the Peace March in Las Cruces

For immediate release

contact:  Las Cruces Peace Vigil Committee,  Laura Solberg 526-1853 or Anne Wing  522-3918

PEACE IN THE PARK, March and Rally, Feb. 15th, 1 p.m. at Young Park

The Las Cruces Peace Community is sponsoring PEACE IN THE PARK in support of the International Day of Action for Peace at 1 p.m. February 15th at the Young Park Pavilion.   A march for peace will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a rally including community speakers, musicians, OPEN MICROPHONE and potluck.  Everyone interested in sharing a commitment to peace is encouraged to attend.  For information visit www.PeaceAware.com, or call Anne @ 522-3918 or Laura @ 526-1853.

NOTE: PeaceAware is a loosely coupled collection of peace groups in Southern New Mexico. We organize Teach-Ins, Interfaith Symposiums, and Vigils for Peace. We operate a listserve (peace@nmu.edu), a website (PeaceAware.com), and a discussion board (groups.yahoo.com/group/PeaceAware).

From: Dr. Neil Harvey (Department of Government, NMSU), Dr. David Boje (Department of Management, NMSU) and Christine Boerner (Graduate Alliance of Government Students, NMSU)

Title: Teach-In, Speak Out for Peace

Faculty, student organizations and community groups are organizing a teach-in for peace on October 28 at the NMSU main campus in Las Cruces.

We invite people from the community and NMSU to participate with talks, music, poetry and theater. The teach-in will take place at the Corbett Center outdoor stage from 9 am to 6 pm. It will be followed by a public lecture in the Corbett Center Auditorium and a candlelight vigil for peace.

Despite the fact that Congress has approved a resolution giving broad powers to the Bush administration to use force against Iraq, there is an urgent need to avoid war and press for peaceful alternatives. The decision to go to war is troubling for many reasons, including the likely loss of human lives in Iraq, the further destabilization of the region, the increased potential for terrorist responses, the long-term involvement of US troops in the region to support a "friendly" regime, the economic costs to the US taxpayers, and the negative impact on multilateral cooperation for peace in many parts of the world.

Many Americans remain unconvinced that war is the country's best or only option. As a result, the "Teach-In, Speak Out for Peace" will provide a forum for expressing in diverse ways our commitment to seeking peaceful solutions. Speakers will explain the economic and political motives behind the threat of war, the impact of current policy on civil liberties and the meaning of "patriotism" at home, the role of the media, the role of United Nations, why economic globalization is accompanied by increased militarization, and the connections between social and structural violence. A variety of local bands and theater groups will also perform. A series of films on peace and global issues will also be shown during the day in the Corbett Center Auditorium.

If you would like to participate or require further information contact Neil Harvey nharvey@nmsu.edu (646-3220), David Boje dboje@nmsu.edu (646-2391 or 532-1693) or Christine Boerner (ceboerner@yahoo.com or 646-2084).

More info at http://www.zianet.com/boje/peace/

Sponsoring Groups, please send your own press release to Roundup@nmsu.edu, Sun Times tjaurigue@lcsun-news.com and Bulletin bulletin@zianet.com