PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

TMC breaks solidarity-
by John Friday, Mar. 28, 2003 at 4:30 PM

Latest statement from TMC board presidents. Very disturbing comments indicate they are trying to bring pog and it's events under their control.

the relevant parts of the statement.

"A message from Bette and Saleh, TMC Co-Presidents

We as co-presidents, Thomas Merton Center board members, and most importantly as activists in the peace movements, want to take concrete steps to raise these discussions and to see that we organize ourselves along lines that are inclusive of everyone's perspectives. We are suggesting three specific things we would like people to do:

1) please attend the weekly vigil closest to you this Saturday at noon (for this week these are the North Side, Oakland, East Liberty, Squirrel Hill, and Regent Square vigils), and after the silent vigil please speak with others about what non-violence means to you and what are some steps we can take to address various forms of violence that we may encounter at future peace events

2) the Thomas Merton Center Anti-War Committee has graciously provided time on the agenda for the meeting this Sunday at 11 (at the Thomas Merton Center) for us, as co-Presidents of the Board, to present our concerns and hear from members on how we will continue organizing ourselves to be non-violent

3) after the Anti-War Committee meeting please join us for an open-air session at Frick Park at 1 pm, concurrent with the picnic, for a larger group discussion (people from the vigils, from the Anti-War Committee, and others) for a "Pacifism Parley". We will pick a spot in the park close to the intersection of Forbes and South Braddock. We would like to see the on-going discussions about non-violence and dealing with violence at future peace events develop concretely into at least self-enforced guidelines, and perhaps longer-range organizing of non-violence workshops so that everyone can sustain their beliefs within the peace movement.

In addition, both of us want to make sure that we are directly available to you to hear your concerns and to work together through these important issues in these difficult times. Both of us can be e-mailed, Bette at
bettemcd@telerama.com and Saleh at info@zi-activism.net, and if you wish to speak on the phone, Saleh can be reached at 412 654-6047. Please feel free to contact us at any time because we always look forward to hearing from you.

Bette and Saleh

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