Salina People for Peace Past Events

These are events we have sponsored.

Workshop: "Getting to Conflict Resolution"

Sponsor: The Spirituality Resource Center of Salina

When: Sunday, May 18, 2003 1 to 5 PM
Where: Fellowship Hall of the Trinity United Methodist Church
901 East Neal Avenue, Salina, Kansas.

Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and role play, the "Getting to Conflict Resolution" Workshop will focus on how conflict resolution works to settle differences and create peace in the family, the workplace, and the community. Concepts for the workshop come from "Getting to Peace" (published in paperback as "The Third Side") by William Ury, author of the best selling "Getting to Yes" and "Getting Past No." Ury believes that war is not an inevitable outcome of conflict between people. He sees 3 sides to every conflict: Sides One and Two are the parties in conflict; the third side is the community which has a stake in keeping the peace and resolving conflict. If the third side is willing to step in and help the two sides in conflict negotiate a settlement, there is more chance the conflict can be settled peacefully.

We will bring these ideas to life through drama and practice "third side" skills. It's scary to intervene if you don't have skills at talking about feelings, de-escalating arguments, creating distance, and brainstorming problem-solving options -- but with practice people feel empowered that they CAN make a difference in their personal, professional, and civic lives. Workshop facilitators: Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT is Assistant Professor at Kansas State University and director of the Drama Therapy Program there. She has conducted workshops on drama therapy nationally and is the author of two books, "Wings To Fly: Bringing Theatre Arts to Students with Special Needs" and "Dreams to Sign." She is currently president of the National Association for Drama Therapy. This spring she was awarded the William L. Stamey Undergraduate Teaching Award by K-State. Patrick Bihlmaier is a graduate student in the MA program in theatre with a concentration in drama therapy at Kansas State University. He will be assisting Sally.

Peace flag on exhibit at Salina Public Library

A large flag created by Salina artist Pamela Harris with the collaboration of local adults and children will remain on display at the Salina Public Library through April 11. The flag was first exhibited at the KSU-Salina Library from March 1 through 26.

The work, titled Magnanimosity, was made during the Art of Peace, an evening of performances on Feb. 22 at the Salina Art Center. Flag art participants expressed a personal sentiment about peace by creating visual postcards addressed to a person, nation or the world. The back of each card has a written message. These postcards make up the red stripe area of the American flag. The white stripes are lines from George Washington's farewell address. The traditionally blue star field is filled with multi-colored stars cut and stamped by participants.

Funding for materials used to create the flag were provided by Salina People for Peace, a group of local and regional individuals who support peace in Iraq and the world.

Saturday March 29th there were 2 simultaneous groups

20 people gathered at Iron and Santa Fe: Quiet protest with signs.
4 people were at Ninth and Magnolia. Quiet protest with signs. One person carried a flag supporting the idea that we need to remember our flag stands for democracy, not mindless war.
Most brought signs and smiles!
Local radio announcer did very brief interviews with 2 participants.

Peace Vigil March 1st

About 15 individuals rallied in support for a peaceful resolution in Iraq at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at South Ninth and Broadway.
Marchers carried signs, flags or other messages and meet on the southwest side of the intersection for a walk to the South Ninth and Magnolia intersection.
About 10 later displayed their signs and flags on 9th and Magnolia.

Local artists read and perform works about peace

Stories, songs, poems and dramatic monologues by Salina artists will focus on the meanings of peace in a public event at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Salina Art Center, 242 S. Santa Fe.
Storytellers Barbara Marshall and Sandy Beverly, singer-songwriters Ann Zimmerman and Linda Chubbuck, poets Harley Elliott and Jackie Ash, and actor Patrick Bihlmaier will appear in this evening titled The Art of Peace. These artists and others are sponsors of the free event, which is appropriate for families.
During the performances, artist Pam Harris will lead audience participants in creating a flag-based work of visual art which will become available for public exhibition after it is completed.
This event was organized by writer Lori Brack, who will act as emcee. Financial support for the event has been provided by Salina People for Peace.

Peace march in Salina Feb. 15, 2003

February 15 starting at 12:30 Saturday At the Trifinity statue between the Salina City-County building and the library
Short non-denomominational affirmation/prayer, sharing of ideas, songs, followed by a quiet march.
46 people joined us in peace and fellowship.

Candlelight vigil Jan 14, 2003

January 14, 2003
Beginning betweem 5:00 and 5:30 PM
At 5:30 about 50 people began walking to the Bicentennial Center. In spite of freezing cold, by 6:00 about 85 people were present. Several other came for short periods but could not stay for the whole vigil because of their work schedules. The event was very peaceful and the participants considered it a great success.
Purpose: to maintain a peaceful presence before and during the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored speech of former president George Bush.
Meeting location: 5 p.m., meet at Statue of Liberty in Oakdale Park (across the Mulberry St. Bridge).
About 5:30 on Tuesday the 14th we will walked across the Oakdale Bridge, with an escort, and ended up across from the North Door of the BiCenter, where we stayed be until shortly after 6:30 p.m. Then we adjourned to Medaille Center for warmth and hot chocolate
This was be a gentle, positive affirmation of peace, conducted in a loving, respectful way.
With singing and distribution of leaflets with ideas to stimulate thought
Participants should communicate a special thanks to Salina Police Captain Mansfield for his wonderful support. He arranged for a bicycle police officer to be at the park at 5 o'clock with us and accompany us on the entire route.
Report: At 5:30 50 marchers began and by 6:10, 85 people were present in a very peacful demonstration. Two of our members attended the former President's speech.

Speaking their Peace

An evening with two people who have first-hand experience on the U.S. presence in Iraq, with discussion following

January 21, 2003

Both speakers were well received by an audience of 150-175 people. The event was covered by Public Access TV and by German Public Radio. Please check this web site again, as we will try to publish a summary of the speeches, if time allows.

FREE admission. Voluntary donations for speakers' travel expenses will be accepted.

7:00 PM at Kansas Wesleyan University at the Peter's Science Hall, Rm 201 (100 E. Claflin Ave., Salina, KS)

Speakers will be Tom Sager of Rolla, Mo., and Mary Kay Meyer of Kansas City. Sager and Meyer will describe their separate experiences in Iraq and participate in audience discussion.

About Tom Sager

Sager is coordinator of the Veterans for Peace Iraq Water Project and has traveled to Iraq four times. The project has rebuilt six water treatment plants and seeks to publicize the effects of U.S. sanctions and war on the people of Iraq. Sager retired from his job as associate professor of computer science at the University of Missouri-Rolla, in 2000. He has been an advocate for peace and justice since 1959. He posts an electronic newsletter, Peace Porridge, at http://peacehq.tripod.com/peaceporridge/id3.html
For more information on Sager, see http://www.veteransforpeace.org/press/CentralMoIraq021228.htm

About Mary Kay Meyer

Meyer has traveled to Iraq twice, in 1999 protesting U.S. sanctions and delivering medical and school supplies, and in 2002 participating in a desert peace march and visiting villages to meet the Iraqi people. For 15 years, she has been the director of Shalom House, a Catholic Worker House for homeless men in Kansas City, Kan.
For more information on Meyer, see http://www.sistersofsaintjosephfederation.org/iraq.html

Speaking their Peace, Episode II

An evening with two Kansans who have experience on the U.S. presence in Iraq, with discussion following:
Two more peace activists to speak in Salina
March 17, 2003
Speakers are Chris White and Anne Albright
7:00 PM at Kansas Wesleyan University at the Peter's Science Hall, Rm 201 (100 E. Claflin Ave., Salina, KS)
It is free and open to the public.
Biographical information on speakers:

Anne Albright, 77, is a pastor's wife, mother and grandmother, and former public school teacher and counselor. She visited Iraq with the Iraq Peace Team, co-sponsored by the Christian Peacemaker Team and Voices in the Wilderness. She was part of a delegation of 15 Americans who were in Iraq from December 26 to January 9, 2003, visiting homes, hospitals, non-governmental agencies and other locations. The group spent most of its time in Baghdad, with a weekend visit to Basra. Albright was the oldest member of the delegation, which included many senior citizens, and was the only Kansan on the trip. She and her husband live in The Cedars Village in McPherson.
Chris White spent four years in the Marines from 1994-98, after which he earned his BA in Spanish Education in California. He went on to earn his MA in Latin American Studies at the University of Kansas where he is currently working on his Ph.D. in history. His research on U.S. foreign policy as well as his knowledge of the dehumanizing environment of the military led him to become a peace activist. White says he considers himself an ex-Marine, not a former Marine. He is a member of Veterans for Peace, Amnesty International, and the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice. He has published five anti-war articles with such magazines as Counterpunch and Z Magazine, has given several public talks, as well as radio and television interviews. He has been married for six years to his wife, Kimberly, whom he met while they were serving in the military on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.

Other peace-related Events

These are events Salina People for Peace has not sponsored.

Past events in Salina area churches

Peace Vigil in a Salina church on Friday, March 28

Sandy Beverly, who told a story at the Art of Peace event, called today to invite the peace group to a prayer vigil at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church this Friday. This is an important opportunity to expand our sense of community in central Kansas.
Sandy will sing with a gospel choir at 6:30 p.m. to kick off the evening, which was organized by a woman in the church who felt called to pray for our community and world in this way.
All Night Prayer Vigil, St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29. Breakfast will be provided that morning. People can choose to be present as long or as short as they wish.
This is a very special event by people who are truly living their committment. Sometimes people are shy about meeting new people; please don't be. There will be many familiar faces and welcoming new friends. Some people are not comfortable with worship in a different way than they were brought up, but in this case we all have the same goal. This is a great chance to show that we are all caring people committed to living in peace with respect for all citizens of the earth.
You are welcome to spend any amount of time you wish. If 30 minutes is all you can spare, that will be greatly appreciated.

Past events nationwide

National March on Washington

International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)
January 18 (the Saturday before Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday is celebrated)
Joint action in San Francisco
About the Vietnam War, Dr. King stated, “The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today [is] my own government. ...[F]or the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent.”
More information at http://www.internationalanswer.org/

Peace Rally, Jan. 25, 2003, Duluth, Minnesota

We had a rally today in Duluth and got 2500 people in zero degree weather. We walked from the central downtown plaza to the government civic center which was about 6 to 8 blocks. The crowd was about twice that length in all. Like good Minnesotans, they passed out little notes to people to behave themselves which was a good touch, and they had orange vested crowd directors at all the intersections where we waited like good citizens for the stop lights. We were very orderly and had clever signs and shouted responses to the speakers at the rally at the civic center.
There was, as usual it seems clear at events around the country, no counter demonstration. You just don't meet anyone really in favor of this war, or at least I don't. They just aren't willing to speak out, either because they are too comfortable in their lives without action or because they don't believe it does any good. However, I did see a few of those people I know who would not normally show up for a political rally. (Reported by M. E. McGilligan)

Peace march Saturday in Newton

February 15 starting at 10 AM in front of the Bethel College Administration Building (300 East 27th Street, North Newton) what is shaping up to be the largest anti-war march and rally in Kansas will begin. We will march to the Harvey County Courthouse to hear veterans, activists, students and professors speak out against this war.
We need to show the media that the peace movement is alive and well in Kansas. PLEASE COME OUT!