NYSPC Call to Action

STEP UP the Struggle for Books not Bombs!
Reclaim the Capitol! Take Back our Democracy!

Beginning Now:
An Emergency Campaign of Lobbying and Nonviolent Direct Action to
Stop the War and Fund the Schools!

And: MARCH 17th – 21st:
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE:
A Week of Nonviolent Direct Action and Lobbying

On March 5th, 2003, we, the youth and students of America, walked out
of
classes on over 400 campuses from Florida to Maine in a massive cry for
“Books not Bombs!” On that day we marked the 233rd anniversary of the
Boston Massacre when youth fought and died in a struggle for democracy
remembered as the first battle of the American revolution. Today, when
it is clear that we are entering the final stages of the struggle to
stop an all-out war of terror on Iraq, we harken back to that spirit of
resistance to tyranny, empire, and war and issue this urgent Call to
Action.

Millions around the world have said “No!” to war on Iraq – and still
Bush won’t turn back. We have written letters, sent email, made phone
calls, participated in delegations, rallied, marched, walked out – and
still the majority of Congress refuses to uphold their constitutional
duty to decide on matters of war as representatives of the people. Our
educations are are at risk, our rights under attack, and our democracy
is in grave danger. In the spirit of March 5th, we must rise up to the
challenge of reclaiming our democracy and defending the promise of
freedom from tyranny – including the greatest tyranny of all: WAR. We
have no choice but to RAISE THE BAR OF RESISTANCE and take nonviolent
direct action to demand that OUR elected officials represent OUR
interests and Vote No to War, Yes to Education! The time has come to
bring the new voices of democracy to the Congress: if they won’t uphold
the Constitution and represent the people, WE WILL.

We call on the tens of thousands of students who walked out of school
on
March 5th to organize your campuses to take part in an

*Emergency Campaign of Lobbying and Nonviolent Direct Action to
Stop the War and Fund the Schools!*

Our demands are clear:
- REPEAL Bush’s war authorization and REVOTE on Iraq policy
-RE-ALLOCATE the people’s money –
-move 10% of the military budget to our inadequately-funded schools

Our plan is clear:

1. Beginning Now through March 14: Lobbying and Preparation:

A. mail in your Anti-War Mock Election Ballots to NYSPC and phone, fax,
and email your congressional reps to demand that they publicly support
(a) legislation to repeal Bush’s war authorization and (b) legislation
to increase education funding; *for updates on legislation to support
and congresspeople to target, check http://www.nyspc.net*

B. organize community delegations to your representative’s offices to
deliver these demands in person and declare your intention to take
nonviolent direct action if they refuse to uphold the constitution and
support our right to education;

C. organize nonviolent action training, prepare local legal support and
solidarity, and organize transportation to DC for the March 17th mass
nonviolent direct action (arrive on March 15th for the march on the
White House & evening candlelight vigil or at the latest by March 16th
am) – get on the bus!


2. MARCH 15-21: ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE!
A Week of Lobbying and Nonviolent Direct Action:

- In Washington, DC:
A. Converge in DC on Saturday, March 15th or by Sunday morning, March
16th for nonviolent action training and action planning meetings;
B. March 17th - 21st – Monday, begin a week of mass nonviolent direct
action targeting Congress to Reclaim the Capitol for Peace, Justice,
and
Democracy! *Details to be determined in DC (be prepared to face
arrest)*
If we must, we will reclaim the capitol & hold our ground until they
listen to the people’s will for peace!

- Nationwide (if you can’t make it to DC):
A. Return home or stay at school for Spring Break, and complete
training and legal preparation for nonviolent direct action by Sunday,
March 16th;
B. March 17th to Friday the 21st – a week of nonviolent direct action
targeting Congress to Demand Peace, Justice, and Democracy! *Details to
be determined locally* If we must, we will sit-in, occupy, obstruct,
and
fill the jails until they listen to the people’s will for peace!

*If war begins before March 17th or during the following week, we urge
you to continue your plans and/or efforts of nonviolent direct action:
While the Bombs Fall, We Cannot Be Silent.


To find our more, get involved, and register your participation –
visit:
http://www.nyspc.net and contact: nyspcmarch17 [at] yahoo.com


Together, we have the power to stop this war and change history:
In the Spirit of March 5th, RISE UP FOR BOOKS NOT BOMBS!