Next NYC War Resisters League Meeting

Monday, February 18th
7 pm
Judson Memorial Church
239 Thompson Street
(1/2 block south of Washington Sq. Pk.)
Manhattan

Planning upcoming actions.

Subways: “West 4th St.” on A, B, C, D, E, F, M trains; “8th St.” on R, W trains

Meeting with Japanese Activists
A meeting was held Monday (Aug. 15, 2016) at the Catholic Worker with a dozen peace activists/educators from Japan and about 15 U.S. activists representing several peace groups, among them War Resisters League, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Ya-Ya Network, Catholic Worker, NYS Peace Action, Iraq Vets Against the War.

Despite the opening prayerful moment (this is the Catholic Worker, after all), some heathen-types managed to keep their heads up and eyes open. Photos by Ed Hedemann.

The meeting was requested by these Japanese on a world tour, who were interested in a dialogue with U.S. activists on topics such as military recruitment of poor and disadvantaged youth. It was clear that some of the Japanese were also interested in understanding what Americans thought about the bombings of Hiroshima/Nagasaki, the U.S. presidential race, etc.

One of the Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) among the delegates (center).

Unfortunately, the two hours of meeting time (which included translations) was insufficient to get much beyond personal and organizational introductions, and statements by just a handful of those present, and a few people passing around Japanese or English language documents to those who couldn’t read that language.

Two of the Japanese activists outfitted with simultaneous translation devices.

Despite that (and the awful heat and humidity in the unACed CW), the event was a useful exchange of goodwill to contrast with the increasingly bellicose sabre-rattling by U.S., Japanese, and other politicians around the world.

In the photos sharp-eyed observers may notice the presence of at least three of NYC WRL’s most active regulars.

David engaging in one of the few instances of debate during the meeting.