Home  News National CAN Midwest Regional Conference Report
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Written by Chris Schwartz
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Wednesday, May 03 2006 |
Campus Antiwar Network Midwest Regional Conference Report
On
April 22nd the Campus Anti-War Network(CAN) held its Midwest regional
conference at the University of Illinois Chicago(UIC). This years
conference brought together leaders of the student anti-war movement
from 12 different CAN chapters from across the Midwest
Lively
and informative discussions were held on a number of issues related to
the work of CAN. Much of the focus was on the organizing tactics being
deployed by chapters across the Midwest including and analysis of what
is and is not working on our campuses. The discussion included the
sharing of many innovative methods such as the use of facebook.com, art shows, Beer not Bombs", and the incorporation of culture into the movement.
Workshops
covered such issues at the 2006 elections, federal surveillance of
local CAN chapters, and the link between the immigration rights
movement and the anti-war movement.
The plenary sessions
featured; Eric Ahlberg a junior at UIC who served in both Iraq and
Afghanistan and is now a member of Iraq Vets Against the War, Sabah
Khan of the Anti-Minutemen Five who is now facing jail time for her
protest of the Minutemen, Suzanne Adely from Arab Women Arising for
Justice and the Coalition to Protect Peoples Rights, Juan Torres of
Gold Star Families for Peace, and Anthony Arnove author of Iraq, The
Logic of Withdrawal.
The conference voted to call for
nation-wide walkouts in the event of an attack on Iran by the U.S or
other countries acting under the guise of the U.S. They also voted to
endorse an October demonstration to be organized by world Can't Wait,
and the May first day of action demanding rights for immigrants.
The
Midwest CAN conference elected Paul Pryse of UW Madison Stop the War to
serve on the national CAN coordinating committee as a Midwest regional
rep, Pryse will be replacing Niki Robinson from Kent State who will be
graduating this May. At-Large CAN coordinating committee member Chris Schwartz from the University of Northern Iowa Students for Social Justice will fill out his term until next falls national conference.
The
day was capped off with a party held at Jaks Tap featuring Kristen
Ford, Baker London and the Fumes, Matthew Santos and reggae-dub-funk
band, The Dialectics.
contact:
Chris Schwartz
CAN Coordinating Committee Member
University of Northern Iowa Students for Social Justice
415-315-9693
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