Resolution from the PMA–Working for Peace and Social Justice in Michigan

Resolution from the PMA–Working for Peace and Social Justice in Michigan

Because people throughout the state of Michigan have seen their jobs evaporate, their  housing disappear, their children ill-educated and then sent to fight disastrous wars; because they are denied access to information on how the military-industrial-prison complex both pollutes their beautiful state and drains it of resources for a liveable future,
We commit to a Walk Across Michigan, to occur between Independence Day and Labor Day of 2011.  This walk, with a working title of “A Moveable Peace: Re-creating the Commons” will have as its theme mobilizing Michigan's millions to work in every non-violent way possible to provide money for Michigan, not for war. We see the possibilities of other states modeling similar walks, tailoring them to specific concerns.

We commit to planning and executing the Walk Across Michigan, which will

Give communities throughout the state opportunities both to listen and to be heard by providing a space for public discussion and cooperation that is not owned, controlled, or influenced by corporate and government interests.

Enable progressive organizations to pool their efforts for a common cause while simultaneously encouraging individual communities and groups to pursue specific agendas of peace, justice, and the environment.

Work to establish a state Commission on Peace and Justice, similar to the present stajhhhte Commission on Aging and to join the campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace

Unite progressive groups throughout Michigan in an eco-friendly and environmentally conscious walk/bike/canoe/sail, which will begin in Detroit on Independence Day, 2011 and conclude at the Mackinaw Bridge on Labor Day.  Multiple walks converging from East Michigan, West Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula are a possibility.

To this end, we commit to:

1) Weekly conference calls, coordinated by the Michigan Peace Network (MPN) www.michiganpeacenetwork.org.  The MPN, however, is not an organization and therefore cannot assume responsibility for leading the Moveable Peace.  If the Moveable Peace is going to move, responsibilities must be shared by many groups throughout the state.

2) Inviting local groups to host the walk in their area and to provide venues for seminars, discussions, speakers, films, music, community work projects, and other appropriate events

3) Drafting a mission statement that would include such principles as creating a culture of peace and non-violence and  a culture of union and cooperation between all people, particularly those marginalized and/or deemed not part of our commons.

4) Implementing task forces for outreach, logistics, research, media, art, etc.   

5) Tapping into the tremendous energy generated by USSF2010 to particularly involve youth at all levels of leadership and planning.

And we call on others in the U.S. and the state of Michigan to join us in advancing and implementing  these visions.