Local peace events linked to King holiday 
By JILL BRYCE
Gazette Reporter

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ALBANY - With war against Iraq appearing more likely, local peace
activists voiced their anti-war message Thursday and announced a
number of events to coincide with Martin Luther King Day that will
incorporate the slain civil rights leader's nonviolent approach.
Members of Capital District for Justice and Peace met at the Social
Justice Center where they made peace banners to be used in upcoming
vigils and marches planned for the King holiday.

"We want to increase our own visibility in the community," said
Catherine Callan, a member of the group. "We want people to be aware
there is a very active peace movement in this area and who they can
contact to get started."

The group hopes to resist war, racism and injustice through peaceful
actions, she said.

"I'm afraid that war seems imminent," said Joe Seeman, a member of the
group. "We will address the issues that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke
about. We think there will be a lot of participation."

King strongly opposed war and though it was unpopular at the time, he
spoke out against the Vietnam War.

"Is this going to be a year of peace or a year of war?" asked
Seeman. "This country can let our leaders take us into a bloody war,
where thousands will die, or we can stop it. We have a choice. We must
let the leaders know that people will not take it."

There's been a groundswell of local public opposition to war with
Iraq, according to Seeman. Attendance at weekly meetings of Capital
District for Justice and Peace has increased in the last few
months. Fifty to 100 people have been attending weekly anti-war vigils
in Saratoga Springs.

"If enough people express opposition to this war, our leaders have to
listen and act on it," said Connie LaPorta, a board member of the
Social Justice Center.

"I think a lot of people are opposed to war and what the
administration is doing, many people are becoming more vocal. The
media tries to say there are not many of us, but even those who don't
consider themselves activists are against this war," said LaPorta.

"The fact we are looking at the annual Martin Luther King holiday and
connecting it with work for peace and racial justice is very
important," said Barbara Smith, a member of Capital District for
Justice and Peace.

Smith said the media does not provide Americans sufficient information
about alternatives to a military response in Iraq.

Capital District for Justice and Peace was established after the
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and is a loosely knit group of peace
activists.

The group Thursday urged everyone to celebrate King's peace work and
outlined a series of upcoming events:


Jan. 17: A Candlelight Peace March against a war on Iraq will begin at
4:30 p.m. from the state Capitol to Townsend Park in Albany. It will
end with a rally at 4:45 p.m in Townsend Park.

Jan. 18: Buses will transport people from the Capital Region to
Washington, D.C., for a national anti-war demonstration. Nine buses
are reserved and the cost is $40, or $20 for low-income families.

Jan. 19: The Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of the Schenectady
County Human Rights Commission's 18th annual march and celebration in
honor of King's message of peace. The march begins at 2 p.m. in front
of the First United Methodist Church at 603 State St. A program on
"Youth and the Connection to the Civil Rights Movement" will follow
the march.

Jan. 20: The Center for Law and Justice "People's Celebration of
Martin Luther King's Life and Principles" will be held beginning at
8:30 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building. A march will kick off
around noon.  "Martin Luther King and Labor" will begin at noon at the
Thomas O'Brien Academy near Lincoln Park in Albany. Local labor
solidarity groups co-host this event.

The Troy Area United Ministries is hosting a breakfast at 8 a.m. at
the Italian Community Center at 1450 Fifth Ave. in Troy. Featured
speaker is Eddie Ade Knowles, vice president of student life at
RPI. Tickets are $20 and proceeds will benefit TAUM's student
scholarship fund.

Contact Jill Bryce at 432-4391 or bryce@dailygazette.com.
reply to Gazette Newspapers: gazette@dailygazette.com