The Saugerties Committee For Peace and Social Justice

From Sue Rosenberg:

Dear Friends

Last Wednesday evening about 10 of us met at the Muddy Cup/Inquiring Mind in Saugerties. We talked in part about our ongoing Saturday vigil and in part about what next as we usher in the new Obama administration.

Though some groups around the county have decided to suspend their vigils, after much talk, we all agreed that as long as the war continues to rage, as long as American and Iraqi people's lives are at risk, we will continue to be stand up for peace.

We are all more than thrilled that Barack Obama will be our new President, many worked in some way or another for his campaign. We understand that there are enormous pressures on the Obama Administration- the powers and interests which created the war, social injustice, environmental dangers, etc etc still remain strong. This is why we felt it more important than ever to be visible and vocal and to wrestle with the very complex issues which face the country. President Obama will need a strong force to support and encourage the progressive agenda which embodies that hope for change we yearn for.

So we will be meeting with anyone interested at the Muddy Cup/Inquiring Mind on Wed. Dec. 10th at 7 pm

The questions we will address are: What do we think should be the priorities for the new Administration, how can we tap the incredible energy and organizing which went into the Obama Campaign and how can we find ways to maintain the coalitions which developed during the long campaign and how can we be most effective.
(some of us are also asking, "How can we get to the Inaugural in Jan.??)

There are a lot of groups meeting to address these issues. Moveon.com is one which set up meetings around the country and has one plan to get people's voices to Washington.

We know that this is a season full of meetings, and parties and volunteer work, but we hope that you will be able to make it on Dec. 10th to help sort out what next steps we can take. Lets keep the energy going.

Thanks
Sue