Veterans for Peace National Convention 2009

The VFP National convention took place near our nation's capital at the University of Maryland's College Park Campus between August 5 -9, 2009. More than 350 people attended the 5 day convention. Members of Veterans for Peace were joined by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out and others for the packed schedule of meetings, plenary sessions, cultural events, film screenings, press conferences and 42 workshops. Vietnam: American Holocaust was shown on the first night and was very well received.

How do we build the anti-war movement under the new conditions?

This seemed to be the overriding question that the activist at the convention wanted to address. Everyone acknowledged that with the ousting of the Bush Gang and the election of the Obama Presidency and now especially with the economic crisis, we have entered a new period with new conditions and new challenges for our movement.. How do we change what we are doing so that we can build a much broader and more effective movement? This was the main topic of discussion at the convention.

I am presenting these three videos, composed of material captured at the convention, because the speakers and participates fearlessly addressed these questions and had something to say that deserves a larger audience.

Bill Fletcher Keynote

Bill Fletcher gave a very timely speech at the Veterans for Peace National Convention on August 8, 2009, U. of Maryland, College Park. He is introduced by Mike Ferner, President of VFP. [26 minutes]

"Break Through" Workshop

Selections from the "How Do We Break Through?" workshop at the Veterans for Peace National Convention August 5 - 9, 2009 in Collge Park, Maryland. This workshop took place on Friday and was led by Mike Ferner, Patrick McCann & Michael McPhearson.[60 minutes]

VFP Goes to Church

Veterans for Peace National Convention had a Community Event at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ on Friday, August 7, 2009 Cameron Barron and Jane English, emcee (VFP chapter 016 - Washington, DC) Speakers included Chantelle Bateman, President, DC chapter, Iraq Veterans Against the War; Rev. Graylon Hagler, pastor, Plymouth United; Parisa Nourzi, Empowerment DC; Michael McPhearson, Executive Director, VFP; Rev. Lennox Yearwood, President, Hip Hop Caucus; Elaine Johnson (Military Families Speak Out); Lucy Murphy and friends (cultural performance); Ameer Shurrab (Palestinian, Gaza Strip) [60 minutes]