Connecting the dots between Wars and Refugees as Presidential Candidates visit the Capital District!

At our February meeting of the Beyond Afghanistan/No Drones Project we began planning for informational leafleting of the people who would be waiting to hear the Presidential candidates expected to come to the Capital District to campaign before the April 19^th  New York State primaries. Lots of enthusiasm and lots of good ideas followed.

We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reach hundreds of people who waited outside to hear the candidate(s) of their choice.

The method we chose to do this was a combination of leaflets that included questions for candidates about how they would deal with ending the wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and now, Libya. In addition to informational leafleting we held our new banner “Wars Make Refugees” and several signs welcoming refugees and opposing Islamophobia.

Bernie rally at the armory, April 11, photo by Mabel Leon

Here’s the text of our leaflet (printed on bold fuchsia paper):

WARS MAKE REFUGEES: Candidate Questions    

Wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen & now Libya, are fueled by US drone strikes, massive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the deployment of special forces. They are causing the deaths of innocent civilians, destroying communities and creating more refugees every day.

SYRIA: 9.5 million people already displaced. Will you support an international arms embargo, including US arms shipments?

IRAQ:  Over 2 million people already displaced. Will you support negotiations instead of drone strikes & bombing?

YEMEN:  1.5 million people already displaced. Will you end US support for the Saudi-led campaign which is killing civilians and destroying the country?

Our first round of leafleting and vigiling happened on Monday, April 4, 2016.  It was complicated by an unexpected snowstorm featuring 5-6 inches of heavy, wet snow that was still falling through mid afternoon.  That limited the number of people who could be there but there were still stalwart leafleters and banner holders at the (Bernie less) Bernie Sanders rally at Capitol Park in Albany and the Hillary Clinton rally, at the High School in Cohoes.

Wars make refugees rally in the snow at Capitol, April 4, 2016, photo by Mabel Leon

Then on Thursday, April 7^th WAW members and allies were there when Ted Cruz visited Mekeel Christian Academy in Scotia.

Gazette photo of leafleting at Cruz rally in Scotia, April 7, 2016

Mark at Ted Cruz rally, April 7, 2016, Scotia NY, photo by Maud

For more details about April 4^th and April 7^th please see Maud Easter’s blog article in the Times Union

The next round of educational leafleting took place on Monday, April 11^th when three of the candidates all visited Albany and Troy on the same day, but thankfully at different times and in much more hospitable weather.

We were there for the Bernie Sanders rally during the many hours that people waited outside in long lines for his 2 PM rally at the Washington Avenue Armory, in Albany.

Long lines waiting for Bernie, photo by Mabel

banner and signs outside Bernie Rally, April 11, 2016, photo by Mabel Leon

Elaine at the Bernie Rally, April 11, 2016, photo by Mabel

Mark and Dot at Bernie rally at the armory, April 11, photo by Mabel Leon

Some of us leafleted and held our banner and signs outside the John Kasich rally at LaSalle Institute in Troy.  We were in place by 1 PM and stayed until the rally began at 2:30 PM.

Priscilla outside John Kasich rally, April 11, 2016, photo by Paul Buckowski of TU

Marcia leafleting outside Kasich rally, 4/11, photo Maud Easter

Hazel and Dinah leafleting at the John Kasich rally, photo by Priscilla Fairbank

Marcia and Sheree at the Kasich rally, photo by Priscilla

And at 4 PM we joined the very large crowd outside the Times Union Center waiting to enter and hear Donald Trump speak at 7 PM.

Outside the Trump rally , April 11, 2016 photo by Paul Buckowski, TU

Special kudos to Maud Easter, who took the ball and ran with it.  Writing the first draft of the leaflet and above all juggling and fitting together all of the many moving parts that changed as we found out more about dates, times, locations, and special parking restrictions near the candidate venues.

Thanks to all who contributed time, energy and spirit  leafleting, schlepping and carrying banners and signs, documenting in words and photos, sharing information, and organizing our presence at the Bernie, Hillary,  Kasich, Trump, and Cruz events.

Syracuse Cultural Workers design for button based on WAW wording, submitted by Anita Stanley