Two years of war, protest

In protest of the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Students for Peace in Iraq will be hosting the Midwest Peace Summit this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 18-20, at the IUPUI Informatics Complex, 535 W. Michigan St. The three-day event is underwritten by the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center and includes plays, panel discussions by prominent guest-speakers and the “Singing CIA Man” George Schrubb. The event concludes with a rally on Monument Circle Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

“The organizers have done a good job bringing lots of people together from all facets of the peace community,” said Tim Nation, of the Indianapolis Peace and Learning Center. “They’ve got people with specialties ranging from education, conflict prevention and national and international politics.” Nation will participate in a children’s conflict-resolution workshop on Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

In addition to the anti-war events downtown, United States of Mind will be hosting a “Poetry Peace Jam” Friday night at 9 p.m. — an early addition to their usual open-mic. The Melody Inn will also host a special concert beginning Saturday at 2 p.m., featuring Gentleman Caller, America Owns the Moon, Margot and the Nuclear So-And-So’s, Flat 5, The Shivers and many others. Admission is $10 and all proceeds benefit the Midwest Peace Summit.

“Mike Menke of IUPUI Radio asked us if we wanted to do this,” says J. Morris of the Melody Inn. “I think it’s great if we can throw a benefit to support groups and organizations dedicated to making better changes in the community.”

Friday’s events commence at 9:30 a.m., with guest speakers ranging from IUPUI and Butler professors to speakers from Manchester College. Some notable panel discussions include the unlawfulness of pre-emptive war by professors Johnny Goldfinger and Harry Vanderlinden, of IUPUI and Butler, respectively. Registration for most events is free. At 8 p.m. the Midwest Peace Summit will present three original one-act plays in Room 252. Admission is $5.
Saturday’s events commence at 9 a.m. and include veteran Harold Donle, who will give a “Veteran’s Testimony for Peace” as part of a panel discussion at 10:30 a.m. Saturday’s keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning political analyst Michael Parenti, who will present “Democracy vs. Empire” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Following a two-hour dinner break, “The Singing CIA Agent” will deliver hilarious satire from 8-10 p.m.

Sunday’s events begin at the Informatics Complex at 10 a.m., then move to a noontime rally on Monument Circle until 3 p.m. With the exception of Friday’s plays and Saturday’s benefit concert at the Melody, all events are free to the public.