Tax Protest: Day of Action on Military Spending
by NWTRCC
by NWTRCC
"If a thousand people were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that
would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them,
and enable the state to commit violence and shed innocent blood."—Henry David Thoreau, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
Tax Day Protests and Events 2012
The numbers are staggering: Over $1 trillion spent so far on the invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001.
The government says the Iraq War is over, but the Pentagon is paying thousands of contractors to continue the occupation. Nearly half of each tax dollar is going to the Pentagon and military contractors.
Get out on (or before) tax day — Tuesday, April 17 is the final day to file this year — to protest the obscene military budget while millions in the world go hungry.
See the action list below, but if there's not an action in your area, order some flyers (list at the bottom) and head out to a busy corner to leaflet for an hour.
List is in development. Email your action to be added to this list.
California
Oakland — Northern Calfornia War Tax Resistance joins with CodePINK, Occupy Oakland, and others in a Global Day of Action Against Military Spending demonstration on Tax Day, April 17, from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Federal Building (1301 Clay St.). Press conference, speakers, and visuals that demonstrate the historical extent of U.S. military interventions and their cost. Expect food and music too. For more information call (510) 842-6124 or see www.nowartax.org.
Petaluma — War tax resisters are participating in The Really Really Free Market — Occupy Petaluma Public Event, Saturday, April 14, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Music, workshops, clothes, art, kids’ activities, plants, seeds, veggies, love, goods and community! See more about the event on Facebook.
Sacramento — Right after tax day Occupy the IRS to Support Cindy Sheehan and Oppose the U.S. Empire Thursday, April 19, 10:30 a.m., U.S. Court, 501 I St. Sacramento, 95814. Peace Activist and Gold Star Mother, Cindy Sheehan, is a conscientious war tax resister. The U.S. Attorney, on behalf of the IRS, has summoned her to court to produce requested documents. This hearing date is just a few days after Tax Day where millions of Americans will help fund the war machine with their hard earned money. Join the event on Facebook.
Colorado
Boulder — Leafleting on the downtown mall, April 15 and 16. Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. Info: (303) 499-9456.
Colorado Springs — Leafleting at the downtown post office, April 16, Noon–1 p.m. Bannering and leafleting during the Space Symposium, April 17+. Sponsored by Citizens for Peace in Space, bsulzman[at]juno.com.
Illinois
Evanston — Leafletting with WRL flyers, Main Post Office, Davis at Oak, April 17, 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Sponsored by Neighbors for Peace, (847) 644-2281 or riegle[at]svsu.edu.
Indiana
South Bend — Michiana War Tax Refusers will leaflet with the WRL pie chart in downtown South Bend over the noon hour on April 17. We will also give people an opportunity to participate in a bean poll to show where they want their taxes to go. For more information call (574) 289-2126 or email: psmith[at]saintmarys.edu
Iowa
Dubuque — Citizens’ Tax Moratorium. Vigil and leafleting with War Tax Boycott cards and other handouts, downtown at Federal Building, 6th and Locust on Friday April 13, Monday April 16, and Tuesday April 17, from 4 p.m.–5 p.m., and every Monday from 4 p.m.–5 p.m. For more information contact John M. Klotz at (563) 583-2586.
Kansas
Newton — April 6, Good Friday, Stations of the Cross walk sponsored by the Heartland Peace Tax Group, (316) 283-6075 for time and meeting place. For a reminder why we resist, see the letter-to-the-editor by Heartland group member Stan Bohn, “How to Start A War With Iran.â€
Louisiana
New Orleans — Vigil and leafleting with “Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes†pie chart flyer. April 16, 4–6 p.m., Main Post Office/Federal Building. Sponsored by Pax Christi New Orleans, (504) 522-3751 or email benhgordon[at]yahoo.com.
Maine
Statewide — Leafleting on Tax Day — April 17 in Maine — at post offices and other public locations in towns and cities around the state. Location list is in formation. Click here to download and copy flyer. For those refusing either phone or income taxes, the Maine War Tax Funds for Life will be accepting refused tax money and re-directing it again this year. Information about both: Larry Dansinger, Maine WTR Resource Center, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, Maine 04951, (207) 525-7776 or rosc[at]psouth.net.
Massachusetts
Worcester — Penny poll and leafletting at the Central Street Post Office, Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.. Sponsored by Worcester Friends Meeting. For more information email mattshorten[at]yahoo.com.
Michigan
Royal Oak — Demonstration at Royal Oak post office sponsored by Peace Action-Michigan. April 17, 3 p.m.–7 p.m. More information: (248) 548-3920 or email: weberodonnell[at]sbcglobal.net.
Missouri
St. Louis — Vigil and leafleting in front of the St. Louis County Government Building (Central and Forsyth in Clayton), April 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sponsored by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Info: hras[at]humanrightsaction.net
New Hampshire
Portsmouth — Penny poll, handing out literature, and talking with people and the press about the military budget. April 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Portsmouth Post Office, 80 Daniel St. Sponsored by Seacoast Peace Response. To help or for info: (603) 436-2424.
Concord and around the state — Leafleting on April 17 about global and U.S. military spending. Sign up for a shift or get leaflets to hand out in your community. New Hampshire Peace Action, (603) 228-0559 or info[@]nhpeaceaction.org
New Jersey
Camden — Brigid’s House Peacecraft sponsors showing of An Act of Conscience on April 15, and a discussion with Randy Kehler on April 28, Brigid’s House, 1719 Ferry Avenue. See the website for details
New York
Ithaca — Ithaca War Tax Resistance invites all to voice our discontent over the government’s misuse of trillions of dollars for projects of killing, destruction, and coercion. Bring signs. Participate in the “draw war to a close†chalk drawings, at the Post Office on Tioga Street, Monday, April 16, Noon–4 p.m. Info: Tom Joyce at (607) 277-7426.
New Paltz — Leafleting at the post office with Occupy New Paltz at various times between April 2 and April 17. All welcome. Email for information and leaflets.
New York City — National War Tax Resistance table at The 6th Annual NYC Anarchist Book Fair, Saturday, April 14, Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Stop by, ask questions, pick up resources. Bookfair info.
Tax Day call to action flyerNew York City — NYC War Resisters League, NYC War Tax Resistance, NYC People’s Life Fund, Granny Peace Brigade, OWS Antiwar, Military Families Speak Out and others will gather at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17 at the Manhattan IRS office (110 W. 44th Street), then march around 5 p.m. with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra to the main Post Office at 34th and 8th Avenue. Or meet us at the PO around 5:30 or 6 p.m. for vigil and leafleting. To download a call-to-action flyer (two half-sheet versions), click here or on the image to right. For more information contact nycwrl@att.net or call (718) 768-7306.
North Carolina
Asheville — Asheville war tax resisters and Occupy Asheville/Financial Working Group are co-sponsoring rally, picket, street theater, leafletting in downtown Asheville, April 14–15. For more information newsouthnetwork[@]gmail.com or call (828) 301-6683 or see actionsouth.blogspot.com.
Franklinville area — Planning is underway for pre-tax day penny poll and leafleting (or whatever develops). To help out, please contact Daniel Woodham, danielwoodham[at]yahoo.com.
Greensboro — “Wars don’t work for the 99%,†a workshop on conscientious opposition to paying for war, coming Sunday, April 8, at Glenwood Coffee and Books, 7:30 p.m., after the Occupy General Assembly. Showing the short film “Death and Taxes†followed by discusssion/questions. For more information contact Daniel Woodham
Oregon
Eugene — “We’d Rather Pay for ____ than War or Wall Street†at downtown post office, April 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. with penny poll, leafletting, public redirection of war taxes, followed by march of mourning for victims of war to the federal building and a rally at the federal building. Sponsored by Taxes for Peace Not War and other groups. Info: calcpeace[at]efn.org or (541) 485-1755, #1.
Portland — Oregon Community for War Tax Resistance (WRL of Portland) hosts Redirection of Taxes Ceremony, Sunday, April 15, 7–9 p.m., Unitarian Church, 12th and Salmon in downtown Portland. Redirected tax dollars will be given to several local group, and there will be a talk by Sharif Abdullah. Monday, April 16, annual “Burma Shave†style sign holding with antiwar, pro-peace slogans across bridges during rush hour. Fun! Contact: (503) 249-6343 or email kimasuegarrison[at]gmail.com or see website.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia — Peace Tax Day and Party for Conscience, Sunday, April 15, 4–6 p.m., sponsored by Center on Conscience and War. House party to celebrate Peace Tax Day. More information: (202) 483-2220 or email maria[at]centeronconscience.org.
Vermont
Brattleboro — Music, vigil, and tabling with war tax resistance literature on Tuesday, April 17, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., outside the Post Office. Other Pioneer Valley tax resisters will be there. We will also be singing anti-war and WTR songs. Sponsored by Pioneer Valley War Tax Resisters. For more information (802) 387-2798 or email dhsicken[at]yahoo.com.
Washington
Seattle — Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR) will be leafletting at several Seattle post offices with the WRL piechart flyers and talking about our Bring Our Billions Home Campaign that calls for ending the wars and redirecting funds to human needs. In addition we’re [still] developing plans to be outside one or more “corporate tax dodgersâ€. To connect with us: wwfor[at]wwfor.org or (206) 789-5565.
Seattle — Greater Seattle Veterans For Peace will be leafleting at the Midtown U.S. Post Office at 301 Union Street (cross street is 3rd Avenue) on Tuesday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. For more information contact Michelle Kinnucan at (206) 297-6746.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee — Milwaukee War Tax Resistance and the Casa Maria Catholic Worker will have a vigil outside the Army Recruiting center at 3133 N. Oakland (by UW-Milwaukee and two high schools) from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday April 17th. There will also be civil disobedience for those interested. For more information, contact Lincoln at (414) 344-5745 or usury_sucks[at]hotmail.com.
List is in development. Email your action to be added to this list.
Click here for workshops
Resources
* War Resisters League — “Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes†flyer, WRL pie chart
* National Priorities Project — how much does your community spend for war?
* National War Tax Resistance — brochures and information about refusing to pay for war
* Friends Committee on National Legislation — federal budget information and flyers
* Global Day of Action on Military Spending — organizing contacts and resources
* Reports and photos from 2011 Tax Day actions
National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)
PO Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215-0553
(718) 768-3420 • (800) 269-7464
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED
http://www.nwtrcc.org/taxday2012.php
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