Minnesota 8 "Peace and War in the Heartland"

The Project

For the full text click on "Peace and War in the Heartland - What has history taught us?" This is a work-in-progress. It is a document which will continual to evolve as the Project develops and is changed through sponsorship and participant input. A Project budget is attached. $170,000.00 funding is sought.

Objectives
o To foster a timely public dialogue concerning the perennial issue of Peace and War in light of America’s response to terroristic warfare through its first-ever, historically unprecedented preemptive strike against another country

o To initiate a broad public conversation about the individual’s moral responsibility to governmental actions in a world of global economics, global communications and global citizenship

o To present the history of the mid-western Heartland’s response to this issue through a range of educational events using a broad range of multi-media and telecommunication channels, drawing upon events and lessons learned since the Vietnam War era

o To create an original record and documentation of Minnesota’s peace and war history, using the Minnesota History Theatre’s play focused on the “Minnesota 8” theme as publicity catalyst

Events - The Project consists of a two year cycle with an annual six week event. The first event is tentatively set for the fall of 2006. This coincides with the History Theatre’s “Raw Stages” event. At this performance, the public participates in critiquing the first draft of the play. The second six week event will be launched when the play is finally produced. The theatrical curtain is anticipated to rise during late fall of 2007.

Event Topics - Conveners will be sought from a wide range of thematic areas including art, history, political science, theology, education, journalism, ethnic-refugee of war groups, veterans associations, the healthcare industry, and women’s organizations, among others.

Event Headliners - The Minnesota 8 trial involved several people who have attained national and international stature. It is anticipated that these will endorse the Project and make presentations. Daniel Ellsberg www.ellsberg.net was a trial witness who eventually released the “Pentagon Papers.” Molly Ivins www.alternet.org/columnists/1406/ was a Minneapolis newspaper cub-reporter whose byline is now national.

Event Themes - History, Political Science, Theology, Journalism, Ethnic-Refugee of Wars groups, Veterans Groups of every camp, Healthcare, Women’s Organizations, International Law, and others.

What can you or your organization do?

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