Newsletters

macphee_marchinglogo

Illustration by Josh MacPhee,
courtesy of justseeds.org.

malik

Mohammed Malik

rosefest

Not So Rosy

In June, about 18 of us with the Oregon Community for War Tax Resistance/War Resisters League gathered at the Rose Festival in downtown Portland to protest the presence of the military recruiters. The vultures (recruiters) set up shop near the Fun Center, where rides and games attract the younger crowds. Since the first Gulf War, I have slowly raised my awareness around issues of war tax resistance, starting with refusing to pay the 3% excise tax on my phone bill, to living below the poverty level without feeling deprived, and on to talking to high school students about options other than the military after graduating.

In the picture above you can see a large check in the background. It was made by the Navy, and in the memo part it says something like “for dental work, tuition, and health care,” as if they would give any one an amount like that in one lump sum! I protest at the Rose Festival in front of the military booths because I think another world, another way is possible, and hope that those considering joining the military will find peaceful paths to making the world a better place. The easiest way to prevent veterans is to encourage students to not join the military in the first place!
— Kima Garrison, Oregon Community for War Tax Resistance/WRL – Portland Chapter

billboard

Create Your Own Billboard

Many of us have large, mobile billboards that we call motor vehicles. These vehicles are observed by hundreds of cars and people every day. Why not use ‘em as political/educational statements? I display my favorite poster, which is available from Bread and Puppet, 753 Heights, Glover, Vermont 05839, for $10. I order it in black and white, color it, and laminate it. Altogether it lasts about a year (sometimes replacing the packing tape). For a small amount of money one has a great way of connecting with folks whether
moving or parked.
— redmoonsong, Asheville, North Carolina

NCtaxday

War tax resister Daniel Woodham (left) joined with Toni Etheridge and Merrill Daniels of Almanac Peace Action (APA) in Burlington, North Carolina, to leaflet and hold banners in front of the post office. Photo courtesy of APA.

HA-Penner-at-horsham

Peace Tax Fund board treasurer and 1040 for Peace member H.A. Penner, left, with Melissa Elliot from Philadelphia. Photos by John Lien, Coalition for Peace Action.

WRL Chicago Tax Day 2016

Chicago Area War Resisters Support Group, the Hyde Park Center for Nonviolent Action, Catholic Worker center Su Casa, UUSJ Peace Task Force, and WRL Chicago Chapter sponsored a “Pay No War Tax Demonstration” at Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago. Brad Lyttle took his turn at the microphone, which resonated across the plaza, while others distributed pie chart flyers to people entering the nearby post
office. Photo by Charles Paidock.

carol-and-brian-march-in-DC-2016

South Carolina WTR Carol Coney (left on banner) spent a week in Washington, DC, at the Democracy Spring actions, which were organized by a coalition of groups with a call to “get money out of politics.” The week coincided with traditional tax day, so other WTRs joined Carol for a vigil at IRS headquarters, carried the banner to a “no taxation without representation” rally for D.C. statehood, and then marched to
the Capitol to meet up with the Democracy Spring demonstration. Brian Barrett from Baltimore has the other end of the banner. Photo by Ruth Benn