Change Name of "War" Memorial

Announcing Drive to Change the Name

of “War Memorial” in San Francisco to

JUSTICE, DEMOCRACY AND PEACE MEMORIAL

For more information, contact justicedemocracypeace@yahoo.com or 415.867.7120

The Bay View National Black Newspaper, Foundations For Our Nu Alkebulan/ Afrikan Millennium (FONAMI), members of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), participants in the African Initiative of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning American Friends Service Committee and other groups, call on residents, organizations and elected officials of the Bay Area to join in our campaign to change the name of the “war memorial” complex in San Francisco’s Civic Center to the JUSTICE, DEMOCRACY AND PEACE MEMORIAL. A special letter requesting the change to the Board and Staff of the current War Memorial last year (Memorial Day 2004) was met with a simple response that: “The (War Memorial) Board is not interested in changing the name.”

Certainly, that response is inadequate. If we can change the name of our streets to better reflect our contemporary society, and honor significant heroes and sheroes, or have corporations put their logo on stadiums and buildings, then why not remove “war” and promote justice, democracy and peace in our public spaces? After all, hundreds of millions of people around the world have lost their lives, or had them shortened or damaged, in the current and past war(s). Innocent civilians and soldiers have perished in the belief that they were fighting for justice, democracy, peace and a better way of life; not for the cause of war. As one of the leading cities in the world, San Francisco has a long tradition of supporting the movements for human rights, self-determination and peace around the world. That is why we want to use the occasions of Memorial Day, and the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco, in June 1945, to promote the principles and charter of the U.N., and its Universal Declaration on Human Rights. You can assist us in this effort by:

Endorsing and circulating our petition to change the name of the “war” memorial complex in San Francisco (and other cities, like Oakland) to Justice, Democracy and Peace Memorial, formerly known as ‘War’ Memorial.” (PLEASE JOIN US FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, 30 MAY, NOON, AT VAN NESS & MACALLISTER STREETS;

Encouraging local and national media to help promote justice, democracy and peace by joining with the Bay View National Black Newspaper in reprinting the United Nations’ charter, Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and other important documents relating to the founding and ongoing work of the U.N. in upcoming editions and expanding coverage and discussion on these topics;

Asking leaders in our diverse spiritual and religious communities to deliver sermons and special sessions promoting justice, democracy and peace;

Requesting area school districts, colleges and universities promote the principles of justice, democracy and peace by holding special programs, dialogues and classes on the U.N. and Declaration on Human Rights over the summer and in the coming school year(s);

Having local artists and students create special works on the themes of justice, democracy and peace;

Supporting the development of a special monument commemorating the U.N.’s founding in San Francisco outside the Veteran’s building at Van Ness and Macallister streets, for the world to see. (This is not to take away from the fabulous U.N. Plaza three blocks away, or the postings on the inside of the Veteran’s Building.)

You and your organization can support this effort by replying to: For Justice, Democracy and Peace Memorial, c/o Bay View National Black Newspaper, 4917 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94124, by email at justicedemocracypeace@yahoo.com or by calling 415.867.7120. Volunteers and contributions are most welcome. Make checks payable to Bay View. Many, many thanks for your support.