Center for Citizen Initiatives

Bringing Russian and American citizens together in Peace since 1983.

US Conference of Mayors (1,407 cities) Speak Out!

Dear CCI Friends,

At last America’s Mayors speak out against President Obama’s decision to spend $1,000,000,000,000 (trillion) on advanced American nuclear weapon systems in the near future.

Unfortunately our mainstream media don’t cover this kind of material today, perhaps believing that it’s better not to alarm Americans? Or simply wishing not to be stopped in their tracks?

If Americans across the country learn of this, it could help spearhead a nationwide rejection of the dangerous position in which we find ourselves in 2016.

Please call your Mayor and learn his/her position on this resolution. Let us know your response. Let’s find ways to buttress this effort and increase its momentum.

Since they’re not likely to hear about the Mayors’ action through the mainstream media, please consider letting your friends and colleagues know about this blog post.

Together we might make a difference.

Sharon

theAntiMedia.org

1,400 US Mayors Just Slammed the White House for Risking Nuclear War With Russia

Everett Numbers

(ANTIMEDIA) Indianapolis, IN — War games and nuclear policy perpetuated by the Obama administration are “fueling growing tensions”with Russia and putting the world at risk of a nuclear war, according to an official nonpartisan organization consisting of 1,407 mayors and other leaders of cities with 30,000 or more inhabitants.

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Russians Ask “Why Do You Demonize Us When We Are So Much Like You?”

The following piece was written by CCI trip participant Ann Wright based on her experiences during the just-concluded CCI Russia trip.

OpEdNews.com

Russian kids attending a youth camp called Artek in Crimea.
Russian kids attending a youth camp called Artek in Crimea.

I’ve just ended two weeks visiting cities in four regions of Russia. The one question that was asked over and over was, “Why does America hate us? Why do you demonize us?” Most would add a caveat — “I like American people and I think YOU like us individually but why does the American government hate our government?”

This article is a composite of the comments and questions that were asked to our 20-person delegation and to me as an individual. I do not attempt to defend the views but offer them as an insight into the thinking of many of the persons we came into contact with in meetings and on the streets.

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Russia Doesn’t Look Like a Failing State

Dear friends,

Yalta Scene
Street scene in Yalta.

I’m writing this while in flight having just left Russia. This trip was the “richest” experience in my hundreds of trips to Russian cities in the past 33 years. U.S. media tell us that under the pressure of sanctions and low oil prices the Russian economy is failing, but after seeing Russia this spring one has to question this.

I traveled to Russia numerous times during the drabness and product scarcity of the Soviet years (1983 – 1989). Following that, I spent months each year in Russia amid the disintegration, lawlessness and chaos of the 1990’s. During this period Russians had lost all hope in themselves and in Russia at large. I watched during the 2000’s as a semblance of order began to slowly emerge. During this period I also noticed Russians beginning to question “Who are we? What is our “National Idea?”

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We Just Arrived Back from Russia

Yesterday our CCI group arrived back in the US from Russia. Twenty of us traveled to six Russian cities where we interacted with citizens from many levels of Russian society. It was an amazing experience.

Our group meets with local government and NGO representatives in Simferopol, Crimea.
Our group meets with local government and NGO representatives in Simferopol, Crimea.

We witnessed street life, businesses, NGO’s, youth groups, private medical clinics, new housing developments surrounding the cities, and well-kept city parks. We met with city officials and traveled by metro and taxis. We met in homes with Russian people from many walks of life.

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Some Reflections from our Recent Trip to Russia

By David and Jan Hartsough

We have recently returned from a two week citizen’s diplomacy peace delegation to six cities in Russia under the auspices of the Center for Citizen Initiatives.

Our trip included visits with journalists, political leaders, teachers and students, doctors and medical clinics, veterans of past wars, representatives of small businesses and nongovernmental organizations, youth camps, and home visits.

Since David’s earlier visits to Russia over the past fifty-five years, much has changed.  He was struck by how much new building and construction has taken place, and the “westernization” of clothing, styles, advertising, automobiles and traffic, as well as  global corporations and private companies and stores.

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