Lancaster Reportback

What Lancaster SDS is up to by Amber Nitchman & Josh Graupera, Lancaster SDS

Lately Lancaster SDS has been focusing on anti-war and environmental work. We joined with the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice and the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness to form Lancaster Support the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). Lancaster Supports IVAW held a series of fund raisers for IVAW that helped raise awareness about and support for IVAW: a concert, a booze not bombs festival, and a film festival featuring Turtles Can Fly, The Ground Truth, Why We Fight, and Sir No Sir!. Through those fund raisers we raised almost $5,000 for IVAW. Some of that money was saved for the soon to be Lancaster chapter of IVAW. Lancaster SDS plans to continue supporting G.I.’s by helping the Lancaster chapter of IVAW and working with churches in Lancaster to expand the support network for servicemen and women. Lancaster SDS also helped organize the rally for the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War in downtown Lancaster. The night before the rally, Jana El-Horr, a Fulbright Scholar and member of the American Islamic Congress, spoke about her work with the American Islamic Congress and her experience as a Muslim women in America. Over 700 people attending the rally, town hall meeting, and candlelight vigil the next day.

Recently we collected and sent care packages to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is now going to be a monthly event and we hope to gather people in the community, no matter their stance on the war, to provide physical aid to those who need it. Additionally, we’re working to get informed recruitment materials in the guidance offices of all the public high schools in Lancaster County.

Regarding environmental work, Lancaster SDS partnered with the Lancaster Free Market to sponsor two community forums: one in December about environmental friendliness during the holidays, and recently one for Earth Day featuring speakers on Urban Agriculture and Recycled Jewelry. Also for Earth Day Lancaster SDS held a trash pick-up and picnic open to the community. In our schools we have been working on getting and improving recycling. Our future plans include a basketball tournament to raise funds for the Threshold Foundation and their community garden Dig It!, which sponsors a summer program for inner-city youth to learn about organic farming and sustainable living.

Finally, we are planning a meet-up for all student groups in Lancaster working for social change. We hope to create a network of student organizations that can support each other in the future.