Rockford Unitarian Universalist Church hosted this conference which included participant workshops and a march as well as time to reaqaint with old friends and make new ones.
In the Nonviolent Civil Disobedience experienced activists related their experiences and discussion ensued. While it was not a training, we all gained furthur insight into the philosophy and need. It also earned points with the younger folk ; ) The Woodstock Unitarian Church did do a Civil Disobedience training this past Tuesday.
Another useful workshop was hosted by Noel Williams of WTVO Channel 17 in Rockford. She shared with us their news gathering process and how we can plan our events for times more conducive to getting coverage. She also pointers included the importance of faxing press releases later in the morning after the 8am stack had been cleared by the editor. While many people expressed a certain level of frustration with the TV media, we were also thankful for her help. Someone also pointed out that many of the field reporters have been compromised in their mission by executives that answer to corporate owners.
Many students were there and a workshop on Organizing at Schools was very useful. A few people opened up by talking on their experience and the whole group participated in expressing problems and suggesting solutions. I wished I had been as enlightened as these kids are.
The afternoon discussion of ideas and priorties revealed that we did not wish to become too formalized but to keep working in our communities yet still network. A website is being planned soon as well. As many people came out of the eighties Central American
movement, Nuclear Disarmament, and other issues it was readily aknowledged that we do not limit ourselves to the war on Iraq. Particularly the Palestine issue.
Veterans for Peace lead the March of over 160 people up the hill to the intersection of Alpine and State. Responses were mostly honks of solidarity though a few people were quite angry at the sight. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. It was a fine example of the real substance of this Peace Movement, grassroots people doing what needs to be done as they see needs arrise. Learning from the older folks, being inspired by the youth of the kids. Pragmatism without dogma. A lawyer "apologising" for his anarchic tendencies.

CONTACT:
To get ahold of any of the member groups please send a short email to NIPG (at) yahoogroups.com

GROUPS PRESENT:
Unitarian Universalist Church Rockford
Unitarian Universalist Church Geneva
Unitarian Universalist Church Madison Wisconsin
Food not Bombs
Rockford Peace and Justice Action Committee
People for Peace Northwestern Illinois (based in Freeport)
Fox Valley Citizens for Peace
Sauk Valley Interfaith Peace Action
McHenry County Peace Group
DeKalb Interfaith Network
Winnebago Boone Local Illinois Green Party
Amnesty International
We the People Peace and Justice Coalition (Aurora)
The New Dixon Illinois peace group
Students from Rock Valley College, Janesville Craig High School, North Boone High School, Woman's International League for Peace and Freedom of Rockford College