When: Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 12 Noon – 1:00 p.m.
What: A Nonviolent Safe Distance Vigil and Prayer Service for Peace and Justice during the annual AFA Air-Space-Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition, what we call an "Arms Bazaar." This year the Arms Bazaar is being held in person and virtually for those not able to attend. This witness is being held on the International Day of Peace (see: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace), and in solidarity with Campaign Nonviolence, who will be sponsoring a week-long series of actions nationwide from September 18-26. Over 4,200 actions are being planned in the U.S. and abroad this year. For more info see: https://paceebene.org/action-week.
For more info about the AFA Arms Bazaar see:
https://www.afa.org/events/calendar/2021-09-20/air-space-cyber-conference
Where: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745. We will meet for the vigil at the corner of Waterfront St. and St. George Blvd., directly across from the Gaylord National Resort.
Sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker
For more info contact: Art Laffin - 202-360-6416, artlaffin@hotmail.com
"Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade." --Pope Francis, September 24, 2015 Speech to the U.S. Congress
From September 20-22, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is once again playing host to the Air Force Association (AFA) "Air-Space-Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition," what we call an "Arms Bazaar." The AFA, according to its web site, is "the voice for aerospace power and the Air Force family." This year's theme marking the 75th anniversary of the AFA is:
“AIR AND SPACE LEADERSHIP FOR OUR NATION – TODAY AND TOMORROW.” According the AFA web site, "Over 12,000 people registered for the last in-person Air, Space & Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition including top decision-makers from the Air Force. The last in-person conference broke records for attendance and we fully expect another record-breaking crowd this fall."
More than 140 exhibitors taking part in this year's Arms Bazaar have played a prominent role in U.S. warmaking. Weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE, are profiting from war and literally are making a killing!
See:https://www.afa.org/events/airspacecyber2021/sponsor-listing.
But that's not all. The Pentagon and numerous arms dealers are committed to U.S. nuclear/military/cyber superiority and militarizing and controlling space.
During its three-day Arms Bazaar, the AFA will hold forums addressing how the U.S. can refine its warmaking apparatus and cyber capability so it can dominate earth and space.
See: https://www.afa.org/events/airspacecyber2021/agenda.
Here are titles for three of the forums: "Total Force--Air and Space," "From Acquistion to Lethality," "Fighting and Winning in Space." Additionally, there will be two gala banquets. We decry the AFA Arms Bazaar for what it is: a scandalous affront to God, a theft from the poor, and a threat to people and the environment worldwide!
The victims cry out for justice, and the earth, under daily assault, groans in travail! Who will speak for the poor and the victims, as arms dealers reap huge profits from their lethal weapons and death technology? Who will protect our sacred earth and environment? Who will help to convert the U.S. war economy to meet urgent human needs? We need, more than ever, to nonviolently resist all U.S. warmaking, racism and oppression--from Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Gaza and elsewhere, and all systemic violence in every city and town in our country. Together, let us continue to do all we can to establish the Beloved Community, end the climate crisis, eradicate poverty and create a world free of nuclear and conventional weapons, killer drones, war, racial hatred and oppression. In the name of God, who calls us to love and not to hate, demonize and kill, and to beat all the swords of our time into plowshares, it's time to end this Arms Bazaar!
Please join with members of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Pax Christi and other peacemakers as we seek to say YES to Life and a resounding NO to the merchants of death and war profiteers.
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