Peace by Peace
-Stephanie Gamarra

The Social Justice Club is reaching out to greater organizations for inspiration and ideas for the club. On Saturday October 20^th, Sydney Scott, Founder and President of the Dublin High Social Justice Club attended a Peace Conference in San Francisco held by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 10.

At the Conference there were several speakers, including residents of the Bay Area. One Speaker was a representative of the OEA (Oakland Education Association), who spoke on behalf of Urban Schools throughout the Bay Area and cost cuts resulting in loss of extra curriculum activities within the schools.

She explained the negatives of the No Child Left Behind Act and how it leaves many children in the dust. She also clarified that as teachers they are told to concentrate on students who are closer to the State goals and forget the lower scoring children because they won’t help test scores.

She lastly touched on the War Costs. She compared the current amount of money that has been spent, over 400 billion dollars, on the War with Iraq and shared the numbers of the thousands of kids who could have received better education and opportunities with that money. Other speakers also traveled from Japan and Britain to speak against the War and for Peace.

One of the most inspirational speakers was a man who focused on Civil Rights and segregation that is still among us today. He explained The War at Home and inspired the crowd to a chant.

Overall the Speakers were inspirational and all made good points. A main focus of the conference was to encourage people to attend the protest next Saturday, October 27^th against the war in Iraq . The march will begin at the Civic Center and move forward to the Dolores Park.

The conference, by large, gave lots of information and inspiration to those who attended. If you are interested in joining the Social Justice Club or attending similar events contact Junior, Sydney Scott.