Dear Al, We are 5 days away from the largest annual peace event in Massachusetts. It comes as the two most heavily armed nuclear powers maneuver on Ukraine's borders and as the US continues with its drone strikes, Afghanistan occupation and its regime change efforts from Syria to Venezuela.  JOIN US this Sunday, March 16, to stand for Peace! People's Parade for Peace, Equality, Jobs, Environmental Stewardship, Social & Economic Justice - Sunday, March 16 Unite, Participate, Celebrate Sunday, March 16, 2014, 2:00 pm *** Assembly Time Changed! *** D Street & West Broadway, South Boston • Broadway MBTA (Red Line)  • Look for white "Vets for Peace" Flags *** Note New Start Time! *** Assemble: 2pm.  Parade start: 3pm   Sign Up to Attend and Bring your Organization's Banner! Veterans For Peace is organizing what parade organizers call the only “Peace Parade” in the country. The Peace Parade is energizing, with great music, great messages and just a lot of fun for everyone. It is also an important opportunity to send a strong message that the American people are determined to reverse the militarist foreign policy that literally threatens the survival of our planet and steals food from the table of the hungry and housing from the homeless. The Peace Parade steps off behind the official St. Patrick's Day Parade which was initiated to celebrate Irish culture and contributions to our country. Sadly, in recent years, the official parade has become most famous or notorious for discrimination and exclusion.  Exclusion of the peace message. Exclusion of demands for justice. and most notably exclusion of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. Even the intervention of Mayor Walsh failed to change this policy of exclusion.  LGBTQ groups will march in South Boston on March 16 in the welcoming and inclusive Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade, together with contingents demanding justice for labor, environmental survival, economic and social justice. Our opportunity to be heard for peace and justice will be greater this year than ever before. In years past the barracades were removed after the official parade and street sweepers thundered down the route of march before the Peace Parade was allowed to step off, discouraging spectators from remaining. This year, Mayor Walsh has committed that the barricades will remain in place and the sweepers will come AFTER the Peace Parade. People's Parade for Peace, Equality, Jobs, Environmental Stewardship, Social & Economic Justice Unite, Participate, Celebrate Sunday, March 16, 2014, 2:00 pm *** Assembly Time Changed! *** D Street & West Broadway, South Boston • Broadway MBTA (Red Line)  • Look for white "Vets for Peace" Flags *** Note New Start Time!  *** Assemble: 2pm.  Parade start: 3pm   Sign Up to Attend and Bring your Organization's Banner! There are several DIVISIONS marching in the parade, as well as two marching bands and other musical groups. Duck Boat, bus and Trolley rides ave available for those who do not choose or are not able to walk the entire route but want to make their statement. In addition to the Peace Division, there will be divisions representing: Veterans groups;  LGBTQ groups; faith groups; environmental groups; community social and economic justice groups; labor groups; political groups. Please invite your group(s) to come! Contact: Massachusetts Peace Action, Cole Harrison, info@masspeaceaction.org, 617-354-2169; for the Peace Division or Veterans for Peace, Pat Scanlon, info@massvfp.org, 978-475-1776; faith groups contact Lara Hoke, minister@uuandover.org . Logistics & Directions Sign Up to Attend and Bring your Organization's Banner! The parade route is 4.5 miles and ends at Andrew Station. Rides along the parade route are available for those who need them, but please let us know ahead of time that you may need a ride. Come by T if at all possible as the area will be very congested. Broadway is the closest MBTA subway station. Parking is available for participants in the St. Patrick’s Peace Parade. Vehicles must enter from the north from Summer Street onto D Street; the parking lot is at 383 D Street. Look for the lot with 40 foot white truck trailers.   Allow extra time for traffic. Directions From North Route I-93 to South Station exit (20 A). Merge onto Purchase Street to light (100 feet). Make a left onto Summer Street (will pass South Station on right). Go approx. 1 mile to Convention Center. Turn right onto D Street, parking lot .2 mile up on left, (look for VFP Flag) From South Route I-93 – Take exit 20 toward South Station. Follow signs for Chinatown, continue straight onto Lincoln Street, turn right onto Kneeland Street, turn left onto Atlantic, south Station will be up on your right. Take a right onto Summer Street. Go approx. 1 mile to Convention Center. Turn right onto D Street, parking lot .2 mile up on left, (look for VFP Flag) Thanks are due to the Smedley Butler Bridgade of the Veterans for Peace for leading the organizing of the Fourth Annual Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade.  Click the button below to contribute directly to  help support the Peace Parade. Yours For Peace and Justice Cole Harrison Executive Director, Massachusetts Peace Action

Join Massachusetts Peace Action - or renew your membership today!   Dues are $40/year for an individual, $65 for a family, or $10 for student/unemployed/low income.  Members vote for leadership and endorsements, receive newsletters and discounts on event admissions.  Donate now and you will be a member in good standing through December 2014!  Your financial support makes this work possible! Massachusetts Peace Action, 11 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138 617-354-2169  • info@masspeaceaction.org • Follow us on Facebook or Twitter