Military Testing Action

Wooddale High School was targeted for leaflet distribution today. Several ladies in pink helped the Midsouth Peace and Justice Center educate students and parents on the purpose of the ASVAB for military recruiters. Parents were grateful for the information and the students were interested in learning that they can opt out of taking the test or, if they take it, secure their privacy. Very few students knew in advance they weren't required to take it, or that by doing so, it would mean being dogged by local military recruiters. One young man didn't want the information, saying he wanted to join the Air Force, which his friends chided him for. I was heartened to hear many students saying they wanted to go to college and were not interested in what the military had to offer them. Another Code Pink woman helping stated what she thought would be a terrific outcome, getting the teens talking about it at school together and by doing so, hopefully strengthening their stance on their own futures.

Valentine's Day - Honk for Peace!

Wow! Nearly twenty people attended our Valentine's Day action, even though it was a cold gloomy day with wind chill in the teens. We brightened up the scenery with our hot pink outfits as we deployed our peace banners on a pedestrian bridge over Sam Cooper Boulevard during rush hour. A majority of passing drivers cheered our message with enthusiastic honks and smiles, including many air horns from 18-wheelers and even a few siren whoops from ambulances and police cars!

Our event was covered by the Commercial Appeal and FOX-13 News. You can watch the news video here.