Kansas City

Fixing Our Economy

Budget Priorities segment of August 11 Hearland Labor Forum, KKFI

Ira Harritt, Kansas City Program Coordinator, provided an update on the federal budget debate on KKFI Community Radio's Heartland Labor forum on Thursday, August 11, 2011. In this interview he reviewed what economists and leaders are saying about the recent budget deficit deal and discussed what will really put people back to work and heal our ailing economy.

Excerpts from the show:

A Call to Move the Money

Dear Community Leader,

Let’s face it. The U.S. economy is in bad shape.

Too many members of our community are suffering while Congress is debating ideological issues that are beside the point. Federal and State government budget cutting is creating more unemployment, providing less help for people hit by job loss or illness and making the economic recession worse.

Everyone Deserves Justice and Peace

KC Mural Group 1

Youth from the Learning Club Leadership Academy created two murals as to be part of the Windows and Mirrors exhibit in Kansas City. Click this link to see more pictures of mural creation process.

“Everyone deserves justice and peace!” This was the sentiment of youth from the Learning Club Leadership Academy, a neighborhood teen youth program serving inner-city youth surrounding Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas. The group’s members participated in the American Friends Service Committee’s Reflections on Afghanistan Mural project, which is teaching area youth about the Afghan people, the Afghan war and the impact the war has had on people there, on U.S. soldiers and on the United States.

Budget Priorities Letter to Congress

Letter sent to Senators and Congresspersons calling for funding of: jobs; education; healthcare; and housing and nighborhoods; and cuts to: war and the military; corporate welfare; and tax cuts for the rich.

Budget Letter to Congress 7-30-11.pdf

Budget Priorities In KC Different Than Those in D.C.

KC Penny Poll

80 people participated in the AFSC penny poll at the Bridging the Gap Summit

AFSC staff and volunteers staffed a table at the Bridging the Gap Summit / back to school fair to enable people to speak out about federal budget priorities. The July 30 event sponsored by The Concerned Clergy Coalition of KC, Hickman Mills School District and All Christians Together Serving provided free health screenings, free food and clothing, entertainment, youth games and community vendors.

Kansas Citians Renew Call for Afghan Withdrawal

Kansas City kids for peace 6-23-11

Kansas City kids say no to war, yes to peace

On June 23, 2011, these Kansas Citians joined other AFSC supporters in responding to President Obama's plan to maintain 70,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

By Ira Harritt, AFSC Kansas City Program Coordinator

AFSC in Kansas City continues to organize rallies, vigils and forums knowing that many of our constituents are extremely weary of war. They are also well aware of just how dysfunctional the U.S. Congress has become and how insulated our elected officials are from the impact of grassroots lobbying, especially from the left.