Rhode Island Green Party to convene roundtable on 21st Century Security on 9/11Green Party of Rhode Island For more information contact Greg Gerritt, 401-331-0529, gerritt@mindspring.com August 23, 2007 RHODE ISLAND -- The Green Party of Rhode Island will convene a community roundtable entitled 21st Century Security on Tuesday September 11, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the rotunda of the Community College of Rhode Island Providence Campus at One Hilton St. The event is free and open to the public and anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend. Ever since the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 it appears that creating security has been defined by the government of the United States as we will preemptively attack anyone we think is a threat to our security. Then we are told the war will go on for years, as it appears that each time the US government attacks, more people join the campaign against the United States. Its a pretty vicious cycle and there has to be a better way. The better way may begin with new definitions of security, away from one that defines security strictly in military terms and towards a definition that recognizes that each of us is more secure if everyone on the planet is more secure, and that for our community security is more likely if we follow policies and practices that lead to a non violent, just, and ecologically healthy planet. The Green Party of Rhode Island is convening a panel of 15 community leaders to discuss this new approach to security. Eric Siegel, Chair of the Green Party of Rhode Island commented" We are convening an incredible panel. Community leaders in creating a non violent community, food security, the environment, and justice will be talking about a better way, one that really makes a community secure. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security focus on keeping us in fear, and it is time the community stood up and said this is not working". The panel will include Dr Richard Lobban, Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Rhode Island College and Adjunct Professor of African Studies at the Naval War College in Newport; Dr Katherine Brown, Executive Director of the Southside Community Land Trust; Teny Gross; Executive Director for the Institute for the Study and Practice of Non Violence; Brad Hyson, Executive Director of the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living, and Greg Gerritt, founder of the Rhode Island Prosperity Project. "I am really looking forward to this panel," noted panel convener Greg Gerritt. "It is time for a community discussion about what real security is and how to get there, and September 11 seems like just the right day to start the discussion. I hope everyone joins us." --- Green Party of Rhode Island
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