Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace and Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists (BACP-BLUE) monthly meeting was Monday, January 6th, 2025, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Old Business:

Discussion about buttons for the fair ensued before the official meeting agenda. Elaine will no longer be making buttons. Possibility of giving other tokens (bookmarks, for example) was mentioned. Tricia agreed to contact Elaine about the button machine and process. She will enlist help as needed. 

1. Report on the Saturday, January 4, 2025, th monthly peace vigil at the intersection of Hwy 371 and Hwy 210.
        Cancelled due to the cold. Rescheduled for January 11th, same time (1:00 p.m.) and place. 
           
2. Report on the Saturday, December 7, 2025, th monthly peace vigil at the intersection of Hwy 371 and Hwy 210.
         Five people attended. Positive response.

3. Report on the Saturday, December 14 th BLA DSA Potluck Social.
         About 20 people attended at various times. Several people unknown to this author and several new, young attendees. Good conversation and food. Julius, DSA Co-chair, plans to repeat activity in   2025. 

4. Report on the activation of the Central Minnesota United Front
          Discussion tabled until next meeting.

5. Report on the year end charitable donations made to:
The Brainerd United Church of Christ ucc brainerd mn,
The Women's Center of Mid-Minnesota
The Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Culture Museum in Park Rapids giiwedinong.org.
          Fifty dollars to each organization.

New Business:
1. Discussion of the scheduled Saturday, February 1 st peace vigil at the intersection of Hwy 371 and Hwy
210.
          The usual 1st Saturday of the month schedule. Scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m.

2. Further discussion of the Saturday, February 15th CCL https://citizensclimatelobby.org/ table at the
Happy Dancing Turtle sustainability event in February table.
           The event is Saturday, February 15th, 2025 from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Pine River/Backus High School.
           Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) will be tabling there and is asking for volunteers for shifts at the table.  
           To learn more about CCL, access http://cclusa.org/intro 
            You can contact Barb Cromwell directly at cromwell.eb@protonmail.com  or 605-484-4090
           
3. Further discussion of BACP-BLUE film presentations for 2025.
            A tentative plan for showing 'Bad River: A story of Defiance' on April 19 in conjunction with Earth Day was supported. 

4. Other possible actions or events
             Vigil in support of Palestine in Little Falls-Larry and Adrian to coordinate
             Camp Ripley community open house in September 
             Protest against funding of war in Ukraine-Larry will compose a statement to send to list-serve to garner support for the action
             
Treasure’s Report
              $684.89 with no outstanding bills