Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace met on Monday March 4th, 2024, via Zoom.

Present were: Naveen Borojerdi, Dean Borgstrom, Gayle Nielsen, Pat Scott, Larry Fisk, Richard and Judith Schiller, Trish Miller, Doug Olson and Holden Hollister.

Report on Back to Basics by Pat and Trish: Presentation on climate change by Mark Seeley emphasized the need to act now to curb effects.
20% of loon deaths in MN are due to lead poisoning. There is action in MN legislature to eliminate lead from fishing gear.

MN legislature is also considering reparations for Native Americans.

Discussion of the March 2 vigil supporting Palestine: Very successful! More than 80 people from all over MN attended. Lots of energy and positive feedback from traffic passing by. It was suggested that now would be a good time for letters to the editor in support of Palestine.
The group also agreed that we should hold regularly scheduled vigils until this travesty ceases. Because of people's availability and upcoming schedules, it was decided to have a vigil the first Saturday of every month starting in May.

Proposal that BACP/BLUE be able to endorse political candidates with the approval of super-majority: Statement was approved by those in attendance. Doug will post the statement to the group for feedback. Members will have two weeks to respond.

United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) conference "Decolonization & The Fight Against Imperialism": April 5-7th in St. Paul. Gayle and Larry will pay registration fee for Holden if he can attend. BACP will assist persons wishing to go.

Earth Day, April 22: Discussion of options ended with Gayle agreeing to contact the Northland Arboretum to see if we could piggy-back onto an activity they are doing.

Grocery Workers Strike: Doug, who is now on the negotiation team, stated they will convene Wednesday morning. Owners have not been negotiating in good faith.