BACP-BLUE April 6th, 2026, Meeting Minutes Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace and Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists (BACP/BLUE) held our monthly meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, April 6. The BACP/BLUE meeting was held online via Zoom. Attendees were Larry, Richard, Trish, Dean, Bruce & Carol. 1. Review Paul Peuleve-Baker's online concert and discussion held on Tuesday, March 3. Paul is an English-Nicaraguan musician, peace activist, and environmentalist. BACP/BLUE and Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America (BLA DSA) hosted Paul's online concert and discussion. Although the attendance was small, the event went well and was enjoyed by the attendees. 2. Review the Gaza/Iran vigils held on Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, April 4 and the Hands-Off protest held on Saturday, March 21. BACP/BLUE plans to hold a vigil demanding an immediate end to Israel's genocide in Gaza and the brutal U.S./Israel war on Iran on Saturday, April 4. The BACP/BLUE March events went well, supporters dropped off treats at both, and a couple new contacts signed up. The April 4th event was rescheduled for April 11th due to inclement weather. Invitations will be sent out Thursday evening (only if weather conditions appear to be favorable). 3. Review the No Kings rallies held in Brainerd and many other area communities (Little Falls, Aitkin, Crosby, Milaca, Hackensack, and Wadena) on Saturday, March 28. The Brainerd Indivisible event was well attended (~1800) and enthusiastic. 4. Discuss plans for the Saturday, April 18 Hands-Off vigil 1 p.m. at Washington & E. 6th Street. This will go forward to protest the US/Israeli assault on Iran and other atrocities across the globe. 5. Discuss plans for the Saturday, April 25 Lakes Area Environmental Table (LAET) & BACP/BLUE Earth Day film presentation. LAET and BACP/BLUE will host a film about light pollution in the Brainerd 1st Congregational United Church of Christ. The film presentation begins at 2 p.m., followed by a discussion. The venue is reserved from 1:30 - 4:00 to allow for setup, the 60-minute “Dark Skies” film, a discussion, and cleanup. Our members have volunteered to bring snacks and drinks. Barb C. will provide a laptop, and Kay K. volunteered to assist with kitchen duties. Barb created a flyer members are encouraged to circulate (Eleanor B. will post these flyers at the food co-op, library, & UCC). A notice will be printed in the Brainerd Dispatch. Dean will update the BLUE brochure for the event. 6. Discuss and vote on whether BACP/BLUE will endorse the 2026 Brainerd May Day March. BLA DSA is hosting the Brainerd May Day March on Saturday, May 2. The Brainerd May Day March will emphasize defending immigrant workers' rights. The Brainerd May Day March begins with a short assembly near the All-Veterans’ Memorial, located near the historic Crow Wing County Courthouse, at 10 a.m. A march to the Crow Wing County Jail will take place. An hour-long vigil will be held on the sidewalk outside the Crow Wing County Jail. The vigil is in solidarity with the immigrant detainees held in the jail. Vigil participants will then go to the Brainerd public library for a potluck. BACP/BLUE endorsed past Brainerd May Day Marches because of our organization's commitment to economic justice. BACP/BLUE members approved endorsing this year’s May Day event and encouraging attendance, this event will supplant the initial BACP/BLUE May “Hands Off” vigil. May 1st is a National Strike Day. 7. An update on BACP/BLUE's participation in Pride in the Park. Pride in the Park is a LGBTQ Pride event held annually in Gregory Park since 2021. BACP/BLUE tabled at Pride in the Park every year since the event began. BACP/BLUE will table at Pride in the Park on Saturday, September 12 after the Sowing Room, the organization now hosting Pride in the Park, accepted BACP/BLUE's vendor application and check for the table. Doug succeeded in registering BACP/BLUE for the September Pride in the Park event. 8. Treasurer's report. $733.03 Next Month’s meeting will be held in person in Gregory Park at 7:00 pm on Monday, May 4th.