BACP-BLUE Meeting August 5, 2026

1.  Review the Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, August 1 Iran War/Gaza genocide vigils.

Four people attended each demonstration. Feedback was mostly positive. Additionally, on August 4th, Trish demonstrated on the corner of 6th and Washington with positive response from passersby. 

2.  Plan for the Saturday, September 5 Iran War/Gaza genocide vigil.  

Due to hot weather which is projected to continue for a while, the time of the demonstration will by moved to 11a.m to 12 noon. It will be held at the intersection of Hwy 210 and 371.

3.  Discuss possibly holding a peace vigil in Little Falls. One possibility could be holding a peace vigil outside the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, which will open on Saturday, a cost $32 million. The vigil would share a pro-peace message with the public.  

There is a possibility of a demonstration in Little Falls along Hwy 27. The open house at the  museum is September 12th starting at 10 a.m. Concern was voiced that we not be disrespectful to veterans. We will have a presence there promoting peace and questioning whether $32 million dollars of tax money could have been better spent. The demonstration will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Larry and Doug will contact members of Veterans for Peace and others they think may be interested in participating.

4.  Begin planning for the Pride in the Park event on Saturday, September 12. Pride in the Park is an annual pro-LGBT rights event held in Gregory Park. The Sowing Room is hosting Pride in the Park. Pride in the Park is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. BACP-BLUE will host a table at Pride in the Park.

Doug will bring the table and work with Pat from 10 a.m. until noon. Dean will bring a canopy. Trish will work the table from noon until 2 p.m. Dean will return for the 2 p.m to 4 p.m and Gayle and Larry will come after the demonstration at the military museum. Doug will contact Richard about literature.

5.  Discuss BACP-BLUE possibly hosting a presentation by the newly formed Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition. The Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition is part of the Minnesota BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Community.   The Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition is working to prevent the passage of legislation in the Minnesota legislature which would ban contractors who advocate boycotting the mining, lumber, and big agriculture industries from receiving contracts from the State of Minnesota.  This proposed new legislation is modeled after Minnesota's 2017 anti-BDS law which prohibits contractors who advocate boycotting Israel from receiving contracts from the State of Minnesota.   

The Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition is offering to host presentations, online or in-person, with peace, justice, environmental, labor, and civil liberties groups around Minnesota. (BACP-BLUE ally Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America endorsed the Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition and expressed interest in hosting a Boycott Is Free Speech Coalition presentation at their Tuesday, July 14 meeting.)

The members present approved support of the Boycott is Free Speech movement. It was decided to ask the Free Speech Coalition for a presentation via Zoom sometime after the elections on November 11th.

6.  Discuss the recent work of the Wing County Historical Society to collect historic BACP materials for their archive. Fellow BACP-BLUE member Pat Scott is working with the Crow Wing County Historical Society on their collection.  

Pat reported that scrap books and posters donated by members were given to the Historical Society. It is unknown when and where the materials will be used. Discussion followed recounting the 20+ years of BACP and their activities.

7.  Discuss BACP-BLUE and Lakes Area Environmental Table (LAET) possibly hosting a film presentation of the 2025 Abby Martin documentary "Earth’s Greatest Enemy". "Earth’s Greatest Enemy" documents the enormous amount of environmental destruction and pollution caused by the U.S. military.

All members present supported this event. Pat will contact UCC to see if we could use the basement on Saturday, September 26th or October 3rd. If neither is available, she will ask for October 10th. Tentatively it will be an event from 2 to 4 p.m. Larry has been in contact with Abby and will contact her for the film and promotional material. BACP/BLUE will send her $50 now and have a collection basket at the event. Dean will communicate this information to the LAET.