Satesboro!!

We woke up in Augusta to an amazing breakfast cooked by the world famous Ayman Fadel, Mmmmmmm. Thanks Ayman! After a nice warm meal and some strategizing with Ayman and Joey we said our goodbyes and hit the road Statesboro bound. On the way to the Boro we played the 5’s game, where you go around in a circle and asked each other questions like, “what’s you top favorite bands” or, “what’s tope 5 least favorite animals”.
We rolled up to the French Quarter Café around 4pm which gave us more then enough time to set u p for the show, a nice change for a chronically late organizer. The local organizer that put together our last stop, Jeremy Foreman, had planned a film screening and discussion to proceed the usual “State Of Change” festivities. So we watched the Film, “Lioness”(www.cinema.handsonogeechee.net/lioness). After the film we had a lively discussion moderated by a local teenage activist Emma Tracy. At one point a civil debate broke out between a Marine recruiter and several active members of Iraq Veterans Against War (www.ivaw.org). Eventually the Marine recruiter admitted to the crowd that there are many military recruiters that knowingly lie to minors in order to convince them to join the war effort.
After the discussion Jeremy took a moment to describe how folks can get involved with Hands On Ogeechee( http://www.handsonogeechee.net/). Then I had the pleasure of introducing, “The Wild”, who played another killer set!
After “The Wild” played I took some time to discuss the state of the anti-war movement in the south before introducing Jason Heard and Maggie Martin from Iraq Veterans Against War. This wasn’t the first time I had heard Jason and Maggie speak so I know that folks were about to be hit with some first hand realities about what’s happening in Iraq. I could tell the audience was deeply effected by their statements and I really appreciated that they were able to stick around and have one on ones with folks.
“Contraverse”, again blew everyone away, they even played an encore just for me. Thanks guys!! After we packed up the bus we were invited to a house party and decided to check it out. Food, fire, and drinks! The local sheriff even showed up to so hello.

Oh yeah, we got great media coverage thanks to Jeremy and Caitin Barrow for e-mailing,faxing, and cold calling media. We made the cover of "Connect"!
So this was our last “State Of Change” tour stop, and it was a truly successful tour on so many levels. “State Of Change” built on the success of 2007’s “State Of Hope” (www.stateofhope.blogspot.com) tour. We’re already talking about how to build on this years tour and make 2009 the year we build the strongest statewide progressive youth movement Georgia’s ever seen!
THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED ORGANIZE A TOUR STOP, HELP FUND THE TOUR, AND CAME OUT!
PEACE,
Tim Franzen
Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition/AFSC

AUGUSTA 12/12

I gotta say we were all super impressed with Joey Traina, who organized and emceed the event. Dude knows how to work a crowd. After Joey welcome everyone to the event he took some time to talk about what the local group, Central Savannah River Area Peace Alliance( http://www.csrapeace.org/ ) does and how folks can get involved. Then Joey Introduced the first band, “The Wild” ( www.myspace.com/thewildatl ). By their second song “The Wild”, lead by GPJC all-star Witt Wisebram, won the crowd over with their energetic folk punk anthems.
After Joey thanked “The Wild” he read some poetry that challenged the military industrial complex before inviting, “Contaverse” to the stage. Now I must say that I’m a fan of good hip hop. A good beat really sets the mood but what I really dig is the flow and lyrics that good emcees bring. “Contraverse” has great flow and thoughtful lyrics. They really should be heard way more.
After a two great bands I had the chance to speak to the crowd about the rising tide of militarism in America. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans and Iraqis support an immediate withdrawal of US troops in Iraq, our government still pans to keep ten and thousands of combat troops and mercenaries in Iraq for years to come. Unless we can figure out a way to transform public opinion and sentiment into clear action to end the war it’s clear that American forces may never leave Iraq. I also warned the teenage populated crowd about the reality of military service. The military claims to exist to support young people but the fact is that only 15% of recruits end up getting a college diploma. On average Veterans make about 15% less their non military serving counter parts.
The last band, “Blackout”( was SOOO energetic and excited to play. Seemed like they have several had different friends jump up and play guitar for a song or two, which was really cool. It was the first time that “State Of Change” featured a metal band!
After packing up and saying our goodbyes we headed to a place that The CRSA Peace Alliance organized for our hospitality and lemme tell, it was hospitable! Big beds and BIG bathtubs(that we all soaked in)! We love Augusta, and we love CRSA Peace Alliance!