Peace Saturday was held Noon-2PM Dec 7th 2002, and is returning Saturday Dec 14th, Noon-2PM, at the corner of Clares and 41st Avenue in Capitola, near the Capitola Mall.

Santa arrived at noon, accompanied by some members from the Peace Coalition, holding signs saying "Peace On Earth", etc. One sign suggests that Bush went AWOL in his youth.
For more info check out www.awolbush.com .

About 12:30 an out of breath protester dressed as a homeland security agent arrived, tailing Santa. He suggested that Santa had recently departed from the White House after having a discussion with George Bush about the War on Terrorism and the impending war with Iraq. It was believed that Santa had become upset with Bush about his plans, thinking him to not be sincerely seeking peace. When Santa walked out, Santa's face was redder than Rudolph's nose, especially in the bright sunlight. Looking around, it was noted that all of the Christmas presents that Santa had brought were gone. Santa then set a ballistic course for Japan. Flying over California, he was talked down by division 29 of homeland security and was invited to join the Peace Protests in California and elsewhere.

Peace Santa, as he as been called, has also made appearances at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Dec 10th and at Santa Cruz City Council on Dec 10th, giving rousing
speeches outlining his concerns and urging people to take action to stop the impending war with Iraq.

"Ho,ho,ho....If we do nothing, I fear we will be at War soon. This is a war that will kill many --- already, my Elves in the United Nations tell me, the U.S. economic sanctions and bombing campaign has killed 500,000 Iraqi children. And many American veterans are still suffering from the [1990] Gulf War....Bush is making new demands [of Iraq]. I am afraid he will go to war unless all of us tell him not to.... I spoke to one of my elves in the little town of DeSoto, Missouri yesterday. There were 1500 people on the streets protesting --- three times as many as this time in 1990 when Iraq had really gone to war against it's neighbors. But here in Santa Cruz I see very little protest. " Peace Santa said.

In a recent press release Santa is also calling for the Board of Supervisors to hold an emergency town hall meeting, inviting Sam Farr, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein as well as city council members to discuss the Iraq situation.

Look for more appearances by Peace Santa and his supporters, including Peace Saturday, Dec 14th, 2002 from Noon-2PM at the corner of Clares and 41st Avenue in Capitola. People are urged to wear Christmas themed outfits and emphasize buying union labels, avoiding sweatshop made items when possible, and generally carrying on for Peace. Santa himself has yet to answer concerns about how he deals with issues of sweatshop labor, since promoting the handing out of toys to kids increases the market for items produced under questionable circumstances.

A statement from the Peace Coalition expands on this point and invites people to participate in a wide range of activities this holiday season:

....This Saturday (December 14th) we are holding a special
demonstration outside of the Capitola Mall on 41st Ave. at the Clares intersection. We will meet at 12 noon and the theme for this event is "Peace on Earth." Please wear your
all out most Christmasy costume, red and green, tinsel, etc. and bring signs related to our Christmas theme.
(I have plenty of signs to share if you don't feel like making your own.)

PLEASE NOTE: The forecast is calling for rain so be prepared with ponchos and umbrellas. Our goal is to encourage people to support fair trade, union made, and
sustainably manufactured products to reduce the ruling class's impetus towards war and to firmly demonstrate our
opposition to an offensive ("pre-emptive") invasion on Iraq or anywhere else. Demonstrate your resolve for peace by joining us on 41st Ave. this Saturday at noon.
Don't let the busy Christmas season make you think there's no time for peace work. (After all, isn't peace what Christmas is all about?) Many of your friends and neighbors gather every Friday evening at the corner of Ocean and Water Streets calling for peace at home and
abroad. Come from 5 to 6pm or even earlier. Many of our friends will start at 4pm and look forward to seeing you there. Bring your own signs or share some of ours. No
advance preparation is necessary and you can stay as long as you like and meet like minded people in your community.
(Some of them live right down the street from you!) Like US invasions, this event goes on rain or shine and we hope you will, too.

There's just no end of fun this time of year and

****Art and Revolution**** would like to share it with you during three Christmas
caroling events. We have special anti-war, anti-greed lyrics put to classic Christmas tunes.
Join Art and Rev at one or all three of the following times:

****This Thursday (Dec. 12th) in front of the Gap [downtown Santa Cruz, CA] at 5.30pm.

*****This Sunday (Dec. 15th) at the Capitola Mall at 2pm.

*****And next Saturday (Dec. 21) in front of the Gap [downtown Santa Cruz] at 2pm.

It's fun for the whole family, just bring your Christmas cheer.

If and when the US does launch a substantial invasion of Iraq (which could come any day now) please join us that very evening at 5pm at the Town Clock, [downtown Santa Cruz]. Bring your noisemakers and energy, from there we will march around Santa Cruz protesting the use of our military to invade a sovereign nation. Encourage your friends and neighbors to observe a "lights out" from 7-7.05pm for the victims of the invasion....