26 New Billboards on Oklahoma Highways Supporting Iran Nuclear Agreement

AANW’s largest billboard action to date features 26 billboards on major highways across the state of Oklahoma. The billboards goal is to show support for the Iran Nuclear Agreement and urge citizens to lobby federal legislators to vote to affirm the deal.

AANW has met weekly for four years, sponsoring demonstrations, op-eds, letters-to-editors, full-page ads in Oklahoma newspapers, rallies, demonstrations, and other billboards promoting peace in the Middle East.

AANW is also hosting a rally in support the Iran Nuclear Agreement on on Friday, August 28, on the State Capitol, South Plaza. All who share our interest in averting war are welcome. There will be plenty of cold water and ice-cream bars for the first 500 people in attendance.

6:15 pm – Gather to music, sign petitions, etc.
7-8 pm – Inspiring words from opinion leaders

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson visit to Oklahoma focuses on peaceful solutions to international issues

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson with AANW members Hal Spake and Nathaniel Batchelder.

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson with AANW members Hal Spake and Nathaniel Batchelder.

On Feb. 5 and 6, Col Wilkerson visited Central Oklahoma, speaking at several events.

On Feb. 5, he was the guest of the University of Central Oklahoma, and his speech at the Nigh University Center, attended by over 100 students and local residents, was entitled “We Need Not be Enemies: Iran the the U.S. in the 21st Century.”

The talk was followed by a lively question and answer period. The talk was filmed by UCO and is provided here courtesy on the school’s Youtube channel.

On Wednesday, Feb. 6 Col. Wilkerson joined members of Americans Against the Next War for a morning press conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol, emceed by AANW’s Nathaniel Batchelder of the Oklahoma City Peace House. His remarks about U. S. foreign policy in the Middle East and around the world serve as a call for a new perspective by Americans, whose spirits and coffers are drained by more than 10 years of ceaseless war. A different future is possible, if we heed that call.

The following photo montage and audio recording of the press conference was produced by AANW member Rena Guay, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Center for Conscience and Peace Research.

At noon on Wednesday, he made visit to the OU campus for a lunchtime discussion with students, and locals yet more of his experience on the world scene and hard-earned wisdom of politics and diplomacy. That event was sponsored by the College of International Studies and the OU Iranian Studied Program.

Col. Wilkerson jokingly remarked during his visit that Oklahomans sure know how to get their money’s worth out of a speaker. But throughout the visit to our area, the Colonel was forthcoming — seeming to be more than happy to tell his story and share his opinions. Those of us who attended any of his events learned a good deal, and were heartened that his strong voice calling for peace and mutual cooperation, instead of war and threats, was so widely available to us.

Col. Wilkerson is part of The Iran Project, and invites those interested to use the reports and other resources on the project’s web site.

Hot day doesn’t stop AANW and friends from tackling hot issue

Between 4 and 6 pm on Friday August 3, as the temperature hit a record-matching 113 degrees, 26 AANW members and friends stood with signs and banners, waving to hundreds of passers-by. It was the first day of “no-tax weekend” so we were thrilled to be at the busy intersection of Penn and Northwest Expressway, near Penn Square Mall.

The event featured banners and signs with the artwork from our billboards campaign. You and/or you group can still sign on as endorsers or co-sponsors of the advocacy effort or donate to help defray the costs.