| peace in the state. For the past three years, he has been national Co-Chair of United for Peace and Justice, a peace coalition of over 1500 organizations. This has involved him in organizing the huge demonstrations at the 2004 Republican Convention and the equally large Anti-War Mobilization in September, 2005 involving more than 500,000 people and visits to all Congressional offices. Martin has worked internationally under the auspices of the World Social Forum. His quest for world peace and in particular an end to the Iraq War took him to Baghdad in 2004 to see first-hand the impact of war on the people there. "I was impressed with the amount of intermarriage among the various religious sects. This has led to a confidence on their part that if the U.S. left the country there would be some bloodshed but they would be able to deal with it and move on," according to Martin. He has traveled to Italy to work to reclaim the role of the United Nations, to Brazil where his speech against the War was broadcast back to more than 350 radio and television stations in the U.S., to Greece and Canada to participate on panels, and to Venezuela as part of an international peace delegation. Before getting involved in peace issues, Martin worked in the areas of housing, health care, youth development, and the homeless, especially homeless vets. (He spoke this past Memorial Day at an event sponsored by Madison Vets for Peace.) For awhile he worked in the private sector doing marketing and promotions which helped develop some of the skills he uses today. But, the nonprofit world called him back. He directed Homecare for the Homeless in Milwaukee and was instrumental in setting up the Veterans Standdowns which occur twice a year there. Martin's start in the peace movement began in 2000 when he joined the Green Party out of dissatisfaction with the Democrats and Republicans. He walked into the Peace Action Wisconsin office in 2000 to attend a Green Party meeting and hasn't left since. He soon became Project Director and then "skyrocketed in the peace movement nationally," according to Julie Byrnes Enslow, a founder of Peace Action Wisconsin. "He is a powerful speaker and has great organizational skills in building coalitions. He has created a connection between Wisconsin and people throughout the world who now see peace and justice as more a part of the American mission than they did before." His local peace efforts have included initiation of the "Bring the Troops Home" referenda that have appeared on local ballots. Nearly 90% of the communities voting have voted "Yes." The middle name "Paz," which would universally be interpreted as "peace," seems to fit Martin perfectly. "Actually," he said, "that's my mother's first name. She was Filipino. I began using her name out of respect for her and because it spoke to what I am doing." As an African American leading the peace movement in the United States, Martin stands somewhat alone. He cites the author Walter Mosley as one who encourages those most affected to lead the movement. "People of color and low-income citizens are those most affected by our war policies. There isn't enough money left to spend on needed priorities. "Schools close, the Bookmobile closes, and the war goes on. I work constantly to bring people of color into the movement. They quickly get the connection." At 61, Martin shows no signs of slowing down. In January, he traveled to Africa in part to participate in the Global Green Youth Forum in Cape Town. "I told them that it was the youthful Stokely Carmichael who first urged Martin Luther King to get involved in the Peace Movement. I've even approached the National Black Hip-Hop Caucus to join the movement." He also made a "personal slavery journey" to Ghana, his country of origin. "I learned that the motto of my tribe was 'Peace and Love.' My African name is Nii (Original Chief) Adjetey (First Born). It all seems to fit." As a man who spends his days and nights organizing and exhorting, Martin likes to spend his mornings in solitude. Some mornings, he sits down with his drums and refines his beat. You can picture him there, working on the track that will bring that last reluctant person into the camp of peace. |
| George Paz Martin A crusader for peace by Jim Gramling |
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| George Paz Martin is truly a drum major for peace. Inspired at age 16 when he stood within 15 feet of Martin Luther King Jr. during the "I Have A Dream" speech, Martin has gone on to take a place on the national and international stage. And he has himself inspired other people of color to join the fight against war and violence. To say that George Martin is a busy man is like saying that August Wilson wrote a couple of plays. As Program Director for Peace Action of Wisconsin, he is the foremost spokesperson for the cause of |
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