A Report on Initial Post-Iran Delegation Efforts

by Edward Kinane

Upon returning from Iran, I had almost immediately two previously scheduled presentations -- both were part of anti-Iraq war rallies on the occasion of the beginning of that war's fifth year. In both presentations -- one in Greensboro, North Carolina and the other at Judson Memorial Church in New York City -- I raised the issue of the anti-war movement needing to put Iran on its agenda. I also noted some of the reasons why, despite its illegality and irrationality, a U.S. attack on Iran was likely.

My first full-fledged report-back on our delegation was here in Syracuse on March 22, 2007, in the basement of the University United Methodist Church. The Syracuse Peace Council (SPC) organized the event as one of its monthly programs. About 50 folks attended -- fellow activists, plus some new faces.

I was the sole presenter and held the floor for maybe 90 minutes. To bring Iran to the forefront of people's thought and to get a sense of my audience, I asked them to offer what questions they had about Iran.

For the next several minutes the audience raised those questions which now are on "everybody's" mind. I didn't answer these right then. I was emboldened by the fact that the questions closely matched themes I was prepared to deal with in my talk. The questions showed high concern about the current U.S./Iran crisis as well as considerable political awareness.

I felt at home with this audience and knew I could speak freely and without needing to go into the ABC's of the U.S. drive for hegemony in the Middle East.

After speaking at some length (longer than I usually like to do), I opened the session up to questions and answers.  

A couple of times I was able to spontaneously involve others as resources. In answer to the question about what should our response to the crisis be, local longtime activist Cynthia Banas came to the lectern and noted relevant current legislation. Similarly, when asked about how dire is the U.S. military threat to Iran, I called on former NSA analyst, Don Paulus, who provided a detailed catalog of the U.S. naval build-up in the Persian Gulf.

Q and A continued until the SPC moderator told us we had to wrap things up. I felt the evening had been a success -- at least measured by what I like to call the "linger quotient" -- numerous folks lingered to comment or ask me questions one-on-one or to talk among themselves. 

While I didn't have slides or a power point presentation, I did spread photos and postcards from Iran on a table and maybe 20 books I had read on Iran on another table. Folks pored over these. (I had pointed to several of the books during my talk to note useful sources.)  I was pleased to see people jotting down titles.

I now have other invitations to speak in the region -- one near Albany and a couple in Rochester. On April 3rd I'll also be talking about Iran on a panel at nearby Cazenovia College. Eager to share my Iran delegation experience, I welcome such gigs.

Ed Kinane (e-mail Ed by clicking here)
Syracuse, New York