It saddens me when I read a letter like this, addressed to Ms Santiago, which is based on rumor and has many of its ‘facts’ wrong. First, the small amount that Peace Action & Education (PA&E) had in its bank account after over four years of fundraising will be exhausted before the end of its two and a half month lease. The organizers of the storefront from PA&E are contributing both some money and a great deal of time to assure the success of the “Anti-War Crisis Center”. Neither Metro Justice nor the Metro Justice Education Fund routinely contribute financial resources to the Task Forces. Each of the Task Forces benefits from Metro Justice’s office and two employees and from being part of the 501 C3 corporation, the Metro Justice Education Fund, and each contributes financially to help fund the operation. PA&E and the other Task Forces each must do their own fundraising. Without financial and volunteer support from well-intentioned people and groups from the Peace and Anti-War community, the storefront would have a very short life. I would think that Friends Helping Friends would have a very good understanding of our position and we also know how hard it is to get the media’s attention. We are very grateful for Ms Santiago’s accurate and sympathetic article!

It is not my place to comment extensively on Metro Justice’s financial condition except to say two things: it is working hard at being financially stable enough to be in the position of maintaining its leadership in progressive causes and, although it did receive a fine and very welcome bequest, it is amazing how much the amount has been multiplied by the rumor mill.

Sincerely yours,

Ted Wilcox
Treasurer, PA&E