By Town Crier Staff

Los Altos residents may be hearing more from a newly formed, still somewhat informal group dedicated to the cause of peace.

The group, Los Altos Voices For Peace, formed this year as a direct result of the war in Iraq, said member Ray Schuster.

“We requested that Los Altos (city council) consider a resolution opposing the war. But that didn’t go anywhere,” Schuster said.

The catalyst for Voices For Peace was the Feb. 16 global protest against the war, in which an estimated 200 residents joined together at the Community Plaza in Los Altos, Schuster recalled.

Although against the ongoing U.S. involvement in Iraq, Schuster said Voices For Peace members will not be seen shouting in the streets and confronting police.

“We try to do things in the character of the town,” he said. “We want to do an education effort.”

Upcoming goals include the placement of a “Peace Pole” at one of Los Altos’ public gathering places, which would communicate peace in several languages.

Another concerns the controversial Patriot Act, which gives the federal government greater authority to intercept communications for law enforcement and intelligence purposes. “We want the city to take a look at the Patriot Act and determine local interest,” Schuster said. “We’d like to see them show more responsibility. One tangible situation (example) is the budget issue.”

Voices For Peace sees the Patriot Act as threatening civil liberties and personal freedoms.

Schuster said the group is in the early stages of planning a public forum on the local impacts of the Patriot Act.

The group also held a forum approximately two weeks ago for Los Altos City Council candidates. Four of the eight candidates showed up, and Schuster estimated about 25 residents attended. Questions included: When is it appropriate for local councils to address issues that originate as state, national or global issues?

The group currently has a mailing list of 220.

The group, which engages in “low-level and ongoing activity,” meets the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Oct. 13, at Foothills Congregational Church in Los Altos.

Voices For Peace also has operated a booth at the weekly farmers market every Thursday on State Street in downtown Los Altos.

A forum on the Patriot Act is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 23, but a location is yet to be determined.

For more information, logon to: www.losaltospeace.org or call 949-1219.