Vigil for Eliminating Nuclear Weapons, Rally for Nonviolence, and Stand for Peace in Action Days
This year between the International Day of Peace on September 21 and the International Day of Nonviolence on October 2, tens of thousands of people took action to end war, poverty, and environmental destruction and build a better world in its place. We encourage folks to participate in Campaign Nonviolence Action Days during this time so people everywhere can see how powerful movements are when they work together, approaching the task of creating a nonviolent future from different aspects. The impacts of these actions reach long past these twelve days. Read about some of them below.
Rosemarie Pace with Pax Christi New York State shares that 12 people attended their action September 26th. She writes, “In December, 2013, the UN declared September 26th the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. For nearly 10 years, PCMNY and now PCNYS have been observing this important day with an interfaith gathering near the UN. All are invited to come and share a prayer, poem, reflection, or hymn for the abolition of nuclear weapons or, more generally, for peace. This year’s rainy day still welcomed 11 hardy people from Christian, Buddhist, and secular traditions, a smaller number than usual, but with the same passionate appeal for nuclear abolition and peace. The event still worked raise awareness about ending nuclear weapons, and to offer a prayer to the God of Peace.”
Annette Breiling with Frederick Friends Meeting in Frederick, MD reports that 50 people attended their Mini-walk and rally for Peace and Nonviolence on October 1. She writes, “We gathered on the front yard of the Frederick Friends Meeting House (Quaker). The banner hanging over the front porch said, ‘Love thy Neighbor—No Exceptions.’ We then walked down the block behind our leaders who were carrying a UN flag. Several others held up signs for peace. At the end of the black was a city fountain which we circled and then returned. We got a picture in the Frederick News-Post showing our walkers. Next we held a rally in front of the Meeting House with speakers from several community groups - Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, NAACP, Braver Angels, Prevent Nuclear War Frederick, Frederick Friends Meeting, Frederick Interfaith. Speaches were interspersed with peace songs. Reaction to the event among attendees was generally positive.”
Pamela Richard with Peace Action WI in Milwaukee, WI says they also had 50 people at their Stand for Peace in Ukraine/Defuse Nuclear War/Campaign for Nonviolence on September 30. She shares: “We had many participants with banners, peace signs, and peace flags. We had a rally with several speakers, after holding our signs for 30 minutes on a busy road. We called for a ceasefire and peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. We had the theme of ‘War is Not the Answer’ and stressed our commitment to nonviolence. It was affirming our commitment to nonviolence and keeping our community actively involved in the difficult work. We hope we influenced some of the passersby as well.”
Thank you to everyone who organized for the tenth annual Campaign Nonviolence Action Days. We can’t wait to read more of your reports!