Take Action In Solidarity!
Campaign Nonviolence Action Week is coming up (Sept 18-26, 2021). Across the United States and around the world, people are holding actions and events to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence, free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. In small towns and big cities, people are planning marches against violence, teach-ins on conflict resolutions, direct actions at the gates of military bases, vigils for peace, art builds for biodiversity, and so much more!
Action Week overlaps—and stands in solidarity with—many other efforts. We invite all of our organizers to consider adding an event in connection with these campaigns to your Campaign Nonviolence Action Week plans.
Global Silent Minute: Each evening, at 9pm GMT, people around the world stop what they’re doing and sit in silence. Sometimes they pray, sometimes they simply rest in stillness. Either way, it is an act of peace. You can join in, and list this as your “action” for Campaign Nonviolence Action Week. Consider dedicating your meditation each day to a different aspect of building a culture of peace and active nonviolence.
Moments of Mass Mindfulness: This group is also holding coordinated meditations. Their approach springs from mindfulness practices aimed at building compassionate communities, doing self care, and releasing stress—all forms of practicing nonviolence toward yourself and others. Add these practices to your action week events to integrate practicing nonviolence toward yourself in addition to the ways you’re working for a nonviolent world.
Fast For Peace (Sept 15): Although our Action Week doesn’t start until Sept 18th, you can prepare for action by joining the Fast For Peace on Sept 15th. Drawing from MK Gandhi’s messages of truth, tolerance, and voluntary temperance, the Fast For Peace encourages participants to donate the money they are not spending on food that day to a group working for peace and justice.
World Clean Up Day (Sept 18): Around the world, people will be cleaning up beaches, rivers, streets, storm drains, local parks, and more. Plan an action to clean up your piece of this beautiful world. It is an excellent way to practice nonviolence toward the earth. A culture of nonviolence includes ending environmental destruction, pollution, and caring for the land, water, and ecosystems.
Student Climate Strike (Sept 18 & 25): Support the student climate strikers. Fridays For the Future has been organizing student walk-outs and strikes for climate action every Friday for years. Thousands of students on all continents participate. Plan a solidarity action, or help the youth organize their own strike.
Just Peace Sunday (Sept 19): United Church of Christ (all 117 parishes!) will be focusing their sermons on Just Peace on Sunday, Sept 19th. Can your faith center do the same? Invite them to dedicate a weekly teaching focus to Just Peace, or active nonviolence in your faith. If you are part of a faith institution, see if you can encourage all of your local chapters, churches, sanghas, centers, or synagogues to participate.
International Day of Peace (Sept 21): The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. Plan a Peace Day event near you and let your community know that thousands of people around the world are taking action for peace on this day.
International Cities of Peace: Is your city an International City of Peace? If so, invite your friends to attend your city’s International Day of Peace event! If not, petition your city council to become a city of peace. On Sept 21st (whether they’ve officially agreed or not), hold your own Peace Day event in a public park, or even at city hall.
Peace Weekend 2021: Have you ever wondered what peace television might look like? Tune into the Peace Weekend Global Broadcast. Gather a watch party and listen to speeches, proclamations, action reports, and coverage of Peace Day events during this 3-day special broadcast.
Sandy Hook Promise—Start With Hello Campaign: Start With Hello is one of Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost Know the Signs programs and teaches students to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other. With activities and curricula available for all ages, students are empowered to end social isolation in three easy steps. During Action Week, you can join hundreds of people in bringing this program to your local schools as part of building a culture of active nonviolence.
Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action (Sept 21-Oct 2): If you are Catholic, encourage your congregation to join in the annual Catholic Days of Action to study, pray, act and celebrate the power of nonviolence. If you are not Catholic, reach out to your local Catholic churches and encourage them to participate in this endeavor.
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Sept 26): Take action to oppose nuclear weapons on Sept 26. Many Campaign Nonviolence organizers are already planning protests, vigils, and actions near nuclear labs, bases, and weapons manufacturers to push for the elimination of nuclear weapons. You can take action in your area and stand in solidarity with them.
These are just some of the many ways you can collaborate with other groups and efforts during Campaign Nonviolence Action Week, Sept 18-26th. If you organize an action, please let these groups know on their websites and let us know here.