Creativity and dedication are at a height during the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, Sept 21-Oct 2. Organizers from Good Hope, Georgia, to Grand Island, Nebraska are working to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence, free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. Here are some stories, photos, and videos from Beaverton and Hillsboro, Oregon; Grand Island, Nebraska, Opelika, Alabama; Morro Bay, California, Good Hope, Georgia, and Austin, Texas. 

Beaverton, Oregon

On September 25th, Spirit of Grace Church in Beaverton, Oregon held a hybrid meeting/service entitled “Nonviolence and Addressing Gun Violence.” A total of 60 people attended, with 40 in-person and an additional 20 joining via zoom. The group shared readings and hymns before participating in breakout sessions to generate ideas on how to address gun violence. They reported these ideas back to the whole group verbally and in writing, producing a full page of ideas which are being sent to our church’s entire mailing list. Here are some of the ideas:

• Support Oregon Measure 114 to limit the size of ammunition magazines.

• Know your elected representatives’ positions on gun issues – and vote accordingly.

• Withdraw your support for entertainment or businesses that glorify guns or violence.

•   Talk about how to prevent the over 20,000 suicides by guns each year.

Organizer Mary Ryan Hotchkiss says, “We hope to pass Oregon Measure 114 to improve background checks and limit the size of ammunition magazines.  Many people took signs home to display encouraging voting for Measure 114.  Our list of actions should inform and inspire our whole congregation.”

Hillsboro, Oregon

Working with Habitat For Humanity, the Oregon Peace Builders planted and dedicated a Peace Pole directly in front of the Habitat House at Alder Commons homesites on Saturday Sept. 24th. 

Residents of Habitat housing units attended with their children. The CEO of Habitat For Humanity Portland Area gave a talk on Habitat's promotion of peace around the world. Many people at the event were not aware of Habitat's direct involvement in peace activities - only their indirect building of peace by helping to house people - so the event revealed a deeper connection to peace work. One woman said, "I came from Cameroon because I wanted to live in peace. I am so happy to have this Peace Pole in front of my house."  The group sang, Let There Be Peace on Earth accompanied by guitar and shared snacks. Bubble wands were provided for children (and those young at heart). The residents of the apartments across from the Habitat houses will pass by the Peace Pole every day.  See local news coverage here.

Grand Island, Nebraska 

Nebraskans for Peace held their annual conference with keynote speakers Medea Benjamin and Danaka Katovich speaking on “Working for Peace Across Generations: How to get young people involved in the Peace Movement.” This 4-hr program garnered over 500 views between the livestream of the event and recording. You can watch it here

On Wednesday, September 29th, Central Nebraska Peace Workers held a vigil at a gathering in Grand Island, Nebraska, where they encouraged passersby to take an active role in shaping a better world and future. The group is an affiliate of Nebraskans for Peace.

Opelika, Alabama

To celebrate the International Day of Nonviolence in Opelika, Alabama, special guests speakers Mrs. Marquenta Barnett of Quenta Sharing and Caring Uplift Outreach, and Ms. Valastine Penn, a Community Outreach Leader for Stop The Violence, spoke with the Samford Community Outreach Youth Group about school violence, bullying and preventing youth suicides. The teach-in and discussion was then followed by  a joyful and heartfelt youth rally against violence in the neighborhood. The Samford Community Outreach Nonviolence Group and Samford Community Outreach Youth Group are part of the Nonviolent Cities Project and the Nonviolent Opelika City Project works to keep the peace in the city of Opelika and surrounding areas. Mayor Gary Fuller also issued a proclamation for the International Day of Nonviolence. A sit-in devotional worship on the Power of Peace was held with the youth and community as part of Peace Warriors On the Move. 

Morro Bay, California

Yes We Can Peacebuilders and Nonviolent Morro Bay held a series of teach-ins and art creation with children on the International Day of Peace. The focus accompanied the United Nations theme of “End Racism, Build Peace”. Ruth Ann Angus met with close to 100 school children to talk about peace, the war in Ukraine, bullying at school, diversity and ending racism. She says, “These kids were thrilled to be asked to be part of a peace celebration. It made me realize how much we might have been excluding children in this age group from projects that help them cope with the violence they know exists but feel helpless about.” Read more about Ruth Ann Angus’ experience and hear about other events that happened in Morro Bay here. 

Good Hope, Georgia

On Oct 2nd, the International Day of Nonviolence and World Vegetarian Day, Farm of the Free held a Yoga And Farm Sanctuary Tour in Good Hope, Georgia. A small, but enthusiastic group of 8 people came together for the 3 hour event with a yoga practice centering on ahimsa, or non-violence, the first Yama of the 8 limbs of yoga. Then, the founders of the Farm of the Free sanctuary provided a tour of the rescued animal residents and shared their vision for the future.  Participants learned how eating a plant-based diet supports both animals and the planet. The event inspired people to eat less animal meat and animal by-products. It also helped people reflect on how they can practice nonviolence towards themselves, others, and all beings.

Austin, TX

On the International Day of Nonviolence, Nonviolent Austin held a Concert for Peace, Nonviolence, Healing. Around 60 people came together to listen to local musicians during this 5-hr event on a beautiful backyard stage. Organizer Jim Crosby writes, “Several folks said this event had the feel of old Austin, laid back and filled with musical talent and good feelings toward each other.”

 The hosts were the Therapy Sisters. Jon Dee Graham and Kathy McCarty were the best known of the musicians, and the duo, who have long partnered on each other's concerts and albums, traded songs seamlessly. Francisco Chavez and the 1:00 O'Clock Choir from St. James' Episcopal Church sang the good news, "down with war and up with love," en Espanol. Chip Bach and his newly minted bluegrass band, "The New 5 Cents," took us to the Appalachian Mountains in spirit. Jonathan Horstman of Urban Heat soloed, warming up for the upcoming tour of both coasts by his band. Erin Walter and her ace guitarist partner Sam Hensley, together as the band Parker Woodland got everyone moving with their high-energy talent. David Clauss opened the proceedings, channeling both Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan wonderfully, while demonstrating his own individual style and skill. Married songsters Paul and Sharon Finley balanced their talents on guitar and vocals, respectively, to the delight of all. Multi-instrumentalist Stuart Hampton brought listeners on a tour of the folk world with an array of whistles, flutes, and stringed instruments. Steve Brooks, one of Central Texas' most consistent and persistent bards of social justice, brought the wonderful and missed presence of Lone Star icon Molly Ivins to the stage, and more. It all made for an unforgettable afternoon in hosts Lisa and Maureen's backyard. 

Audience members were encouraged to visit the voter registration table and the art table, as well as to the recommended reading table and the sign-up for Nonviolent Austin’s upcoming two-hour Introductory Nonviolence training session. 

Jim writes, “At the end of the afternoon all were happy, and ready to do it again! We celebrated Gandhi and Campaign Nonviolence together, along with the approach of autumn after a long, hot summer. It felt like we truly were building beloved community.”

These stories are just some of the 4622+ actions and events that happened during the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, Sept 21-Oct 2nd, to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence, free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. Find more stories, reports, and videos here>>