Across the world, people share a yearning for a culture of peace and active nonviolence. Here are some action reports we recently received from the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, Sept 21 - Oct 2nd. Over 4,622 actions and events took place to build to end war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. This set of reports features events that took place in Kenya, Sudan, Southern California, Arizona, and virtually.

Tucson, Arizona

On the morning of September 20th, twelve activists—members of the Nuclear Resister, the Tucson Peace Center and Tucson chapters of Veterans for Peace and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom—held signs and banners at a peace vigil outside of Tucson’s drone base, Davis Monthan Air Force Base.  

Pax Christi Southern California

On October 1, 2022 the Pax Christi Southern California Region held its Virtual Fall Assembly on the intersectionality of poverty, racism, military spending, nuclear weapons, and the climate crisis attended by approximately thirty-six participants from across the country. The keynote speakers were Archbishop Wester, author of the pastoral letter “Living in the Light of Christ’s Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament,” and Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The presentations were highlighted by a panel discussion with Frank Bognar, Board Chair of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; Cathleen Crayton, a PCUSA Ambassador of Peace and member of PCUSA Anti-Racism Team; and Gary Butterfield, a member of Veterans for Peace Steering Committee for their Climate Crisis and Militarism Project. A reflection on the intersectionality of the presentations was provided by a reflective prayer addressing the effects of the arms race on the economy, climate change and racism.

Nairobi, Kenya 

On Sept 25th in Nairobi, Kenya, 34 children, teens, youth, and adults took action to stop pollution and to clean up garbage waste. They learned about sustainable consumption and how to use only what they needed. Participants also collected rubbish in the area and did activities around preventing plastic waste. The event was organized by New Generation Outreach. 

Darfur, Sudan

You Stop Crime in Darfur, Sudan brought people together to build upon their ongoing work to end violence, stop corruption, and learn nonviolent resistance tactics. Focusing on youth as leaders, the group trains and educates them to organize for social change. Since 2010, they’ve also been working with elders, children, and workers to engage in a range of actions from picketing and marching to protest art to community education. They write, “People living in poverty can make real change happen. With the tools of nonviolence, they can (transform) the situation and are willing to engage full time to bring about change. They are economically poor, but have capacities beyond the material; they are spiritually and culturally very rich. Their strength should be known and acknowledged.”

Palm Desert, California

In Palm Desert, California, Living Without Fear partnered with the Daughters of the King of Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church to organize a Labyrinth Walk for Peace on September 30th, the Day of Action To End Gun Violence. Twenty-eight people participated. A flute player provided peace-themed music during the walk. Participants spoke the names of gun violence victims or places of mass shootings so walkers could mourn and reflect upon them while walking the first half of the labyrinth. White paper doves with Bible verse or a quote on peace were offered as reflection for the second part of the walk. At the end, participants read their quotes together. Organizer Mary Pons writes, “The paper doves were a remembrance of the walk to take home. We closed with a prayer, all in the fading sun setting over our beautiful mountains. We plan to do it again next year.”

10 Day Nonviolence Summit by Humanity Rising & Metta Center

From Sept 26th to Oct 7th, Metta Center For Nonviolence partnered with Humanity Rising to offer ten days of discussions, talks, and conversations on nonviolence. With dozens of guest speakers (including Ela Gandhi, Michael Nagler, Erica Chenoweth, Marie Dennis, Sherri Mitchell, Miki Kashtan, Kazu Haga, Kathy Kelly, Ivan Marovic, and many more), each day explore another aspect of nonviolence from peace teams to action to historic figures to current movements.

Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence staff members are also speakers. Ken Butigan presents on Day 547: The Legacy—Jesus, Gandhi, and King—Nonviolence Through the Ages. Rosie Davila and Rivera Sun speak on Day 553: Nonviolence In Action—Theories and Examples. 

All of the recordings are posted online for you to explore at your convenience. It’s an incredible resource for everyone!

Day 546 Mon 9/26/22 What is Non Violence and Where does it Derive Power
Day 547 Tue 9/27/22 The Legacy-Jesus, Gandhi and King - Nonviolence Through the Ages
Day 548 Wed 9/28/22 What’s Peace Got To Do With It? -The True Nature of Humanity, Nonviolence and Peace
Day 549 Thu 9/29/22 The Old Story of Humanity and Its Impact on the World
Day 550 Fri 9/30/22 The New Story of Humanity: its Meaning and Significance
Day 551 Mon 10/3/22 The Big Surprise About Polarization -- And What It Means For Activists
Day 552 Tue 10/4/22 Nonviolence-The Encouraging Signs
Day 553 Wed 10/5/22 Nonviolence in Action-Theories and Examples
Day 554 Thu 10/6/22 Nonviolence: Our Bridge to the Future
Day 555 Fri 10/7/22 Key Take-aways: A Non Violence Dialogue

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>>