Stand for Peace, A Better Way Forward, and the Palestinian Youth Delegation to Congress in Action Days
For 10 years, Campaign Nonviolence Action Days has both inspired people to take new actions outside their comfort zone and encouraged active organizers to step up their game while the International Day of Peace can highlight their efforts. Today’s reports come from folks working year round for a nonviolent future—the bedrock of the movement to mainstream nonviolence.
Peace Action Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI is one of the groups taking action throughout the year, holding a Stand for Peace event every Saturday, currently calling for peace in Ukraine. During Action Days, they also called for nuclear disarmament and choosing nonviolent action.
David Hart with Nonviolence International shares that 74 people attended the webinar “The Truth Shall Set You Free” with Mubarak Awad to launch Jonathan Kuttab's new book. They hope this event helped to build a culture of nonviolence by humanizing Palestinians and raising up their brave nonviolent liberation work through storytelling. You can read more about it on their blog here: https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/the_truth_shall_set_you_free
Lorraine Cook, representing Peace House, KSKQ Radio, Water League, & Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance in Medford, Oregon, writes that they staged a "Better Way Forward" booth at Medford Multicultural Fair. She writes: “Sponsored through a collaboration of 4 local organizations, this ‘double’ booth at the annual Multicultural Fair gave community members, young and old, a chance to consider the question, ‘What does a "better way forward" mean to you?’ and have their answers recorded to be used later on our local community radio station. We set the context of an emphasis on nonviolence with a display of CNV posters at the front of the booth and a small table with crayons and the CNV coloring pages for children. We received positive comments about both the posters and the coloring pages. The people who inquired about the posters were appreciative of how the wide definition of nonviolence they represent makes sense—defining the relationship of environmental, social justice, public safety, and personal well-being issues as all part of nonviolence lifts up the importance of building a culture of nonviolence. “
Finally, Little Friends for Peace in Accokeek, MD hosted the I Care About Peace: Palestinian Youth Delegation to Congress event on the International Day of Peace, inspiring all with their dedication to building peace and creating positive change. Here are some powerful statements from the delegates at the event:
“Peace means to live in a world without violence, where we are all treated equally”
“Peace is not worrying about if your family will be together”
“Peace is not living in constant fear of your building being demolished”
“Peace is not having restrictions of movement”
“Peace is feeling safe with friends, at school, and in my own home”
“Peace is having running water”