Supporting Migrants and Speaking Out Against Militarism—Nonviolence Actions in Reno, Marysville, and Cincinnati
Action Days reports are still rolling in from those of the 5,049 actions across the country and around the world that have happened so far, including the two below. But there is still plenty left to come—look for an event near you in our full actions list. And if you already took action, don’t forget to tell us about it here.
Rita Sloan with the Life, Peace & Justice Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Reno, NV held an event on September 23 titled A Day of Reflection: "Why So Many Immigrants?" Moving From Sympathy to Empathy. The day was spent in reflection, prayer, and learning. It was hosted by Fr. Chuck Durante and the Life, Peace & Justice Commission. Rita writes: “This was our 3rd annual Day of Reflection, each focusing on a particular social justice issue. Months of planning, gathering of materials, and preparation went into the day of interactive activities to help us all have a more complete understanding of the world-wide dilemma of masses of people on the move, often refugees who have little choice but to move. The problems only increase, and we can not ignore the situation that affects us all, especially those on the move who are desperate for stability in their lives. The large number of migrants on this planet demands our attention, our compassion, and our resolve to help one another.
Pope Francis reminds us frequently to remember Integral Ecology, the fact that all life on this planet is intertwined. Large and growing numbers of people on the move, desperately seeking survival, safety, and a new place to live their lives, affect us all. Immigration issues are life issues. Remembering that our own lives are integrally part of the lives of others should lead us to abhor violence of any kind, whether it is willful individual violence or systems that are violent toward any part of humanity.”
Chris Nelson with Occupy Beale in Marysville, CA shares, “On the International Day of Peace, 13 people from across northern California under the name Occupy Beale gathered at the Wheatland Gate of Beale Air Force Base to protest the US Military and Climate Connections:
The US Military has the largest carbon and greenhouse gas footprint of any organization in the world.
Money that supports global militarism could be used for ecological restoration, climate resiliency projects and human need.
US Militarism and the climate crisis disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
US Wars for Oil have kept in place the fossil fuel-based status quo, endangering all.
As personnel left the base they could read our banners and take our literature. We were able to leave a string of peace cranes on the inside of the base property line with messages of concern about the global crisis of militarism which is dooming the world to untold hardship through climate catastrophe and likely nuclear annihilation. Youth are interested in the connection between militarism and climate catastrophe. Next month we return to Beale AFB for another action and more people are interested. The torch is being passed from the elder generation to those who are in high school now.”
Bekky Baker with Ignite Peace in Cincinnati, OH reports about their action: “We hosted a Strategic Nonviolence Intensive to give a primer of nonviolent modes of practice from a systemic level down to an inter- and intra-personal level. People were really engaged and excited about the material. They stated they learned a lot. I think we have to know about alternative ways of being rather than continuously accepting just the way things are. We have to be building something new and not just screaming about tearing down the bad. That is why it is so important to learn new ways of existing or approaching the world.”
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