Campaign Nonviolence Action Days Kicks Off w/ 5,214 Actions on Int’l Day of Peace

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As we launch the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days on September 21, the International Day of Peace, we take our public stand for peace in solidarity with the millions worldwide suffering in wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Yemen, and many other places. We know that our yearning for and celebration of peace begins with the courage to challenge and end the horror that is war.

When Campaign Nonviolence launched 11 years ago, calling for “a long term movement for a culture of peace and active nonviolence, free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction,” we knew that all these issues are connected. If we want to end war, we must seek justice for all, not just for some. And nonviolence provides the means with which we achieve this while breaking the cycle of escalating violence.

Here is a brief glimpse of how people worldwide are taking action to end war and build peace.

Standing for peace. In our militarized and war-torn world, it is important that people take a visible stand for peace. With rallies, marches, candlelight vigils, art, dance, music, film screenings, peace poles, 5K runs, prayers, silent minutes, ringing bells, symposiums, sidewalk chalk messages, and more, people around the world will be reaffirming their support for a peaceful world. See the full list here.

Calling for ceasefires. With the horrific violence in Gaza and Ukraine weighing on their hearts, people are calling for ceasefires. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they’re marching for Gaza and for nuclear abolition. In Appleton, WI, they’re calling to end weapons shipments to Israel. In London, England, they’re marching from the department of defense to the office of foreign policy to the prime minister’s doors to demand a ceasefire. At Peace Day events in numerous cities, people will make statements, protest, vigil, and send letters to officials calling for an end to war.

Opposing militarism. Wars are waged, built, and agitated by militarism and the military industrial complex. Ending war requires opposing militarism. World BEYOND War’s #NoWar2024 Conference focuses on resisting the US military empire. The Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice (Sept 21-28) is making the connection between war and environmental destruction. The No Money For Nukes Week of Action (Sept 16-22) with International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and Warheads to Windmills is pressuring banks to stop financing nukes. In Tucson, AZ, the No Money For Nukes Demonstration puts the spotlight on Raytheon’s manufacturing.

Reclaiming peace culture. In creative ways, people are reclaiming time, space, and focus from war culture and replacing it with active participation in a culture of peace. In Prescott, AZ, Twin Cities, MN, Austin, TX, and Shelburne Falls, MA, musicians are holding peace concerts. Little Rock, AR, is painting murals, holding teach-ins with students, writing essays, holding interfaith dinners, and more. Around 200 churches are giving sermons on Just Peace instead of Just War Theory. In Philadelphia, PA, the PEACE LIT! Fair - LITeracy Is Our Peaceful Resistance reclaims literature and reading for peace. In Canada and Maine, public libraries are making peace and nonviolence displays of books and posters. Also in Maine, peace activists are giving peace speeches at a country fair. The city of Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, is launching 100 Days of Peace. On Youth Island in Copenhagen, Denmark a large Peace Day Youth Assembly is taking place. In Australia, the Raising Peace Festival has spent the entire month teaching and building peace. In Lilongwe, Malawi, people are marching for peace and to end racist human trafficking. In Kampala, Uganda, the children are playing soccer games for peace and unity. In Ganta City, Liberia, over 500 youth and stakeholders will sign the Ganta Peace Declaration. Find other examples here.

See the full line-up of actions and events between Sept 21-Oct 2.

Actions You Can Do On International Day of Peace:

Sign the Sustainable Peace Pledge, part of Arkansas Peace Week

Write a Peace Message To Politicians w/ Peace Bits
Hold a Global Silent Minute at noon in your local time zone.
Watch the Hubcast Media Global Broadcast featuring several of our organizers from around the world.

Peace is a verb, they say. It’s something we build, cultivate, grow, invest in, reclaim, and wage. As we launch into the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days 2024, watch for the ways that nonviolence and social justice create the groundwork for a culture of peace. We’ll be sharing more stories, photos, videos, and reports from the 5,214 actions happening between now and October 2nd.

Thank you for being part of this inspiring movement,
Rivera, Shaina, Erin, Rosie, Ken, Ryan, Mili, Alisha, Sophia, and the Campaign Nonviolence Team