Welcoming Nonviolence in Beaverton, OR and Meaningful Dialogues in Chennai, India
Today is Day 3 of Campaign Nonviolence Action days, and we have reports on the latest from organizers in Oregon and India below. If you’re an organizer and you’ve completed your action, be sure to send us your report here. Haven’t taken action yet? Check out Actions Day by Day, and register for our free nonviolence teach-ins on Nonviolent Cities and Nonviolence 101.
Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss in Beaverton, OR shares, “The Beaverton Oregon Campaign Nonviolence event ‘Welcoming Nonviolence’ included 4 different groups interacting with the public on a busy Saturday morning near the Farmers Market. The 10 folks from Spirit of Grace Church group polled passers-by on their concern about gun violence and gathered 97 suggestions to help prevent gun violence. They gathered signatures supporting ‘common sense guns laws and asking for the ban of assault weapons’ that will be sent to Oregon legislators. They handed out cards with the Principles of Nonviolence and stickers that said ‘I Support Nonviolence.’ The Crossing Party Lines group advertised their programs and books. The League of Women Voters registered voters and emphasized they were very happy with their interaction with the public. The Oregon Peace Builders hosted a Peace Art Table and involved over 25 children.
Vasanthi Ranganathan with CNV lake view Training center said that about 100 people attended their September 23 event in (Avadi) Chennai, India, sharing, “10 to 15 prepared under the leadership of Kavitha Narasimhan, social activist, at RC Ambattur, Neumeyar After school support center, Ayapakkam. 160 students from classes 4_12 from the neighborhood schools attend this center. They are coached in a holistic manner and participate well. They drew, painted, stood as a human chain with elected political leaders, parents, bystanders, scouts and guides officers. This is the 1st program of this kind involving neighborhood. It surely made an impact on our students, on how they should conduct themselves and also engage in community well being. Maybe when there are accidents, or overtaking, youth will engage in meaningful dialogues rather angery skirmishes. Everyday incidents of road rages resulting in death injury and violence are reported in media.”