On October 30, the White House announced plans to deploy a small contingent of special operations forces in Syria, an apparent reversal of President Obama’s pledge not to put U.S. “boots on the ground” in Syria, and an omen of “mission creep.” This is a dangerous escalation of an already incendiary multi-sided conflict in which the U.S. and Russia are bombing different factions. The U.S. and Russia hold 94% of the world’s nearly 16,000 nuclear weapons. We are witnessing the growing danger of war among nuclear armed states, and with it the potential for nuclear war. It’s time to say STOP! It’s time to take a stand for PEACE and DIPLOMACY!!
United for Peace and Justice member groups including Veterans For Peace and the U.S. Peace Council are calling for local actions around the country on Armistice Day, November 11. Veterans For Peace explains, “We are reclaiming the original intention of that day – a worldwide call for peace that was spurred by universal revulsion at the huge slaughter of World War One…. After World War II, the U.S. Congress decided to re-brand November 11 as Veterans Day. Who could speak against that? But honoring the warrior quickly morphed into honoring the military and glorifying war. Armistice Day was flipped from a day for peace into a day for displays of militarism. This November 11, it is as urgent as ever to ring the bells for peace. Many Veterans For Peace chapters ring bells, and ask local churches to do the same, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, as was done at the end of World War One.” Visit the Armistice Day page for ways to get involved. The U.S. Peace Council is calling on groups in every locality to organize public actions on November 11 to “Stop World War 3!”
On October 31, the day after the White House announcement, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross issued an “unprecedented joint warning” for states to end wars, respect international law and aid the 60 million refugees made homeless from recent conflicts.
According to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “In the face of blatant inhumanity, the world has responded with disturbing paralysis. This flouts the very raison d’être of the United Nations. The world must reaffirm its humanity and uphold its commitments under international humanitarian law. Today we speak with one voice to urge all States to take immediate, concrete steps to ease the plight of civilians.”
Peter Maurer, of the International Committee of the Red Cross, added, “Rarely before have we witnessed so many people on the move, so much instability, so much suffering. In armed conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere, combatants are defying humanity’s most fundamental norms. Every day, we hear of civilians being killed and wounded in violation of the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and with total impunity. Instability is spreading. Suffering is growing. No country can remain untouched.”
We in the peace movement need to heed these warnings. While the negotiations in Vienna to end the Syrian civil war provide a glimmer of hope, this is no time to relax. As Veterans For Peace reminds us: “Between nuclear war and climate disaster, we are facing the possibility of Hell on Earth, UNLESS we create a united worldwide movement for peace, justice, equality and sustainability.” As the U.S. Peace Council declares: “Together wherever we are, we must raise our voices. Together!” It’s time to take a stand for Peace and Diplomacy and to hit the streets on Armistice Day!
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