March 2020
The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. . . . I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
We are launching UFPJ Currents, a monthly newsletter compiling recent posts on vital issues, UFPJ campaigns, and the crucial work of our member organizations. In this time of COVID-19, we must redouble our commitment to work for peace, justice and security, questioning what true security entails and how we ensure justice for the most vulnerable in our global community.
Global Days of Action Against Military Spending [GDAMS] National Briefing Calls
UFPJ is hosting two national briefing calls on the 2020 Global Days of Action Against Military Spending (GDAMS, April 10-May 9). Listen to a recording of Lindsay Koshgarian of the Institute for Policy Studies, Bill Hartung of the Center for International Policy, and Joseph Gerson of the American Friends Service Committee and the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security as they analyze how lack of preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic reveals the grave consequences of slashing social safety net spending while deluging the military-industrial complex with our tax dollars. And register for the call on March 25 with Shailly Gupta Barnes of the Kairos Center and environmental attorney Mark Dunlea.
Mass Poor People's Assembly & Moral March on Washington Goes Digital!
On June 20th, the Poor People's Campaign: a National Call for Moral Revival will hold the largest digital and social media gathering of poor and low-wealth people, moral and religious leaders, advocates, and people of conscience in this nation's history. A global pandemic is exposing even more the already existing crisis of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy and militarism, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. UFPJ is a proud national endorser of the Campaign. Click here to sign up for June 20! Read more about the Campaign here.
World Conference 2020: Abolish Nuclear Weapons; Resist and Reverse the Climate Crisis; For Social and Economic Justice MOVES TO DYNAMIC ONLINE PLATFORM
A broad coalition had planned for an international conference the weekend before the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York in late April, seeking to explore the connections among the overlapping economic, ecological, and political crises contributing to the rising risk of war among nuclear-armed countries. This event, like many others, has been cancelled due to the global health crisis. But the organizers plan to go forward with on-line events including a lineup of activists and analysts from around the world. Keep tabs on these plans as they develop.
It's 100 Seconds to Midnight: The Existential Threats Posed by Climate Change and Nuclear Weapons
On January 23, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the metaphorical hands of the Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds to midnight. The 2020 Doomsday Clock Statement warns that, "Humanity continues to face two simultaneous existential dangers--nuclear war and climate change--that are compounded by a threat multiplier, cyber-enabled information warfare, that undercuts society's ability to respond." Read more!.
Global Perspectives on the Breakdown of the Iran Deal
You can now watch videos of presentations by international experts concerning the Iran Nuclear Deal, the JCPOA, which came into force in 2015 and which President Trump has apparently dedicated his presidency to destroying. The Abolition 2000 Global Network for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons organized this webinar on issues related to its goals of eliminating nuclear weapons and nuclear power, on October 2, 2019, the International Day of Nonviolence. Click here for a summary report.
Bolivia's Struggle for Democracy Continues
Learn how UFPJ member organizations continue to respond to the events of November 2019 in Bolivia.
UFPJ 's Coalition Work for Peace and Economic Justice
UFPJ regularly signs onto letters initiated by other groups dealing with a broad range of important peace and justice issues. Click here for three recent letters concerning: Just COVID-19 relief and stimulus, Congressional control and oversight use of sanctions by the executive branch, and supporting termination of unauthorized military force on against Iran.
Please donate to help us continue sending out UFPJ Currents to our members and supporters. And THANK YOU for all your work for peace and justice!
