The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it. -- John Lewis, late civil rights activist and US Congressman from Georgia
"A Dying Mule Always Kicks the Hardest," so Get Out the Vote! Update from the Poor People's Campaign A message from Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chairs of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival: "We are just... days out from the election, and we are fighting like hell to do M.O.R.E. - mobilizing, organizing, registering and educating people for the movement that votes. Together, we have called and texted more than 750,000 poor and low-income eligible voters in states where their votes will have the greatest impact, almost 2500 poll monitors have signed up in ten states, who are already our eyes and ears on the ground during early voting, and we have brought together thousands of people each Moral Monday to denounce McConnell's refusal to pass desperately needed COVID relief while ramming through a Supreme Court nominee after millions have already voted. We are in this for the long haul, and we ain't gonna let NOBODY turn us around."¯ Click here to find out how you can do M.O.R.E.
Election Protection 2020 Organizations and individuals across the U.S. are preparing for the possibility of a disputed election"”protracted counting of votes or rejection of the results. Find out who is organizing where you live, what vigils and protests are planned, and how you can join the efforts to protect the 2020 election. READ MORE
Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Reaches 50 Ratifications and Nears Entry-Into-Force On United Nations Day, October 24, Honduras became the 50th country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, bringing the total number of ratifications to 50. Having met this threshold, in 90 days the Treaty will enter-into-force for those countries, strengthening the norm against the possession, development, testing, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Read the statement issued by UFPJ member groups, Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy and Western States Legal Foundation. READ MORE
Iraqi Protesters Return to the Squares and Streets Across Iraq, protesters in large numbers are again marching and occupying the public squares, commemorating the anniversary of the demonstrations that sparked the October Revolution of 2019. They have renewed their demands for improved water and electricity services, jobs creation, and an end to foreign interference and government corruption. The Iraqi government has stalled on making the political reforms that would end the rule of entrenched oligarchs, has failed to deliver on it promises to hold accountable the militias that killed more than 600 protesters and injured or kidnapped thousands more, and now must address a massive financial deficit. READ MORE
Big News from CODEPINK After 18 years of nonstop engagement of this wonderful organization, Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin are stepping back from their role as co-directors so that three younger, brilliant and capable women can step forward. Jodie and Medea will be active board members and will continue to work on key CODEPINK campaigns. Read more about the transition and CODEPINK's new co-directors,Saturday, October 31, 2020 here.
Demand that OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro resign now! In elections on October 18, the People of Bolivia voted against fascism and neoliberalism and for peace and equality. The MAS party not only won the presidency, with candidate Luis Arce winning more than 50% of the votes, but it also won a majority in both houses. As we celebrate this democratic victory by the Bolivian people, we must also help them get justice for what the OAS did to their country. Demand that OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro resign now! Click here to sign the petition!
Campaign for Peace, Disarmament & Common Security Launches As the American Friends Service Committee ends its Peace & Economic Security program, Joseph Gerson, the former director, is taking on a new position as president of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security. The Campaign will work to reduce great power tensions, promote the abolition of nuclear weapons, and protect U.S. democracy from authoritarianism. READ MORE
UFPJ Notes with Sorrow the Passing of Sr. Ardeth Platte Read a tribute to the long-time nuclear disarmament advocate, plowshares activist, and inspiration for a character on the Netflix show "Orange Is the New Black"¯ by Patrick O'Neill of the Kings Bay Plowshares. The New York Times, which did not take note of Sr. Platte during her lifetime as an activist published an obituary celebrating her activism and commitment to the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Save the Date -- US out of Africa! Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, The Black Alliance for Peace, and World BEYOND War are sponsoring a webinar on the United States African Command (AFRICOM) and Human Rights in Africa, on Friday, Dec. 4 at 11am PT, 2pm ET, 7 pm Nigeria time.
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A message from Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chairs of 
Organizations and individuals across the U.S. are preparing for the possibility of a disputed election"”protracted counting of votes or rejection of the results. Find out who is organizing where you live, what vigils and protests are planned, and how you can join the efforts to protect the 2020 election. 
On United Nations Day, October 24, Honduras became the 50th country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, bringing the total number of ratifications to 50. Having met this threshold, in 90 days the Treaty will enter-into-force for those countries, strengthening the norm against the possession, development, testing, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. 
Across Iraq, protesters in large numbers are again marching and occupying the public squares, commemorating the anniversary of the demonstrations that sparked the October Revolution of 2019. They have renewed their demands for improved water and electricity services, jobs creation, and an end to foreign interference and government corruption. The Iraqi government has stalled on making the political reforms that would end the rule of entrenched oligarchs, has failed to deliver on it promises to hold accountable the militias that killed more than 600 protesters and injured or kidnapped thousands more, and now must address a massive financial deficit. 
On September 26, the UN International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, as a member of the 
After 18 years of nonstop engagement of this wonderful organization, Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin are stepping back from their role as co-directors so that three younger, brilliant and capable women can step forward. Jodie and Medea will be active board members and will continue to work on key CODEPINK campaigns. 
In elections on October 18, the People of Bolivia voted against fascism and neoliberalism and for peace and equality. The MAS party not only won the presidency, with candidate Luis Arce winning more than 50% of the votes, but it also won a majority in both houses. As we celebrate this democratic victory by the Bolivian people, we must also help them get justice for what the OAS did to their country. Demand that OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro resign now! 
As the American Friends Service Committee ends its Peace & Economic Security program, Joseph Gerson, the former director, is taking on a new position as president of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security. The Campaign will work to reduce great power tensions, promote the abolition of nuclear weapons, and protect U.S. democracy from authoritarianism. 
Read a tribute