If America does not address what's happening with visionary social and economic policy, the health and well-being of the nation is at stake....What we need is long-term economic policy that establishes justice, promotes the general welfare, rejects decades of austerity and builds strong social programs that lift society from below.
Dr. William J. Barber II, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Shailly Gupta Barnes and Josh Bivens
The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Peace and Justice on Earth in 2021!
Our country is experiencing multiple coinciding crises: racial injustice, the COVID pandemic, severe economic inequality, climate crisis, endless wars and militarization. The UFPJ network includes hundreds of local and national organizations, and as we did in 2002, in opposition to the war in Iraq, we must come together to link the wars abroad with the assaults on justice at home, and U.S. militarism with the corporate economic interests it serves. In 2021, we must strive for real change and the meaningful social and economic justice that only sustained peace can bring. Please include United for Peace and Justice as you make your end-of-the year donations.
Poor People's Campaign Launches 14 Policy Priorities for the First 100 Days to Heal the Nation
Last week, the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival launched its 14 Policy Priorities for the First 100 Days of the new Administration. The Poor People's Campaign, along with poor, low-wealth, moral and economic leaders is demanding that COVID relief, living wages, healthcare for all, federal jobs programs and other human needs take precedence during the first 50-100 days of the new Administration and 117th Congress. Sign on now to add your support to these 14 priorities for the healing of the nation. READ MORE.
Webinar: Introduction to the History & Dynamics of U.S. Asia-Pacific Policies
The newly formed Asia-Pacific Working group will host a webinar on the history and dynamics of U.S. Asia-Pacific policies, January 12, 2021, at 8pm EST. The presenters will be Tobita Chow of Global Justice, Corazon Fabros of the Asia-Europe Peoples Forum and the ASEAN Civil Society Conference-ASEAN Peoples Forum, and Mark Seldon, professor emeritus of Cornell University and Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Journal. For more information and to register for the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_235ewCESQAOUgR_B_yjz3Q
Get Ready for Nuclear Ban Treaty Entry-into-Force Action Day: Jan. 22, 2021
On January 22, 2021, people around the world will celebrate the day that the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force. Find out how you can be involved. Resources including local actions ideas and downloadable templates for a banner and a poster are available at the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance's Nuclear Ban Treaty Entry Into Force Resources page. READ MORE
The World Says No to War on Yemen! International Protests, Monday, January 25, 2021
The war on Yemen is entering its sixth year, with weapons sales by the US and UK continuing to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The war has caused the worst humanitarian crisis on Earth. People and organizations from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Italy, and across the world, are coming together to call for an end to the war in Yemen and solidarity with the people of Yemen. UFPJ has joined this call and encourages folks across the US to participate in this protest (masked and distanced where possible, and virtually). READ MORE
UFPJ Member Group Gathering -- SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, January 30, 2PM EST/11AM PST
Few of us will be sad to see the end of 2020, but what of 2021? Can we look forward to a year of peace building? One advantage of being part of UFPJ's network is having access to different strategies and tactics to reach a collective vision of justice and peace. How do we best transform the rage and pain from the deep systemic inequities exposed this year into action to shift power dynamics, increase accountability, and seed peace? Can we derail the U.S. from the track of endless war? We will consider these and other strategic issues together virtually, on January 30 at the UFPJ Member Group Gathering. Look for more details in the weeks to come.
Training for Young Peacemakers
UFPJ invites member groups that have young interns, volunteers, or staff to participate in a training program in "Organizing for Peace," with a focus on addressing systemic oppression. This project will seek out and train young activists who reject fear, violence, and continuing conflict as "normal." Participants will attend online sessions with UFPJ's National Organizer, George Friday. The sessions will be based on issues that are most urgent and timely for the program participants and their organizations. READ MORE
The Future of U.S. Immigration Policy: How Much Can Biden Do?
The Immigrant Solidarity Network--a founding member of UFPJ--tracks news and analysis of importance to our country's treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers. After four years of disastrous Trump policies that violated our international commitments and traditionally embraced values, what can a Biden Administration do? READ MORE
Less Than Six Months From National Parliamentary Elections--Protests, Violent Government Repression, and Economic Crisis Engulf Iraq
Anti-government protests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are met with government shutdown of the Internet and widespread arrests of journalists. Activists of the October Revolution and followers of Muqtada al-Sadr clash in the streets of Baghdad and Nasiriyah as Iraq's financial woes deepen. Parliament is poised to further restrict freedom of expression, and internally displaced persons who fled Daesh (ISIS) face an uncertain future. READ MORE
UFPJ Organizer Moderates International Webinar on AFRICOM
On December 4, UFPJ National Organizer George Friday moderated a webinar sponsored by World BEYOND War, Women's International League for Peace & Freedom-US Section, the Black Alliance for Peace, and UFPJ on the United States African Command (AFRICOM) and Human Rights in Africa. For more about the webinar and a link to view the recording, READ MORE
Defund the Pentagon Webinar: What is the true cost of war?
When we say we spend $740 billion on the Pentagon budget every year, where does that money actually go? If you didn't get a chance to catch the CODEPINK Defund the Pentagon webinar featuring Heidi Peltier from the Cost of War Project, you can watch the conversation here.
Condemn the Assassination of Iranian Scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
On Friday, November 27, 2020, in an act of flagrant disregard for international law, Israel carried out the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. The assassination takes place during an extremely sensitive time as the U.S. is in its last days of the Trump administration and President-elect Joe Biden is hoping to reengage diplomatically with Iran. Add your name to call on world leaders, including U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, to condemn the illegal execution of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh by Israel.
UFPJ is a diverse network of peace and justice organizations. If your organization is interested in joining UFPJ, please read our Unity Statement, and if it is consistent with your principles click here to join.
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