September 2023
Our world is becoming unhinged. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond. We confront a host of existential threats -- from the climate crisis to disruptive technologies -- and we do so at a time of chaotic transition.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Back from the Brink's Fall Advocacy around the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
This fall, the Back from the Brink Campaign (BftB) will be organizing around the 2nd Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which will be held at the United Nations in New York from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. To date, 93 countries have signed the TPNW and 69 have ratified it. Unfortunately, the U.S. government (like all nuclear-armed states) actively opposes the treaty. You can help change the Biden administration's thinking on the TPNW. Ask your local, county, and state elected officials to sign a BftB-organized letter to President Biden urging him to (1) send an observer delegation to the 2MSP and (2) to initiate negotiations with all nuclear weapons states toward a verifiable, timebound agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons from the planet. Learn more and take action here.
Healing the Harms of Nuclear Testing -- Webinar September 27, 2023, 6:30 -- 7:30 pm EDT
From 1945 to 1962, the U.S. conducted more than 200 above-ground nuclear tests. Radiation spread for thousands of miles, poisoning the surrounding area, overwhelmingly impacting low-income households and communities of color. Those exposed to nuclear fallout are still dealing with the deadly consequences of these detonations today. Few have been compensated. The Friends Committee on National Legislation invites you to join a webinar on Wed. Sept. 27, from 6:30 -- 7:30PM to examine the domestic impact of nuclear testing and to advocate with communities who still bear its scars. This isn't just a U.S. issue. On Aug. 29, the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, an international coalition issued an Open Letter to raise awareness about the long-lasting effects of historical French nuclear tests in Algeria and to demand responsible action.
Major Setbacks for Resolution of the 9/11 Legal Proceedings at Guantanamo
In the space of less than three weeks, the attempt to salvage some measure of justice for the crimes of 9/11 through the military commissions at the Guantanamo Naval Base was dealt three major blows. For more than 17 months, prosecution and defense attorneys had been negotiating plea agreements in which the defendants would plead guilty in exchange for life sentences rather than a death penalty. But, just prior to the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks, President Biden rejected proposed terms of confinement for the defendants that would have been part of the plea agreements. Next, just before pre-trial hearings resumed, the 9/11 judge -- the 4th presiding judge since the case began in 2012 -- announced his retirement beginning next April. Finally, in the most significant development yet in the case, one of the defendants, Ramzi bin al-Shibh was declared incompetent to stand trial as a result of PTSD and "Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type" resulting from his years of torture in CIA black sites.
The Clamshell Alliance Revived: We Still Don't Need Nuclear Power
In the 1970s, the Clamshell Alliance, a network with local chapters across New England, organized direct action demonstrations at the Seabrook nuclear power plant in New Hampshire and elsewhere. That network and organization no longer exist, but some of its members now have revived the name to organize against nuclear power once more. From the new Clamshell Alliance: "There's an intense campaign underway to convince people that nukes -- even old, decaying ones and unproven new models -- are essential for combating climate change. This is a dangerous lie. Renewable energy is safer, much less expensive and much faster to build. But the pro-nuclear power campaign is gaining momentum and -- so far -- there's little protest." If you think it's time for a new wave of opposition to nuclear power, visit their web site and read their statement.
International Day of Peace: CODEPINK Local Action Toolkit
September 21, is the International Day of Peace. Since 1982, peacemakers around the world have been campaigning to end war in our lifetime and using September 21 as a coordinated day to promote the message of peace. This year, peace groups throughout the U.S. got together to make peace visible and invite others to join the call for peace now. In New York, CODEPINK and The People's Forum hosted an Art and Celebration Event showcasing original artwork from peacemakers across the U.S. For folks not in NYC, the art can be viewed at their virtual gallery. The team at CODEPINK has put together a toolkit of simple actions anyone can take anywhere to spread #Peace!
Poor People's Campaign: Poverty is the Fourth-Greatest Cause of Death in the United States
The June 2023 Poor People's Campaign Moral Poverty Action Congress sounded the alarm on the crisis of poverty. The Congress opened with a launch event featuring Bishop William J. Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, and U.C.Riverside Professor David Brady, the author of a recent report citing poverty as the fourth leading cause of death in America. Poverty is the fourth-greatest cause of death in the U.S., according to new research. "Poverty kills as much as dementia, accidents, stroke, Alzheimer's and diabetes," said Brady. "Poverty silently killed 10 times as many people as all the homicides in 2019. And yet, homicide firearms and suicide get vastly more attention." Are you outraged? Want to do something about this? Join your state's Poor People's Campaign.
October 3 & 4: The Urgency of Pursuing Peace in Ukraine Days of Action
As the war in Ukraine continues to intensify, with the growing danger of a direct U.S. confrontation with Russia, Peace in Ukraine and CODEPINK are launching a new action plan focusing on Congress called: "The Urgency of Pursuing Peace in Ukraine." They will be asking elected officials to call for: Ceasefire, Diplomacy, and No More Weapons. Through a series of actions on October 3 and 4, including an event with keynote speaker Cornel West, the coalition is pushing to focus everyone's attention on the crisis on Ukraine. Sign the petition that CODEPINK and the Peace in Ukraine coalition will deliver to every member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee.
Ukraine Resources: The Ukraine War and Empire; Elections in Ukraine and its Occupied Territories
The denial of the legitimacy of Ukraine's government and borders by the Russian government has given weight to the view that Russia's invasion is a revanchist war to reclaim territory. This has sparked discussion of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation as continuations of the Russian Empire. Some perspectives recently posted on the UFPJ Ukraine Resources Page, are "Understanding Soviet Settler Colonialism" and "A View of Anti-Imperialism from the Periphery," both from South/South Dialogues. Also posted were two pieces on the problematic status of elections in Ukraine, Will Ukraine run elections during a war? and Inside Russia's sham 'election' in the occupied Ukrainian territories, both from Open Democracy.
Keep Space for Peace Week: October 7 -- 14, 2023
Each year the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space holds Keep Space for Peace Week in early October. This year's theme is the dangers of crowded orbits. Growing space debris makes it likely there will be cascading collisions in orbits above. That could mean losing GPS, internet banking, weather prediction, air traffic control, cell phone reception and much more. Crowded space means a possible loss of key military satellites and a higher risk of nuclear war. Concerned global citizens are urged to help spread the message during this year's Keep Space for Peace Week, October 7 -- 14, that the militarization, weaponization and nuclearization of space is massively problematic. All of this directly impacts our lives now! Download the poster and learn more here.
Ukraine War Notwithstanding, the Middle East and Its Oil will Always be at the Center of U.S. Foreign Policy
Despite the Ukraine war, the Mideast and its oil remain at the center of U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. and Bahrain signed a new security agreement committing the U.S. to "help deter and confront external aggression in the event of an attack." It could be a model for security commitments to other Mideast autocracies, creating more potential trigger points for U.S. military intervention. The U.S. also said it would reduce military aid to Egypt out of "concern" for human rights violations. Human rights groups called for withholding the entire $320 million in military aid. U.S. objectives protect the interests of the fossil fuel cartel, the military-industrial complex, and neoliberals who dictate and benefit from U.S. foreign policy - evidence of the need for a large, united, and active peace and global justice movement. Read more.
Veterans and Labor Campaign for Pentagon Budget Reduction
Veterans & Labor for Sensible Priorities (VL4SP) is a project sponsored by Veterans For Peace (VFP), joined by labor anti-war activists. They urge unions to pass resolutions endorsing a $100 billion cut in the Pentagon budget as called for by HR 1134, cosponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan, that includes no reduction in pay or health care coverage for members of the military. Cracks seem to be developing in the sacrosanct military budget, so the time is right. Former leaders of US Labor Against the War (USLAW) are among the initiators. USLAW, with almost 200 labor affiliates, was behind the 2005 AFL-CIO resolution opposing the Iraq War. The VL4SP call to action includes links to a sample union resolution and a full explanation of the campaign. Sign the VL4SP Letter to Congress. For more information, contact labor@veteransforpeace.org.
Anti-Militarism Hub Shows Up Strong at NYC Climate Week
September 17 -- 22 in New York City was the People's Climate Week. Over 75,000 people showed up in pursuit of climate justice for all. As a contingent in the Sept. 17 mass March to End Fossil Fuels, CODEPINK and a coalition of partners marching under the umbrella of the Anti-Militarism Hub reminded folks that militarism and war are major contributors to the climate crisis. You can find lots more phenomenal photos from the climate march here. As they continue to highlight that the Pentagon is the elephant in the room when it comes to the climate crisis, follow CODEPINK's War Is Not Green Campaign to find out how you can support the creation of a clean climate and a world without war.
A Warning from the United Nations Secretary-General to the General Assembly
On Sept. 19, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the opening of the 78th session of the General Assembly in New York. In urgent remarks, he warned, "The world has changed. Our institutions have not.... divides are deepening: divides among economic and military Powers, divides between north and south, east and west. We are inching ever closer to a great fracture in economic and financial systems and trade relations, one that threatens a single, open internet, with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence, and potentially clashing security frameworks.... It is high time to renew multilateral institutions based on twenty-first century economic and political realities, rooted in equity, solidarity and universality and anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law."
Webinar: Recording: Report Back from Peace Events in South Korea and Japan
In August, commemorative and peace building conferences were held in South Korea on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The International World Conference against A- & H- Bombs was held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Meanwhile President Biden held a summit with Japanese and South Korean leaders to deepen the trilateral military alliance to contain China and constrain North Korea. China tightened its military encirclement of Taiwan and the trilateral allies conducted join military "exercises" in shows of force. In this webinar, presented by the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security and co-sponsored by Peace Action New York State and Maine Peace Action, Joseph Gerson and Margaret Engel shared what they learned in Asia and movement plans for war prevention, peace, and disarmament. Watch the recording.
Words about War Matter: A Language Guide for Discussing War and Foreign Policy
Twenty-two years ago, days after the 9/11 attacks, George W. Bush used the phrase "War on Terror" to justify wars and violence that crossed the globe and spanned decades. "War on Terror" language is one example of how discussions of war are full of Orwellian euphemisms, bloodless jargon, little-known acronyms, and dehumanizing metaphors; think of "collateral damage" (civilian deaths), "overseas contingency operations" (wars), and "bug splat" (killing human beings with drone-fired missiles). The "Words about War Matter" language guide aims to change how we discuss war and discard sanitized language that enables state violence. Share this guide: www.wordsaboutwar.org
A March Against Death for Our Times
A recent Common Dreams article entitled "A MAD For Our Times" by Thea Paneth, a long-time UFPJ member, presents a big idea, based on the very effective March Against Death during the Vietnam War. Thea states that "the unresolved needs of civil society are cast aside with deep, lasting and dire consequences." No more tax cuts for the wealthy and funding the Pentagon, instead we must all come together to organize a massive march for an "end to the scale and scope of preventable death and destruction in our country and the death and destruction we export with our militarism." It is up to us to create alliances, uniting all issues, to effectively tackle the deadly effects on people and the planet. This article outlines a possible way forward. Read more.
Anti-nuclear Sailboat Concludes Epic Voyage in Chicago
The Golden Rule peace boat has completed her epic voyage around the eastern half of the United States. The historic anti-nuclear sailboat began her voyage in Minneapolis/St. Paul in September 2022, and made 100 ports-of-call, including Havana and Toronto. The final events were in Chicago, where crew members spoke with students at the Chicago Arts Institute and the National Teachers Academy, joined Veterans For Peace in a Climate March led by high school and college students, and rallied at the Henry Moore sculpture at the University of Chicago, where the first nuclear chain reaction was produced. The boat is being trucked back to its homeport of Humboldt Bay in northern California, where a Welcome Home -- Well Done! celebration will be held on Sunday, October 8. For more details and great photos, check out the recent Golden Rule eNews.
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