For nearly 30 years, Veterans For Peace has been dedicated to working for the abolishment of war as national U.S policy. We have taken to the streets, petitioned our leaders, and educated our community members about the true costs of war.
The International Day of Peace offers an opportunity for the world to pause and reflect on peaceful alternatives to conflict. Peace Day was established by the United Nations in 1981 to strengthen the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace
both within and among all nations and peoples.
This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations,
is a living instrument in the service of peace
and should serve all of us here within the organization
as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment,
above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."
(See United Nations Declaration on The Right to Peace.)
VFP49 ACTION: Declare your commitment to Peace!
1. Wear a white ribbon with the words "Ask me about September 21".
When people ask you about September 21, tell them:
- Today is the International Day of Peace.
- A time when we can all reflect on peaceful alternatives to conflict.
- If appropriate, you can initiate a discussion about what this means regarding the current conflict in the Middle East, and how what peaceful options can be pursued by America to resolve the imbalance among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds in Iraq and Syria that is behind the Islamic State movement.
For more back ground on this issues, see:
Proposals for Peaceful Alternatives in dealing with the situation in Iraq and Syria (Veterans For Peace).
IVAW Statement on the Crisis In Iraq (Iraq Veterans Against the War).
Responding to Islamic State - Guiding Principles (Friends Committee on National Legislation).
A Plan to Resolve the ISIS Threat without American Bombs (Win Without War).
What humanitarian efforts mean for Iraq (YouTube).
2. Contact your elected officials:
Find Your Federal and State Elected Officials
https://org.salsalabs.com/o/826/getLocal.jsp
Contact President Obama
202-456-1111
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments
Contact your U.S. Senators
202-224-3121
http://www.senate.gov/
Contact your U.S. Representative
202- 224-3121
http://www.house.gov/
Tell them you are a constituent and that you vote:
- You are thinking about the national elections coming up in November.
- A major issue that will influence your vote is how candidates will work for peaceful alternatives to conflict.
- That you will be watching how much s/he will work for peaceful U.S. policies in the Middle East to resolve the imbalance among the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds in Iraq and Syria that is behind the Islamic State movement.
- That you would like a response on what his/her position is on this issue.
Thank you for taking a stand for positive and constructive alternatives to conflict. Together we can make a difference!