On November 10-11 in Washington, DC, there will be an historic gathering of groups and people to end US wars at home and abroad. On Saturday November 10 the Peace Congress will bring together advocates for peace and economic, racial, environmental and climate justice to develop a strategy, goals and actions based on principles of unity. These are:
- End U.S. wars at home and abroad.
- Create a peace economy that meets the necessities of people and protects the planet.
- Respect the self-determination of all people and nations.
- Create transformative change by building a movement of movements.
The Peace Congress arose from the successful effort to stop President Trump’s military parade scheduled for November 10. In February of this year, peace groups met and agreed to work together to stop the parade. By August, over 250 groups had signed on to stop the parade and an open letter was issued to Congress calling on them to stop this glorification of war, saber-rattling and misuse of tax dollars. Shortly after that, the estimated cost of the parade, $92 million, was leaked from Pentagon officials and the parade was cancelled.
With a desire to continue to build on the momentum created by this organizing effort, the groups continued to meet and decided to convene a Peace Congress to determine more ways of collaborating. The Peace Congress is open to all who want to participate.
It will take place on Saturday, November 10 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For full information, see NoTrumpMilitaryParade.us.
The full weekend of events includes:
Catharsis on the Mall – An annual event at the National Mall near the Washington Monument (15th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW). Enjoy live music, art, costumes, and vendor booths!
Veterans’ occupation of McPherson Square and the Veterans Administration – Veterans will hold space at McPherson Square, 14th and I Streets, NW, from Friday night to Sunday night. There will be live music from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, and an interfaith service at 8:00 am and open mike from 1:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, as well as a barbecue. There will be protests outside of the Veterans Administration regarding veterans’ benefits and opposing privatization of the VA.
Veteran and military family-led solemn march to reclaim Armistice Day on its 100th anniversary – veterans and military families will assemble at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 9:00 am on Sunday for the march and plan to arrive at the WWI Memorial by 11:00 am. All are invited to participate in the march. It is asked that all participants respect the solemn tone of the march.
