Please RSVP for the event on Facebook and fill out the form  for up to the minute announcements of what United for Peace and Justice will be doing and where we’ll be meeting at various events in Washington DC for the Inauguration and posts about sister events happening around the country and around the world.

Inauguration Events in DC

Jan 14-16, 9AM

MLK Action Camp

Jan 14 – 15th – American University, 10am-7pm

Jan 15th – Action Spokes Council

Jan 16th – St Stephens, 1525 Newton St NW, 10am-7pm

DisruptJ20 is partnering with Black Student Alliance (BSA) and Latino and American Student Organization (LASO) to hold a series of trainings and workshops in DC to prepare people for upcoming actions, particularly those around the Inauguration.

In these trainings, we will collectively analyze and discuss why resistance and action is important under the Trump administration, how we can resist, and what future our actions are building towards.

We will lead workshops on Nonviolent Direct Action, Know Your Rights, Street Safety, and De-escalation, Community and Workplace Organizing, and more. More information and full schedule to come.

• RSVP here
• Contact
• Submit a workshop
• Facebook event

Jan 19, 2pm-10pm

Non-Violent Protest Anti War/Anti Nukes Rally, Concert & Camp
Franklin Square Park

Hosted by Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign and the Revolutionary Road Radio Show.

*UFPJ Co-Chair Jackie Cabasso will be speaking at this event at 4:45pm.

Our main concert / rally will be held in the park on Jan. 19 promoting Anti Nuclear/Anti War Ideas, that event begins at 2pm – 10pm. We will have daily concerts and speakers from 4-8pm every day from the 19-22nd. 

Featured Bands thus far on the 19th:

ROOM FULL of STRANGERS, Refuge Beat Poets Collective, Rebel Diaz, Chuck D (Invited), Bust Off, Unabomber, Copstabber, All Torn Up, Lauren DiGioia, the Screws, XK Scenario, Liss Victory, many others (Production by Bread and Circuses and Squatter Productions)

Featured Speakers Thus Far: Paul DeRienzo, Stanley L Cohen, Colonel Ann Wright (retired U.S. State Department official), Jill Stein (former Green Party nominee), Cheri Honkala (National Coordinator of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign), Jackie Cabasso (United for Peace and Justice / Western States Legal Foundation), David Swanson, David Cobb, Vermin Supreme (performance artist and activist), Margaret Flowers, Shane Claiborne, Ray McGovern, Kevin Zeese, Eric Sheptock (DC homeless activist), Frank Morales ( Squatters right activist, co-founder Picture the Homeless), Rev Bruce Wright, Rev Apostle Robin Harris, John Penley (Principal Occupy Wallstreet Organizer), Reps from Vets for Peace, Reps from Ploughshares, DC Food Not Bombs will join.

• RSVP on Facebook 

Jan 20

Early Morning

Blockades Action – Join a Blockade at 6 am

“On the day of the inauguration, DC organizers are putting together issue-based protests/direct actions at each of the 12 checkpoints that Trump-loving folks will go through to get to the Inaugural parade at 6 am.”

• Movement for Black Lives
• Anti-war/Free Palestine
  

  When: 6am-10am
  Where: The security checkpoint at C & 2nd NW
  What: Bring anti-war / free-Palestine messaging! Some folks have been meeting to come up with creative visual themes/ideas which are TBD and suggestions are much appreciated. If you’re in DC let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you info about our next affinity group meeting on Monday afternoon. We have a really great, diverse group coming together. If you’re interested in the direct action component as well, let Alli know. Email her at allimccrack@gmail.com if you can attend.

• Trade Justice
• Climate Justice
• Showing Up for Racial Justice
• Labor Direct Action
• The Future Is Feminist
• Qockblockade Brigade: Queer Resistance on J20
• Communities Under Attack Fight Back!
• More to be announced
  

10AM

NCNR STOP ALL WARFARE INCLUDING DRONE WARFARE
Union Station, Lower Level Food Court

9AM-10PM

#DisruptJ20 Outdoor Convergence Begins (Open all day)
McPhearson Square Park

12PM

#DisruptJ20 Festival of Resistance & March Against Trump
Columbus Circle to McPhearson Square Park

The DC Counter-Inaugural Welcoming Committee is organizing a Festival of Resistance on inauguration day, beginning at 12pm at Columbus Circle (in front of Union Station), and marching to McPherson Square.

This march will be fully permitted, and we are organizing marching bands, drummers, puppets, and vibrant displays of art and culture to show the diversity and power of resistance to Trump’s agenda.

We need you to come out and join us to show that we won’t back down. We’ll march in solidarity to protect our communities and reject racism, sexism, transphobia, Islamophobia, ableism, and all forms of hate and oppression. We will resist despair and fear with hope and resistance.

• RSVP and invite your network on Facebook
• Facebook event for Protest

9:30AM Rally / 12:30PM March

Occupy Inauguration
Malcolm X Park (March will end at Mc Phearson Square Park and join with DisruptJ20)

Occupy Inauguration is a mass rally and protest taking place in Washington D.C. on

Inauguration Day, January 20th-21st, 2017. From day one of the new administration, our movements will need to unite and fight to advance the revolution.

We reject the domination of Wall Street and the billionaire class over our society, and oppose this rigged political and economic system. We stand against both the danger Trump represents and the corruption that backed Clinton. Neither party represents the interests of the 99%.

• RSVP here
• Facebook Page here

Jan 21, 10AM

Women’s March on Washington
Intersection of Independence Avenue and Third Street SW (near the U.S. Capitol)

Women’s March on Washington participants:

UFPJ’s ANTIWAR CONTINGENT WILL MEET AT
The Spirit of Justice Park, Corner of NJ Avenue SE and C Street SE (Steps from Capitol South Metro) at 9:00 am. We are joining with Women’s Action for New Direction, Global Zero, Peace Action, Win Without War,Union of Concerned Scientists, Citizens for Global Solution to say: “Women for the Human Race, Not a New Arms Race”.

The Women’s March on Washington is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state level. The effort is helmed by four national co-chairs and a national coordinating committee who are working around the clock to pull it all together. A program featuring nationally recognized advocates, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and others will be announced in the coming weeks.

• Find a local Sister March near you
• Resources

Jan 22, 12:30-5PM

Challenging Trumpism, Wars and Militarism – Post Inauguration Mini Conference
American University’s Kay Spiritual Life Center

After the Inauguration: Rest Your Feet, Feed Your Head, Stoke Your Fire!

Please join us for a free conference with featured speakers Phyllis Bennis, John Feffer, Alli McCracken, Matt DeVlieger, Jackie Cabasso, john Feffer, Raed Jarrar, Joseph Gerson, George Martin, Cole Harrison, Kevin Martin and others in a dialogue on building the peace and social justice movement as we build the resistance needed to overcome the Trump regime’s tyranny. In addition to panel discussions, we will have small-group strategy sessions.

Sponsoring organizations (in formation): Peace and Planet, American Friends Service Committee, Peace Action Education Fund, United for Peace and Justice, Western States Legal Foundation

Inauguration Actions Outside of DC

NATIONAL: INAUGURATION DAY #JAN20STRIKEAGAINSTHATE

NATIONAL: NATIONAL GENERAL STRIKE

BOSTON: BOSTON WOMEN’S MARCH FOR AMERICA

BOSTON: RESIST TRUMP: OCCUPY INAUGURATION BOSTON!

CHICAGO: TRUMP TOWER – INAUGURATION DAY PROTEST

CHICAGO: UIC: WALKOUT & RALLY ON INAUGURATION DAY

CHICAGO: WOMEN’S MARCH ON CHICAGO

DALLAS: DALLAS TEXAS GENERAL STRIKE

DETROIT: DISRUPT INAUGURATION – INTERRUMPE A TRUMP

KANSAS CITY: TRUMP INAUGURATION PROTEST

LA PUENTE, #CA: #ANTIFA / ANTI-TRUMP STREET DANCE PARTY & MARCH ON #J20

WILMINGTON, NC : WILMINGTON GENERAL STRIKE #J20

MADISON: WOMEN’S MARCH ON MADISON

MIAMI: INAUGURATION DAY PROTEST – MIAMI

MILWAUKEE: INAUGURATION DAY PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP

OAKLAND: WOMEN’S MARCH OAKLAND

OAKLAND: OAKLAND GENERAL STRIKE AGAINST TRUMP/HUELGA GENERAL CONTRA TRUMP

OHIO: INAUGURATION DAY PROTEST

PHOENIX: PHOENIX ARIZONA INAUGURATION PROTEST

PITTSBUGH, PA:THE PEOPLE’S INAUGURATION

PORTLAND, OR #ANARCHY IN #PORTLAND: JANUARY #DISRUPTJ20 #J20

PROVIDENCE, RI: INAUGURATION DAY RALLY AGAINST TRUMP AND THE RIGHT-WING AGENDA!

SACRAMENTO: NOT MY PRESIDENT! INAUGURATION DAY PROTEST

SAN FRANCISCO:: INAUGURATION DAY PUSSY MARCH

SCRANTON, PA:: SCRANTON UNITED AGAINST TRUMP

SEATTLE: #DISRUPTJ20 #SEATTLE CALL FOR AUTONOMOUS ACTION ON #J20

SEATTLE: #DISRUPTJ20 #SEATTLE #J20 BREAK AWAY MARCH

SPRINGFIELD, MO: WOMEN’S MARCH ON SPRINGFIELD (JAN. 21)

ST. LOUIS, MO: WOMEN’S MARCH ON ST. LOUIS

SAINT PAUL, MN: WOMEN’S MARCH MINNESOTA

WARRENSBURG, MO: FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR DEMOCRACY

WICHITA, KS: WOMEN’S MARCH

LOVETRUMPSHATE DC: LOVE TRUMPS HATE QUEER DANCE PARTY

The post Take Action to Stop Endless War at the Inauguration appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.

Last year, the UFPJ coordinating committee decided to represent our network at the Left Forum 2015 by tabling. We had been too preoccupied with organizing for the Peace and Planet conference, march, and rally to adequately organize any panels, but we did support and promote the panels of our member groups. We tabled all three days, between the Jacobin Magazine and US Labor Against War.

Through the three workshops (not including others we attended) we engaged about eighty-five attendees of the Left Forum. Hundreds of others have already viewed video of our panels’ online live-stream on Facebook.

Another dozen or so people joined the small social meet-and-greet we planned at a nearby lounge to connect with other Peace Movement activists and organizers.

We also met dozens of people who identify as members of UFPJ in conversation between panels, and at the many tables in the conference center lobby.

Overall, it was a meaningful experience for us to connect in person, in one place, with other peace movement leaders and movers to assess the state of our movement and discuss plans for our shared future. It was also made clear to us how necessary it is to have UFPJ as a reasoned and experienced body in a broader Leftist gathering.

You can view video of some of the discussions we had and read background info below.

Thanks to those of you who participated and donated online makes this peace-work possible. Please donate here, to keep our program going in this time of need.

Video

US Militarism’s Expanse and the Need for a Movement to Cut Military Spending and Invest in Human Needs

United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) was formed in 2003, as millions of people around the world said no to the impending U.S. invasion of Iraq. Thirteen years later, despite the fact that we inhabit a war culture and machine with a vast reach and capacity never seen before, UFPJ continues to stand strong in opposition to endless war. It falls upon us as peace activists to inspire American people – and people around the world – to call for an end to war, to protest drone attacks and nuclear weapons modernization, to wage campaigns to cut the military budget, to stand up in our communities to bring attention to the futility of war, and to demand a full focused effort on diplomacy and redirection of resources to meet human needs and protect mother earth. It’s time for the movement for peace and justice to rise again!
Read the accompanying statement here: https://www.unitedforpeace.org/2016/03/02/us-militarisms-expanse-and-the-need-for-an-international-movement-to-cut-military-spending/

The Imperative of Nuclear Disarmament in an Increasingly Dangerous World

We live in an era of fluid, contentious, complicated, provocative and potentially dangerous military geopolitical struggles for power and influence. Almost every month, even every week, we see signs of intensifying military and political tensions between the United States and Russia, especially in regions already marked with strife such as in Syria and Ukraine, and separately between the United States and China, across the South China Sea and North Korea. As all these countries have, between them, over 15,000 nuclear weapons, the possibility of any of these tensions quickly escalating into nuclear war is significant. South Asia continues to be a potential nuclear flashpoint, especially in the region of Kashmir. Instead of trying to reduce the danger from these nuclear weapons, all of these countries are in the process of modernizing or further advancing their nuclear weapons programs. All of this is happening in a world where elites envision and plan for continually escalating competition for increasingly scarce resources. Military planners, in turn, interpret this as a sign of impending armed competition in both conventional and high tech arenas. How should people on the left think about what is happening and how should they organize against these dangerous trends? This panel will discuss these questions, by drawing upon the activist/scholars’ research and their work with local, national and international campaigns to eliminate the dangers of nuclear war.

No to NATO/No to War!

NATO is an imperial alliance. Beyond the ostensible goal of containing the USSR, now Russia, NATO reinforces US interventions across the Middle East and North Africa. With the war against Serbia, NATO began wars violating the UN charter, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Eight NATO nations are at war in Syria. The Ukraine crisis, with potential nuclear dimensions, is rooted in NATO’s expansion. Violating the commitment not to move NATO closer to Moscow, President Clinton began the expansion to Russia’s borders and new “partnerships” with Ukraine, Georgia, Asia nations and the Global South. Given the history of invasions of Russia, Moscow’s militarized responses to NATO expansion were predictable. July’s NATO summit will be in Warsaw. It will build on President Obama’s commitment to quadruple spending for U.S. Eastern Europe war preparations. Activists from across Europe will demand peaceful alternatives in a counter-summit. Bahman Azad, professor of economics and sociology, serves on the Executive Board of the US Peace Council, active in Veterans For Peace and the International Campaign in Solidarity with the Iranian People’s Green Movement. Joseph Gerson is Director of the American Friends Service Committee’s Peace & Economic Security Program. He serves on the steering committee of the No to NATO/No to War Network, the board of the International Peace Bureau and is Co-Convener of the Peace & Planet Network.

Chair/Facilitator: Jackie Cabasso View Bio

Speakers/Co-Facilitators: Bahman Azad View Bio, Joseph Gerson View Bio

The post Report Back: UFPJ Tackles Forever War & Nuclear/NATO Threat at Left Forum 2016 (Video) appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.

Mid-Michigan

People active in the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice (GLNAWI) – in the Lansing, Michigan area – worked with Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and with the local Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing (PEC).

They met with local staff, connected by phone to DC foreign policy staff, of Michigan’s Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters. Peace Education Center board members also arranged similar meetings. We also wrote letters to the editor and an op-ed column in our local newspaper, made phone calls, and participated in two local MoveOn vigils.

 

Kansas City
Kansas City American Friends Service Committee (which I work with) with our signs supporting Iran deal.  In the second picture you see Senator McCaskill (from the back black outfit, blonde hair) entering her book signing event.  Several days later she came out in support of the Iran deal.

 

US Conference of Mayors

And her letter to the editor was published on Aug. 15 in the Oakland Tribune. http://www.insidebayarea.com/my%20town/ci_28637179/talk-back-letters-aug-15

On September 2, 2015 Mike Veiluva of Western States Legal Foundation, the National Iranian American Council, Jewish Voice for Peace and two other organizations, met with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier in his Walnut Creek, California office to urge his support for the Iran nuclear deal. Representative DeSaulnier was very receptive and at the end of the meeting made clear that he would support the deal.

Boston
United for Justice with Peace – Boston Area organized a vigil in Arlington, MA.

 

Brooklyn
On August 26, 2015 Fort Greene Peace, with the support of other groups and individuals, arranged for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to meet to discuss his position on the recently negotiated Iran Nuclear Agreement. We went with the expressed intention of urging the Congressman to support the accord. after the meeting it remained unclear whether how the Congressman would vote. But the large crowd made a collective, informed and forceful presentation with our questions.

 

See more pics from the event here: https://brooklynforpeace.smugmug.com/BFP-TheOrganization/Brooklyn-Urges-Rep-Clarke-to/i-f76pJZm

The post Success on Iran Agreement is Owed to Member Groups Around the Country appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.

August is Nuclear Free Future Month

Please post your event or action in support of the abolition of all nuclear weapons on our international events calendar at nuclearfreefuture.org.

Find an event near you, using our search function. Commemorations of all kinds will be taking place around the world throughout the month of August. Over 50 events have already been posted and we’re looking forward to seeing yours added to the list.

Sign and Share Our Petition to Support the Iran Deal and Prevent War

Finally, the Administration has come up with a diplomatic solution that will strengthen international oversight to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful.

Meanwhile, many members of Congress would rather use sanctions and threats of war to deal with Iran’s nuclear program, instead of international cooperation. UFPJ has joined together with leading anti-war/peace and justice groups to sponsor a petition calling on Congress to uphold the deal that was struck with Iran and to respect diplomacy. Please sign and share the petition, which has already gathered over 220,000 signatures.

Submit Your Event or Story to Our Newsletter

We know that peace groups are persevering all across the country. We want to hear from you and spread news of your work.

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a newsletter and we’re looking to get one up and running again featuring the hard work of UFPJ’s hundreds of member groups around the country.

Click here to find out what kinds of stories we’re looking to share and the basic criteria we’ve established, so that all of our member groups can be featured.

We are excited about starting our Newsletter again to feature the hard work of UFPJ’s hundreds of member groups. We all know that local activism can feel lonely, and we are not always aware that we are all part of a larger movement, all working toward the greater goal of peace and justice and a better tomorrow. Peace groups are persevering all across the country. We want to hear from you and get the news out about your work!

Make Sure Your Organization’s Leadership is Getting Our Messages

In the twelve years since UFPJ was founded in 2003, groups have changed and re-formed, and leadership has transitioned. Some of the contact information we have for your group may be outdated.

Please help us by affirming your group’s membership, updating your contact information, and signing up for email action alerts like this one. We want to help everyone in our coalition stay connected. You can sign up instantly on this form.

Thank you for taking the time to hear from us. Now, tell us about what you’re up to!

All we are saying is give peace a chance! If you appreciate receiving timely action alerts like this, please make a donation to UFPJ so that we can continue to keep our member groups and dedicated activists linked together for effective action and impact.

The post UPDATE: August Is For Action! appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.

We want to hear what your group is working on and highlight your efforts in our newsletter, as well as through our web, social media, and press work.

Among other initiatives, UFPJ is relaunching our regular newsletter to feature the local work of member groups around the country, to spread awareness about national campaigns, and to put a changing order of global militarism into perspective for the peace movement.

With your support, we have hired a part time organizer and digital coordinator, to get our online and social media work up to speed as well as to organize on the ground, starting with  April’s Peace & Planet Mobilization for a Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World, which UFPJ took a lead role in organizing, and continuing with Peace & Planet Summer and Nuclear-Free Future Month..

Increased capacity means increased ability, which is why we are able to take on the newsletter to better service our member groups, the lifeblood of our network.

We’re requesting submissions for the newsletter!

If you want to have your group featured in the newsletter, it’s easy. Here’s what you  need to know:

All articles should be:

1. Relevant to the struggle for peace and justice
2. Work done by a UFPJ member group
3. Related to a larger article, issue, or ask
4. Related to a recent or upcoming event or action
5. No less than 250 words and no more than 550
6. Multimedia rich, including original photos or video (when available), and link to sources

You are welcome to send a pitch before sending the article, but please feel free to submit drafts of content to newsletter@unitedforpeace.org.

Submissions for the first new newsletter should be sent no later than August 15, 2015.

In addition to being emailed to tens of thousands of UFPJ supporters, your articles will be featured on our website (which we are working on upgrading), and through social media and occasional press work.

We hope to hear what your group has been up to!

The post Be Featured In UFPJ’s Newsletter appeared first on United For Peace and Justice.