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Other Campaigns
If one of the following Anti-Militarism campaigns listed is of interest to you and you would like to bring your skills and ideas to our task force, please contact the Anti-Militarism coordinator of the War Resisters League. We would love for you to join us! Stop the Merchants of Death: The War Resisters League believes that our special niche to the movement is our work on the Stop the Merchants of Death program. While the movement and mainstream media are starting to focus on the profits made by corporations during war time, the WRL’s Stop the Merchants of Death program espouses a paradigm shift by stating that corporations are in such a position of influence upon war makers, that they are making war for profit, and in the case of Iraq, are effecting a corporate takeover of the entire country. The Defense Policy Board: The Defense Policy Advisory Board is thirty or so unelected people who meet four times a year to advise the Secretary of Defense on how to spend the billions of tax dollars on war. Although they are required to give a brief advanced notice of their meetings, their meetings are not open to the public. Our research reveals that the policy board members are oftentimes lobbyists from weapons manufacturers and their representatives. This board represents how weapons manufacturers and corporations are in position to influence war making policy. Our Defense Policy Board subgroup is gathering more research on the activities of the Board, is planning how to educate the public about the Board’s role in war making, and is coming up with ideas on how to take action against the Board to remove its corporate influence. Colombia: One of our task force subgroups is working on educating people about U.S. military intervention in Colombia. Currently the subgroup is researching Drummond Coal Company of Alabama and its labor abuses, its anti-union actions, as well as the environmental hazards brought to Colombia. The subgroup will stay updated on legal action brought against Drummond Coal and is working on ways to educate the public about the course of the legal case as well as any forthcoming legal action taken against Drummond. They are also working on ways to bring a nonviolent solution to problems brought about by Drummond Coal and coal mining in Colombia. Women and War: This subgroup is researching violence against women within the military and against women by the U.S. military. Our subgroup is currently updating the WRL’s “Battered by the Pentagon” pamphlet, which details cases of violence against enlisted women. These pamphlets will be available soon, and you can order copies by contacting the War Resisters League’s office. They are an excellent anti-recruitment tool and can be used for leafleting and tabling at events and demonstrations. Caterpillar: One of our anti-militarism task force subgroups is focused on Caterpillar and its contract with the Israeli military. Caterpillar’s bulldozers have been used to demolish Palestinian homes and have killed peace activists such as Rachel Corrie. Our task force subgroup is networking with leading Israel-Palestinian groups such as Jews Against the Occupation and is working to bring a WRL perspective to the protests against Caterpillar. They are staying updated on demonstrations, conferences, and the will work to educate people about the role Caterpillar plays in violence against the Palestinians through speaking engagements, writing articles, or participating in the planning or carrying out of demonstrations. Nonviolent Success Stories: All activists need motivation to continue our arduous yet fulfilling work, and reflecting upon success stories of nonviolent activism in the past helps us stay focused and hopeful about our work in the movement. Also, the past is one our best resources in helping us shape the course of our movement. One of our task force subgroups is working on a collection of nonviolent success stories for publication. These stories will include personal stories of overcoming violence by adopting or maintaining a nonviolent perspective. It will also include nonviolent success stories on an international, national and regional level, as well as nonviolent success stories in overcoming corporate control—which is a daunting, and seemingly unattainable tasks. These stories are great examples that demonstrate how nonviolent approaches are a realistic and effective strategy in overcoming violence and war. |
War Resisters League
339 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 228-0450
fax (212) 228-6193
amc@warresisters.org
"We affirm that all war is a crime against humanity.
We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil,
and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all the causes of war."
We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil,
and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all the causes of war."
