90th Anniversary Issue
There are few organizations, if any, that can claim the history, longevity, and faithfulness to radical social justice of the War Resisters League. An organization founded with the mission to end war and the root causes of war is not going to be a flash in the pan.
Still, it’s only been through careful, intentional, and strategic work that WRL has remained a unique resource for the Left and, for many, a political home.
While WRL has recently decided to focus more directly on cross-movement building, an intersectional lens is not new to the organization. By virtue of its leadership, WRL was solidly tied to the civil rights struggles of the ’50s and ’60s and feminist and gay liberation movements throughout its history.
As a new generation of activists engages in issues related to Palestinian self-determination, economic justice, antiracism, and gender and sexuality (to name just a few), nonviolent social change continues to be a framework. And WRL’s membership and leadership collaborating across generations means that the context and history of these struggles are not lost.
WRL continues to build on its core strengths and values: providing trainings and organizing tools to nonviolent activists, introducing individuals to consensus-based decision making, an expansive national and international network, unique political analysis, and coalition building. Its solid base that includes veterans and active service members as well as conscientious objectors keeps it grounded in its antimilitarist foundations. Its continued tradition of potluck-as-meeting ensures that we care for ourselves and each other as we work toward a more peaceful, sustainable world.
We are happy and grateful to be able to bring you this special issue of WIN highlighting and reflecting on some of WRL’s successes and challenges over the past nine decades. Thank you for traveling this road with us and for the roads you make each day. See you en route.
WIN Editors
win [at] warresisters.org
