We’ve completed our initial engagement with consultants from biwa|Emergent Equity. WRL National Committee and former staff members participated in listening sessions to begin to address issues of equity in organizational culture and visioning. We believe this is a foundational first step in authentic transformation of our century-old organization, as we reassess our internal practices to reflect our engagement with antiracist and nonviolent principles. Our next step is to utilize the input we’ve received to inform our subsequent phases of internal reflection and revisioning.

This has been a complex and involved process that is vital to our organization’s health. We’re committed to this journey of radical listening and action as we seek to improve as a radical, nonviolent organization, dedicated to the enduring mission for the removal of all causes of war.

We have an active WRL 100th History Committee working on a number of projects and we invite your participation.

• Oral History interviews – We are inviting members and friends to record your WRL stories through the practice of oral histories. We are organizing a number of oral history training opportunities, so let us know if you are interested in recording your own story and interviewing others.
• Traveling Exhibits – Traveling set of banners featuring highlights of WRL’s history. Let us know if you are interested in hosting an exhibit and we will send more information.
• Exhibit of historical WRL posters in NYC. We are working with the Judd Foundation, descendants of WRL founder Jessie Wallace Hughan, toward a Fall 2023 gallery show.
• Centenary artwork – new screen-printed poster
• Regional events – Plans are being made by folks who have been involved in the regional offices at WRL West, Southeast, New England, and New York City.
• Direct Action – in the long and storied tradition of WRL, NYC War Resisters League is discussing a possible nonviolent action in the fall of 2023 and we encourage others around the country to do the same.
• Compiling a bibliography of WRL histories and creating short biographies to highlight the people whose stories have gone untold.

If you are interested in any of these 100th Anniversary projects or have ideas about others, please contact us at wrl100history@warresisters.org. The committee’s task is to help coordinate projects being done by smaller groups.

While we make plans for next year, and continue our strategic planning, we are keenly aware of the continuing wars, and especially the war between Ukraine and Russia. You can find our statement on Ukraine here. We are sharing international calls for solidarity with objectors across the region and you can find them on our website or on our social media. Our international partners at War Resisters’ International have new Affiliate members in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. WRI is also planning an International Assembly in London for June 2023. Stay tuned for more information.

We look forward to keeping you abreast of our work, and thank you for your continued presence and support. As we continuously renew our commitment to end war and its root causes, we need all of us, and your enduring support of WRL holds the vision strong to stay in the struggle.

With deepest gratitude and respect, 

WRL National Committee and Staff

Ellen Barfield
Rick Bickhart
Eben Egbe
Basma Eid
Sarms Jabra
Susan Kingsland
Frieda McAlear
John M. Miller
Chris Ney
Cassidy Regan
Nathan Sheard
Sky Hall
Kristine Keeling
Tom Leonard
Joanne Sheehan

It's possible to end war, but it will take all of us. War Resisters League needs every single person to stand with us in the fight against US imperialism, militarism, and the expanding war machine during a time where fascists are in power across multiple countries. Like what you're reading? Forward this email to a friend. New readers can subscribe here.

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