Seven months after the passing of South African independence leader Nelson Mandela, War Resisters International will be hosting a momentous conference in Cape Town, South Africa: "Small Actions - Big Movements: the Continuum of Nonviolence."
Rooted in the historic struggle against apartheid in South Africa, this conference will bring together a gathering of activists from across the African continent as well as other places internationally--and you are invited!
January 16th's historic settlement awarded to protesters at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City was the largest in U.S. history - and many a WRL'er was in the mix! At the press conference, Ed Hedemann of the WRL - NYC local said: "The government can place FBI agents behind every mailbox and cops behind every potted plant but we will not be intimidated by their efforts to crush dissent and muzzle opposition to its policies."
We Have Not Been Moved:
Resisting Racism and Militarism in 21st Century America
Ultimately, there can be no peace without justice, and no justice without peace. The two great moral issues of our time, peace and human rights, are so closely related that we can say that they are one and the same. —Coretta Scott King, Madison Square Garden Anti-War Rally, June 8, 1965
We Have Not Been Moved: Resisting Racism and Militarism in 21st Century America
When we sang out “We Shall Not Be Moved” in Montgomery and Selma, we were committed to our unshakeable unity against segregation and violence. This important book continues in that struggle—suggesting ways in which we need to do better, and actions we must take against war and continued racism today. If the human race is still here in 2111, the War Resisters League will be one of the reasons why!
Like many—perhaps most—advocates for peace and justice, we at the War Resisters League are of more than one mind about the upcoming elections. We come from diverse political perspectives, including varying shades of socialism, anarchism, and reform-oriented liberalism, and have concomitantly diverse opinions within the organization and our membership about whether and how to engage elections.
It’s like a double whammy losing Ralph at this time of year.
He died on February 1, early on in tax season and just as Ed and I were working on the “Where Your Income Taxes Really Go” flyer. It’s also just when baseball season is starting up. Players are heading to spring training and tickets are on sale. Normally, Ralph and I would be talking about how many pie charts to print and whether we would be able to get tickets for opening day at Shea.
March 19, 2008 will mark the beginning of the 6th year of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. This is the time in which we live. This is our time to respond.
To Declare Independence:
A Letter to People Working for Justice and Peace
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they may seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it — always.”