Voices for Creative Nonviolence: A Campaign of Resistance to End the Iraq War and the “Global War on Terror”
Voices for Creative Nonviolence is an organization with deep, long-standing roots in active nonviolent resistance to U.S. war-making. Begun in the summer of 2005, Voices draws upon the experiences of those who challenged the brutal economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and U.N. against the Iraqi people between 1990 and 2003. Voices participants rely on and have learned from experiences of those who have engaged in active nonviolent resistance to military might in the Your browser may not support display of this image.U.S. including draft resistance; resistance to the wars in Latin America; and resistance to nuclear weapons, such as the Plowshares resistance efforts. Voices draws upon the lessons gleaned from active participation in peace teams in Haiti, Yugoslavia and Iraq.
Current Project
Witness Against War 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul — July 12 to August 31, 2008
Join us this summer as we walk from Chicago to St. Paul to challenge and to end the war in and occupation of Iraq
On July 12, we’ll launch the walk in Chicago’s Grant Park— site of the 1968 Democratic convention—by September 1, we’ll have arrived in St. Paul, in time for the Republican convention.
Witness Against War is bipartisan in nature. Recognizing the responsibility which both the Democratic and Republican parties bear in continuing—and ending—the Iraq war, nonviolent action will take place at the offices of Representatives and Senators, of both parties, who continue to support the war.
Witness Against War seeks to raise public awareness of—and opposition to—the anticipated deployment to Iraq of the 32nd Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard. The 32nd BCT was alerted that it may well be called to active duty in Iraq in the summer of 2009. This deployment will be the largest call-up of the Wisconsin National Guard since the 1960’s. The U.S. should be withdrawing troops from—rather than planning for future deployments to—Iraq.
Several walk participants have first hand experience in Iraq, Jordan and Syria as well as in-depth knowledge of such issues as the refugee crisis, humanitarian crisis, war spending and legislative action. Along the route, these walkers will be available for workshops and presentations (we’ll be able to give presentations in communities along the route and within about a 30 mile drive of the walk route).
COMMITMENT TO NONVIOLENCE Witness Against War is organized as a campaign of active nonviolence. Participants will be expected to commit to nonviolence throughout this effort and to agree to a Statement of Nonviolence which includes a commitment to nonviolent interactions, at all times, with other people and a commitment not to damage property.
PARTICIPATION IN WITNESS AGAINST WAR • Join as a walker—for a day, a week, a month or the entire time. • Provide housing and food for walkers. • Organize a speaking event, potluck dinner or other community event if you live along or close to the walk route. • Provide vehicle support during the walk days.
Affinity group participation is encouraged. If you and several of your colleagues wish to join Witness Against War, we encourage you to form an affinity group. Your group would assume responsibility for ensuring that your food, housing and support vehicle needs are met during the walk. Knowing whether you are in an affinity group will aid us in our planning process.
WITNESS AGAINST WAR ROUTE
The route will approximate the following:
Illinois – beginning in Chicago and roughly following the lake shore through Evanston, Winnetka, North Chicago and Waukegan.
Wisconsin – north through Kenosha and Racine to Milwaukee. Then along I-94 to Madison; Hwy 12 to Tomah; Hwy 16 to LaCrosse; and Hwy 35 crossing into Red Wing, MN.
Minnesota – north along Hwy 61 to Hastings and ending in St. Paul
For details, view the map with the approximate walk route and dates.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
• The complete and immediate withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq. • The complete end to all U.S. military action against Iraq, whether that action be from the air, ground or sea. • An end to any further funding for U.S. military action in or against Iraq. • Full funding for the highest quality health care, housing and education for U.S. veterans and their families; the end of stop-loss / stop-move orders in the military. • Provision of full funding by the U.S. for the reconstruction of Iraq following the damage caused by these past 18 years of economic and military warfare waged by the U.S. upon Iraq. • The unconditional cancellation of the remaining odious debt incurred by Saddam Hussein’s regime and of the reparations imposed by the U.N. against Iraq following the Hussein regime’s 1990-91 invasion and occupation of Kuwait. • Redirection of U.S. financial resources away from waging war and towards providing for the Common Good in the U.S.—universal health care; free public education at all levels; affordable housing; etc.
Participating Organizations / Endorsements for Witness Against War
Voices for Creative Nonviolence
1249 W Argyle Street #2
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 878-3815
email:
