Week of Nonviolent Action declares peace in Iraq

Salt shakers
September 2006

Week of Nonviolent Action declares peace in Iraq
Peace activists are giving the government a deadline: Create and activate a plan for peace in Iraq by September 21, 2006 or you will hear from us. Signers of the Declaration of Peace will protest the Iraq war during the Week of Nonviolent Action at the end of September.

The week begins with a press event and nonviolent civil disobedience in D.C. on Thursday, September 21, but there will also be candlelight vigils held throughout the country that night. Events, including vigils, protests, congressional visits, and interfaith encounters, will continue all week from Maine to California.

You can find events and organizers in your area on the Declaration of Peace website. There are organizers in almost every state.

There are many different ways to participate, from donating money to hosting your own events. The website provides comprehensive resources to guide you through the week, including information about nonviolence training workshops. Organizers recommend these workshops as participants in civil disobedience do risk arrest. There will be peaceful protests at local offices of congressional representatives and senators on September 26 and 27.

In addition to all the local events, Chicago organizers are asking fellow activists around the country to fast from lights for the whole week in order to highlight the reason, they say, the United States is in Iraq: the demand for oil. If Congress doesn't establish a plan for peace by September 28, organizers say, another national press event will be held to announce the campaign's next steps.

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