Exercise your right to ‘peaceably assemble’

    As the President mulls over how many additional troops to send to Afghanistan, in a recent article for Truthout, Jeff Leys wrote that the antiwar movement seems to have gone missing over these past several months. Apart from the action on October 5, in Washington and other antiwar events around the country on October 17, he unfortunately seems to be right.

    Nevertheless, we can and must step up the pressure. For those interested in taking action, Leys suggests joining the Peaceable Assembly Campaign (PAC) – the latest effort by our good friends at Voices for Creative Nonviolence to challenge the militarism that is so pervasive in our country.

    From January 19 through February 2, the PAC will maintain a two-week vigil at the White House and engage in regular acts of nonviolent civil disobedience, starting on the day President Obama enters his second year in office, continuing through his anticipated State of the Union address to Congress, and concluding on the day he is to submit his budget for 2011 to Congress.

    Then after February 2, the Peaceable Assembly Campaign will focus its work upon Congress. Similar to the Occupation Project effort of 2007, the PAC will organize lobbying – both legal and extralegal (i.e., civil disobedience) – in the home offices of representatives and senators who do not commit themselves publicly to oppose additional funding for the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the occupation of the Palestinian territories.

    You can become involved with the Peaceable Assembly Campaign at www.peaceableassemblycampaign.org.



    Recent Stories

    • Feature

    Why India’s farmers are targeting Modi in the elections

    April 23, 2024

    With India’s general elections underway, farmers’ unions remain united in their opposition to the government and demands for economic justice.

    • Analysis

    Climate activists in New England can finally celebrate ‘the end of coal’

    April 16, 2024

    With the last of New England’s coal plants now set to close, the No Coal No Gas campaign is reflecting on the power of fighting together.

    • Feature

    Smuggled protest videos offer a rare glimpse at resistance in occupied Tibet

    April 13, 2024

    Defying a media blackout and severe backlash, Tibetan monks, nuns and residents of a threatened mountain community are showing the world their resistance to a Chinese dam.