Our Issues Are Connected

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“In large cities, small towns, universities, churches, peace and justice centers; with book clubs and study groups; in the streets, sidewalks, offices, and legislative buildings; Campaign Nonviolence’s thousands of participants in all 50 states and beyond have raised the rallying cry, “All of our issues are connected!” Tracing the threads between poverty and war, healthy planets and happy children, justice and respect, this two-year-old movement initiated by the 30 year Pace e Bene organization, along with hundreds of endorsing groups, works to transform all types of violence with the audacious strength of nonviolent alternatives.”

Author: Rivera Sun
Published in: Pace e Bene http://www.paceebene.org/2015/09/09/all-our-issues-are-connected/
Rivera Sun’s Blog http://www.riverasun.com/revolutionsmatchstick/
Fayette Free Zone http://fayettevillefreezone.com/all-of-our-issues-are-connected/
Gilmer Free Press http://www.gilmerfreepress.net/index.php/fpopin/our_issues_are_connected/
Date: June 24,September 9,26,2015

For the full article:
Our Issues Are Connected
539 words
By Rivera Sun

In large cities, small towns, universities, churches, peace and justice centers; with book clubs and study groups; in the streets, sidewalks, offices, and legislative buildings; Campaign Nonviolence’s thousands of participants in all 50 states and beyond have raised the rallying cry, “All of our issues are connected!” Tracing the threads between poverty and war, healthy planets and happy children, justice and respect, this two-year-old movement initiated by the 30 year Pace e Bene organization, along with hundreds of endorsing groups, works to transform all types of violence with the audacious strength of nonviolent alternatives.

During the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions Sept 21-27, 2014, people across the country gathered together to end war, poverty, the climate crisis, and to build a culture of active nonviolence. Bringing study groups out of small rooms and onto the streets, ideas into action, and visions into reality, Campaign Nonviolence participants paired creativity with dedication as they demonstrated for change on an interconnected set of issues.

In Newaygo County, Michigan, the Women In Black group devised a clever theme that played upon the homonym, know/no, raising awareness and reflection through the pairing of words, as in the classic chant and slogan, “No justice, No peace,” which was reworked as “No Violence, Know Peace.” Women and children carried the signs in the local Harvest Festival. “No Revenge, Know Forgiveness” read one sign. Another used a traditional Christian phrase to highlight the nonviolent message of the faith: “No Swords, Know Plows.”

In Madison, Wisconsin, a group used brightly colored signs and a march through the Farmers Market to the capitol building to connect human values with tangible demands. “Jobs Not Jails,” read their signs, and “Words Not Weapons.” Along with their messages “Bring the War Dollars Home” and “Housing Not Tanks,” the group also constructed a mock large armored police vehicle to protest the recent military acquisitions by Dane County Police Department.

These examples – just two of the hundreds of actions that occurred nationwide during the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions 2014 – highlight the creativity and solidarity that occurs each time we move out of our bubbles and find ways to connect with others. A growing, definite “Movement of Movements” is emerging across the social-political landscape of the United States, arising out of crisis and vision in equal measures, aided by movements such as Campaign Nonviolence that aim to bring people together on a web of issues.

This year, the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions Sept. 20-27, 2015, already underway, includes more than 500 events in a single week, raising awareness not only of problems, but also of the viable alternatives such as living wages, K-12 nonviolence education, peace building skills, renewable energy sources, community policing, restorative justice and much more. The cities and towns that took action last year are being joined by new locations and groups as an ever-increasing interest in collaboration and cooperation brings citizens together on many issues.

This year, thousands nationwide will be engaging in nonviolent action during the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions Sept 20-27, 2015, to end war, poverty, the climate crisis and all forms of violence. You can participate and join with others in your local community! Learn more, find a local action, or add an action here.

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Author/Activist Rivera Sun, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is the author of The Dandelion Insurrection and other books, and the co-founder of the Love-In-Action Network.