Resisting militarization, advocating pacifism
Online talk with peace activists from Ukraine, UK and Croatia
22 March 2022
#YuriiSheliazhenko #pacifism #peace #militarization #war #Ukraine
#pacifism
Hallo zusammen, ich bin #NeuHier. Ich interessiere mich für #agriculture, #alternative-economique, #animal-rights, #anti-capitalism, #assange, #buddhism, #buen-vivir, #change, #climate-activism, #community-supported-agriculture, #dalai-lama, #deshimaru, #economyofsharing, #environment, #extincionrebellion, #global-change, #global-warming, #greece, #hanneswader, #kenwilber, #kodosawaki, #marxism, #matriarchy, #money-free, #nachdenkseiten, #nachhaltig, #pacifism, #peace, #peace-activist, #plastic-pollution, #poison-free, #rassism, #slow-food, #spirituality, #stangrof, #sustainability, #thich-nhat-hanh, #transitiontown, #varouvakis, #wilderness, #wildernessrestoration und #zen-buddhism.
Excellent article on legal status of conscientious objection in Israel
Here is a short quote:
In 2002, the #Israeli High Court of Justice clarified #ConscientiousObjector status. While #refusal to serve based on one’s #conscience is legal, it is very difficult to prove. What is not legal is “selective refusal,” which is based on #opposition to government policy regarding specific #military or #political actions (e.g., #occupation). Other disallowed categories include “absence from service without permission,” with a maximum #punishment of three years, and desertion, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a permanent criminal record. There is no statute of limitation. Being out of the country is not an acceptable excuse. Citizens can be arrested upon return.
The procedure for declaring #ConscientiousObjection status goes through military channels. It is handled as that of a #soldier refusing to obey orders. On the scheduled day of military induction, a person declares that s/he refuses to enter the military compound based on conscience. The person is sent immediately to the Military Conscience Committee. Usually, the panel is not convinced of the conscientious objector argument and the young person goes to military #prison for 10 to 15 days. Afterwards, they reappear in front of the committee. The process repeats itself and the young man or woman is returned to prison to work and think further about their decision. This process repeats over and over, with some spending months in prison. Finally, those who do not change their minds are commonly referred to the Medical Corps to be declared mentally unfit. Some agree to military service in noncombat positions. Those who prefer to quietly avoid this prison process entirely will find a doctor or psychiatrist who is willing to have them diagnosed as mentally or physically unfit previous to the induction process.
War means blind #obedience, #unthinking #stupidity, brutish callousness, #wanton #destruction, and irresponsible #murder.
- Alexander Berkman
“Colorful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not powerful enough to stop #wars. Wars will be stopped only when #soldiers #refuse to fight, when workers refuse to load #weapons onto #ships and #aircraft, when people #boycott the economic outposts of #Empire that are strung across the globe. ”
― Arundhati Roy, Public Power in the Age of Empire
Reminder - did you write a letter to a prisoner for Prisoners for Peace Day?
Here in the USA it's still December 1. There is still time to write a letter to a prisoner who has been unjustly incarcerated for refusing #military #conscription and standing up for #peace.
Here is the link to the list of prisoners and their addresses:
https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2021/prison-now-prisoners-peace-list-november-2021
Thank you so much for participating. Forever #antiwar !
December 1st - A Day to Write To Prisoners!
December 1st is Prisoners for Peace Day. On this day (and every day) we encourage you to show #solidarity with the #activists and #ConscientiousObjectors imprisoned due to their #peace work and their refusal to take #arms and perform #military service.
This year we want to highlight and denounce how countries like #Singapore, the Republic of #Korea, #Eritrea and #Tajikistan continues to prosecute and imprison conscientious objectors.
Find a list of #prisoners for peace here, download the list here or below.
As we get closer to this day, what can you do?
We have been told repeatedly by people who have been sent messages of solidarity while in #prison, either via #letters or solidarity actions, that the moral support of like-minded people has been invaluable. Your solidarity is crucial to remind the #imprisoned refusers and peace activists that they are not alone and that we are aware of the significance of their #resistance. On this day,
- Join many others from across the world and write to those imprisoned for their peace work and conscientious objection.
- Encourage your friends, peace group, student, faith or community group to organise a card-writing session (online, or if the Covid-19 regulations allow, physical).
- Help us spread the word on social media. Use the hashtag #PfPday21 and post your messages of solidarity with prisoners for peace on social media, and invite others to write to those in #jail.
If you have details of other prisoners for peace not yet listed, please write to info@wri-irg.org.
For anyone who has fooled themselves into believing that the #Biden administration cares about minorities (or anyone), just check out this information from Peace Action:
Two weeks ago the Biden administration notified #Congress of a $650 million #arms sale to #SaudiArabia. This sale comes on top of a $500 million arms deal back in October. That’s over a BILLION dollars in #weapons to a country actively waging a brutal #war and naval #blockade in #Yemen leading to the planet’s greatest #humanitarian #crisis.
In his presidency’s first speech on #ForeignPolicy, Biden announced that the U.S. would end all support for Saudi Arabia’s “offensive” operations in Yemen. Yet these arms sales fly directly in the face of that...
The Biden administration's latest sale would give Saudi Arabia 280 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, along with 596 missile launchers, support equipment, spare parts, U.S. #government and contractor engineering, and technical support. You’ll not be surprised to hear that the principal contractor for the sale is #NorthrupGrumman, one of the largest arms manufacturers in the U.S. #MilitaryIndustrialComplex. Rather than brokering an end to the humanitarian #catastrophe in Yemen, Biden is choosing to further line the pockets of war merchants. It truly is #unconscionable.
The situation in Yemen is beyond dire.
- An estimated 11 million children there are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
- Nearly 2 million children are acutely malnourished, and the United Nations forecasts that more than 400,000 Yemeni children under the age of 5 could die of #malnutrition by the end of 2021 alone.
- Almost 10 million Yemenis are considered "one step away from #famine." With only half of the country's medical facilities fully functioning, almost 20 million people lack access to adequate #healthcare.
- Almost 18 million do not have enough clean #water or access to adequate sanitation.
- Yemen’s fishermen fear being blown out of the water by Saudi-led coalition helicopters. Yet a greater fear keeps sending them back to the water -- #hunger.
https://www.peaceaction.org/get-involved/stop-the-650-million-saudi-arms-sale
#evil #murder #genocide #HumanRights #antiwar #propeace #peace #pacifist #pacifism
If you missed the Peace Pledge Union's National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony today, you can still watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_pzI_TX954
#WhitePoppies are worn in the run-up to #RemembranceDay every year by thousands of people in the #UK and beyond. They have been worn in this way for over eighty years.
The #WhitePoppy stands for three things. They represent #remembrance for all #victims of #war, a commitment to #peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war.You can buy white poppies through our online shop here. You can also find them in a number of shops, cafes and other outlets across the UK.
White poppies are at the heart of our National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony every year. On our events page you can find out about this and other alternative remembrance ceremonies around the country. You can watch and read about our 2020 ceremony here.
Remembering all victims of war
White poppies stand for remembrance of all victims of all wars. This includes #wars still being fought. It includes people of all nationalities. It includes both #civilians and members of armed forces.
In wearing white poppies, we remember all those killed in war, all those wounded in body or mind, the millions who have been made sick or homeless by war and the families and communities torn apart. We also remember those killed or imprisoned for refusing to fight and for #resisting war.Today over 90% of people killed in #warfare are civilians.
We differ from the Royal British Legion, who produce red poppies. The Legion has traditionally said that red poppies are to remember only British armed forces and those who fought alongside them. In 2019 they shifted their position to say that they "acknowledge" civilian victims of war, but did not extend their remembrance to all nationalities.
A recent poll shows that 83% of UK adults believe victims of war of all nationalities should be included in remembrance, whilst 86% believe civilians should be included.
We want to remember #British #military dead, but they are not the only victims of war. We also remember the many civilians who have died or suffered in war, both in the past and today, in Syria, Yemen and many other places around the world. #Suffering does not stop at national borders, and nor should remembrance.
No plans on Sunday? Join the Peace Pledge Union this Sunday for the National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony - in person or online
After a year online, we are back in Tavistock Square in #London. We will also live stream the event on our website for those who can’t make it in person.
The #ceremony will highlight the importance of a #peaceful and inclusive culture of #remembrance at a time of growing instability caused by the climate crisis and the COVID pandemic. It will also mark twenty years since 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan, with speakers focussing on the #catastrophic #legacy of the 'war on terror’.
With contributions from:
Hamit Dardagan, co-founder of Iraq Body Count and the charity Every Casualty WorldwideHuda Ammori, activist, writer and co-founder of Palestine ActionHosted by Anya Nanning Ramamurthy, organiser of London youth climate strikes and PPU council member
We will lay white poppy wreaths in memory of all #victims of #war, both #civilian and #military, past and present. For those attending in person there will also be an opportunity to lay individual white poppies on the #ConscientiousObjectors' Commemorative Stone.When - 12 noon - 1pm, Remembrance Sunday 14th November
How to attend in person - Everyone is welcome to come to the ceremony in person in Tavistock Square (London, WC1H 9EX).
How to watch online - If you can’t make it in person, or would prefer to join us online to watch the live stream, simply visit the PPU's Remembrance and White Poppies page at the time to watch and join the online discussion: https://www.ppu.org.uk/remembrance-white-poppies
In the UK? Read below to support peace
White poppies - 3 ways you can help this year’s Remembrance campaign
Each year the #PeacePledgeUnion provides a vital alternative voice at #Remembrance time. We remember all #victims of #war, #civilian as well as #military, we challenge the #militarism on display in the mainstream media, and we plan a #peaceful kind of remembrance, symbolised by the #WhitePoppy.
So many of our members and supporters do extraordinary work spreading the word about #WhitePoppies and starting those important conversations. Here are three ways you can help in the coming weeks.
Remember to order your white poppies!
With Remembrance Day less than a month away, it's not too early to start wearing your white poppy. Please think of giving one to a friend or family member. You can order white poppy packs of 5, 10, 25 and 100 via our online shop: https://shop.ppu.org.uk/Approach somewhere local that may want to distribute white poppies.
It could be a shop, cafe, library, place of worship, school, union branch, anywhere you think might be interested. You can have a look at the places that already stock them here: https://www.ppu.org.uk/remembrance/white-poppy-outlets
If you find somewhere interested, please let us know at mail@ppu.org.uk. Outlets are welcome to buy white poppies to sell or for donations, as they choose.Plan a way to mark the day.
Whether by laying a white poppy wreath, pausing for two-minutes' silence at a memorial or planning a remembrance ceremony, there are many ways to remember in a spirit of peace and #nonviolence. It doesn’t need to be complicated to plan something. Watch this video compilation to see the many ways people marked Remembrance Sunday last year: https://youtu.be/VJXwcMR1GsYKeep an eye on our events page for ceremonies near you, and please let us know at mail@ppu.org.uk if you are planning a ceremony, as we’d be happy to publicise it: https://www.ppu.org.uk/events
The Venus Project
Someone sent me this, at first glance this looks like a nice project. Applying science and tech to create a society without money with abundance for everyone, focusing on building sustainable cities with the goal of actually improving human lives, solving political issues such as wars and so on.
Not sure if there's any catch, but wanted to share this.
All people, and by extension all living beings, should be granted basic needs and good treatment. A bad person is still a person. A criminal still deserves basic needs. A murderer still deserves air to breathe. A thief still deserves money. A person who doesn't work still deserves food. No one deserves to be bullied, not even a bully, no one deserves to be treated with violence, not even a person who commits violence. Forgiveness and rejection of violence is the virtue of the wisest, unconditional love and mutual help is the only way forward. This is the mentality of a truly advanced society. Eye-for-an-eye is the most primitive way of governing a society ( #US ), a short sighted way perpetuating revenge, constant conflict and justifying violence and wars. Ends never justify the means. Stop the conflict, start the love.
Don’t Wage Economic War on Afghanistan
#Sanctions advocates from the hardline Foundation for Defense of Democracies recently made the case for piling on sanctions on #Afghanistan by adding the #Taliban to both the FTO list and the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Hawks have been disastrously wrong about the use of sanctions for decades, and now they propose to strangle a country that has been wracked by #war for the last four decades. The last thing that Afghanistan needs after generations of armed #conflict is a new #US #economic war.
These calls for designating the Taliban would have a few practical effects, all of them bad: it would impede the delivery of #aid and the conduct of #trade with the rest of the world, it would deprive the #Afghan #people of being able to import goods from elsewhere, it would worsen the #refugee #crisis, and it would give Taliban every incentive to cooperate with and support #hostile groups.
#USA #PerpetualWar #antiwar #propeace #peace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights #humanitarian
Report: US Navy Might Continue Air War in Afghanistan
The last known #US #airstrike in #Afghanistan was in #Kabul on August 29th, which was carried out by a #drone from outside the country, or “over the horizon.” The US claims the strike targeted ISIS-K, but witnesses on the ground said it killed 10 civilians, and the #Pentagon has not disputed the account.
#evil #MilitaryIndustrialComplex #war #antiwar #propeace #peace #pacifism #pacifist
For those in #Australia: Peace Festival
Thu, 16 Sep 2021 6:30 PM - Sun, 26 Sep 2021 3:30 PM AEST
The Peace Festival will be held on-line: https://raisingpeace.org.au/peace-festival.
The Peace Festival will include: exhibitions, talks, discussions, workshops, films, music and entertainment and children’s activities. Parallel online events will include short films, videos, speakers and discussion forums.
Our Vision
This event will showcase and celebrate a broad range of initiatives, ongoing efforts and successes in promoting peace.
We will share knowledge, inspire, increase visibility, encourage new collaborations, attract and engage young people.
Aims
- Showcase the multitude of methods employed to work towards peace
- Draw attention to United Nations International Day of Peace (21 September)
- Strengthen collaboration and relationships between peace organisations, study centres and inter-related issues, eg. First Nations, Climate Change
- Engage with young people
- Explore a world where war is no longer an option
- Promote the delights of living in peace
- Promote understanding across cultures
https://raisingpeace.org.au/peace-festival
#Peace #Festival #Vision #event #knowledge #war #antiwar #propeace #pacifist #pacifism
This weekend: End the Damn Wars March on Washington DC
Start: Saturday, September 11, 2021 • 12:00 PM
End: Saturday, September 11, 2021 • 7:00 PM
John Marshall Park• C Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
#activists #awareness #USA #military #surveillance #security #September11 #accountability #wars #MassSurveillance #war #antiwar #propeace #peace #pacifist #pacifism
