Welcome to Campaign Nonviolence!

by Nick Mele

In mid-2013, the Pace e Bene Center announced a long-term initiative to mainstream nonviolence to begin in 2014. Campaign Nonviolence aims to build a just, nonviolent world by spreading knowledge of nonviolence and awareness of the interconnections among all forms of exploitation of people and the rest of the environment, poverty, and war. As people practice nonviolence in their private lives, Campaign Nonviolence promoters and trainers will help move personal nonviolence toward public nonviolent action to oppose injustice and war. For 2014, the Campaign’s goal is to organize nonviolent actions in every U.S. state during the week that begins on September 21, the International Day of Peace.

To mainstream nonviolence, Campaign Nonviolence provides resources for organizing and learning about nonviolence. The Campaign is sponsoring and facilitating study groups, nonviolence training, organizing, and communications among groups including both those we think of immediately when we hear the word “nonviolence” and those we might not consider, like environmental advocacy groups, non-profit lobbying organizations and other non-profits working on justice and social issues. Over 90 existing organizations, including FOR-USA, have endorsed and are participating in the campaign. Here in Western Washington, two people have already signed on to promote the campaign, myself in Bellingham and Denny Duffel in Seattle. We are just beginning our organizing efforts, with help from WWFOR’s Ellen Finkelstein and others. More promoters are needed, not only in Western Washington but across the state. For more information, visit the website: http://paceebene.org/campaign-nonviolence.