Voices for Creative Nonviolence has long-standing roots in active nonviolent resistance to U.S. war-making. Begun in the summer of 2005, Voices draws upon the experiences of those who challenged the brutal economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and U.N. against the Iraqi people between 1990 and 2003. While there wasn't a good result there, now the aim of Voices is to bring an end to the Iraq war and the global war on terror.
In pursuit of their objectives, Voices have organized a variety of direct action campaigns since 2005, including:
- four lengthy fasts which focused on ending economic and military warfare against Iraq.
- nonviolent civil disobedience at the offices of Representatives and Senators; weapons manufacturers; and the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command.
- The Occupation Project campaign of sustained nonviolent civil resistance to continued Iraq war funding. This campaign resulted in over 320 arrests nationwide over a 10 week period from Feb 5 to Tax Day 2007. A second phase launches in August 2007 to oppose war funding through 2008.
- The 100,000 Rings campaign to remember and recall the Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers killed in the war in Iraq through consistent and continual reading of the names and the tolling of a bell in remembrance.
Voices works with Iraqi refugees who live in Jordan and Syria, as learning from and advocating for Iraqis is central to ending the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. Voices believe the international community bears responsibility to help provide for Iraqi, Palestinian and other refugees living in Jordan and Syria, while recognizing the needs of Jordanian and Syrian citizens whose lives are directly affected by the influx of new immigrants fleeing successive wars.
If you want to join with Voices to engage in nonviolent action to challenge U.S. economic and military warfare waged in the Middle East, click the View button below