10 Progressive Peace Resolutions and 5+ Audacious Peace Activist Groups

LAST UPDATED: October 13, 2020

Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.

~ John Lennon

CodePink Updates Peace Resolutions

Peace activist group, CodePink, updated its ten peace resolutions — in time for the 2020 presidential debates. The ten peace positions are listed below, for quick reading.

You may note the interconnectedness between world peace and humanitarian rights, climate action, economic justice, and the role of Big Money in politics. Please share CodePink’s video, in order to help more people connect the dots that surround America’s role in global peace.

Americans have an opportunity to vote for peace, when presidential candidates uphold peace resolutions.

10 Peaceful Positions for Presidents

Here’s the written list of CodePink’s ten impactful peace resolutions (from the above video). They’re peaceful positions that a peace-seeking presidential candidate will likely endorse.

  1. Reduce military spending, invest at home: transition from military to peace-based jobs.
  2. End wars, use diplomacy and international law. Stop supporting the Saudi war on Yemen. End sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba.
  3. Work for a nuclear-free world: Cut U.S. nuclear arsenal, remove missile defense systems from Europe, and end NATO expansion.
  4. End weapons sales to human rights violators: Stop giving or selling weapons to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Israel.
  5. Close the nearly 800 U.S. military bases: in more than 70 countries and territories abroad.
  6. Grow a green local peace economy: respect people and planet. Enact the Green New Deal and a New Peace Deal.
  7. End support for Israel’s war on Palestinians: hold Israel accountable for violating international law and Palestinian human rights.
  8. Promote women in peacemaking: uphold U.N.Res #1325 to involve women in preventing, resolving, and recovering from conflict.
  9. Stop militarization of the border and police: stop attacking migrants, refugees, and criminalizing communities of color.
  10. No campaign donations from weapons companies: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing, and Elbit Systems, etc.

It’s time to disempower the military industrial complex. It’s time for a foreign policy that is based on diplomacy and international law, not war. We must make presidential candidates talk about peace, and stand for peace — so Americans can vote for peace.

Audacious Peace Activist Groups

Do you support world peace? Then let your voice be amplified. Join and/or support peace organizations, in order to exert a denser impact against war. After all, it’s pretty audacious for the Little Guys and Gals to take on Big Guns. It’s so David vs. Goliath. But standing together multiplies our strength and powers anti-war endeavors that have impact.

Five audacious peace activist groups are listed below, for starters. Any of them are worthy of your attention, support, and involvement. If your favorite peace group is missing, tell us about them in the comment section at the end of this article. They may even be added to the list.

  1. CodePink – Is an audacous “women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.” Very few anti-war activists proceed with the style and tongue-in-cheek humor of CodePink. They’re also known for skillfully sneaking into Congressional hearings and raising a pink stink, as they’re forced from the premises or arrested. CodePink thinks men look particularly strong in pink, and welcomes them to join the fight for peace.
  2. The Elders – Is a peace resolution group “founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007… [they are] independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights… [and] engage with global leaders and civil society at all levels to resolve conflict and address its root causes…” For example, former President Jimmy Carter hasn’t spent all his retirement on building houses for humanity; for many years, he has also volunteered his time and diplomatic expertise to The Elders. Basically, the Elders stand ready to provide diplomatic mediation when involved parties invite them to facilitate peaceful resolutions. How audacious that old, retired people continue working — not even for money, but for the mission of peace.
  3. Friends Committee on National Legislation – Is a pacifist group with the nerve to get involved with lobbying. They follow a “multi-faceted approach [toward peace and justice that] draws on the expertise of registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C., the commitment and passion of people around the country… and [cultivated relationships] with elected officials and community leaders.” At the FCNL website, you’ll find an audacious quote from A Theological Perspective on Quaker Lobbying by Margery Post Abbott: “Quakers live with paradox: They are law-abiding people, but they wrote the book on civil disobedience.”
  4. Peace Action – Join this group’s audacious email list. Regular people are empowered to make direct contact with their own elected officials on the topic of government foreign policy. There are usually several peace campaigns going on at the same time, ranging from nuclear disarmament to Pentagon spending. Want to get more involved? There may be a local chapter near you.
  5. Veterans for Peace – Is a group of warriors, who may surprise some people, because they audaciously want to end war. They’ve been “exposing the true costs of war and militarism since 1985… Veterans For Peace is a global organization of military veterans and allies dedicated to building a culture of peace by using [their] unique experiences as veterans… [They] also recognize that [they] have an obligation to heal the wounds of war, not only among… fellow veterans but also the wounds that… war-making has affected around the globe.”
  6. Win Without War – Is a “diverse network of activists and organizations working for a more peaceful, progressive U.S. foreign policy. They have the audacity to believe in the coming of an “American foreign policy that favors peace, not militarism.”
  7. World Beyond War – Is “a global nonviolent movement to end war and establish a just and sustainable peace… to advance the idea of not just preventing any particular war but abolishing the entire institution… to replace a culture of war with one of peace in which nonviolent means of conflict resolution take the place of bloodshed.” Serious about anti-war education, WBW provides an audacious online curriculum of peace courses.

Everyone, jump on the peace train!

~ Cat Stevens

Thanks for reading this post. Remember to share “Progressive Graffiti” blog posts with your friends and social networks. Sharing quality information, from the Left point of view, helps to advance the Progressive Justice Movement.

People’s Convention for a Democracy-Driven Political Party

Sunday, August 30, 2020, 4:00 PM Eastern: Movement for a People’s Party hosts the People’s Convention. Be there (digitally), or be square. 🙂 Register now.

Big Money Causes Problems

The United States has many problems to solve. To name a few: racism, runaway inequality, public health issues, and the climate emergency. Experts have already thought of numerous solutions that can fix these maladies. Instead of wallowing in denial, we should be debating which solutions to implement — and how. But there’s a huge obstacle that blocks America from taking meaningful action to solve problems.

That obstacle is Big Money in politics. It creates conflicts of interest in the hearts and minds of our legislators. Big Money not only rewards OUR representatives for passing legislation that favors wealthy special interests, but it punishes elected officials who won’t go along with an anti-democratic, corporate-driven agenda.

It’s no secret that most Republican AND Democratic Congress Members accept Big Money campaign donations and Big Money favors. That’s how do-nothing politicians accumulate impressive wealth during office, and why they stay in office for decades.

If only we had a political party that nipped corruption in the bud — by refusing to accept Big Money donations and favors, by refusing to dance with Big Money billionaires and corporate overlords. Bernie Sanders hailed such a concept as “political revolution,” and proved it could be done! Both his presidential campaigns refused corporate money. He raised abundant campaign funding from millions of small donations given by real people (not corporate entities the Supreme Court declares are “people”).

Major New Party FREE of Big Money

It just so happens… Former National Political Outreach Coordinator for Bernie Sanders, Nick Brana, founded the Movement for a People’s Party shortly after Bernie lost the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, as a result of DNC machinations to rig the primary for Hillary Clinton.

At first, Brana called his new organization “Draft Bernie for a People’s Party.” He believed a new third party could be quickly and successfully launched if it had a well-known, dynamic, influential politician on the ticket. Brana hoped Bernie Sanders would run for President in 2020 under the new party’s banner. However, Bernie could not be lured in. (Sanders abhors the possibility of being a spoiler candidate.)

Eventually, the group’s name was adjusted to “Movement for a people’s party.” They’ve been plugging away for the last four years. They tell me they “prefer the term ‘major new party’ over ‘third party,’ as the latter validates the corporate duopoly.” Well, that just makes sense!

Now, Movement for a People’s Party takes party building to the next level. They’re holding a digital People’s Convention tomorrow, Sunday, August 30, 2020, at 4:00 PM Eastern. Register now. Participants will be able to vote on forming a major new political party that is FREE of Big Money and its corrupting influence. If you’re unable to participate, catch the People’s Convention on MPP’s YouTube Channel afterwards.

An opportunity to support a major new democracy-driven People’s Party.

The speaker line-up is amazing. It includes Nina Turner, Cornel West, Lee Camp, Chase Iron Eyes, Marianne Williamson, Gov. Jesse Ventura, Sen. Mike Gravel, former progressive candidates Isaiah James, Lauren Ashcroft, and Maebe A Girl, Tim Black, Chris Hedges, creative activist Eleanor Goldfield, my favorite peace activist Medea Benjamin of Code Pink, founder Nick Brana (of course!), and many more luminaries from the progressive justice movement.

Like I said, be there, or be square. 🙂 Register here.

If you find this blog post useful, please take a moment to share it on your favorite social media platform. Sharing is caring and teaching.

JoAnnChateau.com Newsletter

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

A Not-So-Proud July Fourth Message

I’m not celebrating the Fourth of July this year, and I don’t mind. I’m going nowhere nonessential, until the COVID-19 crisis is over! Besides, I’m not so proud of my country right now. The United States is climate-emergency complicit. It failed to implement well-known pandemic best practices. Jeff Bezos is richer than ever, while major portions of the country tumble down a plunging economic spiral. Police Violence is uglier than ever, which their treatment of #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd protesters proves.

Normally, I don’t contemplate the misery of others in order to feel better about my own situation. But this Fourth of July, I’m going to engage in that practice. There were times in American history when people had it worse than we do: African American slavery; the Trail of Tears; worker exploitation, including child labor; robber barons and gross economic inequality that led to The Great Depression; the 1960s assassinations and Kent State Massacre; etc. (Notice these soul-breaking trials resulted not from foreign aggression, but from the consequences of our own character flaws.)

[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”sqtemenyig” question=”What are your current feelings about America?” opened=”0″][/wpdiscuz-feedback]

So I remember dark times in American history, because we’re in one right now. If the nation survived earlier tragic epochs, maybe we can survive today’s calamities. Maybe current atrocities will push us to advance and evolve. Greater minds than mine are open to the possibility.

The following media may spark hope in the weariest patriotic heart.

‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech | NPR

The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms. In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” ~ NPR

Learning from Eugene Debs’ Mission | Bernie Sanders

The Purpose of a Democracy

My own words, and those of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, allude to the parenting role of a democratic people.

I believe we may still raise our government up to behave like a responsible adult — by using a fair measure of tough love. Protest! Protest! Protest!

Happy Fourth of July.

JoAnnChateau.com Newsletter

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Join Public Citizen’s Gala Benefit for a COVID-19 Intervention

Public Citizen is hosting a gala benefit (online) for a full-fledged COVID-19 response intervention. Celebrity guests galore! (Including comedians!) The event streams live on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 8:00 PM Eastern. Click the link to RSVP. Be there, or be square!

FEATURING: Lewis Black, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Earle, Pramila Jayapal, Paula Poundstone, Sarah Silverman, Kandace Springs, Ray Romano, and Elizabeth Warren

What does Public Citizen have to do with COVID-19? It’s fighting for all the following interventions to help everyone make it through the coronavirus pandemic, in one piece.

  • Urgent Funding for States to Implement Vote-By-Mail Programs
  • Guaranteed Access to Healthcare
  • Expanded Federal Funding for Testing and Tracing
  • No IP/Patent Restrictions on COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Federal Government Commitment to Manufacturing a Vaccine
  • Relief Funds that Benefit People, Not Corporations
  • Bailout Funding Free of Corruption and Ethics Violations
  • No Regulatory Rollbacks
  • No Blanket Liability Shields for Corporations
  • Tighter IRS Oversight of Political Spending

Eager to support and fund Public Citizen’s war on COVID-19? Then join the gala event this Thursday, share clips with your friends, and donate a little money if you can. Together, we can accomplish anything!

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Strengthening Voices In These Hard Times

If you feel weighed down and constrained by COVID-19 and police violence, take strength. These issues are putting activists on the same page. Together, we exponentially increase our power, and ARE changing the world. Below, are some of the strengthening voices I heard this week…

Taking the Knee

Matt Orfalea, “independent media beast,” illuminates why Colin Kaepernick chose to “take a knee” in 2016 to protest police violence against black people. A particular military veteran had a lot to do with it.

“Maybe there’s a different way to show more respect.”

The Spiritual Health of Our Country

Marianne Williamson ran for President in 2020. Her platform centered on a national moral and spiritual awakening. Anand Giridharadas interviewed her the other day. She explains that American people are intelligent and decent, yet need to be given the opportunity to do the right thing. What blocks such an opportunity? Watch, and find out. Williamson lucidly ties all the spiritual and systemic loose ends together.

“This is not the first time we’ve had terrible chaos.”

Movement for a People’s Party

You hear a lot of people calling for a third party. Nick Brana has been working on that for four years! He founded Movement for a People’s Party in 2016, right after Bernie Sanders lost the Democratic nomination. Hard Lens Media interviewed Brana the other day, and we learn that coalitions are building!

“Our Revolution Los Angeles announced they’re going to join us.”

Voices of the Poor Rise Up

Rev. William Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign have been planning the June 20th “Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington” for a year and a half. Due to the corona crisis, the march is NOT cancelled — it’s going digital! Rev. Barber talks about the issues and the goals with Tim Black.

“Democracy is trying to breathe.”

Lifelong Activist Protests Police Violence

At age 75, Martin Gugino joined the Albany, NY protest against police violence — though he feared being “pummelled.” Indeed, police officers brutally pushed him to the ground, where his head cracked on the pavement. TYT host Cenk Uygur reveals Gugino’s history as a lifelong activist.

As of Friday evening, Gugino was still hospitalized, in stable condition.

“He’s a hero for quietly fighting for you — all this time.”

Again, all this is just to say… If you feel weighed down and constrained, take strength. Bright lights in many long, good fights are converging NOW.

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Digital Gathering for Justice: “RISE” on June 20th

June 20, 2020: Join Rev. William Barber, and the Poor People’s Campaign, for a national digital gathering to demand a national moral revival. The event is called “RISE.” If you want to be involved, follow this link to RSVP. You don’t need to be particularly poor, black, or American to support the cause.

With everything going on now, an especially large and diverse group will gather, digitally, in order to lift up democracy and justice for all…

The COVID-19 pandemic exposes the depth of economic injustice in our so-called “wealthy” country. Poor people deserve fair, living wages (and safe working conditions) for the necessary work they perform. Anything less is robbery. The Poor People’s Campaign is not about “helping” people. It’s about justice.

The deaths of black people at the hands of murderous police officers, or neighborhood lynching crews, are no longer being tolerated. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd has launched massive protests nationwide and across the world.

The “RISE” digital gathering is all this and more. It’s about #BlackLivesMatter and people power. It’s about American democracy. It’s about liberty and justice for all.

Poor People Will “Rise” and Be Heard

“Rise” | June 20th Poor People’s Campaign Promo

About the Poor People’s Campaign

The Poor People’s Campaign continues the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was organizing the original Poor People’s Campaign just before his assassination in 1968. HIs goal was to create solidarity, and power, for poor people of all races.

Today, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has picked up this unfinished work. From Alaska to Arkansas, the Bronx to the border, people are coming together to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. We understand that as a nation we are at a critical juncture — that we need a movement that will shift the moral narrative, impact policies and elections at every level of government, and build lasting power for poor and impacted people.

~ Poor People’s Campaign

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

From The People’s Forum: ‘The New Intellectuals’ Podcast

A mini-review…

Looking for something smart and substantive to listen to? Try The New Intellectuals podcast, produced by The People’s Forum. Each month, the show interviews a cerebral author or activist who’s pushing one of our modern social and political movements — movements that serve the poor, the working-class, and the dispossessed.

If some readers are uninterested in poor, middle-class, or dispossessed people, I can only tell you what a good friend of mine always says: “They’re coming for you next.”

Truly, the fight for justice and democracy is every American’s fight. Intellectual leaders fighting on the front lines have profound insights to share with you and me. Check out The New Intellectuals Youtube playlist below.

Located in New York City, The People’s Forum is a forward-thinking organization. When you’re there sometime, you might want to visit. Here’s how they describe themselves:

We are a movement incubator for working class and marginalized communities. A space that nurtures the next generation of visionaries and organizers.

~ The People’s Forum

Thinking is fun. You’ll find more intellectually stimulating shows and podcasts on Progressive Graffiti’s leisure and culture page.

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.

‘Bernie Blackout’ to Premier on Vice Versa May 13

The mainstream corporate news media pulled a Bernie Sanders “blackout” during his 2020 presidential campaign. As you’d expect, folks who only consume mainstream media do not know this. (So frustrating.) Perhaps to fill the information gap, or simply because it’s a fascinating story, Vice TV is premiering the film documentary Bernie Blackout on Wednesday May 13 at 8:00 PM Eastern. Whatever the motivation, the 90-minute program will be pertinent to American democracy.

[Bernie Blackout is] an investigative deep dive into the corporate news media’s coverage of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign that asks: who actually gets a say in American politics? 

~ Vice TV
“The entire establishment came against Bernie.” ~ From Bernie Blackout

Bernie Blackout is a production from the new Vice documentary series, VICE Versa. Use the Vice TV channel finder to see if your favorite low-information friend or family member can access Vice TV via their cable provider.

If you have the opportunity to view Bernie Blackout, please share your impressions in the comment section below. We’d also love to know what conservative Democrats think of the film.

Keep your ear to the ground. Peace.

Appreciate this info? Get more like it. Subscribe to our newsletter.