Peace 101: What peace groups are active in Phoenix?

Since writing my book, The World I Imagine: A creative manual for ending poverty and building peace, I’ve collected information on various peace groups in southern Arizona. Despite being a "red" state, Arizona is home to a large number of people who do not believe that war is the solution to disagreements between human beings. Following is a list of groups active in the Phoenix area along with a little bit of information about each one, mostly taken from the groups’ own websites:

ARIZONA INSTITUTE FOR PEACE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (AIPER)

"Our mission: To empower ourselves and other community members--through education, research, and advocacy--to take effective action on behalf of peace, social justice, and a sustainable environment."

The AIPER website includes pages dedicated to providing support for veterans, especially those who have been injured or otherwise negatively affected by their experience in the war zones, and teachers who want to share information with students on peace and justice.

They also support No More Deaths (No Mas Muertes) - Phoenix (see below).

AIPER’s most popular event is Global Issues First Friday Movie Nite, held at 7:00 p.m. on the first Friday evening of the month at Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Main Sanctuary, 6400 West Del Rio Street, Chandler, AZ 85226. (From Ray Road, go south on McKemy Road between Kyrene and Priest; the church is a few blocks on the right side.) "This fun screening is open to the public and admission is free. Snack/drink donations are welcome and appreciated."

Many AIPER events also take place at Tempe Friends Meeting House, 318 East 15th Street, Tempe.

NO MORE DEATHS - PHOENIX

"We are a diverse coalition of individuals, faith communities, human rights advocates, and grassroots organizers who have joined together to work for justice along the U.S.-Mexico border. We have mobilized in response to the escalating numbers of migrant deaths in the deserts of the American Southwest. Since 1998, over 2000 men, women, and children have lost their lives attempting to cross the border.

"We are a bi-national network of migrant-friendly organizations and individuals throughout the United States and northern Mexico that participate through symbolic and direct action.

"We offer a strategy to intervene and put a stop to migrant deaths in the Borderlands. Our actions are lawful and follow a protocol based on the principle of civil initiative.

"We embrace an action plan that includes movable desert camps, support of migrant aid centers, maintenance of water stations, Samaritan patrols that search the desert for migrants in need, and advocacy on behalf of migrant-related issues.

"We are a volunteer-driven movement that encourages people from all over the country to come to southern Arizona in summer 2004 to join the efforts to stop the loss of life in the desert.

"We are a non-profit organization in need of all kinds of support: financial, material, and spiritual."

WOMEN IN BLACK

"WOMEN IN BLACK stand in silent vigil to protest war, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses all over the world. We stand in silence, dressed in black. We invite women to stand with us at the Phoenix Public Library, McDowell and Central, each Wednesday afternoon between 5:00 and 6:00. Summer hours typically shift 1/2 hour later to 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., due to the heat. For information: (480) 894-2024."

"Women in Black Phoenix, part of an International Network of Women Opposed to War and Militarism."

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN

"Campaigning for a U.S. Department of Peace: The Arizona Department of Peace (AZDOP) Campaign is a grassroots, inclusive, nonpartisan, proactive, solution-oriented organization which supports the creation of a national Department of Peace which will research, articulate, and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflicts."

The Arizona Department of Peace Campaign Chapter is allied with The Peace Alliance in their efforts to pass House Bill 808, legislation designed to establish a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Brother Anthony Room of The CASA Franciscan Renewal Center (east end of the campus, across from the cafeteria), 5802 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253.

VETERANS FOR PEACE - PHOENIX CHAPTER

"We are Veterans working together for peace and justice through non-violence! To this end we will work with others to:

(a) Increase public awareness of the full cost of war

(b) Restrain our government from intervening, overtly or covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations

(d) Seek justice for veterans and victims of war

(e) Abolish war as an instrument of national policy

"We meet every second Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Location is: Casey Moore's Oyster House, 850 South Ash Avenue. It is located one block south of University Drive and two blocks West of Mill Avenue. Come and enjoy good food and great conversation.

"Our contact information: Veterans For Peace, Phoenix, 15825 South 28th Place, Phoenix, Az 85048, 602-400-9179, or email the address below.

"Hear us on NOVA M Network Phoenix, 1190AM on your dial. We air on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Arizona time. The show is ‘About Face,’ with your hosts Dennis Stout and John Henry. See more at our ‘AboutFace’ page! Also, listen in via the internet."

GRANDMOTHERS FOR PEACE

"OFF THEIR ROCKERS: Barbara Wiedner, the founder of Grandmothers for Peace, claimed that there were people who believed she was ‘off her rocker’ for nearly 20 years (GFP was founded in 1982). ‘Off Her Rocker’ was the name of a column that Barbara wrote for Encore magazine, and was also the title she planned to use for the book she was working on.

"[The web] page contains the names and addresses of the brave souls who join in getting other grannies from around the world out of their rockers, and actively involved in the struggle to bring peace and justice to this planet we all share as a common home.

"If you would like to start a chapter in your area or be listed as a ‘contact person’ in your community, please contact Lorraine Krofchok at the email below. Chapter coordinators, groups and individuals are also invited to send information about issues they are currently working on and plans for the future."

For more info:

Email Veterans For Peace: ekjh7470@cox.net

Email: Grandmothers For Peace: lorraine@grandmothersforpeace.org