International Day of Peace, 9/21/11
Dear friends,
Even as we scurry around getting ready for the peace party and worrying over the weather, ticket sales and all the minute details, we are all aware of the deeper reason we do this and the larger worries inherent in that work. We are involved – actively, diplomatically or behind the scenes in wars around the world and even here in our back yard against the working class and the poor and other disenfranchised groups. Next Wednesday, the world will set aside one day to acknowledge the International Day of Peace. Millions around the world will dedicate themselves to a 24-hour global ceasefire and to personal participation through spiritual reflection, by offering acts of kindness, displaying increased tolerance, rekindling strained personal relationships or participating in local observations of the International Day of Peace.
President Obama plans to conduct test launches of nuclear missiles on that day. In addition to the million dollar price tag for each test, it is just not an appropriate way to celebrate a day set aside as a 24 hour cease fire by the United Nations. It does not honor President Obama’s own commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and the United States obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and other international agreements. I invite you to sign this petition asking him not to test launch nuclear missiles on the international day of peace. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6357/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8001 and then please plan to join us at JRPC on Wednesday, September 21 from 12 noon to 1 pm. We will spend some time in meditation for peace and compassion and then connect with each other in dialogue and conversation. We will be serving some light treats and you are welcome to bring a lunch or food item to share.
See you then – and hopefully on Sunday too!
Betsy
