War Resisters' Stories

Every year on 1st December War Resisters' International marks Prisoners for Peace Day, when we publicise the names and stories of those imprisoned for actions for peace. Many are conscientious objectors, in gaol for refusing to join the military. Others have taken nonviolent actions to disrupt preparation for war. This day is a chance for you to demonstrate your support for them.

 

Activists from the Conscientious Objection Initiative in northern Cyprus were violently arrested on 15th November for unfurling a banner reading "Our duty to our country is peace, Conscientious Objection is our right” during a military parade. Find about more about the Cypriot Initiative for Conscientious Objection here.

The first ever international week of action for military-free education and research was held between 25-31 October 2014. Antimilitarists across the world took action to raise awareness, and to challenge, the role the military has in education and research in educational institutions.

In Colombia, men are forced to define their military situation and to present their libreta militar (a card given at the end of military service) in order to hold any contracts with any state entity. This means they need a libreta militar in order to work as a public servant, or obtain a professional degree at any higher education institution.

Compiling this issue of War Profiteers' News proved a challenge. Feminists argue that all analysis should be gendered analysis, yet it was difficult to apply this learning to war profiteering, at least initially. 'Profit' tempts us to think of capitalism, and not of gender, as the oppressive system by which our attention should be monopolised. Yet capitalism could not easily be a more gendered system.