Run for Peace

The War Resisters League does a lot of work for peace—organizing demonstrations, publishing a quarterly magazine, developing resources and trainings on nonviolence… Most of this work is done from the comfort of a chair (although you can get a workout on the picket line). 

Now, the War Resisters League is taking our message of peace and pacifism and hitting the road—literally. Patrick Sheehan-Gaumer and Frida Berrigan—members of WRL’s National Committee —WRL staff person Saul Silva and long-time WRL member Mike Levinson, are marathoning for peace.

Patrick is going all out-- running the full 26.2 marathon miles-- while Frida, Saul and Mike are testing their mettle against the half marathon. As we train towards this goal, we hope that you’ll make a contribution to WRL in recognition of our effort. 
We’ve already raised hundreds of dollars for War Resisters League, and we hope that as we put the finishing touches on our long runs and complete our training regimes, contributions will continue to come in.
Patrick, who was until recently the War Resisters League’s representative to the War Resisters International Council, is also running to raise funds so that he can participate in WRI’s Nonviolent Livelihood Struggle and Global Militarism: Links and Strategies conference, which will be held in Ahmadabad, India January 2010.   

The timing of the race—October 10-- could not be more important. At the beginning of that week, the War Resisters League will be in Washington, DC, protesting President Barack Obama’s continuation of some of the worst of the Bush administration policies-- the war in Afghanistan.
Hundreds will be gathering at the White House to “No to War in Afghanistan. No to Torture and Vengeance.” More information on this action, and actions around the country this week are online at http://www.warresisters.org/node/844.
  
WRL is still going strong after 86 years. We continue to work for peace with justice, supporting the young men and women who hear their consciences above the drum beat of war, educating the next generation about living lives of “service” without entering the military services, providing resources on the costs of war and how to remove ones complicity to that war by refusing to pay federal taxes that go to the Pentagon, and much, much more. 

Please join us. Please support us. 

Be the wind beneath our knees as we run (and sweat) for peace. Thank you. 

October 5, 2009: Direct Action at the White House Against Continued War and Torture 
http://www.warresisters.org/node/810 

October 7, 2009: United for Peace and Justice local actions through the country 
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ 

October 10, 2009: Run for Peace (otherwise known as the ING Hartford Marathon) 
http://www.hartfordmarathon.com

Contribute to War Resisters League here. 
http://www.warresisters.org/runforpeace 

You can also mail donations to War Resisters League 
339 Lafayette Street 
New York, NY 10012