| Posted: Feb. 24 2005,20:17 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
We
have seen an increasingly suppportive response to the weekly silent
peace vigil held Saturdays from 12-12:15 on Bridge Square. Among
the signs held is one that says "Honk for Peace". Honking has
increased greatly since the vigil began Sept. 11, 2001. Negative
responses were greater than now in 2001 & 2002, but not ever
predominant. It would be difficult to determine how much
our vigils and programs have influenced the growing
dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, but we are happy for the
change. The letters to the editor, blogs,
speakers, and meetings have increased the voice for peace and
nonviolence in the community. We hope that more citizens here
understand that patiotism often is expressed in criticism of
actions that diminish a democratic system. Peace and nonviolence
are most important, most needed where there is
disagreement--especially strong disagreement.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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The
climate of fear that has been generated in the US affects our community
also, so that we have worked hard to establish that patriotic
citizens can be in support of the troops and against the war.
Most people in this city are very busy--often
with very important activities that support the common good.
Keeping the spirit and the action going forward is a challenge.
We use email to keep informed and in touch.
We are a group without dues or funding so our actions must be inexpensive ones.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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Persons
coming together Sept. 11, 2001, began to meet weekly to share their
concerns, to advocate and plan alternatives to violence and war.
This group became Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill (PPG).
PPG
holds a weekly silent vigil Saturdays, 12-12:15 p.m. on Bridge Square,
at a crossroads in the heart of downtown Northfield. The
highly visible participants hold American, UN, world, & peace
flags; puppets; signs advocating peace, support for the troops,
alternatives to violence. A large sign notes the number of killed and
wounded in Iraq. Attendance varies from 500 (two times of great
public concern) to 25-70 on the weekly basis. A
second vigil is held Thursday mornings during the school year at an
intersection close to 3 schools--the High School, Middle School and an
elementary school. During the half hour before school begins
signs and flags again draw attention to the message of peaceful
solutions. Vigils have also been held at other important times,
ie the beginning of the Iraq war, a candlelight vigil
honoring fallen soldiers whose names were read aloud (over 1,000 of
them), a vigil on the International Day of Peace at Bridge Square
combined with a program of witness and music from diverse cultures at
the Public Library (Children were part of this.), and several combined
vigil-marches throughout the community including the campuses and
students of St. Olaf College and Carleton College. PPG
holds weekly meetings Thursday evenings that are open to the public in
the accessible rooms in downtown Northfield shared by the
Northfield Center for Sustainable Living and the Cannon Valley Friends
(Quakers). These meeting focus on planning events, community
discussions, educational programs, and invited speakers and presenters.
These guests have included Rita Lasar of Peaceful
Tomorrows, Winona LaDuke of the White Earth Indian Community, MN
State Representative Ray Cox, Mayor Lee Lansing, and Christian
Peacemakers Teams. Community members have reported on a range of things
from witnessing the vote recount in Ohio, experiencing the
military environmental damage in Hawaii, experiences in Iraq, Israel,
Guatemala, the Mideast. The weekly meeting, open to everyone
gives community members a chance to come together to share their
experiences and ideas, and to support their individual efforts at
peacemaking. ----Submitted by Scott
Schumacher, Bill McGrath, Sharon Gates-Hull, Judith
Stoutland
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
Expanded leadership in promoting the basics of peacemaking and human rights.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
The
Northfield PPG has partnered with many community groups
throughout its history. These include St. Olaf College, Carleton
College, Just Food Co-op, The Center for Sustainable Living, Women
Against Military Madness, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Cannon Valley
Friends (Quaker), the Cannon River Watershed Project, and other nearby
Peace and Justice community groups.
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
Looking
forward into the second half of the Decade for a Culture of Peace,
the Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill plans to continue
its extensive programming to promote nonviolent ways of living, to
reduce the causes of violence and war and suffering, to enhance
the well-being of all. In addition, the group plans to improve
its tracking of community events through a new web site which will have
an interactive section to track events that pertain to the Decade
for a Culture of Peace. We plan expanded activity through
newspaper columns and editorials in local and regional papers and print
media, and the collection of historical information on
peacemaking for the city of Northfield as it celebrates its 125th
year. The group will see its place in the story of this
long-standing and active peace community. It is
our hope that we will soon be in touch with grouops in even more small
communities in MN and the USA who are leaders of 'Peace in Action."
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Postal address of organization
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Northfield PPG
Division Street, Northfield, MN 55057
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E-mail address of organization
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northfieldPPG@yahoogroups.com
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Website address of organization
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northfieldppg
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Democratic participation
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Understanding, tolerance, solidarity
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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