Category Archives: peace

Statement Calling for a Christmas Truce in Ukraine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janet Parker, Madison for A World Beyond War
madisonpeacewalk@gmail.com | (608) 228-9096
Contact: Jerry Folk, Interfaith Peace Working Group
jerrylfolk55@gmail.com | (608) 513-3178

[Anyone who would like to support the truce may sign on here. ]

~ Wisconsin Faith Leaders Call for ~

a ~ Christmas Truce ~  in Ukraine

Inspired by the miraculous Christmas truce of 1914, local leaders petition the Biden administration to push for negotiations and will host a walk to involve the public on Sunday, December 18

 

Madison, WI – A diverse and quickly growing coalition of nearly 1000 faith leaders in the United States have signed onto a Christmas truce statement demanding a ceasefire in the War in Ukraine. Madison, Wisconsin leaders are hosting a walk to call for a Christmas truce on Sunday, December 18th. The public is welcome to participate.

Initiated by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA, the National Council of Elders, CODEPINK and the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, the Christmas truce for Ukraine, is inspired by the miraculous Christmas truce of 1914, in which 100,000 German and British soldiers ceased fire and participated in a brief and spontaneous peace along the Western Front. Emerging from their trenches, soldiers ventured into the “no man’s land” where they shared food and drink; they sang Christmas carols and even played soccer together. It was a potent example of how the human spirit can be a powerful force that transcends hate and division in the promotion of peace.

Several Wisconsin leaders and faith organizations that have signed the statement to support the Christmas truce in Ukraine. They include, but are not limited to, Sister Rosalie Lauer (Sisters of St. Dominic), Madison Friends Meeting (Quakers), Interfaith Peace Working Group, Reverend Erica Liu (Pres House), Pastor Valerie Showalter (Madison Mennonite Church), Rabbi Betsy Forester (Beth Israel Center), Nick Utphall (Advent Lutheran Church of Madison Christian Community), Julia Weaver (United Church of Christ), Phil Haslanger (Christ Presbyterian), and Pastor Peter Beeson (St John’s Lutheran), Rev. Jerry Folk (ELCA pastor), Rev. Franz Rigert, (Conference Minister, Wisconsin Conference, UCC), Rev. Frederick Trost (UCC pastor), and Sister Maureen McDonnell (Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa).

 

For a full list of signers visit this link.

The itinerary for the Sunday, December 18, Madison Christmas Truce Walk is listed below. The public is welcome to attend any part of the event.

• 10:45 am – St John’s Lutheran Church, 322 E Washington Ave. Clergy Rev Peter Beeson and Rev Julia Weaver have signed the call for a Christmas Truce.
• 11:15 am – Walk west, up East Washington and around the Capitol.
• 12:00 – 12:45 pm – Madison Friends Meeting (Quakers), 1704 Roberts Ct. The congregation signed onto the Truce.
• 12:45 pm – Walk to Pres House on Library Mall.
• 1:15 – 1:30 pm – Walk ends with a very brief vigil at Library Mall. Pres House will share their space for warming up at 731 State St.

 

More info on the walk 

Peace Walks ~ for Ukraine and the World ~ Fri August 19 @ 6

Peace Walks for Ukraine and the World

Join us to walk to promote and demand peace. 

For your calendar, here are two Peace Walks in August with special speakers.  Details below and updates are posted here.

  • Friday, Aug 19 at 6 pm – Special speaker Zubeir Haroun  

  • Friday, Aug 26 at 6 pm – Special speaker Lisa Masri

 

On August 19, we are so very pleased that Zubeir Haroun will give a talk about Libya.   Zubeir was born in Tripoli, Libya and lived there until 2007.  He will explain the situation in Libya after the so-called Arab spring, a rare event in which Libyans could have had a chance for prosperity but instead it slipped into a nightmare and chaos.  He’ll talk about the negative role of NATO, and how the US could have helped better.  He’ll present a brief history of Libya, the formation of Libya, and how we got here.   Zubeir recently moved with his family to Madison and they have participated in Madison Peace Walks.

We’re delighted to welcome Lisa Masri to speak at the Peace Walk on July 22.  Lisa and her family recently moved to Madison, and she’s participated in the Peace Walks for Ukraine and the World.  Before coming here, she lived in Palestine for 14 years, doing education and nonviolent accompaniment work with Project Hope and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Project.  Her peace work there in the West Bank was with youth, adults, and international volunteers, and included being an international presence in hot spots, and teaching English, French, drama, and circus arts.  Lisa will share about her work and answer your questions.

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7/26 Vigil Against Drone Murder ~ Tues @3pm ~ Volk Field Military Base

DRONES KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE

VIGIL AGAINST THE DRONES

OUTSIDE THE GATES OF VOLK FIELD

TUESDAY JULY 26, 2022      3:30-4:30 pm

We need YOU there

Dear Friends,

Truthout published an article, “Missing Pieces: The Human Impact of Drone Strikes” which examines the way in which mainstream media may report on certain aspects of drone strikes, such discussing that there is no oversight on drone strikes and that they are increasing under Trump, but the mainstream media fails to give us a real understanding of what happens to the many thousands of people who are affected by drone strikes in the Middle East and in Africa.  Though this article was written in 2019, it is as true today as it was then, whether drones are used by the US military or in the war between Russia and Ukraine.  The author states that, “If people knew the details of what happens to bodies when they are hit by missiles, more people might protest war and advocate for peace.”

The article goes on to talk about independent organizations like the Bureau for Investigative Journalism, which attempts to count deaths by drones and conservatively estimates that almost 4,000 people have been killed in Afghanistan and over 1,000 in Yemen, but the actual death toll should really be doubled because of the difficulty in confirming the deaths.  And even more deaths when you consider that there are several other countries where drone strikes are prevalent.  It is also thought that less than 4% of the deaths by drones kill terrorists and the other 96% killed are innocent children, women, and men.

And though these statistics are important, it is even more important to really understand what happens to these innocent people who are killed by US drones.  Please read the whole article to understand the devastation we are bringing to our brothers and sisters across the globe.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO VIGIL TO BRING THIS TERROR THAT THE US GOVERNMENT REIGNS DOWN ON OTHERS TO AN END!

The vigil at Volk Field is a legal vigil where we will be on public property.  As always, it will be a solemn vigil, remembering the victims of US government drone attacks.

DIRECTIONS – To get to the vigil, take the Camp Douglas exit off Interstate 90/94 between Mauston and Tomah.  When you exit take County Rd. C to the northeast.  You will see the base straight ahead, but follow County Rd. C to the right and within a few blocks is a picnic wayside where you can park.  The wayside is now open for the summer and we can park in the wayside parking lot.  There are restrooms available.

Map Info    <——-

THE VIGIL – We will gather at the wayside between 3:00-3:15 for introductions and to review the plan for the vigil, and then process together to the gates of the base where we will hold a solemn vigil for one hour to remember those killed by drones.  Participants can stand in silence or read poems and stories about the effects of drone warfare.  It is important that the voices of the victims be brought to the gates of Volk Field.

Bring posters if you can.

A WORD ABOUT THE WEATHER – If you have questions about the vigil because of the weather, please make sure to call

  • Joy at 608 239-4327 or
  • Bonnie at 608-256-5088
  • for an update.

CARPOOLING –  If you are interested in carpooling to Volk Field from Madison, please contact Bonnie at 608-256-5088.

We hope to see you at the vigil on July 26.  If you can’t come this time, mark your calendar.  We usually vigil on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  If you have any questions please call or email Joy at 608 239-4327 or joyfirst5@gmail.com or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 or  blb24@earthlink.net  .

Peace,

Joy and Bonnie

Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars

Madison Peace Walks ~ July 15

The weather forecast shows the showers will end this afternoon, and we’ll have clear weather this evening!  Hope you’ll join us for a talk and a walk.

Facebook Walk Event – Please Invite Others

War is never the answer.  We walk weekly to call for a ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations to end the war.

Peace Walks for Ukraine and the World

Special guest Peng Her this Friday

Friday July 15, at 7:00 pm – We are delighted to welcome Peng Her, CEO of the Hmong Institute and candidate for Lt Governor.  He will speak about war and nonviolence from his personal experience and commitments.

Place:  Yahara Place Park, where the Yahara meets Lake Monona.  Map.  We’ll gather on the grass.  Bring a chair or a blanket if you would like.

We’ll start with a moment of silence and then a song.  Peng will speak and take questions.  Then we will walk our usual route north along the Yahara River, into the sunset.  We’ll stop at E Washington Avenue with signs and banners to greet drivers, walkers and bikers from about 8:00 – 8:15.  Then on to Tenney Park, for a closing circle there near the Locks at about 8:30.  Sunset will be at 8:35.

Join us for all or part

Details for our walks each week are posted here.

Do you know the dynamic international peace group World Beyond War?  You can sign their Peace Pledge here.

Drop us a line at peacewalkmadison@gmail.com

Join our google group to get invitations to the Peace Walks here.