Peace Within Reach:
People and Politics Partnering for our Common Security

The 2009 Department of Peace Campaign National Conference
Washington, D.C.
March 20-23, 2009
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Now is the Time -- A new Congress, a new President, a powerful air of possibility. This is the time, at the beginning of the 111th Congress, when we have the maximum potential to influence the legislative agenda. It's up to us to turn out in historic numbers to inspire our Congress to establish a new priority -- making peace a strategic policy and funding objective.

Participants in Previous Conferences Agree -- Walking the halls of Congress with hundreds of like-minded citizen activists and speaking with your Representatives and Senators about your desire for peace is one of the most inspiring, empowering and life-fulfilling experiences you can have.

Conference participants will experience the fulfilling, enriching, inspiring program our conferences are known for, with Riane Eisler, Rita Marie Johnson, Azim Khamisa, Ocean Robbins, Rich and Yvonne St. John-Dutra, Lisa Schirch, Bob Koehler, Dot Maver, Michael Shank, members of Congress, the comic stylings of Swami Beyondanda and more!

Get a taste of living the world of our dreams as you learn and share about:

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A National Peace Academy will educate for peace. Definition: Educare' (Latin) - to draw forth; to lead out. Imagine an academic community dedicated to drawing forth the essential peacebuilder in all of us while demonstrating the principles of peace in its everyday functioning. Such is our vision.

In April 2008, a diverse group of people from the business, government, and peacebuilding communities gathered in Cleveland, Ohio, at Case Western Reserve University to envision a National Peace Academy and took on the shared responsibility of making that vision a reality. Since that April Vision Meeting, we have been delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to our announcement. Thank you for your interest, support, encouragement and participation in this historic endeavor!

We want to let you know what is so unique and compelling about this endeavor. We are designing the National Peace Academy utilizing AI, Appreciative Inquiry, an inclusive co-creative design process that calls forth from the group the vision of what is possible while drawing forth the best of what all of us have to offer. It is exciting and on the cutting edge of what is emerging in these very challenging times.

Some of the suggested objectives of the National Peace Academy include the advance and support of:

• Existing peace education and peacebuilding efforts
• The study of the phenomena of peace
• Research, program development, training, and education for professional and citizen practice of peace and peacebuilding
• A worldwide network of peace academies
• Structures and programs in government, military, business, and civil society for a culture of peace

At this time, the infrastructure for the design process is in place, including an advisory board, a secretariat, website (www.nationalpeaceacademy. us), several work teams, answers to a set of frequently asked questions, an informational flyer, and soon a formal case statement that elaborates the need for and unique design process of this historic endeavor and provides a management plan and budget for carrying it out.

Please send this e-mail on to others and let us create the momentum for our March 2009 Global Stakeholders Summit at Case Western Reserve, where 200-300 people will gather to design the National Peace Academy utilizing Appreciative Inquiry, facilitated by Professor David Cooperrider.

Do you have ideas? Do you know people who might be interested in funding the project? Do you want to participate? Do you have an idea for a logo? Please be in touch!

Click here to read the National Peace Academy flyer and please take a minute to share this news with others, using our easy Refer-a-Friend - thanks.

In the spirit of peace,
Dot Maver, President & CEO
Peace Partnership International
www.peacepartintl. org
www. nationalpeaceacademy.us
Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace
www.mfp-dop.org

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Body of War is an intimate and transformational feature documentary about the true face of war today. Meet Tomas Young, 25 years old, paralyzed from a bullet to his spine - wounded after serving in Iraq for less than a week.

Body of War is Tomas' coming home story as he evolves into a new person, coming to terms with his disability and finding his own unique and passionate voice against the war. The film is produced and directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, and features two original songs by Eddie Vedder. Body of War is a naked and honest portrayal of what it's like inside the body, heart and soul of this extraordinary and heroic young man.

http://www.bodyofwar.com/

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I randomly found this on youtube by Bruce Larson Moore:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaD0iM_hBo

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Our own divided state is what causes division.  Watch this, it is 10 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iQGgmkODhg&feature=related

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http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/we-do-care

Peace is not an impossible dream.

"Everything that ever was, or is... began with a dream..."

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For peaceful action:

Give a smile each and every day! 

Be where you are and if you like, then do this:

http://www.care2.com/c2c/gettogether/3844

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http://www.care2.com/news/member/676686994/511837

http://www.care2.com/news/member/676686994/511832

http://www.care2.com/news/member/676686994/511822

http://www.care2.com/news/member/676686994/511817

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PEACE, IT’S SOMETHING WE CAN CREATE

http://www.exchanges4peace.org/

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Thanks to the dedication of activists like you, new nuclear weapons programs are facing increasing opposition this year. The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee cut all the funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead, an unnecessary and dangerous nuclear weapons program that could open the door to new nuclear testing. The Senate reduced the funding, but did not zero it out, which is why we still need your help.

Write to your senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 1914 to stop funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has written a bill that would prohibit any funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead until at least 2010. In the meantime, the administration would need to submit reports reevaluating the role of nuclear weapons in US security strategy.

When Congress comes back in session in September, the House and Senate will need to reconcile the two versions of the budget, and we want to make sure they get as close to zero funding as possible. Increasing the number of cosponsors on S. 1914 will send a strong message to the conference committee that there is support for cutting the funding for the RRW.

Click here to write to your senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 1914.

Due to your dedication and activism, we have stopped new nuclear weapons in their tracks three years in a row. Thank you for your commitment to continued action.

Sincerely,

Peter Deccy,
Peace Action National Headquarters

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The Bush Administration wants to send $65 billion in weapons to the Middle East but Congress has the power to stop it.  Saudi Arabia will pay $20 billion to the arms dealers with the Pentagon acting as middleman our government will take a 3% cut from the deal.   An additional $43 billion in arms to Egypt and Israel, however, is direct military aid from the Federal budget - blatant abuse of tax payer funds to line the pockets of the weapons dealers. 

We ask that you sign our online petition to Congress calling for defeat of the Bush administration's plan.   The potential for armed conflict in the region is high - weapons proliferation will only add fuel to the fire. The choice is simple: invest in people and peaceful diplomacy or invest in war. 

Dwight Eisenhower observed almost fifty years ago, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."

The Bush administration is set to invest in war. Please sign the petition today and then send it to a friend to sign. As activists, we support the human right to basic necessities. It is imperative that we stand as a nation to support the right of people to be safe in their borders - in doing this we stand against the tyranny of the Bush administration and his cronies at Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Working together, we can stop Bush from doing more damage in his final 17 months in office. Congress CAN take action on this issue and we must force them to do so.

Please sign our petition today and pass it on to your friends, again, I turn to Eisenhower, who understood the importance of our work. "I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it."

In Peace,
Barbra Bearden
Communication Associate,
Peace Action National Headquarters

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There is hardly any democracy in the United States of America.  There is only just a government of a few people, for a few people and by a few people who are weapon manufacturers, marketers and racketers who are bend upon to destroy the whole universe.  First the U.S.A. should be free from this nexus.  Another freedom struggle is needed in the United States of America.  Bush to Bush and beyond are all leaders who just play monkey to the above mentioned nexus.  Let the hapless millions of the United States of America be free from the captivity of this nexus.  The earlier it is done the better for the people of the United States of America in particular and the Global Village in general.

A bunch of "cowards" and "intellectually dissipated" lot clandestinely rule the United States of America and play monkey game with the weapons manufacturers, marketers and racketers nexus. 

If the people of the United States of America do not foresee the dangers ahead with such people in power and do not free their land like they freed it from the British Colonialists, they are bound to lose peace and the years ahead will be of pain and agony.  The crimes done by the United States of America on the humanity from Hiroshima-Nagasaki to Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Iraq cannot go unpunished by the Supreme Creator of this universe.

No resolutions, no campaign messages, no glittering parties and no healing prayers will work on the aforesaid nexus that rules the United States of America and the rest of the world through proxy.

Let the people all over the world take clues from the teachings of Great Masters like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and other Divine Souls and kick start a non-violent movement to free the United States of America and this universe. 

This humble citizen of this Global Village will be with everyone in this non-violent movement.

Let this action be not deferred or neglected for we shall not live once again to do it.  What we gather today contains the germs for tomorrow!!!!

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The news has been full of "bad girls"lately?Paris in jail, Lindsay back in rehab, Britney melting down. With all this celebrity gossip filling the media, we don't hear enough about the important work women are doing in the world. Today, we want to take a moment to honor the Gals in the House?our heroines in both the House of Congress & the CODEPINK DC House!

On July 20th, Congressional divas Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee, and Maxine Waters sent a letter to the President, signed by 70 Representatives,

"We are writing to inform you that we will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office." Read text of the letter here!

These champions of peace understand the only thing that will stop the war in Iraq is if Congress votes to stop funding all military operations, except the safe removal of all U.S. soldiers and contractors from Iraq on a rapid and binding timeline. In September, Congress will vote on another $142 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for FY 2008. During August ask your Representative to sign on to this letter pledging they will no longer buy Bush's war. + Barbara Lee's bill, H.R. 2929, preventing permanent military bases in Iraq and barring US control over Iraqi oil resources, passed in the house last week. The Gals are leaving no troops behind!

Because of our persistence the tides are shifting, and the women of the CODEPINK DC House have been at the forefront, attending hearings as the Pink Police, passing out Pink Peace Prescriptions, being visible and vocal throughout Capitol Hill, never letting Congress forget their mandate to end the war. Since the DC House opened in March, over 150 dedicated, creative people have been in residence. Every week of June and July, we hosted 25 activists--some seasoned, some brand new--from around the country to take part in trainings & direct actions in Congress. Amazing things have happened as a result of these DC action camps.

September 15-20 will be a particularly charged time, including a mass mobilization and a People's March through Congress.You can apply to stay at the DC House for an entire week, but space is limited so apply today! Click here to join us in DC this Fall!

• Read about Desiree, our amazing "house mama" from Texas
• Check out our front page coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle
• Watch this video to get a taste of what life in the house is like
• Read our DC house blog- there are new updates daily!

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Will you help Peace Action expose these deals and stop them?

On Tuesday, I was a panelist on a roundtable hosted by the Middle Eastern satellite news station Al Ahram. Also represented were a scholar from Iran, a U.S. weapons expert, and political officials from Beirut. All agreed, for various reasons this was a deal that can only bring more violence.  It is vital you help Peace Action continue the world-wide conversation on this issue.

The Bush administration is brokering this deal: DESPITE administration concessions that Saudi Arabia has played a role funding insurgents in Iraq ; DESPITE the tension it has created between the volatile states of Israel and Iran ; and, DESPITE the obvious danger increasing weaponry in the region will bring to our troops in Iraq .

Peace Action opposes this transfer of US weapons to the Middle East and when this deal comes before Congress, we will be there to oppose it. Between now and then we will track this deal, make people aware of what Bush is planning, and build opposition among our allies in Congress.

Help stop the war profiteers from increasing their profits at the expense of our common security. Your support will help Peace Action make the case that selling weapons in the volatile Middle East increases the prospects of war and make us all less secure.

Barbra Bearden
Peace Action

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Days of Decision:
"We The People Declare Peace!"

A Week of Nationwide Coordinated Actions
September 14 - 21, 2007

At Every Congressional Office Across the Country:

Nonviolent Actions to
End the Funding for the War on Iraq and
Establish A Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq

  - In September, General Petraeus will deliver his report on the war.
 
  - In September, Congress will face a decision on funding another year of war. Republicans and Democrats will consider the future of U.S. operations in Iraq.

  - We, the people, must set the agenda for a change in U.S. policy in Iraq.

  - Therefore, The Declaration of Peace is calling upon people across the United States to take nonviolent action in September to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.  Join us! 

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This global project of loving intention is completely possible. Your intention to make it happen can change the outcome of this planet. I will discuss the details of the plan in phase three of this website. I will give you the directions to follow, and you will see how little it will take for you to become an ambassador of light to our home, planet Earth. I beseech you to join me when we fire the Earth grid on July 17, 2007 at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time. —  and add your energy to this project. I promise you, just one hour of your time and you can help heal this planet, and help create peace among all people. My son and I are examples of the power of positive energy, and what humans are truly capable of when they unite with the intention of love. Love is the universal language of our world, and the world beyond.

Light and love be with you and welcome to the next phase of humanity; be part of the excitement and please join us. 

Fore more information please to see this web site:
http://www.firethegrid.com/eng/home-fr-eng.htm

If you want to select some another language:
http://www.firethegrid.com/index.htm

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Please help me fill up my Peace Petition to Hillary with signatures.  She's running for President, may actually become President (not if I have my druthers) and we NEED to help her understand the true will of the American people as regards Peace and Integrity in the US government!

Here's the link.  Please, sign it!   http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/901980447

Thank you.

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Everyone needs to take action, and no-one has writen in this space for 41 days!!!

love and light

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http://the-great-misfortune.info/index.html

Check this site out, it's really good!

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HR4232 Stop the War

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203!!!!

Let's get it to 1,000 by the end of August!!!!!

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173 and rising!!! Come on everyone! We can do it!

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This past week, I had a rather hard day at work with the heat and all. I stopped to get gasoline about a mile from the house. As I started the car for the final mile, “Imagine” began to play on the radio. Needless to say, I went into cruise mode so to hear the entire song. The stress and tension of the day seemed to flow from me as the song progressed!

I just checked the petition and saw the signatures were up to 159!

Come-on Peaceniks!

 Let’s do what we can for this legend and role model of our movement!

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It's very detailed and involves a lot of work.Want to here it?

LEAVE!Pack up and catch the next plane home.

 Now.How hard was that?

I am at the point I don't care how we get out, just get us out.Yesterday.

Charles

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This week we have two items for you:

First, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) is demanding information about domestic spying though the use of a Resolution of Inquiry. Peace Action is very interested in this inquiry because it has come to light that the FBI was spying on at least two Peace Action affiliates. We are asking that you support getting the truth about Bush's spying by writing to the members of the House Intelligence committee. Click here to use our letter.

Second we want to share our 2006 strategy to force Congress do their job, rein in Bush and end the war. As Bush gets ready to face a now skeptical and disapproving nation in his State of the Union address next week, let us look back at where were one year ago. In early 2005, Congress was doing nothing to address the growing bloodshed in Iraq. Only peace champion Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) had legislation in Congress, with only a few cosponsors, aimed at bringing our troops home. The path towards forcing Congressional action looked long and hard.

Now a year later, with your help, the playing field has changed dramatically. There are now nine pieces of legislation in Congress aimed at bringing the troops home. Thanks to your pressure, Congress has started to stand up to Bush and reassert its authority in Washington.

In 2006, we are focusing on the following pieces of legislation which we believe are best positioned to advance our goal of bringing our troops home. Click on the links to learn more.

1. Discharge Petition – HJ Res 55 – We need to get 218 Members of Congress to sign the petition, to bring about the first full debate about the war in Iraq on the House floor.

2. John Murtha’s Resolution – HJ Res 73. With 97 co-sponsors, it's the most viable antiwar legislation in Congress, calling for a phased withdrawal over six months.

3. HJ RES 4232. Congressman Jim McGovern’s bill would allow the Pentagon to use funds solely for bringing our troops home, and would prohibit any permanent US military presence in Iraq.

As in 2005, it is impossible to accurately predict what the lay of the political land will be for the entire year. Last year, Cindy Sheehan’s moving memorial to her son, Congressman Walter “freedom fries” Jones becoming the first Republican to come out against the war, and Congressman John Murtha’s courageous stance were all unexpected actions that helped drive the peace movement.

So we proceed optimistically ahead, together. With your continued help in 2006, we will end the occupation of Iraq and begin the path towards peace in the Middle East.


Kevin M Martin
Executive Director
Peace Action

P.S. It is because of your grassroots pressure that we have come so far since last year. Please keep up the good work by supporting Rep. Lee's resolution of inquiry.

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On Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that she backs the exit plan of Congressman John Murtha.¹ Pelosi is the first high-ranking Democratic leader to endorse a detailed Iraq exit strategy plan. This is a courageous move because leaders at her level rarely get ahead of their colleagues. Pelosi is now under attack from Bush supporters and rivals within her own Party including some members of the right-wing Democratic Leadership Council.²

Your work is making a difference. The best way we can support Nancy Pelosi is by showing Congress that the American people are behind her—they want an exit strategy plan. Will you sign our petition at the link below? MoveOn members will deliver it to congressional offices in less than two weeks.

http://political.moveon.org/iraq/?id=6466-592098-NsB.ZOw7LJ9vpZWJKfPbpg&t=2

If members of Congress are hearing from constituents they'll feel confident about supporting such a plan even in the face of critics. And this moment is a critical time—representatives are examining and changing their positions because so many things have changed in Iraq and in the United States.

Two critical facts on our side.

• More than 80 percent of Iraqis want us to leave Iraq—a fact affirmed last week when Iraqi leaders urged foreign troops to leave Iraq.³
• The majority of the American public supports an exit strategy plan to bring the troops home.⁴

But the gap between the American public and our leaders is huge—a majority of our elected representatives aren't backing an exit strategy plan. That is why speaking out now is so important.

Pelosi has been a leader against the war in Iraq since it started—running the "whip" operation in Congress that rounded up Democratic votes against the war in 2002. When she led congressional war opposition she was bucking her own leaders who were supporting Bush. It impressed enough of her Democratic colleagues that they elected her Leader.

Now her support for Murtha's plan will open the door to lots of other Democrats supporting an exit strategy that would bring the troops home from Iraq in 2006—either Murtha's plan or another. But critics and rivals of Murtha and Pelosi are on the attack while members of Congress are examining and changing their minds. We need to step up and make sure they hear from constituents too. Will you sign the petition?

http://political.moveon.org/iraq/?id=6466-592098-NsB.ZOw7LJ9vpZWJKfPbpg&t=3

Our plan is to deliver the petition to the congressional offices of representatives—both Democrats and Republicans—before the holiday break. Please sign today.

Thanks for all you do.

–Tom, Wes, Tanya, Marika and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
  Friday, December 2nd, 2005

P.S. Here are the sources.

1. "House minority leader backs withdrawal." Reuters. November 30, 2005
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1218

2. "Democratic Lawmakers Splinter on Iraq." The Washington Post. December 2, 2005.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1217

3. "Secret MoD poll: Iraqis support attacks on British troops." News Telegraph. October 23, 2005.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1220

4. Polling of the American Public on Iraq.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1219

Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.3 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, no money from unions, no major donors program. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you'd like to support our work, you can give now at:

http://www.moveonpac.org/donate/email.html?id=6466-592098-NsB.ZOw7LJ9vpZWJKfPbpg&t=4

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://political.moveon.org/?id=6466-592098-NsB.ZOw7LJ9vpZWJKfPbpg&t=5
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee

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If you like then answer the pollquestions!

http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/share_poll_submission.html/6194

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Just a reminder that IDP is tomorrow, the 21st and that Saturday the 24th is the major Anti-War demos around the country!

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for the new links. I found out that someone is busy organizing a International Day of Peace Vigil in my country as well

Signed already, so... ay could do it, you can as well! Peace!

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I should have paid better attention to the threads. I started a new one with a petition that should have gone here.

Peace & Love,

Destiny

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Steps for Peace and other extremely important information below:

Help us collect 144,000 names for peace to be delivered to the Pope, UN representatives, and other world leaders. Together we can join our voices into One, and let these leaders realize our heartfelt call for Peace.

Go to www.emissaryoflight.com and join the thousands of people who have already signed up to be counted. Simply look for the "Steps for Peace" button on the front page.

Please do not wait another moment. The number is climbing, but our time is limited and we need to hear from you. Our goal is to reach the 144,000 mark before James Twyman leaves for Assisi in the beginning of September.

PLEASE send this e-mail or link to everyone you know as time is of the essence right now. This is a critical time in humanity and as you will see below this is a critical time for participation! SO PLEASE READ ON

Peace Efforts:
September has become an amazing month for Peacemaking around the world. There are numerous events that we will be joining throughout the month:

Assisi Retreat:
On September 6th-13th, James will be leading a very special peace retreat in Assisi. During this retreat, on September 11, the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the US, over a half million people will be walking from Perugia to Assisi, Italy. James and the Assisi retreat participants will meet the Tavoladellapace group ( www.tavoladellapace.it ) in Assisi and walk with them the last half mile.

Peace Walk:
September 12th - 20th 
On September 12th, an international group of spiritual peacemakers, lead by James, will depart from Assisi for a special pilgrimage to Rome. Many of the retreat participants will be joining the walk that follows in the footsteps of St. Francis.

Rome:
September 20th - 22nd
The culmination of the previous two events will be the Papal Audience in Rome where James will present the signatures to the Pope. There will be time to visit some of sacred sites there as well.

You can still join us in Assisi for the retreat, for the Peacewalk, or in Rome for our Papal Audience as we blend our energies of peacemaking with people from around the world!
Go to www.emissaryoflight.com for more details or to register.
 
Other Important Peace Events:
On September 17th, Hundreds of thousands will be dancing for peace around the globe as part of the Earthdance peace movement ( earthdance.org ). James and his group of peacewalkers will dance for peace to celebrate on this day during their walk to Rome. James' Beloved Community, in conjunction with Earthdance, will be collecting the 144,000 Steps for Peace signatures up until that date.

September 21, the "International Day of Peace," James along with Earthdance founder, Chris Deckker, will present the144,000 signatures to Pope Benedict XVI, then the next day to members of the UN in Assisi at the Peace Festival/United Artists for Peace conference (peacefestival.com).

There are hundreds of other events taking place around the world between September 11th and 21st, including a Department of Peace conference, led by Marianne Williamson.

http://tinyurl.com/cy46j

For a list of peace events taking place globally on September 21st you can go to 

  http://tinyurl.com/ayfnp

As you can see this is a very important time as when two or more are gathered there is such power. So PLEASE begin your participation by signing the peace declaration. It is so simple and will only take two minutes out of your day.

Peace.
The Beloved Community

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People’s Petition on Iraq Urges Bush to Shift Strategies

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