Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice empowers people of faith and people of conscience in the Washtenaw County/Ann Arbor, Michigan area to act on their moral and religious values to build a better world.
As the violence in Gaza continues, we must do whatever we can to encourage a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid for all of the victims.
The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice published a Statement on Gaza in February of 2008. Sadly, this statement is just as relevant today. Please read it here: http://www.icpj.net/2008/icpj-statement-on-gaza/. For statements on Gaza by other religious and spiritual organizations, please see below.
Join ICPJ to call for an end to the violence! TAKE ACTION NOW:
1 - Participate in a COMMUNITY PEACE VIGIL - Thursday, 1/08 @ 6PM Main & Liberty: Join Michigan Peaceworks, ICPJ, and other concerned individuals to make a public statement demanding an end to the siege on Gaza.
2 - Help organize the community vigil: attend an emergency planning meeting tonight (Tuesday, 1/06) at 6pm at the MI Peaceworks office (120 1/2 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor - above the West End Grill) to plan Thursday’s vigil.
3 - Call on your elected officials: Call your representatives to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade and embargo in Gaza.
President Bush — (202) 456-1111 (comments@whitehouse.gov)
President-elect Obama — (202) 540-3000 (http://change.gov/page/content/contact/)
Senator Levin — (202) 224-6221 (levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm)
Senator Stabenow — (202) 224-4822 (stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm)
Representative Dingell — (202) 225-4071 (https://writerep.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep)
Representative-elect Schauer — (517) 373-2426 (SenMSchauer@senate.michigan.gov)
To find your Representative and Senators in Congress, call 202-224-3121.
Statements and action alerts on Gaza by other religious and spiritual organizations:
American Friends Service Committee (http://afsc.org/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/73037/pid/451)
CAIR - Council on American-Islamic Relations (http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=25643&&name=n&&currPage=1&&Active=1)
Rabbi Michael Lerner (http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/rdpulpit/919/rdpulpit%3A_israel_in_gaza%3A_right_but_not_smart/)
Catholic Relief Services (https://secure2.convio.net/crs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=447)
Brit Tzedek v’Shalom (http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=35084712)
World Council of Churches (http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-08-133.html)
Help discuss what is next for the peace movement with a new administration, Thursday, January 22 at 7:00.
WHAT: Forum on what next for the peace movement with the new administration.
WHEN: Thursday, January 22, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Memorial Christian Church, 730 Tappan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
WHO: Panelists will include Laura Russello of Michigan Peaceworks; Fr. Fred Thelen of Pax Christi of Michigan; Chris Savage, an Obama Team Leader from Scio Township; and Rachel Long of the U-M Progressive Alliance.
WHY: For the last eight years, the peace movement has focused on opposing President Bush’s policies. With the election Barack Obama as President, we need to examine how we organize and what we push for. How do we support his initiatives we agree with, challenge the ones we disagree with, and encourage him to take more progressive peace stands? How do we respond to his proposal to increase troop levels in Afghanistan? How do we keep people engaged? Join us and be part of the discussion.
On December 3, 2008, more than 120 countries - including most members of NATO - will sign a treaty banning cluster bombs. The U.S. boycotted the negotiations. Click here to take action.
During his campaign, Barack Obama said that as president he would “set a new direction in U.S. nuclear weapons policy” and “work to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons.” Urge President-Elect Obama to act on this promise by securing Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Click here to take action.
This will be the main topic of discussion in January 2009 at ICPJ’s Annual Congregational Liaison Meeting, a gathering for community members of all faith traditions and backgrounds to share, connect, teach, and inspire one another with their efforts for peace and justice!
Is your congregation doing innovative work on the issue of hunger, human rights, or climate change? In preparation for our January Congregational Liaison Meeting, we would like to gather stories from various congregations on their current innovative efforts on these issues. Share your experience with others here to help grow the movement for peace and justice.
Please submit brief answers to the following three questions in the LEAVE A REPLY comments section below:
- What innovative effort has your congregation made on the issue of hunger/human rights/climate change?
- What were the positive outcomes of this effort?
- What challenges did this effort bring? What would you change?
Check back often to read about what other groups are doing. And join us for our Congregational Liaison Meeting to connect with local congregations, learn from them, share your work, and build partnerships. Read more details…
Give the gift of peace this holiday season
Give the gift of peace this holiday season with a donation to ICPJ.
You don’t have to fight the crowds at the malls. You don’t have to wonder how your purchase was made or if it was the product of sweatshop labor. You don’t have to worry that your gift will be returned or exchanged the next day.
Instead, you can give a gift that brings people together for peace. And really, isn’t that what the holidays are about?
With a donation to ICPJ, you give your friend or loved one the opportunity to be a part of a unifying force in a world that’s becoming more and more divided.
Your gift helps bring together religious and secular activists to find common ground to work for peace in the Middle East, from Israel/Palestine to Iraq and Afghanistan.
You also support efforts like the CROP Hunger Walk that mobilizes congregations and community groups to come together to end hunger.
Your contribution makes a real difference for creating a grassroots community committed to peace.
Please make your gift of peace today.
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