Interfaith Witness for Peace - September 19th

The costs of war are too high. Together we can build a world of peace. Join us at Heritage Park and St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Palo Alto on September 19th from 3pm to 5pm. Visit the World Peace Village in Heritage Park, participate in activities for children and adults, building a world of peace. Then, at 4pm, there will be an interfaith peace service in the church with music, prayers, and speakers from Palestine/Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan, sharing their hopes for and concrete ways we can create, a world of peace.

Click here to download a flyer in Microsoft Word format

Read more for details.

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Quaker Initiative to End Torture Conference

Hear internationally known anti-torture activists Scott Horton and Fr. Roy Bourgeois on September 24-26 at the Quaker Center in Ben Lomond, CA! 

Keynote speaker Scott Horton is a human rights lawyer and author, and is one of the most tenacious reporters and investigators on issues of torture and accountability. 

Special guest Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a decorated Vietnam Veteran and former missionary to Bolivia, is the founder of the School of Americas Watch and leader in the effort to end US involvement in torture. 

Everyone is welcome, but registration is required. 

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Muslim Employee Fired by Abercrombie & Fitch for Wearing Head Scarf

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported on Feb 24th that a Muslim employee of Abercrombie & Fitch had filed a discrimination suit against the company, saying she was fired because she was wearing a head scarf in accordance with her religion. On Feb 25th, CAIR received a threatening e-mail that has been reported to the FBI. Click Read More to get more information on this story.
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MVPJ Attends White House Teleconference on Afghanistan

The White House held a teleconference today to discuss the President’s announced plans for Afghanistan and Pakistan. I attended representing Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.

The teleconference didn’t help to overcome the disappointment our steering committee experienced last night listening to the President speakat the US Military Academy, or our deep concerns for the upcoming increase in military forces in Afghanistan, but it did provide me with some hope that there’s more going on than just the “surge.”

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MVPJ Statement on Fort Hood Tragedy

We are horrified by the mass shooting at Fort Hood and lift up our prayers of comfort for the grieving and healing for the wounded. As the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in response to the shootings, "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence." At this moment we once again affirm our unity across faiths. No one should have to walk in fear because someone who shares their religion, ethnicity, or appearance has committed a crime. Just as we mourn together the tragic loss of life at Fort Hood, we will stand together to keep every member of our community safe.

We continue to work and pray for an end to war so that everyone at Fort Hood and every military base can live out their full lives in peace.

The Steering Committee Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.

Full Accountability for Torture Prosecution!

Join Amnesty International's campaign for FULL ACCOUNTABILITY of U.S. Sponsored Torture.

According to recent news reports, Attorney General Eric Holder is close to appointing a Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations of torture and abuse. This would be a welcome and crucial step towards demonstrating a commitment to human rights and the rule of law. However, it is possible that the investigation will be limited in scope. After years of evidence that torture and human rights violations were ordered and authorized from above, only lower level personnel have been held to account. We can’t let impunity for torture continue. Urge President Obama to ensure full accountability for torture and other human rights violations, as required by U.S. and international law: with a full investigation, prosecutions where warranted and remedy for victims.
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Give to Sam Provance Accompaniment Fund

Sam Provance, one of the whistle blowers of the Abu Ghraib scandal who was featured in the film "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" is currently living in South Carolina and facing what many whistle-blowers experience - a lot of prejudice against him, making it very difficult to get a good job as well as create community. The Project on Ethics and Art in Testimony (PEAT) which was founded by Jean Maria Arrigo (who spoke at the Torture is a Moral Issue Conference in Palo Alto in June), has set up a fund for people to "accompany" Provance with financial support.
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The Nuclear Tipping Point - A Multifaith Study Guide

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice has put together a study guide for use with the film, Nuclear Tipping Point. It is designed to assist small groups of adults and mature young people in exploring some issues related to nuclear weapons in the light of their religious faith. This small group study can be completed in two one-hour sessions. MVPJ is pleased to make this study guide avaialble to our web visitors.

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Christian Peace Witness: New National Focus

A shorter name - a wider mission!

At our 2009 summer retreat, leaders from diverse peace fellowships and traditions decided that the mission of Christian Peace Witness for Iraq must evolve to meet new challenges - so we shortened our name but broaden our mission by becoming Christian Peace Witness and calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the removal of all U.S. troops and military bases.  Visit the updated website to learn more, and click on "Join the Network" (right side of screen) to receive monthly e-newsletters.