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Councilmembers Rosie Mendez (Manhattan-2) and Miguel Martinez (Manhattan-10), will introduce a City Council Resolution endorsing federal legislation before the United States House of Representatives and Senate proposing the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence (HR3760 and S1756). Eight New York City Members of Congress are among the 75 House co-sponsors for the national legislation.
Eighteen cities across the United States have endorsed the national legislation so far, representing a collective population of more than 6.5 million people, including: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, Oakland, and San Jose.
The proposed Department of Peace and Nonviolence has also been endorsed by: Walter Cronkite; Robert C. Koehler; Marianne Williamson; Deepak Chopra; Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi; the Red Hot Chili Peppers; Amnesty International; September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows; Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR); The National Organization for Women (N.O.W.); and others.
NY-DOP is a citizen organization working to establish a cabinet-level, federally-funded, United States Department of Peace that would promote nonviolent conflict resolution including: prevention, education and training both domestically and internationally.
City Council Resolution endorsing national legislation to establish a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence, Wednesday, November 29, 11:00 AM, on the front steps of City Hall
4 Comments:
When is Iran signing up?
How about a department of soup and nuts? But the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Deepak Chopra endorse it, how can we say no?
OK, so you're saying it's an unrealistic idea, proposed by folks who know it's just for show. I will probably agree with you, although Mendez, from personal acquaintance, is a serious and realistic legislator.
But creating a cabinet-level office is an act by the US administration which focuses public attention and resources on the issue. This is why, among other things, I'm grateful to President Nixon, for making the EPA a cabinet-level office.
As such, regardless of what we may think about all the awful countries which practice the opposite of mature conflict resolution, do you disagree with the US promoting nonviolence?
The EPA received exactly the same kind of scorn when it was established. Yet, without it, we'd be inhaling chunks of ash on the street today. Likewise, arch Republicans like Baker and Gates are pushing for talks with our worst enemies, because the violent option has been a disaster.
Having a cabinet level department which promotes peaceful solutions may be a more effective nation building approach than the Bush-Cheney trillion dollar debacle. Who knows, with Hillary in office, the post could easily go to Billl...
Kindred Spirits Working for Peace:
I am trying to get the word out about my new children’s fantasy adventure “The Call to Shakabaz,” which teaches young people the fundamental principles of nonviolence as practiced by Dr. King and Gandhi and is a rollicking good read to boot. This book is exceptionally different because it does not depend on a gory violent battle scene for the climax. Instead it demonstrates a peaceful resolution to conflict. In addition, all the characters in the book are Black. There are very few books for children in this genre with all Black characters. The book will be officially “launched” on January 15, 2007, in honor of Dr. King’s birthday, but copies are already in print and are selling like hotcakes in my little part of the world. Children, parents, teachers, and librarians are reading this book and loving it (Bob Spear at “Heartland Reviews” identified the book as a recommended title for reluctant readers because you can’t put it down). Please help me get the word out! Visit my website at www.wozabooks.com.
This book is a great way to introduce children and teens to new perspectives on the uselessness of war and the power of peaceful conflict resolution.
Amy Wachspress
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