Note: The letter below was written in September before the unfolding events in Gaza and Israel. Please visit our website where we continue to update with statements and calls to action to stop the escalating humanitarian catastrophe.

War is a crime against humanity: Stop the violence immediately in Palestine and Israel

Greetings ,

As I work on projects celebrating the 100th anniversary of the War Resisters League, I am imagining the work of WRL’s founders in the early days of its creation. In the fall of 1923, Jessie Wallace Hughan and her dedicated pacifist friends formed an organization to bring more people to resist war.

Right here, right now, many wars and one hundred years later, dedicated pacifists continue the work of WRL’s founders, the work of engaging more people in nonviolently resisting war and militarism. As we address the issues that surround us today, we reflect on the past 100 years of WRL’s work for peace. We are utilizing the 100th anniversary to highlight a long legacy of nonviolent activism and its crucial relevance for peace work now. We’re also eager to spread the word about the projects far and wide and to involve as many people as possible. We depend on WRL activists and members around the country to help build and promote WRL's history, philosophy, and politics in this age of increasing tension with existing and endless wars and nuclear threats. To learn about how you can get involved, keep reading and check out the Centennial History Projects page on the WRL website: www.warresisters.org/centennial-history-projects.

Your financial support helps support the Centennial History Projects and WRL’s work to end war and the causes of war.

I’m new to working for WRL, but not new to working for peace. I’m Mary McClintock, WRL’s 100th Anniversary Project Coordinator. I am coordinating the centennial projects, including the traveling exhibit of WRL history, the WRL Oral History Project, blog, and events. I am an activist from western Massachusetts who has protested at local military contractors and the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant. I helped start the Greenfield Weekly Peace Vigil in 2002. In 2005, I worked with long-time war tax resister and winner of WRL’s 1992 Peace Award Juanita Nelson and other community members to create the annual Free Harvest Supper of Locally Grown Food.

Juanita passed away in 2015, but her spirit was strongly present at a recent gathering in honor of what would have been her 100th birthday. That gathering featured a display of the full WRL 100th Anniversary Exhibit and Timeline that includes information about Juanita and her husband Wally Nelson. Seeing it inspired me to create a “scavenger hunt” to help people engage with the exhibit. I’m thrilled to be working with WRL to remember and honor the activism of people like Juanita and countless others across the United States.

WRL’s 100th Anniversary committee has developed:

• a Centennial Traveling Exhibit with information and images from WRL’s 100 years,
• a book containing the full exhibit and timeline
• an Oral History Project to gather stories from WRL members, staff, and activists,
• a WRL Centennial Blog with stories and images,
• Events at the Judd Foundation in NYC in October
• Events are taking place around the country and online. Check our website regularly as events are organized. We encourage WRL members to organize 100th Anniversary events in their own communities or regions.

There are opportunities for WRL members to get involved with each of these projects. We hope WRL members and friends in the New York City area will attend a private WRL Reception at the Judd Foundation in N.Y. on October 18, 2023 that will include a short informal presentation and an opportunity to see the WRL 100th Anniversary Exhibit.

While we continue to resist war and militarism in all its forms, together we can celebrate the powerful work WRL has done in the past 100 years.

We hope to see many of you at events during the year!

For peace,
Mary McClintock
WRL’s 100th Anniversary Project Coordinator

P.S. This letter is available in Large Print Format (Download PDF) and in audio

It's possible to end war, but it will take all of us. War Resisters League needs every single person to stand with us in the fight against US imperialism, militarism, and the expanding war machine during a time where fascists are in power across multiple countries. Like what you're reading? Forward this email to a friend. New readers can subscribe here.

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