Updated: January 30, 2003

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Get Involved

Ongoing Actions

• We meet Tuesdays at 7:00 PM at the Center for Nonviolence, 985 N. Van Ness in Fresno.
• We demonstrate Fridays at 4:30 PM on the southeast corner of Shaw and Blackstone in Fresno.
• Join one of our mailing lists (see above).

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The U.S. Congress did not represent me when it voted to authorize George W. Bush to carry out an illegal war against Iraq. Thousands will die needlessly unless the people stop this war drive. I join with millions of people who believe that the $200 billion planned for war against Iraq should be spent instead to fund jobs, education, housing, health care, child care, assistance to the elderly and to meet people's needs.

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Upcoming Actions

• February 15, 2003 -- International Day of Protest Against U.S. War on Iraq. Meet in the Tower District Wishon at Olive across from the Tower Theater from 12:00 - 1:00 PM for an "Hour in the Tower" Rally. At 1:00 PM we will march from the Tower to Fresno City College's west lawn at Van Ness & Weldon in solidarity with demonstrations in San Francisco, Sacramento and world-wide! Download, print, and distribute the large flyer or the small flyer or in Spanish.

• Shaw/Blackstone on Friday evenings (4:30-6:30)
• Emergency Response to War in Iraq
  • Day of: Blackstone & Shaw Avenues immediately upon media announcement of war.
  • Next business day: Federal Building, Fresno and "O" St., 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM We are urging a large presence for the NOON HOUR especially.
  • Saturday following: 12:00 noon. March from River Park Shopping Center to Blackstone & Shaw. Meet at River Park, Blackstone & El Paso (in front of Macaroni Grill). There is plenty of curbside street parking on El Paso, west of Blackstone. The march will arrive at Blackstone & Shaw at approximately 1:30 for a demonstration. City bus line straight up Blackstone makes return to parking easy.

Who are we?

Peace Fresno is an advocacy organization based at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence. It was founded by community members dedicated to peaceful resolution to conflict. Its mission is to seek effective nonviolent responses to terrorism. By conscientiously exploring and identifying peaceful options in our search for justice, we act to break the endless cycle of violence and counter-violence.

• To make possible a safe, open dialogue on alternatives to war.
• To educate and raise the consciousness of the public on issues surrounding war and peace.
• To encourage international police cooperation rather than military action to combat terrorism.
• To promote the use of international courts to try those accused of criminal terrorist acts.
• To guard against erosion of civil liberties and other freedoms at home as a consequence of war.
• To realize our fellowship with other people touched by violence, regardless of nationality.
• To join with like-minded groups and individuals in furthering the causes of peace and justice.

President: Camille Russell
Treasurer: Ingrid Carmean
Secretary: Ken Hudson

What have we done?

• January 20, 2003 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. March. Peace Fresno marched.
• January 18, 2003 -- Over 90 people traveled by bus and car to the rally in San Francisco A.N.S.W.E.R. protest joining over 150,000 other protesters.
• December 25, 2002 -- Special christmas day presence (no pun intended!) at Shaw/Blackstone from 12-2.
• December 7, 2002 -- WILPF Craft Fair. Peace Fresno will have a signing table at the fair.
• December 7, 2002 -- Fresno City Holiday Parade. Peace Fresno will march in this parade, if you are interested in participating, please download the flyer to see what we did. (Requires the free PDF Reader). A Children's choir sang "Let There Be Peace On Earth (And Let It Begin With Me)" on the float as we passed by the judges stand.
• October 26, 2002 – Anniversary signing of USA Patriot Act. A local protest with over 200 people in solidarity with the International A.N.S.W.E.R. national marches in Washington DC and San Francisco occurred in the Tower District. See the official press release. Read about the protest at IndyMedia.
• October 20, 2002 -- California Peace Action will honor Peace Fresno and the Fresno Center for Nonviolence as the Outstanding Local Peace and Justice Organizations of the year!! We are in good company - Barbara Lee will be honored as the Outstanding Member of Congress and War Times will receive the award for Outstanding Peace and Justice Publication. Food, music, and networking guaranteed. All local progressive activists are encouraged to attend. This event is in Berkeley at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House. See it at SunMt.
• October 6, 2002 -- Marking the 1-year anniversary of the bombing in Afghanistan, the NOT IN OUR NAME protest against a United States war on Iraq was a huge success bringing out over 150 people to the River Park shopping center. This was part of an national protest. Read about the protest at IndyMedia and watch the videos at SunMt (Not Children and Not Freedom)
• October 4, 2002 -- "Keep Space for Peace-- Stop the militarization of space!" at the Peace Corner of Shaw & Blackstone. Peace Fresno co-sponsored this event with Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Fresno Chapter.
• September 14, 2002 -- "DON'T ATTACK IRAQ! --Negotiate our Differences" in a 10-Mile Peace March. Read about the march at IndyMedia.
• September 6, 2002 -- "Vigil Honoring the Victims of Terrorism", Presented by Peace Fresno at St. John's Cathedral.
• August 16, 2002 -- Relay Run to Radanovich from the Peace Corner at Shaw & Blackstone to Rep. Radanovich's office.
• August 7, 2002 -- No War on Iraq - Repeal the Patriot Act. A demonstration at the DICK CHENEY GOP Luncheon on the corners of "M" St. & Kern, in front of Fresno Convention Center's new Exhibit Hall was a huge success.
• April 21, 2002 -- Earth Day 2002 at Courthouse Park in Fresno. Peace Fresno endorsed this event and had a speaker on the main stage talking about war and the environment.
• April 20, 2002 -- Solidarity Protest with the International Day of Protest Against War & Racism at Shaw and Maple. Debut of the Wheel of Misfortune.
• April 20, 2002 -- We have endorsed the International Day of Protest Against War & Racism. Thousands of people will converged in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Tabasco (Oaxaca), Mexico City (Mexico), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), San Salvador (El Salvador), Santiago (Chile), Managua (Nicaragua), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Basque Country, Madrid (Spain), and Montréal (Canada).
• April 17, 2002 -- An Informational Forum at the State Building in Fresno. A panel discussion with Evan Reade (State Department), James Cypher (Professor of Economics), Medea Benjamin (founder of Global Exchange), and Bruce Thornton (author & columnist). The title of the forum is U.S. Policies in the Aftermath of 911: Effects on the Central Valley, the Nation, and the World.
• March 16, 2002 -- Rally in the Valley, sponsored and supported by 50 local organizations was a huge success in Fresno's Courthouse Park. Visit Sun Mt. to see some video footage of the event.
• Every Friday since September 2001 a group of people have stood at Blackstone and Shaw to convey our disapproval of the War on Terrorism. Go to Sun Mt. to see video footage.
• Support of "Challenging Corporate Power" lecture
• Originator of "Not In My Name Campaign" -- official registry of diddidents to the current course of US foreign policy
• Solidarity march with the Muslim community
• Participation in the National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab, and South Asian immigrants
• Creation of speaker's bureau and speaker outreach
• Networking with Valley peace groups
• Forum on Talk Radio and Hate Crimes: Is There a Connection?
• Participation in and hosting of 88.1 FM shows
• News contributions to the Community Alliance magazine
• Support of Fresno State lecture series on U.S. involvement in the Middle East and alternatives to war.
• Informational tabling at Fashion Fair
• Tabling and letter writing at the WILPF Peace Community Crafts Faire
• Teach In on "The War on Terrorism"
• Fresno Bee letters to the editor and Valley Voices contributions by members
• Request for City Council resolution calling for end of bombing in Afghanistan
• Support of "Star Wars and Beyond: The Fallacy of Space Missile Defense"
• Participation in Martin Luther King Day March and activities
• Support for two full-page Fresno Bee ads encouraging a nonviolent response to the events of 9/11
• Participation in Women in Black vigils
• Participation in Successful Social Movement seminar
• Letters to elected officials

985 N. Van Ness Fresno, CA 93728 • 559-23-PEACE • Contact Us