Talk:Veterans For Peace

Funeral for Democracy is a community performance and protest event held on **August 23, 2025**, in **Spokane, Washington, United States**. Organized by **Spokane Indivisible**, the event took place in **Riverfront Park** and symbolized the perceived losses in public services resulting from the passage of the *Big Beautiful Bill*.<ref name="Mobilize">Template:Cite web</ref>

Overview

The event involved participants carrying a symbolic coffin and paper tombstones marked "R.I.P." for programs and agencies perceived to face cuts or elimination, such as Medicaid, Apple Health, child care, elder care, health research, fish protection, veterans’ services, PBS, human rights initiatives, and national park funding.<ref name="Mobilize" />

Purpose

Organizers intended the event as a visual reminder of the human impact of recent policy changes and as a critique of the voting record of Michael Baumgartner, the 5th District Representative, who supported the legislation.<ref name="Mobilize" />

Participants and Activities

The procession began at the intersection of Howard Street and Mallon Street in Riverfront Park and concluded at the "Red Wagon" sculpture. Features included:

• Over 25 lightweight paper tombstones and a cardboard-and-fabric coffin
• Banners with messages such as "Baumgartner Voted For This" and "RIP Democracy"
• A Grim Reaper figure and musical accompaniment
• Participants dressed in black or symbolic attire<ref name="Mobilize" />

Independent Coverage

Local media reported on the event through Mobilize, indicating community engagement and public awareness efforts.<ref name="Mobilize" />

Logistics

• **Date and time**: August 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
• **Location**: Riverfront Park, Spokane, Washington
• **Organizer**: Spokane Indivisible, protestplansi@gmail.com
• **Registration and details**: Mobilize event page (<ref name="Mobilize" />)

Slogan

Event materials featured the phrase:

"We Have the Power! Breathe. Resist. Rest. Repeat. — Perform."

Tom Charles, Veterans For Peace, Pax Christi

Contact: Thomas Charles — charfam@hotmail.com

Introduction

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." — Albert Einstein

This quote explains why we are here today. The greatest evil in our world today is the existence of nuclear weapons. If we do not take action and remain silent, we join forces with that terrible industry.

Citizens United and Corporate Influence

When the Supreme Court passed the Citizens United ruling in 2010, it allowed for unrestricted contributions from corporations into the campaign funds of politicians. In doing so, the Court ensured that those corporations would always have a huge influence on our elections and our democracy.

If one candidate receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from a corporation, we all know that he or she will have a huge advantage in the election and feel a large obligation to their contributors. Political analysts have said the Citizens United ruling did more to damage our democracy than any decision in U.S. history.

For 99 percent of us, our only direct contact with democracy is through elections. Now, as a result of this ruling, the defense industry and nuclear weapons industry receive billions of dollars in contracts due to the millions they contribute to elected officials — all at the expense of desperately needed social services.

Impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill"

Former President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill," in addition to giving large tax cuts to the wealthy, will increase defense spending by 13 percent to more than $1 trillion in 2026. The government will pay for this by cutting or eliminating spending on:

• Food stamps
• Head Start
• Medicaid
• Environmental protection
• Department of Education

Millions of Americans will lose their health insurance. In a country where:

• Two-thirds of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills
• 1 in 7 children (over 15 million) go to bed hungry nightly
• Over 60,000 Americans die prematurely each year because they cannot afford medical care (Harvard Medical School study)

Those who say nuclear weapons have kept us "safe and unharmed" should ask these families how safe and unharmed they feel.

Our Battle

We must appeal to:

• Corporations — some have already stopped involvement with nuclear weapons production due to public pressure.
• Political leaders — to prioritize the American people over financing an industry that places the world in the crosshairs of extinction.

Corporations do not have a conscience. Their concern is profit, not right or wrong. Political leaders, however, do have a conscience — and we must hope they will act in the interest of citizens.

Call to Action

With that hope, I am distributing my handout explaining:

• How to contact government officials
• Specific steps to rid our country and the world of nuclear weapons

"Hope is the ability to see the light, despite all the darkness." — Desmond Tutu

Brothers and sisters, we must be that light.

19th Amendment

1. Women’s Rights, the 19th Amendment, and the ERA

1. 1. Ratification of the 19th Amendment (1920)

On **August 18, 1920**, after 75 years of struggle, the **19th Amendment** to the United States Constitution was ratified. It declared:

> “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

This marked a **watershed moment** in U.S. history, the culmination of decades of organizing, sacrifice, and persistence across generations of suffragists.

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1. 1. Continuing Struggles for Equality

Although the 19th Amendment secured voting rights for women, **full constitutional equality** has not yet been realized.

• The **Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)** was first introduced in **1923**.
• It has been ratified by the required three-fourths of U.S. states.
• However, it has not been **formally codified** in the Constitution as the **28th Amendment**, leaving women vulnerable to potential rollbacks of hard-won rights.

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1. 1. Corporate Rights vs. Human Rights

Advocates argue that while women’s rights remain incomplete, **corporations** have gained sweeping constitutional rights.

• Corporations are recognized as having the rights of “persons” under U.S. law.
• This allows them to:

 * Spend unlimited amounts of money in elections.
 * Operate with limited accountability for environmental and social harms.
 * Influence democracy to prioritize profits over people.

The contrast is often highlighted as:

• Women fought **75 years** for the right to vote.
• Over **100 years** have been spent struggling for constitutional equality.
• Meanwhile, corporations have amassed greater rights than individual citizens.

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1. 1. The “We the People” Amendment (HJR54)

The **Move to Amend coalition** supports the *We the People Amendment* (House Joint Resolution 54).

• Purpose: To affirm that **only human beings** have constitutional rights.
• Provision: To establish that **money is not free speech**.
• Goal: To create a genuine democracy free from corporate rule.

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1. 1. Historical Inspiration: The 1975 Icelandic Women’s Strike

An important model for collective action is the **Icelandic Women’s Strike** of 1975.

• **90% of women** stopped working, cooking, and caregiving for one day.
• Factories shut down and schools closed.
• The strike reshaped Iceland’s politics and led to the election of the country’s first woman president five years later.

This event is frequently cited as proof that when women stop, the world stops.

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1. 1. Contemporary Movement Building

In the U.S., activists draw inspiration from both the suffragist movement and the Icelandic strike.

• The **Labor Day Rap Session** (organized by Move to Amend) is designed to:

 * Connect historical and present-day struggles.
 * Share updates on organizing efforts.
 * Build momentum toward a **coordinated “Day Off”** modeled on Iceland’s example.

The call to action emphasizes solidarity across movements, including labor organizations and the **Strike for Our Rights Coalition**.

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1. 1. Related Developments

• The **ERA Coalition** and **Ogilvy** have launched **WOMAN Corp**, a campaign highlighting the legal contradiction that corporations currently have more rights than women.
• The initiative uses satire to emphasize the need for constitutional recognition of women’s rights.

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1. 1. See Also

• \[19th Amendment to the United States Constitution]
• \[Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)]
• \[Corporate personhood]
• \[Move to Amend coalition]
• \[Icelandic Women’s Strike, 1975]

Move to Amend

Letter from Greg Coleridge - National co-director "Move to Amend"

History and Lessons of U.S. Peace and Anti-War Movements Overview The United States has been involved in 11 wars and 175 non-colonial military conflicts in its 249-year history since declaring independence on July 4, 1776. Today, the U.S. maintains roughly 750 military bases in 80 countries worldwide, with few years in its history absent from armed conflict. Throughout this period, organized movements for peace have emerged in response, creating a long tradition of nonviolent resistance to militarism, colonialism, and corporate power. ________________________________________ Core Lessons and Cultural Themes 1. The Moral Imperative to Resist • Religious traditions—Quakers, Mennonites, Anabaptists, Seventh-Day Adventists, Pax Christi, Catholic Worker Movement—have historically opposed war. • Resistance has also grown from personal moral convictions about justice, human dignity, and global survival. • Today, these same moral arguments extend to challenging corporate rule and the notion of corporate “rights,” emphasizing that human rights are for people, not legal entities. ________________________________________ 2. Questioning Authority as a Democratic Duty • War is often justified with claims of safety, democracy, or divine support, while dissenters are labeled “un-American.” • Historical suppression: o Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) criminalized anti-war advocacy. o Over 2,000 charged, including Eugene V. Debs and Emma Goldman. • Modern tactics: o Corporate intimidation through SLAPP suits, like the $660 million case against Greenpeace by Energy Transfer. ________________________________________ 3. Role of Legacy Organizations • Foundational groups include: o Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) o Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) o American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) o War Resisters League (WRL) • These organizations remain essential today, offering institutional knowledge, moral credibility, and movement continuity. • Move to Amend (MTA) parallels these roles in democracy reform, emphasizing that corporate entities should not hold constitutional rights. ________________________________________ 4. Cultural Power of Arts and Media • Literature, film, and music have shaped anti-war sentiment for over a century: o WWI pacifist songs. o 1960s–70s protest music tied to civil rights and social justice. o Contemporary works reflecting veterans’ struggles and modern militarism. • MTA’s Arts and Culture Caucus explored integrating artistic expression to connect hearts and minds with movement-building. ________________________________________ Strategic Lessons and Alternatives 5. Building Alternatives to Militarism • Grassroots movements have driven: o International treaties like the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and nuclear test bans. o Domestic reforms like the War Powers Act (1973). o Citizen-led diplomacy such as U.S.–Soviet sister city initiatives. • MTA focuses on the We the People Amendment (HJR54) as a structural solution, resisting “incremental” reforms that risk dissipating momentum. ________________________________________ 6. Credibility Through Sacrifice • Moral authority grows when activists accept personal risk: o Debs and Goldman imprisoned or deported. o Vietnam protests leading to the largest mass arrests in U.S. history. o Plowshares Movement and other civil disobedience actions. o Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation (2024) protesting U.S. support for Israel in Gaza. • MTA has not yet embraced high-risk tactics but acknowledges the need for deeper direct action to confront corporate harm and amplify visibility. ________________________________________ 7. Intersectionality and Movement-Building • Successful movements connect struggles: o Peace tied to racial justice, economic equity, gender equality, and anti-oppression. • MTA integrates anti-oppression and solidarity organizing, recognizing that authentic democracy requires inclusive, collective governance. ________________________________________ Current Context and Urgency • The rise of homegrown fascism—marked by centralized power, judicial disregard, militarized policing, and entrenched corruption—poses an existential threat. • MTA’s role is critical in fostering a people-powered movement that both resists authoritarianism and pushes for fundamental constitutional change. ________________________________________ Conclusion The U.S. peace and anti-war movements teach that: • Resistance is moral, cultural, and strategic. • Broad coalitions and intersectional approaches build durable power. • Credibility and visibility often require sacrifice and risk. Move to Amend carries forward this legacy by challenging corporate power and organizing toward the We the People Amendment, aiming to build a true democracy of, by, and for the people.

Nuclear Disarmament Seminars

1. Veterans For Peace – Statement on Nuclear Weapons and Education (2026)

1. 1. Overview

Veterans For Peace issues a call to action regarding the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons and mass destruction. The organization highlights recent global and domestic events to illustrate the scale and immediacy of nuclear danger, and outlines plans for community education in Spokane during 2026.

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1. 1. Examples of Immediate Destruction

1. 1. 1. Gaza City

• A six-story building destroyed in seconds by the IDF.
• 28–37 lives eliminated instantly.
• Equivalent potential: one million people in Gaza City expunged with a single nuclear strike.

1. 1. 1. Kyiv

• 800 drones launched by Russian forces.
• Apartment blocks, an administrative office, and a power substation hit.
• 12 Ukrainians killed.
• Equivalent potential: three million residents of Kyiv erased with one nuclear strike.

1. 1. 1. United States – Social Services

• Executive orders dismantling social programs “brick by brick.”
• Illustration: one million people in Washington, D.C. erased in the time it takes to sign legislation.

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1. 1. Spokane and Fairchild AFB

• Fairchild Air Force Base identified as a **linchpin in U.S. nuclear strategy**.
• Refueling tankers stationed at Fairchild keep nuclear-capable aircraft flying 24/7.
• Consequence: Spokane, population \~300,000, becomes a nuclear target.
• Local risk: Spokane could be erased “in a matter of seconds.”

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1. 1. The Illusion of Nuclear Protection

• Narrative: Nuclear weapons presented as “protective.”
• Reality: Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD).
• Statement: *Nuclear war cannot be won; nuclear protection means mutual mass destruction.*

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1. 1. Generational Legacy

• Acknowledgment: Current generations have left this threat unresolved.
• Call to conscience: Only organized, collective action can prevent disaster.

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1. 1. 2026 Spokane Seminars

1. 1. 1. Purpose

• To **educate the community** on the real dangers of nuclear weapons.
• To **build a grassroots force** for disarmament and peace.

1. 1. 1. Planned Activities

• Hosting seminars in Spokane throughout 2026.
• Bringing **foremost experts on disarmament** to speak.
• Partnering with allied organizations, including:

 * *Back from the Brink*
 * *Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility*
 * Other grassroots networks

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1. 1. Call to Action

• Veterans For Peace invites individuals and organizations to:

 * Attend the 2026 seminars.
 * Join local and national movements for nuclear disarmament.
 * Become a force to counter the threat of nuclear annihilation.

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1. 1. Closing Statement

> *“We invite you to stand with us. Join us as we move through 2026. Help us build the force we desperately need.”*

— **Veterans For Peace**

Nuclear Abolition Day Sept. 26th

1. Joint Appeal for the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

• • September 26, 2025**

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1. 1. Background

• The **United Nations** was founded in 1945, with nuclear disarmament as a top priority, affirmed in its very first resolution: **A/Res/1(1)**.
• In **2013**, frustrated by lack of progress, the **UN General Assembly** established **September 26** as the *International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons* (**A/Res/68/32**).
• Each year, the UN holds a **high-level meeting** of world leaders on this date to discuss “urgent and effective measures” to achieve nuclear disarmament.

1. 1. 1. Historical Significance

• On **September 26, 1983**, Colonel **Stanislav Petrov** prevented a potential nuclear catastrophe by refusing to confirm a false alarm of U.S. missile attacks.
• In **1985**, the U.S. and Soviet Union jointly declared: *“A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”*
• This principle has been reaffirmed, most recently in:

 * The **2022 P-5 Statement**.
 * The **Pact for the Future** (UN Summit of the Future, September 2024).

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1. 1. Current Risk

• The **Doomsday Clock** now stands closer to midnight than during the Cold War.
• Dangers of nuclear war arise from:

 * **Accident**
 * **Miscalculation**
 * **Crisis escalation**
 * **Malicious intent**

1. 1. 1. Key Facts

• There are **12,500 nuclear weapons** in the world’s stockpiles.
• Use of even a **small fraction** could end life as we know it.
• Over **\$100 billion USD** is spent annually on nuclear weapons.

 * These funds could instead support **peacemaking, climate protection, and sustainable development**.

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1. 1. Legal and Ethical Framework

• The **International Court of Justice** ruled that:

 * The **threat and use** of nuclear weapons is generally **illegal**.
 * There is a **universal obligation** to negotiate disarmament in good faith.

• States relying on nuclear deterrence must transition to:

 * **International law–based approaches**
 * **Common security frameworks**, as outlined in the **UN Charter**

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1. 1. The Call to Action

We, the undersigned, urge leaders, legislators, and officials at all levels to:

1. **Affirm** that the threat or use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. 2. **Advance** tangible measures, including:

  * Standing down nuclear forces.
  * Adopting no-first-use policies.

3. **Pledge** to achieve total elimination of nuclear weapons by **2045** (UN’s centennial).

  * Begin immediate multilateral negotiations.

4. **Cut** nuclear weapons budgets and **end investments** in the nuclear weapons industry. 5. **Redirect** resources to:

  * Strengthen the UN.
  * Advance peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
  * Protect the climate.
  * Meet urgent human and economic needs (**UN Charter, Article 26**).

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1. 1. A Historic Opportunity

• **2025** marks the **80th anniversary** of:

 * The atomic bombings of **Hiroshima and Nagasaki**.
 * The **founding of the United Nations**.

• This anniversary offers a historic moment to recommit to a **nuclear-weapon-free world**, ensuring security for **current and future generations**.

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1. 1. Signatories / Endorsements

1. 1. 1. Organizations

• \[Veterans For Peace #35 Spokane, WA.] — \[USA]

1. 1. 1. Individuals

• \[Jim Burke], \[Veterans For Peace #35 Spokane, WA.]

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