FEBRUARY 2017
It is with an aching, heavy heart that we announce the passing of Rita Lasar on January 8, 2017, at home, surrounded by her beloved family.
As many in the PT community know, Rita was a co-founder of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and traveled to Afghanistan in January 2002, exactly fifteen years ago, to meet with Afghan families of civilians killed by the new ‘war on terror.’
Rita was a model of bravery and activism – we commit to following the path she illuminated.
CLICK HERE to add your tributes.
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Disturbing the Peace:
Longtime PT members, Anne Mulderry and Andrea LeBlanc attended a screening of Disturbing the Peace. After the screening Andrea and Anne both participated in a Q&A panel which included four members of PT’s Partner Combatants for Peace as well as Stephen Apkon, the film’s producer.
Disturbing the Peace is about people born into conflict, sworn to be enemies, who challenged their fate. The film follows everyday people who took extraordinary actions by standing for what they believe in. The movie challenges all of us to understand the narratives we live within, to look at our current roles in our societies, and to decide what role we are going to play in creating a more humane world, for all. And it starts with our willingness to disturb the peace.
Afghanistan Committee:
Peaceful Tomorrows has made donations to the Borderfreee Afghan Street Kids School project which has a mission “to share learning skills with 100 Afghan street kids on understanding language, nature, humanity, and life, and to be students and practitioners of nonviolence.” For more information about this inspirational effort please visit: Our Journey To Smile.
Xocial:
The Charter for Compassion has partnered with xocial.com to create campaigns that include one with Peaceful Tomorrows. This is a great way to engage members of the public in concrete actions. Take a look at the Promoting Peaceful Tomorrows campaign. We have short term challenges and ones that require a longer commitment. Take a challenge and share with others.
Guantanamo Committee:
At the end of January 2017, Colleen Kelly traveled to Guantanamo to observe the pretrials. We also co-sponsored with Witness Against Torture and other allies the annual January 11th Call To Action: No More Guantánamos. No Torture Presidency. CLICK HERE to read more about the event and CLICK HERE to view “Why Trump Should Close Guantánamo.”
OUR PARTNERS:
Help us disseminate our Promoting Peace guide among your friends, families and share it with your colleagues.
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Fundraising:
2016 was an amazing year and we felt the financial support of many like-minded organizations, churches and foundations. Support came from:
- Paulist Center Boston;
- James R & Mary J. Barrett Foundation
- First Plymouth Church, Lincoln, NE
- Countryside Community Church, Omaha, NE
- New York Society for Ethical Culture
- HUG Fund
- Open Society Foundations
- Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno, CA
- Fresno Branch of Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom
- Anonymous
We thank you for your support!
Upcoming Event:
On February 22, PT member, Valerie Lucznikowska, will present a brief history of the prison at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba at the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick, NY. CLICK HERE for more details.
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