Events
September opportunities!
Sept. 21 is the International Day of Peace, also the beginning of the White Poppy campaign and Campaign Nonviolence Action Days.
As noted on our home page, there will be Draw the Line events in many locations across Canada, and also peace-oriented events on Sept. 21 – all great opportunities for inviting people to wear white poppies and work to find better options than the made rush to increase military spending and other forms of violence (such as mega projects, many of which violate Indigenous rights).
If you’re interested in discussing ideas for organizing a peace-oriented event in your community, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help.
#NoWar 2023 Conference: Nonviolent Resistance to Militarism
Using the power of nonviolence to resist injustice is part of the alternative global security system we need. But what does that mean, how does it work?
Learn more and sign up for the online conference (Sept. 22 – 24) at https://worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2023/ . You’ll find a host of other WBW events listed at https://events.worldbeyondwar.org/ .
June 10 and 11th, 2023
It is time for the weapons to fall silent and for diplomacy to begin to resolve the conflict. We must counter the logic of war with the logic of peace. This summit will discuss the state and the wider context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the positions of various governments, the efforts, obstacles, and opportunities of the various peace movements, and most importantly, how we can work more effectively to promote a ceasefire and negotiations, and peaceful solutions as the alternative to war.
The event program is now available on the International Peace Bureau’s website and the event webpage (peacevienna.org). There is also a link for registration.
Of particular note is the working group in the afternoon on Saturday June 10th entitled:
The International Peace Summit will be held in a hybrid format with the opportunity to join the conference virtually. More details and updates available at www.peacevienna.org
June 1, 2022
Protest the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa
The presenters and exhibitors list doubles as a Rolodex of the world’s worst corporate criminals. All of the companies and individuals who profit most from war and bloodshed will be there.
It’s time to show up in force to oppose CANSEC and the profiteering from war and violence it is designed to support.
Join us to ensure everyone attending this foul tradeshow knows they are NOT welcome in Ottawa or to continue their deadly business as usual.
ALL OUT for a rotating picket on Wednesday June 1 starting at 7:00am at the EY Centre (4899 Uplands Drive by the airport) in Ottawa.
April 10 and 11th, 2021
The No Fighter Jets Coalition announces a
Fast to Stop the Jets on April 10 and 11th.
Learn more and get involved here.
The Canadian government is quietly planning to purchase new warplanes for a sticker price of $19 billion and a total cost of at least $76 billion.
This new generation of fighter jets will be designed to do the same thing the last batch did – carry bombs and missiles that kill civilians (disproportionately children), destroy critical infrastructure that leaves millions without safe drinking water or electricity, and run environmentally costly training drills. This time they’ll have the added–and terrifying–capacity to carry nuclear weapons. These jets have nothing to do with ensuring security for Canada (according to a former Deputy Minister of Defence) and make a mockery of aspirations of Canada having a “feminist foreign policy” and being a global peacekeeper.
Across Canada on April 10 and 11 public fasts and vigils will honour those who have been killed by Canadian war planes and reject Canada’s plans to buy 88 new bomber jets.
On April 10-11, take a stand against these warplanes by joining a (safe, socially-distanced) public fast or vigil where you live, or fasting in your home in connection with individuals around the world who are fasting in their locations in solidarity. Sign up here to receive all of the information you will need to join in.
Here’s how it will work:
- Register here with your plans to fast, and/or to join or host a public action: nofighterjets.ca/fast
- Fast, meditate, pray, light a candle or join a vigil to express your opposition to the new fighter jets. Take a photo and share it with us at nofighterjets@gmail.com
- Contact your Member of Parliament and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tell them that you do NOT want your tax dollars spent to buy fighter jets. Call the PM at: 613-992-4211 (you can leave a voice message) or email him: pm@pm.gc.ca or use this online letter tool.
- Share your message or photo on social media and use the hashtag: #NoNewFighterJets
April 10 will also mark the beginning of the 10th anniversary of the Global Days of Action on Military Spending: GDAMS 2021. Our fast will join this global effort to reduce spending on war.
Canada does not need to buy fighter jets, and 2021 is our critical opportunity to stop this purchase before it happens.
April 10 to May 9, 2021
The 10th edition of the Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS)
will take place from April 10 to May 9, 2021.
Save the dates. Spread the word. Take action!
From GDAMS’ April 2020 Statement:
The military could not and will not stop this pandemic.
We need fewer soldiers, jets, tanks and aircraft carriers and more doctors, ambulances and hospitals.
It’s time to move the military budget to human needs.
Reallocating defense budgets would help finance a much needed transition toward more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies and economies.
June 4 to 6, 2021
World Beyond War’s international conference –
#NoWar2021 – is going virtual this year
from June 4-6. Join in on-line.
Panels, discussion groups, workshops, and trainings will cover a range of topics, such as: how to shut down a weapons expo, weapons in space, the global arms trade, war’s environmental footprint, divestment, digital storytelling, nonviolent civil resistance, and more.
Campaign web page: https://nowar2021.worldbeyondwar.org/
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/229099201896686