Armistice Day program

On the original Armistice Day, at the end of World War I, the world came together in realization that war is so horrible we must end it.” Congress responded to a hope among Americans for no more wars by passing a resolution calling for “exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding.” Later, Congress added that November 11th was to be “a day dedicated to the cause of world peace.”

In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, and in many cases it has become a celebration of militarism, honoring war rather than remembering the victims or veterans who served. We want to restore the tradition of Armistice Day as a day to promote world peace.

Speaking: Kathy Kelly, peace activist, pacifist & author nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize, is a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence in Chicago. As part of a peace team she has traveled to Iraq 26 times, remaining in combat zones during the early days of both US-Iraq wars. Her recent travel has focused on Afghanistan and Gaza, along with domestic protests against U.S. drone policy. She has been arrested in non-violent protests more than 60 times at home and abroad, and written of her experiences among targets of U.S. military bombardment and inmates of U.S. prisons.

* Music by Richard Pinney *

* Reflections on the true cost of war *