Fellowship of Reconciliation - For a World of Peace, Justice and Nonviolence

FOR under surveillance!

In 2005, we informed supporters that more than 10,000 pages of FBI files had been released to us, documenting decades of surveillance of FOR. Now, we have just learned that for two full years - since December 2006 - our Latin America program has been targeted and monitored by state agents. Specifically, the e-mail messages intercepted include FOR communication in the U.S. and with Colombia!

FOR is calling on U.S. and Colombian officials for a full investigation, sanctioning of officials responsible, and the erasure of intercepts. A press release is available.

Click here to learn more and take action »

FOR & other national groups to host January 19th DC event honoring Dr. King on eve of Inauguration

On the evening of Monday, January 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C., the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership will hold a major interfaith event in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day is both the Dr. King national holiday and the day before the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

The "Rebirthing King, Rebirthing America" program will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, and is free and open to the public. Two dozen sponsoring national organizations, including FOR, will be joined by hundreds of participants, including associates of Dr. King and religious leaders.

Information about the program, speakers, and other details are posted online on the Olive Branch Interfaith web site.

FOR cited on New York Times front page

NYT 081030 On Wednesday, October 29th, Colombia President Alvaro Uribe fired more than two dozen officers and soldiers, including three generals. The reason was a series of reports released in recent weeks of extrajudicial killings by Colombian armed forces (financed by the U.S.), based largely on research by FOR and Amnesty International. The nation's "paper of record" published a front-page story on October 30th titled "Colombia Killings Cast Doubt on War Against Insurgents." Kudos to John Lindsay-Poland, co-director of FOR's Task Force on Latin America and the Carribean, for his research that led to a joint report with Amnesty on this issue.

The report was also mentioned in an August Los Angeles Times lead editorial about the increase in the number of civilians killed by U.S.-supported Colombian military units.

Drop Beats Not Bombs

FOR's Nonviolent Youth Collective and Colombia Program, in collaboration with the Not Your Soldier Project, have just completed a speaking, workshop, and hip-Hop tour with Colombian and U.S. conscientious objectors (COs) to the military.

View the tour itinerary and travel journal.

FOR convenes dialogue between President Ahmadinejad and American peace activists

In the wake of the presidential debates – during which the candidates argued over when and under what circumstances they would consider meeting with Iran’s leadership – Fellowship of Reconciliation Executive Director Mark C. Johnson described as “positive and encouraging” two days of meetings between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and U.S. peace and religious leaders.

Click here to learn more about this historic step toward peace with Iran»

The 2008 Festival of Peace: a great success!

This fall, FOR's fourth-annual Festival of Peace was hosted in Nyack, NY, under the theme: "Peace in the Human Family/Peace with the Earth."

Leslie Cagan, the national coordinator of United for Peace and Justice -- the coalition of more than 1,400 peace groups across the United States -- served as this year's inaugural Honorary Chair.

Plans are already being made for the 2009 Festival, which is tentatively slated for Sunday, September 13th. Pencil it into your calendars now!

People of faith come together against the war and to celebrate Dr. King's memory: 1/19/09

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is helping coordinate the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership, which will hold a national day of prayer and action in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2009, to commemorate Martin Luther King Day and the Inauguration of the next President of the United States. Join us in Washington for "Rebirthing King, Rebirthing America" or by hosting a local event on January 19th.

Visit FORpeace.net -- FOR's blog -- for daily information about peace & justice activism.

Each day we are profiling campaigns you can join to support human rights and peacemaking throughout the world. Please join our community online at our blog -- be part of the conversation!

Getting Married? Organizing a Special Party? Host Your Function on the Hudson River!

The Fellowship of Reconciliation's national headquarters in Upper Nyack overlooks the mighty Hudson River, and is a fabulous location for your commitment ceremony, wedding, or other special event. The historic building and grounds are available for rental: click here for more details about our facilities and how to inquire about rates and availability.

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