From 9/11 to 10/11: Join FOR in a global peace partnership

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks in the United States, and as we have every year since 2001, the Fellowship of Reconciliation joins members of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows in calling for alternative methods of addressing international conflict. Today, Peaceful Tomorrows released a statement saying, "As the 8th anniversary of the loss of our loved ones approaches, we at September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows remain hopeful that the world and our nation will stop all violent acts in the names of our loved ones. We advocate now as we did on that fateful day that the response to evil must not be more evil, that it must be a response that envisions, not just peaceful tomorrows, but peaceful todays. It is beyond time."

In September 2001, when family members of those who died that day courageously urged our government to not retaliate with violence, FOR stood with them, and served as Peaceful Tomorrows' first fiscal sponsor. Now, eight years after the U.S. government invaded Afghanistan in retribution for the attacks, our nation is mired in a deepening war with rapidly growing casualties of both troops and civilians.

In the face of war and global conflict, FOR continues to work to bring together peoples across political, geographic, and religious lines. Tomorrow, in Washington DC and in communities nationwide, FOR is cosponsoring a "Light the Night for Peace and Friendship" series of candlelight vigils, organized by American Muslim Voice. In the middle of this holy Ramadan month of the Islamic faith, we invite you, too, to join us in this call for peace and interfaith solidarity by lighting a candle on Friday evening, perhaps in the company of friends.

In 2006, American Muslim Voice was the recipient of FOR's prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Peace Prize. One month from now, the winners of this year's Dr. King prize and other peace awards will join members of Peaceful Tomorrows and other friends of FOR who are committed to a world of justice and nonviolence. Don't miss your chance to join FOR's first Peace Banquet and Boat Cruise, to be held in New York City on Sunday, October 11th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Special guests will travel from Baghdad, Iraq; Cape Town, South Africa; and Durham, North Carolina to be with us — we want you there as well!

Now is the time to purchase tickets for this special "Peace on the River" celebratory event, which will be held on the glass-enclosed "Bateaux New York." You will cruise on the scenic Hudson River in the company of fellow peace and justice activists, while enjoying stunning views of Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Can't come? Please consider purchasing a ticket for someone who can't afford to do so. Tickets are $80 for this unique event; lower per-ticket rates are also available for tables of 6 or 8 seats. (E-mail jmiller@forusa.org for more info.)

Peace Prizes

Three annual FOR Peace Prizes will be awarded during the luncheon banquet. The recipients include an extraordinary network of Iraqis using nonviolence in the midst of war and occupation and two outstanding individuals working on the frontlines for peace and social justice.

FOR's 2009 honorees are:

Pfeffer International Peace Prize:

La'Onf is an Iraqi organization founded in 2006 by Iraqi human rights activists trained in the theory and practice of nonviolence in the tradition of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Mr. Abdulsattar Essmat Younus of the La'Onf national steering committee has been selected by the organization to travel from central Iraq to represent the La'Onf network of communities and accept this prestigious award on their behalf.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Peace Prize:

Cynthia Brown served as co-chair of the Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Commission — the first official truth and reconciliation initiative in the United States — which addressed issues of racial and economic justice in Greensboro, North Carolina more than a quarter-century after a brutal, violent incident. Ms. Brown is also known for her 2002 run as a progressive candidate for U.S. Senate, and more recently as the founder and principal of The Sojourner Group;

Nyack-Area Local Peace Prize:

Frances Pratt is an advocate for civil rights and has served as president of the Nyack (NY) NAACP for almost 30 years. She has worked on issues of racial and economic justice, health care, and education in the Rockland and Westchester County region for several decades.

The keynote speaker at the banquet will be an internationally-renowned anti-apartheid activist and trauma healing advocate, the Rev. Michael Lapsley, director of the Institute for the Healing of Memories in Cape Town, South Africa.

In April 1990, Reverend Lapsley was the target of a parcel bomb by apartheid agents that blew off both of Lapsley's arms and severely damaged one each of his eyes and ears; nevertheless, he chose to spend his life working for reconciliation and restorative justice, rather than seeking vengeance and retribution.

The theme of this year's celebration is Peace on the River in recognition of 2009 as the U.N. International Year of Reconciliation as well as the quadricentennial anniversary of Henry Hudson's sail up the river that now bears his name. Even if you can't attend the event, you can still be a part of the spirit of this special day by purchasing a ticket for someone else, or placing a congratulatory message or advertisement in our Commemorative Journal. Click here for the journal ad rate sheet or to download a Save the Date card that can be distributed throughout your community.

To purchase tickets ($80 each/ discounts for tables of 6 or 8, pending availability) or to ask questions, please contact (click on name to e-mail) Jonette O'Kelley Miller or Mary Heckler at: 845-358-4601 (extensions 29 and 32, respectively).

For more information about all the Peace Prize winners, please visit FOR's web site.

We hope you will join us this October on the majestic Hudson River!