United for Peace and Justice: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Coalition of U.S.-based organizations}}

{{Anti-war topics}}

[[Image:United for peace and justice.png|leftthumb|300pxThe United for Peace and Justice logo]]

'''United for Peace and Justice''' ('''UFPJ''') is a coalition of more than 1,300<ref internationalname=NYCLU>[http://www.nyclu.org/fbi_spy_files_bios_031406.html andNYCLU Seeks FBI Files On NY Political Groups And Activists] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316015116/http://www.nyclu.org/fbi_spy_files_bios_031406.html |date=March 16, 2007 }}, [[UnitedNew York Civil Liberties Union]]. Retrieved 28 September 2006.</ref> international and States|U.S.]]-based organizations opposed to what they describe as "our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building."<ref>[http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=16 About United for Peace and Justice] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611083755/http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=16 |date=June 11, 2008 }}, UFPJ official site. Retrieved 28 September 2006.</ref>

The organization was founded by [[Leslie Cagan]] and others in October 2002, during the build-up to the U.S.[[United States]]'s [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. by Thedozens directof precursorgroups toincluding UFPJthe was[[National "UnitedOrganization Wefor March!"Women]], initiated[[National byCouncil of Churches]], [[GlobalPeace ExchangeAction]], the [[GreenAmerican PartyFriends ofService theCommittee]], UnitedBlack StatesVoices for Peace, [[Not In Our Name]], and others[[Nodutdol]], which[[September organizedEleventh theFamilies Aprilfor 20thPeaceful demonstrationTomorrows]], againstand the[[Veterans U.Sfor Peace]]. Its first joint action was anti-war protests on [[invasionInternational ofHuman AfghanistanRights Day]], December 10, 2002.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0212/S00068.htm 100 Anti-War Protests In 35 States], UFPJ press release,

Wednesday, 11 December 2002.</ref> The direct precursor to UFPJ was "United We March!", initiated by [[Global Exchange]], the [[Green Party of the United States]], and others, which organized the April 20, 2002, demonstration against the U.S. [[invasion of Afghanistan]].

Primarily, UFPJ primarily organizes large-scale [[protest|protests]]s. The group separates its work into seven issue [[political campaign|campaigns]]: [[Iraq]], [[Counter-recruitment|counter-[[military]] [[Recruitment|recruitment]], [[Anti-globalization|global justice]], [[nuclear disarmament]], [[PalestinianOpposition territoriesin the United States to the Israeli occupation|Palestine]]/[[IsraelPalestine–Israel]], [[civil liberties]]/immigrant–immigrant rights and [[Community organizing#Faith-based|faith-based]] organizing]].

UFPJ's most recent major rally and march was in Washington, D.C., on January 27, 2007. Among the featured speakers were several celebrities including [[Jane Fonda]].<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-01-27-dc-iraq-protest_x.htm?csp=N009 Anti-war protesters press Congress to bring troops home], [[USA Today]], (January 2007)</ref>

UFPJ's previous major action occurred from [[September 24]]-[[September 26|26]], 2005 in [[Washington, D.C.]] UFPJ called the protest "End the War on Iraq!" On [[September 24]], there was a march, rally and festival. Although exact numbers are never known, the organizers estimated that hundreds of thousands of people attended these events. On [[September 25]], there was an [[interfaith]] [[Service of worship|service]] and [[grassroots]] [[training]]. The final day, [[September 26]], was devoted to [[lobbying]] [[Congress of the United States|Congress]] and to [[nonviolent]] [[direct action]] and [[civil disobedience]]. Roughly 370 were arrested for blocking the entrance to the white house, demanding to meet with [[George W. Bush]].

UFPJ's previous major action occurred from [[September 24]]-[[September to 26|26]], 2005, in [[Washington, D.C.]] UFPJ called the protest "End the War on Iraq!" On [[September 24]], there was a march[[September 24, rally2005 anti-war protest|march and rally]], co-sponsored with the [[ANSWER Coalition]], followed by a festival. Although exact numbers are never known, the organizers estimated that hundreds of thousands of people attended these events; the NYCLU says 300,000 attended the march.<ref name=NYCLU/> On [[September 25]], there was an [[Interfaith dialogue|interfaith]] [[ServiceChurch of worshipservice|service]] and [[grassroots]] [[training]]. The final day, [[September 26]], was devoted to [[lobbying]] [[Congress of the United States|Congress]] and to [[nonviolent]] [[direct action]] and [[civil disobedience]]. Roughly 370 were arrested for blocking the entrance to the white[[White houseHouse]], demanding to meet with [[George W. Bush]].

== Previous protests==

Some of UFPJ's accomplishmentsprotests include:

*Its first [[protest]], on [[February 15]], [[2003]], in front of the [[United Nations headquarters]] in [[New York City]] and entitled "The World Says No to War." The protest drew over 500,000 people.

* Its second majorfirst [[protest]], held on [[MarchFebruary 20]]15, [[2004]]2003, toin commemoratefront of the first [[anniversaryUnited Nations headquarters]] of thein [[UnitedNew States|U.S.York City]]' attackand onentitled [[Iraq]]"The World Says No to War." The eventprotest drew over 100500,000 people.<ref inname=NYCLU/> [[New<!--citation Yorkstill City]],needed plusfor nearlythe two [[million]] in 700 other cities."title"-->

* Its second major protest, held on March 20, 2004, to commemorate the first [[anniversary]] of the U.S.' attack on [[Iraq]]. The event drew over 100,000 people in [[New York City]], plus nearly two million in 700 other cities.

* In 2004, the organization wanted to hold a rally on the Great Lawn of [[Central Park]] in opposition to the continued occupation of Iraq. The City denied UFPJ's application for a permit, on the basis that a mass gathering on the Great Lawn would be harmful to the grass, and that such damage would make it harder to collect private donations to maintain the Park. UFPJ charged that Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] was willing to allow other large gatherings on the Great Lawn, but was discriminating against the demonstration so as to curry favor with the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]], which was holding its quadrennial convention in New York City. Nevertheless, a court rejected UFPJ's challenge to the denial of the permit. The major protest was eventually held elsewhere, on Sunday, August 29, 2004, the eve of the [[2004 Republican National Convention]] in [[New York City]]. The event drew over 500,000 people, according to ''[[The New York Times]]'', and received lead coverage (including a double-sized, vertical front page in New York ''[[Newsday]]'') in every major newspaper. In March, 2007 [[NYPD]] Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne stated about the RNC protests: "You certainly had 800,000 on August 29th."<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/26/1329207 "NYPD Debates Civil Liberties Attorney Over Police Spying of Protesters"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411045323/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07%2F03%2F26%2F1329207 |date=April 11, 2007 }}. [[Democracy Now!]]. March 26, 2007.</ref>

*Another major protest on Sunday, [[August 29]], [[2004]], the eve of the [[2004 Republican National Convention]] in [[New York City]]. The event drew over 500,000 people, according to [[The New York Times]], and received lead coverage (including a double-sized, vertical front page in New York [[Newsday]]) in every major [[newspaper]].

* On January 27, 2007, a [[January 27, 2007 anti-war protest|protest of the Iraq war]] was held in [[Washington, D.C.]], with approximately 400,000 people participating.

== Unity statement==

UFPJ's lengthy Unity Statement [http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1871], adopted as a work in progress at the June 2003 UFPJ National Strategy Conference, begins by asserting their opposition to the "[[pre-emptive war]]s of aggression waged by the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration" and the "drive to expand U.S. control over other nations and strip us of our rights at home under the cover of fighting [[terrorism]] and spreading [[democracy]]." It then echoes the rhetoric of [[Not in Our Name]] (founded six months earlier and itself a member of UFPJ) stating, "we say NO to [the U.S.'s] use of war and [[racism]] to concentrate power in the hands of the few, at home and abroad."<ref name=Unity-statement>[http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1871 United for Peace and Justice Unity Statement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318103734/http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1871 |date=2011-03-18 }}, UFPJ official site. Retrieved 28 September 2006.</ref>

It goes on to call for "a broad mass movement for peace and justice" and, in particular, for "peaceful resolution of disputes amongst states; respect for national [[sovereignty]], [[international law]], and the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]; the defense and extension of basic democratic freedoms to all; [[social justice|social]] and [[economic justice]]; and the use of public spending to meet human and [[environmentalism|environmental]] needs."<ref name=Unity-statement />

UFPJ explicitly positions itself as not being a single-issue organization: "We envision UFPJ as a movement-building coalition that coordinates and supports the work of existing groups and builds linkages and solidarity where none exist. We will link the wars abroad with the assaults at home, and U.S. militarism to the [[corporate economic interests]] it serves."<ref name=Unity-statement />

The statement lays out the intent of following these principles internally to UFPJ itself: "We will pay special attention in all aspects of our work to the inclusion and leadership of constituencies bearing the brunt of the war’s impact at home, such as [[people of color]], [[youth]], [[women]], and [[worker]]sworkers. We will be pro-active in addressing internal power dynamics within our movement..." Further, the group pledges itself to [[non-violence]].<ref name=Unity-statement />

The statement continues with a critique of U.S. government conduct, above all, with respect to the justification, preparation, and execution of the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] and the subsequent occupation, including criticism of the media and the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] for "refus[ing] to challenge them." It argues that, "the war on Iraq was the leading edge of a relentless drive for U.S. [[empire]]... [e]xploiting the tragedy of [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]]..." for that purpose and to "impose [[right-wing politics|right-wing]] policies at home under the cover of fighting terrorism."<ref name=Unity-statement />

The critique is then broadened to much of U.S. foreign policy, [[nuclear weapon]]s policy, [[racial profiling]], detention of immigrants, and other abuses in domestic law enforcement, singling out the [[USA PATRIOT Act]] and the proposed "even more draconian" [[Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003|PATRIOT Act II]]. It also assails the damage that a war budget and "tax cuts for the wealthy" have done to domestic programs such as [[Medicaid]] and even [[veterans' benefits]], then states, "Military recruiters are aggressively targeting low-income students, predominantly people of color, who, because they are denied access to good schools and decent jobs, have few alternatives to poverty or incarceration other than joining the military."<ref name=Unity-statement />

== Criticism ==

One critic claimed UFPJ is overly supportive of the Democratic Party.<ref>Roy Rollins, [http://www.uruknet.info/?p=17214 Still looking for the "lesser evil;" As Bush flounders, Liberal Left left leaderless], ''Left Hook'', 10/27/2005</ref> However, UFPJ had sponsored protests outside the [[Democratic National Convention]] in July 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2426 |title=UFPJ Web Site |publisher=Unitedforpeace.org |date=2009-06-14 |access-date=2009-07-17 |archive-date=2021-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226205942/http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2426 |url-status=dead }}</ref> calling for an "emphatic rejection of the Democratic 'leadership' that supported the war."<ref>[http://www.peaceworkmagazine.org/pwork/0312/031210.htm Turn Up the Heat: A Plan for 2004 and Beyond] Peacework Magazine, January 2004</ref> In 2006, UFPJ, and many of its member groups, participated in the Voters for Peace campaign,<ref>[http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3298 UFPJ Web Site] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509062250/http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3298 |date=May 9, 2007 }}</ref> a pledge which states, "I will only vote for or support federal candidates who publicly commit to a speedy end to the Iraq war, and to preventing future 'wars of aggression'."

Another critic has criticized the hierarchy, as he perceives it, within the New York City based leadership of UFPJ. He also stated that "term limits must be enforced if the office of [UFPJ's] national coordinator is to be continued."<ref>Tom Good, [http://antiauthoritarian.net/NLN/archive/ufpj_diary.html UFPJ Diary: The Case for Participatory Democracy.]</ref>

== "No Stolen Elections!" campaign==

In September of 2004, UFPJ joined with the [[Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution]], [[Code Pink]], and [[Global Exchange]] to launch the "[[No Stolen Elections!]]" campaign. Participants were invited to join in signing a pledge that began, "I remember the stolen [[2000 U.S. presidential election, 2000|presidential election of 2000]] and I am willing to take action in 2004 if the election is stolen again." The campaign stated that it would prepare for widespread protest and civil disobedience in the event of significant fraud in the [[2004 U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 election]]. On November 3rd3, tens of thousands of people, demonstrating in over 80 cities, protested purported vote suppression and mechanical irregularities in Ohio and other states.

==Sharp disagreement with ANSWER==

== Member groups==

Although UFPJ worked with [[A.N.S.W.E.R.]] to build the September 24, 2005, Washington, D.C., rally, by December 2005 the two groups had definitively fallen out. A December 2005 statement by UFPJ says that "engagement with A.N.S.W.E.R.… [has been] …a difficult and controversial aspect of our work," and that UFPJ "has decided not to coordinate work with ANSWER <!--sic--> again on a national level." The document discusses events surrounding the September 24 rally, charges that A.N.S.W.E.R. "violated the terms of our agreement in ways that substantially and negatively impacted September 24’s message and impact," remarks that "co-sponsorship with ANSWER on September 24 was welcomed by some in the antiwar movement but limited or prevented completely the participation of others," and explains, "We did not have consensus" about the decision not to work with A.N.S.W.E.R., but had "a more than two thirds supermajority … We make no recommendations or mandates on this issue to UFPJ member groups in local or constituency-based area…"<ref>[http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3162 UFPJ Rejects Future Work with ANSWER] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051228223911/http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3162 |date=2005-12-28 }}, December 12, 2005. Retrieved January 1, 2006.</ref>

[[As of 2005|As of July 2005]], prominent member groups [http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1879] include:

A.N.S.W.E.R. responded by saying that "UFPJ has publicly proclaimed its intention to split the movement," and accused UFPJ of "a false and ugly attack on the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition," and of doing so for "embarrassingly petty and astonishingly trivial" reasons. Besides giving their own version of the events surrounding September 24, A.N.S.W.E.R.'s statement indicates some less trivial differences between the groups: they criticize UFPJ for its willingness to embrace even moderate politicians, such as [[John Murtha]], who are disaffected with the war, while A.N.S.W.E.R. "considers it harmful to try to tailor the message of the progressive movement to please the long-awaited but fictional support from the politicians."<ref>[http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7433 A.N.S.W.E.R. Responds to UFPJ: Our Position on Unity in the AntiWar Movement] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001710/http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7433 |date=September 28, 2007 }} December 16, 2005. Retrieved January 1, 2006.</ref>

* [[American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee]]

* [[American Friends Service Committee]] (AFSC)

* [[Antiwar.com]]

* [[Catholic Worker Movement]]

* [[Center for Constitutional Rights]]

* [[Code Pink]]

* [[Communist Party USA]] (CPUSA)

* [[Fellowship of Reconciliation]] (FOR)

* [[Global Exchange]]

* [[Greenpeace]]

* [[Green Party of the United States]] (GPUS)

* [[Institute for Policy Studies]]

* [[International Socialist Organization]] (ISO)

* [[International Solidarity Movement]] (ISM)

* [[Military Families Speak Out]] (MFSO)

* [[MoveOn]]

* [[Not in Our Name]] (NION)

* [[National Council of Churches]]

* [[National Lawyers Guild]]

* [[National Organization for Women]] (NOW)

* [[National Youth and Student Peace Coalition]] (NYSPC)

* [[Pacifica Foundation]]

* [[Peace Action]]

* [[Quixote Center]]

* [[Rainbow/Push Coalition]]

* [[Rainforest Action Network]]

* [[Refuse and Resist|Refuse+Resist]]

* [[Ruckus Society]]

* [[School of the Americas Watch]] (SOAW)

* [[Tikkun Community]]

* [[TransAfrica Forum]]

* [[TrueMajority]]

* [[Veterans for Peace]]

* [[War Resisters League]]

* [[Working Assets]]

* [[Z Magazine]] and [[ZNET]]

==See also==

The coalition also includes numerous local organizations, denominational religious organizations, trade-union groups, and several U.S.-state [[United States Green Party|Green parties]]. There are some non-U.S. member groups, including several from [[Nigeria]].

* [[List of anti-war organizations]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

* [http://www.unitedforpeace.org OfficialUnited for Peace UFPJand websiteJustice]

* [http://www.nov3notonemore.us "NoNot StolenOne ElectionsMore!" campaign website]

* [http://www.libertytreefdr.org/nov3/index.php "No Stolen Elections" archive]

{{Antianti-war topics}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Anti-IraqAnti–Iraq War groups]]

[[Category:Peace organizations based in the United States]]

[[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States]]

[[Category:2002 establishments in the United States]]

[[Category:Organizations established in 2002]]