Read the full text of Martin Luther King’s historic speech that linked opposition to the Vietnam War to the struggle for civil rights:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phyllis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Declaration

As part of the event, a declaration of conscience against the Iraq War was read. It was developed through an on-line process in which thousands of people took part, expressing their own perceptions and concerns. A process of on-line editing gathered the many statements into the coherent Declaration that was presented to the gathering.

Witherspoon co-sponsors “Peace Not Poverty” witness   [3-31-05]

The executive committee of the Witherspoon Society has committed to co-sponsor the interfaith witness for “Peace Not Poverty,” which will culminate in a declaration that will be read at the "Beyond Iraq" interfaith service on April 4 at Riverside Church in New York City.

Two Witherspoon members, the Rev. Phyllis Zoon and the Rev. Tom Philipp, will take part in the opening procession.

More on the April 4th service and witness at Riverside Church >>

Break the Silence Bus Tour 

Following the April 4^th Beyond Iraq Service and Rally at Riverside Church in New York City, the Building the Beloved Community Leaders are boarding a bus and heading out to Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC to answer forcefully the attacks on freedom and justice by religious voices from the right.

Come, add your voice. Be there to greet the “Building Beloved Community” leaders on their bus tour throughout the nation.

Speak out against the Iraq War and its conduct. Speak out for economic, civil and social justice in our own land.

The first two stops have been finalized.

Philadelphia, PA – Tuesday, April 5, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm at Project Home, 1515 Fairmount Ave.

Washington, DC – Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle.

Additionally, all clergy and other religious leaders from all faith traditions are invited to an organizing session for an ongoing progressive religious community presence and voice in the nation's capitol. This will be held April 6, 9 am - 11 am at National City Christian Church.

Details for the rest of the bus tour will follow.

Please share this invitation to all in the Philadelphia and Washington DC areas who might want to attend. Thanks for your support.

Witherspoon co-sponsors “Peace Not Poverty” witness
[3-24-05]

The executive committee of the Witherspoon Society has committed to co-sponsor the interfaith witness for “Peace Not Poverty,” which will culminate in a declaration that will be read at the "Beyond Iraq" interfaith service on April 4 in Riverside Church in New York City.

You can play a role in drafting the statement.

On March 30, a one-million-person community of conscience will gather online to create a declaration against the Iraq War. This "write-in" is the second of four events planned by progressive religious leaders and organizations to launch a movement to build what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the Beloved Community.

Go to http://www.peacenotpoverty.org/register.php to register for the write-in.  It should be an interesting and challenge experience -- and a chance to contribute your thinking to an important declaration for peace and justice.

Questions or comments?
Please send a note!

 This note came in response to our declaration of co-sponsorship of the event:

On April 4, the Peace Not Poverty declaration will be read at the "Beyond Iraq" interfaith service in Riverside Church in New York. The event will mark the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech against the Vietnam War in 1967 and is part of a determined, on-going nationwide effort to end the war.

This "Write-In" is part of a plan to build what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.called the "Beloved Community" (details of all events at www.buildingbeloved.org).

The many co-sponsors include:

FaithfulAmerica urges support

Peace Not Poverty

Bear witness for the “Beloved Community”

[3-14-05]

On March 30, a one-million-person community of conscience will gather online to create a declaration against the Iraq War. This "write-in" is the second of four events planned by progressive religious leaders and organizations to launch a movement to build what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the Beloved Community.

This invitation has been sent by Rita Nakashima Brock to a wide circle of people of conscience:

On March 30, one million people of conscience will gather online to create a declaration called Peace Not Poverty!

Our "Write-In" event is part of a multi-organizational plan to build what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the "Beloved Community." The Write-In will use Synanim, our unique technology that enables groups to synthesize consensus. It's been rewritten and re-architected to insure a smooth experience for everyone.

On April 4, the Peace Not Poverty declaration will be read by the consensus leader at the Beyond Iraq interfaith service in Riverside Church in New York. This televised event will commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech against the Vietnam War on that date, 1967.

More than ever, we need your help!

1. PARTICIPATE: Registration opens March 20 and ends the 27th at PeaceNotPoverty.org.

2. DONATE: Can't participate? Please donate. Faith Voices will spend more than $50,000 to upgrade Synanim, just one of the major expenses we and our partner organizations are making for this national prophetic public witness, the bus tour, and the Riverside Church event. Your voice and support will prove a historic turning point in building the Beloved Community to end the war and further the cause of non-violence.

3. ACTIVATE: Be an activist. Forward this invitation to your friends and neighbors -- to everyone of conscience you know, and ask them to forward it to others.

4. DISSEMINATE: Download, print, and distribute the event flyer among your religious communities and at events. Starting March 16, find it here: PeaceNotPoverty.org

5. ADVOCATE: Urge your church or organization to join the growing list of co-sponsors. Contact Al Pennybacker at AMPennybacker@aol.com with your group's name and web address. The list continues to grow!

These events will re-awaken and energize a nationwide community of conscience, a community committed to reclaiming the soul of our country and promoting social justice, human rights, and democracy.

Join us, and together we will build the Beloved Community!

See details of the Write-In at PeaceNotPoverty.org. and details of the other events at BuildingBeloved.org.

I hope to be with you online March 30!

Rita

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 20: Peace Not Poverty -- Prophetic Public Witness Day around the country
March 20-27: Peace Not Poverty Registration for Write-In
March 30 - April 2: Peace Not Poverty -- Write-In
April 4: Beyond Iraq -- Interfaith Service, Riverside Church, NY
April 4 - April 17: Break The Silence -- Bus Tour

LEADERSHIP TEAM
Clergy Leadership Network
DriveDemocracy.org
Faith Voices for the Common Good
National Council of Churches
Riverside Church
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Clergy and Laity Concerned About Iraq

CO-SPONSORS INCLUDE
The Shalom Center
Faithful America
Unitarian Universalist Association
Christians for Justice Action (United Church of
Christ)
Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN)
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
The First Congregational Church of St. Louis (UCC)
Peace and Justice Committee of the First
Congregational Church of Berkeley
United for Peace and Justice
Progressive Christians Uniting
American Humanist Association
Rainbow-PUSH Coalition
World Sikh Council - America Region
Pax Christi
The Bruderhof

Our postal address is
PO Box 10388
Oakland, California 94610
United States