A Foreign Debate
I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.– George McGovern
For those of us who believe in human rights, nuclear abolition, ending and preventing wars, and using our tax dollars not for the military but for human needs – the presidential "foreign policy debate" wasn’t much of a debate at all.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t surprising to us. From our start in 1967, we are proud to say RESIST grantees have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to fighting for a different US foreign policy. Whether it was the Vietnam War, US interventions in Latin America, apartheid in South Africa, the spread of corporate globalization, or global climate change – they have been at the forefront of US movements for international peace and justice.
And today is no different.
Though there are some differences on foreign policy between President Obama and Governor Romney, the real distinction is between the candidates and the people. RESIST grantees are the ones across the country who are organizing, raising their voices, and fighting for a completely different set of principles to guide our foreign (and domestic) policy.
Just this past grant cycle, RESIST awarded multiple grants to grassroots activists who are fighting to end our military aggression, close our military bases across the world, disarm our nuclear stockpile, and to use our tax dollars to invest in people, not in the military industrial complex.
Groups like Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice in Kansas and Nebraskans for Peace are connecting the dots between military spending, our domestic economic problems, and environmental destruction in two of the most conservative states in the country.
In more liberal states, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane in Washington provides “a consistent voice and presence in opposition to war, militarization, and nuclear proliferation” and the National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force in California "sponsors legal and educational work on military dissent, the rights of service members, and challenges to oppressive military policies."
And in swing states, Civilian Solider Alliance Colorado works “with veterans and active-duty service-members to build a GI resistance movement towards a just foreign policy.” Peace Action New Hampshire has worked for “disarmament and peace, nonviolent conflict resolution, and respect for the rights and inherent worth of all people” for the past 30 years.
Whether in “red” states, “blue” states, or swing states – we believe in supporting the best grassroots groups who are not just changing the debate, but are throwing the old debate out and organizing around a renewed vision of our foreign policy based on peace and justice.
Congratulations to all of our newest grantees. We know when you lead, the candidates follow.
Onward,
Saif Rahman
Director of Communications, RESIST
P.S. If these grassroots groups impress you, we funded 15 more this past cycle that will equally amaze you. We only have one more cycle to go this year, so please join us in supporting these essential grassroots groups...as you know, we need them more than ever!
