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Quaker Initiative to End Torture Conference
Keynote speaker Scott Horton is a human rights lawyer and author, and is one of the most tenacious reporters and investigators on issues of torture and accountability. Special guest Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a decorated Vietnam Veteran and former missionary to Bolivia, is the founder of the School of Americas Watch and leader in the effort to end US involvement in torture. Everyone is welcome, but registration is required. read more  
The Words of Children Living with War
We thank the Rebuilding Alliance (and especially intern Bryce Druzin) for bringing us many of these messages from partner organizations like Other Voice - Sderat, Al Basma Club for the Disabled in Gaza, the Rachel Corrie Sports Initiative and the UNRWA School for Girls in Gaza, and the children at the Al Aqaba Kindergarten in the West Bank. Other messages from children were gathered through personal interviews by Deborah Ellis, an author whose award-winning work includes the Breadwinner trilogy, novels that portray the life of a young Afghan girl, pretending to be a boy so that she can feed her family. In Ellis' Three Wishes, Off to War, and Children of War, she brings us directly into the daily lives, hopes, dreams and fears of Palestinian, Israeli, and Iraqi children, plus she shares the voices of American and Canadian children whose parents are stationed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. We encourage you to read these words and if you'd like to respond, please submit a comment. We will gather those comments and as possible and appropriate, share them with the children. These and more were shared during a public worship service on March 21st at 2pm at Lytton Plaza in Palo Alto California. The gathering was hosted by the Palo Alto Friends Meeting and Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice. Together, we heard their words, prayed for peace, and committed ourselves to continuing our work to bring about a world where children won't have to be afraid to sleep at night or face the terrors of trying to live through another day at war. Click each of the links to read the words of children at war. If you'd like to post a general comment about the event, these messages from children, or the work we are doing at Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice, use the comment link below.| post a comment | comments (2)
MVPJ Steering Committee Member Featured Online for Peace Work
MVPJ Attends White House Teleconference on Afghanistan
The teleconference didn’t help to overcome the disappointment our steering committee experienced last night listening to the President speakat the US Military Academy, or our deep concerns for the upcoming increase in military forces in Afghanistan, but it did provide me with some hope that there’s more going on than just the “surge.” read more
MVPJ Statement on Fort Hood TragedyWe are horrified by the mass shooting at Fort Hood and lift up our prayers of comfort for the grieving and healing for the wounded. As the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in response to the shootings, "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence." At this moment we once again affirm our unity across faiths. No one should have to walk in fear because someone who shares their religion, ethnicity, or appearance has committed a crime. Just as we mourn together the tragic loss of life at Fort Hood, we will stand together to keep every member of our community safe. We continue to work and pray for an end to war so that everyone at Fort Hood and every military base can live out their full lives in peace. The Steering Committee Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.
Full Accountability for Torture Prosecution! Join Amnesty International's campaign for FULL ACCOUNTABILITY of U.S. Sponsored Torture. According to recent news reports, Attorney General Eric Holder is close to appointing a Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations of torture and abuse. This would be a welcome and crucial step towards demonstrating a commitment to human rights and the rule of law. However, it is possible that the investigation will be limited in scope. After years of evidence that torture and human rights violations were ordered and authorized from above, only lower level personnel have been held to account. We can’t let impunity for torture continue. Urge President Obama to ensure full accountability for torture and other human rights violations, as required by U.S. and international law: with a full investigation, prosecutions where warranted and remedy for victims. read more
Give to Sam Provance Accompaniment Fund Sam Provance, one of the whistle blowers of the Abu Ghraib scandal who was featured in the film "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" is currently living in South Carolina and facing what many whistle-blowers experience - a lot of prejudice against him, making it very difficult to get a good job as well as create community. The Project on Ethics and Art in Testimony (PEAT) which was founded by Jean Maria Arrigo (who spoke at the Torture is a Moral Issue Conference in Palo Alto in June), has set up a fund for people to "accompany" Provance with financial support.
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In War, There Are Innocents MVPJ Steering Committee member Craig Wiesner responds to recent news stories quoting a group claiming that in war, there are no innocents.
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Christian Peace Witness: New National Focus
At our 2009 summer retreat, leaders from diverse peace fellowships and traditions decided that the mission of Christian Peace Witness for Iraq must evolve to meet new challenges - so we shortened our name but broaden our mission by becoming Christian Peace Witness and calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the removal of all U.S. troops and military bases. Visit the updated website to learn more, and click on "Join the Network" (right side of screen) to receive monthly e-newsletters.
Resources for Torture Awareness
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Quote of the Week
My heart is open to all the winds... Wherever God's caravans turn, the religion of love shall be my religion. And my faith. - Ibn 'Arabi, 13th Century Sufi traveler & mystic
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Hear internationally known anti-torture activists Scott Horton and Fr. Roy Bourgeois on September 24-26 at the Quaker Center in Ben Lomond, CA! 
The following are the words of children compiled by members of the steering committee of Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice. They come from children in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Canada. All of these children are living in the midst of war. Some of these messages from children arrived within the last 72 hours. 
InMenlo, a Menlo Park blog site, recently featured MVPJ's own Dick Duda, talking about his passion for eliminating nuclear weapons from the planet. Dick is one of the people who stepped up to the plate around a year ago when the MVPJ team was wondering if there were new people who would be willing to help MVPJ continue the work we've been doing since 2001. He's a joy to work with and we're pleased that he is being featured on InMenlo.com 
The White House held a teleconference today to discuss the President’s announced plans for Afghanistan and Pakistan. I attended representing Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.
A shorter name - a wider mission!
These films are available for your use through Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice: 