“Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Choosing a Future of Peace” commemoration held Friday, August 9, 2019

By Christine Sheller

The annual event in Des Moines remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki was held earlier this month Friday, August 9, the theme being “Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki:  Choosing a Future of Peace.” 

No to $1.7 Trillion for New Nuclear Weapons in the US

(Editor’s Note: The following is a response by Vernon Naffier of Des Moines, and a copy of the petition write-up that Stephen Miles wrote on Moveon.org. 

US policies at the root of massive demonstrations in Honduras

From SOAW  (see bio at end of article) reprinted with permission

Since late April, teachers, doctors, and medical workers in Honduras have been demonstrating against the privatization of education and medical services.

US and Palestinian Christians Meet; Affirm What Would Make Peace

Media contact:  Katie McRoberts (Katie.mcroberts@cmep.org) reprinted with permission. Website www.cmep.org

In a special consultation hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Bright Stars of Bethlehem, convened in cooperation with the National Council of Churches (NCC), World Council of Churches (WCC), and the Diyar Consortium, and building on previous engagement, US and Palestinian Christians addressed the current context in Israel/Palestine, the US-sponsored economic workshop in Bahrain, and the elements necessary to reach a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.  

We Must Prevent War with Iran

By Maureen McCue

As a physician and member of Physicians for Social Responsibility, I am deeply troubled by the intemperate rhetoric about Iran coming from Washington, D.C. In recent weeks, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others in the Trump administration have made alarming statements about the prospects for war with Iran.

“Making Peace: In Our Church, In Our World, In Ourselves” Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Walk and Prayer Service for Peace and Social Justice held Mon., June 10, 2019

By Christine Sheller

This year, members from the community and attendees of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) joined together in a walk for peace, planned by the MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) along with several other agencies of the UMC.

Border Crossing: reflections from Carol Leland on CPT delegation to southern US border

By Christine Sheller

May 3, 2019 people gathered at the Ivester Church of the Brethren to hear Associate Ivester church member Carol Leland, speak on her participation in March 2019 in the CPT delegation to the southern border.

Beto O’Rourke participates in Climate Panel in Des Moines

By Jeffrey Weiss

DES MOINES - Presidential candidate Beto O' Rourke headlined a panel of Iowans at the Des Moines Public Library, for a roundtable discussion on the topic of climate change.   This panel took place on the day of a new report by the United Nations detailing the possible extinction of several species, including the closest relatives of homo sapiens (chimpanzees).

Tax Day 2019 Events in Des Moines

by Virginia Wadsley

Tax Day, April 15, 2019.  A coalition of Des Moines area Peace and Justice organizations sponsored a petition demanding a change of priorities for our tax dollars.  The petition was delivered to the offices of Senators Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst following a rally at the Federal Building that addressed each of the points in the petition.

           Demonstration in front of Federal Building before delivering petition.(Sheller/ IPN)

Palm Sunday Procession for Peace and Prayer Service in Des Moines April 14, 2019

By Christine Sheller

Sunny, relatively warm weather ushered in Palm Sunday 2019, as approximately 150 individuals gathered for the Annual Palm Sunday Procession for Peace and Prayer Service at the Central Presbyterian Church on Grand Avenue in Des Moines.