We are excited to announce Veterans For Peace’s first Online Convention! We know that many of us will miss being able to greet each other in person but we also know that each and every one of us wants to make sure all of our members are safe and healthy. Convention will take place from August 2nd-9th, with the theme “Human Rights over Nuclear Might”. Since our founding, Veterans For Peace has had it in our goals “to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons” and the week will mark the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion of all time at the Trinity Site, New Mexico, which occurred on July 16, 1945).

There are presentations and sessions every day from August 2 through August 9. See the detailed Schedule of Events. To register go to vfp2020.attendease.com/register/registration/select. For full convention details, go to vfp2020.attendease.com/.

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Our coalition is excited to host a national virtual event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
thursday, august 6, 2020
sunday, august 9, 2020

#StillHereWe envision this virtual gathering as a creative, intersectional way to shine a spotlight on local events nationwide, to highlight the stories of survivors, to look toward the future of a world free from nuclear threats, and to amplify the voices of activists, experts and others beyond their typical audience.

This will be a two-day event featuring live and pre-recorded segments.

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Announcing a 12-week pilot version of CoJourn specifically in support of Racial Justice!
Kick-off Event Sunday, June 28th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm EST

Whether you are a long-time Racial Justice activist, or brand new to thinking about race and racism, it is clear that NOW IS THE TIME to boldly move forward, and take our work to the next level.

CoJourn for Racial Justice will help you clarify your role, identify next steps, and set up a structure for success to be an ongoing part of the solution in a sustained way.

Read more and Sign up HERE
https://forms.gle/PHxAJ5EpcuYpwriJA

The 12-week pilot program will include:

Video instructions and Guidebook on how to use the CoJourn framework for support and accountability in a compassionate, celebration-focused way

An opportunity to be matched with a CoJourn partner also interested in racial justice, or work with someone you choose

A CoJourn for Racial Justice Resource List including our favorite existing curated lists. This will include ideas for action, community-care, and education for folks from different racial identities, roles, and experiences with racial justice work
Monthly group meetings to check-in, get support, share successes and resources (meeting attendance is optional, and will be held on Zoom)
Group Kick-off session (Sunday June 28th, 7-9 pm)

On-call support from a diverse team of expert coaches along the way (coaches are all experienced social justice educators / change-makers and familiar with the CoJourn program)

CoJourn for Racial Justice Co-Collaborators and Coaches:
Angelica Castro, M.A., CPC, Social Justice Educator, Certified Professional Coach
Oscar Collins, M.Ed., Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant
Jessie Cooley, M.Ed., Nonprofit Leadership, Social Justice Educator and Mediator
Latrina Denson, M.Ed., Social Justice Educator, Higher Education Administration
Karl Henricksen, CoJourn Co-Founder
Molly Keehn, Ed.D., CoJourn Co-Founder
Elise Manning, M.S.W., LICSW, Trauma-Focused Psychotherapist and Collaborative Artist
Jen Matos, Ed.D., Higher Education Faculty and Certified Professional Coach
Emily Pritchard, M.Ed., Educator with Social Justice Focus, Performing Artist
Tanya O. Williams, Ed.D. Social Justice Educator, Certified Professional Coach

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August 6 and 9, 2020, mark the 75th anniversary of the devastating, racist and unnecessary atomic bombing of two Japanese cities, resulting in the immediate deaths of between 129,000 and 226,000 people, with many dying later from radiation exposure. In Japan and around the world, this entry into the atomic age will be remembered with calls for nuclear disarmament and international support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
In Western Mass. several events are being planned. While reflective and physically safe, they will express our solidarity with the remaining Hibakusha survivors, and call for a phase-out of nuclear weapons, as we make connections and demands for justice relevant to this time.
August 6, 7:30PM in Turners Falls (Hiroshima Day)
Peskeomskut Park, Ave, walk to Gill-Montague Bridge
August 8, 11AM in Greenfield
Presence at weekly Peace Vigil on Town Common
August 9, 7PM in Easthampton (Nagasaki Day)
Meet at Library, walk to Nashawannuck Pond for 7:30 event
Please wear a face covering and maintain safe distancing! Bring your own candles and lighters for the solidarity vigil.
Sponsored by Traprock Center for Peace & Justice, FCCPR Peace Task Force, New England Peace Pagoda, Resistance Center for Peace and Justice, Nuclear and Carbon Free Future Coalition, NuclearBan.US, Interfatih Center of Franklin Country.
For more info, email

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This post contains the words of Dominique Thomas, a black climate organizer, about how racial justice & climate justice are connected & offers specific ways climate activists can show up for Black Lives.
Dominique Thomas invites all of us to join in the movement to defend Black lives & Black communities. This post also raises a tantalizing possibility - that this may be the moment when history turns and we begin to create a society which is truly just, equitable, and sustainable.

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You are invited to join in a weekly gathering to mourn and deepen our collective resolve to promote justice.
We will gather weekly on Fridays at 5 pm, starting this Friday, June 12, at Field Park in Williamstown (the green on the rotary). Together, we will join in respectful silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, in honor of George Floyd and the countless other Black people killed by police brutality and other forms of white supremacist violence. We aspire to practice this every week until the November election.
All are welcome. We hope that this weekly gathering may serve to deepen our commitment as a community to dismantle systemic racism. We recognize that Williamstown, too, must uproot white supremacy. Williamstown, too, must change so that those of us who are Black can breathe. We gather on Fridays to recognize these truths and recommit ourselves to the work.
Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and invite your friends and family.
You are invited to bring signs or works of art if you are so moved. Anger is welcome. Rage is welcome. Grief is welcome. Exhaustion is welcome. We welcome all heartfelt expressions in honor of Black liberation and ending white supremacy.
Parking is available at the Williamstown Public Library and the Old Williams Inn.
Please spread the word!
Questions? Contact Rachel Payne at 617-309-0186 or rachel.r.payne@gmail.com

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