October 8, 2026
Indigenous Peoples Day asks us to reckon with the genocide, displacement, and ongoing oppression of Native peoples in what is now the United States. It is also an opportunity to listen to Indigenous communities and learn from their ongoing movements for justice. Last week’s newsletter talked about accountability and what to do to address harm: around the world, Indigenous communities have developed time-tested practices to help repair relationships that we could learn a lot from.
Indigenous-led movements also challenge us to examine the connections between colonialism, militarism, and environmental destruction, and to consider whose lives and communities are sacrificed to maintain systems of power.
It has been nearly one year after the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, yet Palestinians continue to face devastating violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces have killed 1,460 Palestinians and injured another 5,090 since the ceasefire began, and currently occupy approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip. These deaths add to the more than 74,000 Palestinians, including at least 21,000 children, reported killed since October 2023.
Note that the Palestinian Ministry of Health only records deaths reported at hospitals or officially registered – the true toll is likely much higher.
The UN describes conditions in Gaza as “overwhelming,” with airstrikes and other military activity continuing despite the agreement. As we approach the ceasefire’s first anniversary, we must ask: what has it meant for Palestinians still living through violence and displacement? A ceasefire must be more than an agreement on paper, it must bring real protection for civilians and an end to the violence. We continue to demand accountability for Israel’s violations and a future in which Palestinian lives and rights are protected.
There have been signs of movement in Congress, with more and more lawmakers supporting efforts to investigate and hold Israel accountable for war crimes, including Senate Resolution 852 in which we are proud to see both NH Senators vote in favor.
Our Block the Bombs call-in campaign urges NH reps, Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, to cosponsor H.R.3565, legislation that would restrict U.S. weapons transfers to Israel. Contact their offices and ask them to take a stand against the continued flow of weapons contributing to Palestinian suffering.
The struggle for peace requires us to examine the role our own communities, institutions, and businesses play in fueling violence around the world.
New Hampshire is home to Sig Sauer, a major firearms/weapons manufacturer whose products are directly used against Palestinians. The company has recently partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries to develop an AI-powered armed drone. These connections raise urgent questions about the responsibilities of weapons manufacturers and the role of our state in the global arms trade.
Tomorrow, October 10th, join Resist Arms to Israel Now (R.A.I.N.) in Portsmouth, NH, for “Sig Sauer: Stop Arming Israel – NOW!” The day will include a protest, march, bike ride, and visibility event calling for an end to the arming of Israel.
The bike ride starts at 10 AM then takes a 25 mile route through NH and ME. At 1 PM we’ll gather in Market Square Portsmouth for a short rally then walk 3 miles to Pease Boulevard in Newington near where Sig Sauer is headquartered for a vigil at 4pm. Transportation will be provided to and from the event for those who need it. This is an opportunity to turn our concerns into collective action right here in NH. By raising our voices and organizing together, we challenge the normalization of weapons production and demand that our communities stop contributing to violence abroad.
Thank you for continuing to support NH Peace Action in the work of building a future rooted in peace and justice.
- Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern
September 25, 2026
ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT to get your bids in for our 2026 ONLINE AUCTION! We are approaching our goal of $2,500! If you haven’t checked it out yet, now is the time. With gorgeous artwork, vintage & collectible items, plants, movie tickets, books, and so much more, there’s truly something for everyone. There’s many items that have no bids yet, including lift tickets to Pats Peak! Every bid helps support grassroots peace advocacy, education, and community organizing across New Hampshire. Click HERE to participate!
September 21 marked the UN’s International Day of Peace, a day dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace and nonviolence around the world. While we face wars, rising costs, and growing militarization, we also have a chance to focus on what we can build with peace: communities rooted in compassion and nonviolence. We demonstrated our commitment to that goal here in NH at the first Nonviolence Festival.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Nonviolence Festival last Saturday for an afternoon of music, speeches, games, treasure hunts, and community! We heard again and again from attendees about how important it is to gather, recognize our collective strength, and stand together. If you missed it, we’re putting together a video of the speeches and will be sharing on our YouTube channel soon!
Tomorrow, September 26 has been established by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Abolition Day). Each year on Nuclear Abolition Day, the UN brings together world leaders to discuss concrete steps toward global nuclear disarmament. Around the world, people and communities are organizing events and taking action to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
On September 25th and 26th, join Towards a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World, a global, intergenerational online gathering. The program will include presentations, cultural performances, discussion of the Nuclear Abolition Day Appeal, and a screening of An Ordinary Insanity, the Oscar-nominated short film featuring whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. To register, visit the event webpage or flyer. For more information please see this announcement. Join us in making our voices heard: nuclear weapons aren’t making us any safer!
We must remain committed to building a world free from the threat of nuclear war, and instead start building peace and a safe, sustainable future instead.
- Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern
September 18, 2026
With so much happening in the world, it’s more important than ever to come together, stay engaged, and practice the skills of peace and nonviolence.
That’s one reason we’re gathering tomorrow, September 19, for our Nonviolence Festival on the NH State House lawn. From 1-3 PM, join us for live music and singalongs, interactive workshops, discussion circles, non-competitive games, and a curated treasure hunt exploring nonviolence. There will also be opportunities to connect with local organizations, learn about how to get involved, and discover ways to practice nonviolence in our communities.
Even when the news feels overwhelming, there are ways we can make a difference. Peace is something we can practice, build, and strengthen together. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the news we’re following this week:
The Trump administration has approved a proposed $2.8 billion munitions package for Israel of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, along with other munitions. These bombs are used on the people and land of Gaza and Lebanon. We are pleased to see that Rep. Gregory Meeks, top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, announced a hold on the sale.
We urge you to call your representatives to ask that they, too, stand against this transfer. We can continue to demand that diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and the protection of human life take priority over sending more weapons. You can also sign Peace Action’s national letter HERE.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: (202) 224-2841 / (603) 647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
We were pleased to see that the U.S. House passed another Iran War Powers Resolution to end Trump’s unpopular war and that both NH reps voted in favor of it. Also this week, Senators Markey, Merkley & Sanders introduced a joint resolution of disapproval (JRD) to stop Trump’s proposed $25 billion weapons transfer to Saudi Arabia. Senator Markey also led a bipartisan group of Senators to press the Trump administration to declassify and release two side letters to the proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement. NH Senator Shaheen also signed the letter demanding transparency.
This week, U.S. Space Force officials acknowledged that the United States operates space-based weapons, while Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine spoke about the need for the U.S. military to be prepared to operate and fight in the region between Earth and the moon. The development is especially striking given longstanding international agreements, such as The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, establishing space as a domain for peaceful use. Every time the U.S. breaks International Law, we escalate the level of fear and encourage other countries to act selfishly.
Closer to home, 54 members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard are scheduled to deploy to Texas next month for a year-long mission supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This will be the third time in six years that New Hampshire Guard personnel have been sent to assist with aerial and ground reconnaissance as part of the federal southern-border mission.
Taken all together, these developments can feel overwhelming. But they also make clear why it matters to pay attention – to wars overseas, to the growing role of military institutions in our society and to our broader approach to conflict. Understanding these developments, asking questions, and imagining alternatives are all part of building a culture of nonviolence.
That work doesn’t have to feel abstract or distant. It can start with coming together, learning from one another, and practicing nonviolence in our own communities – that’s what tomorrow’s festival is about.
We hope you’ll join us at tomorrow’s Nonviolence Festival to spend an afternoon imagining and practicing what a culture of peace can look like.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern
On September 11, 2026, we must acknowledge the violence and loss that has hung over us for 25 years. However, we refuse to let that be the only story told.
We remember the nearly 3,000 people in the U.S. who lost their lives that day, and the millions of people around the world whose lives were devastated by the wars, occupations, displacement, and violence unleashed in the aftermath of 9/11. The consequences of the “War on Terror” continue to unfold. Afghanistan offers a particularly stark example as the Taliban is again in control, now using the $7 billion in U.S.-provided military hardware.
Now, the war on Iran demonstrates how quickly military confrontation can deepen suffering and instability. In Palestine, Israeli forces use U.S.-backed weaponry to commit war crimes. Hospitals and families in Gaza continue to struggle with severe shortages of fuel and other basic necessities, while additional Israeli strikes continue. In southern Lebanon, Israeli military operations continue. These crises are not isolated from the history we remember today. They are part of a broader pattern in which military force is repeatedly presented as the path to security, even when decades of experience show that violence is not the answer.
We could have made other choices 25 years ago. Starting a spiral of retribution and violence is not the only story from that time. On September 11, 2001 people under attack rose up magnificently to help each other. The stories of cooperation, sacrifice and rescue show another side of who we are as a species. “Boatlift, An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience” is a short, beautiful film documenting the largest sea evacuation in history, when nearly 500,000 civilians were evacuated from Manhattan in under 9 hours by 150 different vessels spontaneously arriving to help.
It’s too late to undo the suffering caused by 25 years of wars since then, but not too late to call for accountability, learn from our mistakes, and chart a different course ahead. We could celebrate and center our abilities to meet challenges and help each other.
We can ask difficult questions. What did decades of war accomplish? What was lost? And what might have been possible if the resources devoted to the military had instead been invested in reconstruction, health, housing, or basic needs? We are encouraged that in this election cycle, we saw candidates bring these issues into the political arena. Karishma Manzur, Carleigh Beriont, and Paige Beauchemin spoke consistently about militarism and war profiteering, and why peace is something worth investing in. The positive responses from so many voters shows that more people than we realized are ready for a new way forward. Twenty-five years later, instead of choosing war again and again, we might be ready to make peace a priority.
In peace & hope,
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern & Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
There’s less than 10 days left to bid on our 2026 Online Auction!! It’s loaded with great gift ideas! We’ve got gorgeous artwork, vintage & collectible items, plants, movie tickets, books, and so much more. Every bid helps support grassroots peace advocacy, education, and community organizing across New Hampshire. Click HERE!
NHPA Update: Welcome back Hazel, Voting, Local Action & Events – September 4, 2026
Hello Everyone! This is Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy writing, and I’m thrilled to be back with NH Peace Action as an intern this fall!
I’m currently in my senior year of college (yay!), studying Public Relations with a focus on nonprofit and advocacy communications. After interning with NHPA this past Spring, I’ve witnessed the power of collective action and what we can accomplish when we organize together. As I mentioned in my introduction last Spring, peace has always been a central value in my life. As we continue to witness terror and harm carried out by world leaders, I believe we all must do more to create meaningful conversations, take action, and build a culture of peace in our society.
I’m especially excited to return as we prepare for the state primaries, continue to organize against militarism and corporate greed, and strengthen the movement for peace in NH and around the world. There’s lots of work ahead, and I’m happy to be here with you all!
NH Peace Action and National Peace Action is proud to endorse THREE pro-peace candidates in Tuesday’s state primary: Karishma Manzur for U.S. Senate, Paige Beauchemin for CD-2, and Carleigh Beriont for CD-1! These three women have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting peace. Find National Peace Action’s full endorsements HERE.
Are you prepared for the primaries? Make your plan to vote and help others get involved! The voting process is quicker when you’re registered ahead of time, but you can also register at your polling location. Know where you’re voting by finding your polling location HERE. You can also sign-wave or volunteer with the campaigns of Karishma, Paige, and Carleigh day of! The primaries are a great opportunity to have conversations about peace, militarism, and New Hampshire’s role in building a more peaceful future!
The Concord Monitor reported that Bow town officials were speaking with a company about the construction of an AI data center. Sign 350 NH and No Coal, No Gas’s petition to tell town officials that we DO NOT want AI data centers in NH! Add your name HERE.
Members of the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East (NHCJPME) held a press conference this week before filing an Ethics Complaint against 4 NH state legislators who
attended the “50 States One Israel” event last September. We will continue to update on progress of this complaint. Click HERE to watch the press conference. Join us to learn more about it on Monday September 7, 7pm on Zoom.
I continue to feel so grateful for the welcoming and passionate community I’ve found through NH Peace Action, and for all the work we continue to do. Thank you for choosing peace and taking action with us.
- Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – August 28, 2026
This week we want to tell you about an Italian movement that is calling for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to be given to the children of Gaza. The war in Gaza has led to the tragic deaths of thousands of children. This movement seeks to make sure their deaths were not in vain and to push the international community to recognize this tragedy and end to Israel’s aggression. This movement shows that our struggle is one fought by people across borders and we hope that you can take heart in this news, and raise your voices to demand peace for all the children of the world.
Reflections on my Time as an Intern
Believe it or not, today is my last day as an intern here at NH Peace Action. Over the past three months I’ve had the pleasure of writing Action Alerts to give our advocacy direction and these newsletters to keep our community informed. I designed a legislative tracker to make the work of sifting through the confusing mess of Congressional bills a bit easier. It’s been a pleasure to grow as a writer, as a researcher, and especially as an outreacher. Maybe most meaningful were the times I was able to have conversations with you, and many other Granite Staters out of our communities. I was able to table for NH Peace Action at three events this summer, spreading our message to new audiences and reminding those who already know us of how they can engage in the movement. My personal favorite moment was meeting many of you at the annual C4 meeting earlier in June and sharing my experiences as a Senate Intern so that our government advocacy for peace could be more effective.
Because even when things look bleak, we can join together and ask what we can do to create change and we see that we can succeed. While they’ve shifted their opinions more slowly and not as far as we wish, all of NH’s federal representatives have become more open to our message and mission of peace over the past two years, especially regarding Palestine. Opposition to Israel is at an all time high in the states, and the reason why AIPAC spends so much on primaries against our candidates is because they are truly scared. They know we are on the right side of history and that when we come together, their clock is ticking.
You can keep up to date with legislation of interest using the NH Peace Action Legislative Tracker!
Thank you for taking action with us this week, and choosing peace. It has been an honor.
News & Events – August 14, 2026
Last Sunday a group of activists gathered in Concord on the banks of the Merrimack River to mark the anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. They read the names of some of those killed in the bombings and lay flowers in the river. This has been a yearly tradition for many years, started by long-time NH activist Ruth McKay. We are pleased that it continues. We also look forward with hope to a time when we stop adding such anniversaries to our calendars, when future generations look back on nuclear weapons and war itself as part of a past we have left behind.
With Congress in recess until mid-September, now is a good time to look closer to home and see what is going on in NH government. Recently, Governor Ayotte vetoed several bills from the final batch passed by the NH legislature. Among these bills was a House Bill 1442 which would have forced transgender individuals into their sex-assigned-at-birth restrooms. We celebrate this veto because bills like these open massive opportunities for private individuals and the state to violently violate the privacy of everyday people while fostering seclusion and hatred against the most vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, the bill is not dead yet, as on August 19th, the legislature will convene for its “Veto Day” and attempt to override the Governor’s veto. If you want to read more about the “Veto Day”, our friends at 603 Equality have written about the bills they are concerned about the legislature passing. We encourage you to reach out to your state representative and senator, who if you do not currently know you can identify using this helpful guide created by our friends at CitizensCount.
News & Events – August 7, 2026
Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki
This week, we remember the mass murders which occurred on August 6 and 9, 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On Sunday, August 9th, the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, we will be gathering in Concord on the banks of the Merrimack River to honor the victims and rededicate ourselves to the work of building a more peaceful world. You can find more details on this event later in this newsletter in the NHPA Events section. Another way to honor the tragedy of these dates and the threat of nuclear proliferation would be to watch and share the short film, “An Ordinary Insanity.” This free, half-hour documentary features renowned whistleblower and activist Daniel Ellsberg discussing the threat nuclear war poses and the substantial work that he did throughout his life to stave it off. Also join us for these two programs: August 10, 7pmET, on Zoom: Advancing Nuclear Disarmament Through Theatre and August 24, 7pmET, on Zoom: Peace Philosophy in a Nuclear Age.
The Peace Action Retreat
In July, NHPA hosted a regional retreat of Peace Action affiliates at the beautiful World Fellowship Center. We brought together leaders from Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, Southern New Jersey, New York, Vermont and NH to support and learn from each other and strengthen our skills and cross-border work. We were glad to find we all had accomplishments to share as well as struggles to commiserate about. In the coming year we hope to have joint programming and organizing come out of this.
News & Events – July 24, 2026
In today’s newsletter, we report on a few different items, some near and some far, all of which show how those with power are not using it to protect and value life and dignity. While the majority of people want human rights, ecological health and safety for all, our current systems are not delivering. We know it’s distressing to focus on, but we made these systems so we can change them! We’ll bring you news of that work, too.
Starting locally…
NH Attorney General Will Not Prosecute Cops Who Shot Nickenley Turenne
The NH Attorney General’s office released a final report that it would not prosecute three Manchester police officers who shot and killed Nickenley Turenne in December of 2025.
Multiple organizations, including the New Hampshire Collective Power Coalition and Black Lives Matter NH, are involved in responding to this injustice and supporting the family and community. Read about their work for meaningful reforms in this op-ed. Let’s support the ongoing struggle for increased justice and peace here in NH.
Expanding War in the Middle East
This past week, hostilities have expanded across the Middle East beyond the bounds of Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, into Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Last week, the Trump administration approved a deal which would allow Saudi Arabia to begin its own uranium enrichment program without restrictions regarding its use for potential nuclear weaponry. Since then, Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq and Yemen have launched drone strikes against Saudi Arabia. While several drone strikes occurred on Saudi soil during the opening weeks of the war, this new wave of attacks demonstrates a substantial escalation of the conflict, particularly as the Saudi government has begun launching counterattacks.
Petition Letter to Save Dr. Abu Safiya
As we reported on Tuesday, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland has begun circulating a letter calling for the release of Palestinian Doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been held without legal charge by the Israeli government for over 2 years now. As of this writing, our representatives have not signed on to this letter. Ask them to do so before the deadline of August 5.
Tariffs on Slave Labor
The Trump Administration announced tariffs of 12.5% for nations which do not have laws banning the importation of goods produced by forced labor. While this tariff may in effect be yet another attempt by the Trump administration to simply raise a tariff wall, unlike previous tariffs which were levied without justification, this one rightfully punishes profiteering from the products of slavery and in a rare move, directly targets Israel for its failure to address its profiteering from slave economics via the exploitation of Palestinian workers.
Cuba
The U.S. State Department has released a new report titled Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism. It continues to demonize both Cuba and “left-wing terrorist” groups. Learn more here. See our good news section for a way NHPA has helped counter the false narrative about Cuba.
“Visualizing Nonviolence”: Submit Your Photos!
As part of Campaign Nonviolence Week of Action (Sept 21-Oct 2), NHPA is creating a traveling photo exhibit that highlights key principles of nonviolent resistance practiced by popular movements worldwide, including NHPA’s decades-long history of practicing nonviolent resistance to war, militarism and nuclear arms. Have photos or campaign materials from your time in the peace movement? Send them to Rachel at rachel@nhpeaceaction.org by August 24.
Rémi Jacques, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – July 24, 2026
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R.8800, the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill which includes $1.2 trillion dollars in funding for the Pentagon, $95 billion in supplemental funding purely for the War on Iran, and the permanent integration of the Israeli military into our own via Section 219. The vote was close, 214-208. We are glad to say that New Hampshire’s representatives voted against it, however, it did pass and it is now up to the senate to stop this frightening bill. We are not beyond hope, however, as Senate Democrats have so far successfully opposed a similar version of the bill. It is more important than ever that we pressure our senators to strip the most dangerous parts of this bill and oppose its size.
Bird-dogging: What is it and How to Get Involved?
Bird-dogging is one tactic we can use to hold public officials and political candidates accountable. We bird-dog candidates by attending their public appearances and asking them a question where they either must take a clear stance on an issue or have their position revealed by their refusal to answer. It can be done in teams, with pre-written questions.
If this sounds interesting to you, NH Peace Action is hosting monthly community calls to talk about bird-dogging, connect with fellow activists, and build your skills. We have compiled a Google Calendar which lists many public appearances in the state. Our best opportunity for a bird-dogging campaign that we see is against Maura Sullivan in the Democratic primary of the 1st Congressional District. Sullivan has taken over $300,000 in donations from pro-Israel lobbies at a time when Israel’s action have never been more blatantly horrific. Sullivan has many public events planned during this last month and a half leading up to the primary and we encourage you to take action and bring her failure to stand up to Israel into the public eye. If you want inspiration, you can read here about one advocate who bird-dogged Sullivan back in March.
News & Events – July 17, 2026
The Status of Military Budgets in Congress
This week we saw Congress come back from its week long 4th of July recess to discuss several key military budget bills. In the House of Representatives, the secondary military budget bill, H.R.8595, did unfortunately pass, with both NH Representatives voting against it. Furthermore, the amendment which would have stripped $3 billion in aid to Israel from the bill also failed, with Representative Goodlander voting for the amendment and Representative Pappas refusing to take a stand against Israel by voting present.
In the Senate, S.4784, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was successfully delayed by Democrats, who stopped an attempt to end discussion of the bill. Instead over the coming weeks the Senate will be forced to confront the unprecedented privileges given to Israel by the bill and the bloated appropriation of over a trillion dollars to Trump’s war efforts. It is more important than ever that we continue to pressure our Senators to remove aid to Israel and reduce spending now.
ICE Brutality Strikes Again
Tragically, on Monday in Biddeford, Maine, ICE agents shot a young man, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, during a traffic stop. Johan was a father and an immigrant from Colombia who had obtained all proper work visas and been issued a social security number. This is not the first time ICE agents have murdered innocent civilians on the streets who were not even under immigration investigation, as only last week Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was murdered under similar circumstances in Houston, Texas. In Florida, another man was struck by a semi-truck during yet another traffic stop this week. ICE has proven time and again, not only their disregard for basic human decency, but the unshackled danger they pose to the lives of every person in our nation. ICE is trying to fly under the radar once more by temporarily pausing traffic stops, but justice will not be achieved until we bring accountability to the murderer agents and the administrators who allow ICE to continue.
NHPA Events
Yesterday we hosted our very first monthly Bird-dog Community Calls. If you haven’t heard of it, bird-dogging is a tactic of strategically tracking the public appearances of political officials and candidates and publicly asking them hard questions which will force them to take a stance on an important issue on the record. This month’s call went fabulously and focused on designed questions we could ask Maura Sullivan, a war hawk and AIPAC endorsed candidate running in the democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District of NH.
Tomorrow, Saturday, July 18th, we are proud to be sponsoring the 2026 Disability Pride Parade and Festival: Every Body, Every Mind! Join us from 10 AM-1 PM at the State House Plaza in Concord, NH to enjoy a festive parade, a curated festival with sections of businesses and organizations tabling to represent issues of disability, advocacy, wellness, equity, youth/education, arts, and more, a speaker program, and music and entertainment. Learn more at: ablenh.org/parade/
Furthermore, on Sunday, the 19th we have two very exciting events to share! From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, on the State House Lawn in Concord, New Hampshire 50501 will be hosting Good Trouble Lives On to celebrate the history of protesting against injustice, featuring special guest, Representative Ro Khanna. Later that day, at 5:30 PM at West Street Ward House in Concord, Storyteller Andy Davis will be performing at a fundraiser for NHPA. Doors will open at 5:30 for a potluck dinner. We’ll provide the plates, napkins and silverware, you bring a dish to share! Full details and RSVP HERE.
News & Events – July 10, 2026
War on Iran
To lead with the bad news, war on Iran has been reignited once again by Donald Trump, who is claiming that peace negotiations are a “waste of time.” We are incredibly disappointed that the opportunities for peace presented by the ceasefire and negotiations have once again been thrown away. It is therefore more important than ever that when Congress returns to session next week, we continue to pressure them to reject increasing funding for these pointless wars.
The 119th Congress
As Congress has been in recess this week, there is no news on any legislative battles. Let us take the opportunity to reflect on how effective our advocacy has been and if there are lessons to be learned from it. From the start, advocating our policy desires to this Congress was going to be an uphill battle as the Republican party held majorities in both houses of Congress and was doing its best to facilitate the policies of the warmonger in the White House.
What is important, however, is that we have made staggering progress despite this. At the beginning of this Congress, support for Israel was a firm policy supported by both parties. However, over the course of the last two years we have broken through and communicated to our representatives how destructive Israeli wars are and how unpopular using our tax dollars to support them is. As of this summer, we are seeing unprecedented legislative support for bills to pull us out of Iran, to end aid to Israel, and to slash the Pentagon budget. These bills are being supported by legislators who have previously been considered strongholds of Israeli interest.
This is not to say our fight is over. The ongoing wars in Iran and Lebanon are proof of that. But it is to say against the odds, we are breaking through, that our fight is worth it, and even if we have to struggle for every inch, we can keep pushing. Soon, we will be electing a 120th Congress, and in this election we will have an even greater opportunity to bring in new members of Congress who will support our cause not solely out of our efforts to convince them, but because they are part of our peace movement.
Dr. Abu Safiya
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is a Palestinian doctor from the Gaza Strip currently being held in Israeli captivity without charge. Dr. Abu Safiya was a hero during the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Despite the lack of resources and electricity, Dr. Abu Safiya was able to nearly double the amount of patients being treated by the Kamal Adwan Hospital and refused to give in to Israeli demands that he abandon his hippocratic oath to treat all the sick and injured he could. He made it his mission to share the struggles of the Gazan people online to the world and continue to treat patients even as Israel repeatedly bombed the hospital. In 2024, Israel invaded the place of healing and has kept Abu Safiya imprisoned ever since. Dr. Abu Safiya’s treatment in prison, like many other Palestinians, has been full of abuse and according to his lawyers, his health has only continued to degrade. Our representatives must use their influence to demand that Israel release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the other prisoners held without charge.
Rémi Jacques, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – July 3, 2026
The Fourth of July
Tomorrow is the 4th of July, the day commemorating U.S. formal independence via the Declaration of Independence during the American Revolutionary War. Over the weeks leading up to our “250th National Birthday” President Trump has pushed the narrative that our nation’s spirit is inseparable from militarism, from hatred of the other in the immigrant and transgender communities, and in displays of empty grandeur via expensive military and fireworks displays. This sickening idea of America is unfortunately not an invention of the recent MAGA movement. The author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, was a slave owner. Trump’s favorite presidents, Andrew Jackson and William McKinley, respectively began a genocide against Native Americans in direct defiance of the Supreme Court and entered our nation into an era of imperialism still visible through colonial possessions like Puerto Rico and Guam.
Yet let us not despair, because the truth is that a nation’s spirit is more than what its government claims that it is. The U.S. was not simply born on the 4th of July, 1776, when 56 white men in a room in Philadelphia signed a piece of paper declaring it. Its beginning is not innately tied to any singular moment, let alone solely to fighting the war which ultimately created our government. In the years before the revolution, the people of colonies had already begun to resist British oppression, not violently, but through peaceful and democratic organization which drew upon the whole breadth of society, including women and children. Their most powerful tool was economic boycotting, a tactic which has survived throughout our history, becoming a tool of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s and a tool of our movement against Israel’s government now. Boycotts require strong community solidarity, and it is from that non-violent organization that the spark of an “American” spirit which valued democracy, freedom, and peace, was formed.
The U.S. is complex. True, it is filled with the darkness of misdeeds past and present, but paradoxically at the same time it contains beautiful ideals, ideals which have created moments of true freedom and liberation which cynicism could never deliver. Our nation is birthed in contradiction, between the oppression of slavery, native american genocide, and the disenfranchisement of women, and a dream of equality and self-determination. Even when things seem darkest, the dream can still shine through. So on this 4th of July, do not blindly forget the darkness in our history nor what our government does now, but do not give up our collective dreams of freedom, equality and solidarity.
News in Congress
This week we have mixed news out of the House of Representatives. Firstly, Rep. Tlaib’s Lebanon War Powers Resolution, H.Con.Res.108, did unfortunately fail, yet it garnered over 90 more votes than the previous Lebanon WPR, including both Reps. Goodlander and Pappas. You can call to thank them for voting yes this time. In regards to the House NDAA, the Committee on Rules is refusing to allow a vote on the amendment which would strike Section 219, the section giving Israel direct integration to the US military. We cannot allow this measure to pass. Votes on the House NDAA are delayed until July 13th. Please keep urging our Reps. and Senators to oppose any NDAA that leads to U.S.-Israel Military Integration.
Our Annual C4 Meeting
This past Sunday we had an incredibly successful NH Peace Action Annual C4 Meeting at Bear Brook Park in Allenstown, NH. We elected board members, met peace candidates running for office across NH, practiced birddogging candidates and sang songs of resistance to raise our spirits. Will Hopkins & Jesse Gillis BBQ’d with donated goods from Veterans For Peace. Here is a message from NH Peace Action endorsed CD2 candidate, Paige Beauchemin after the meeting.
Rémi Jacques, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – June 26, 2026
This Sunday, NH Peace Action will host its annual C4 gathering at Bear Brook Stake Park, 157 Deerfield Rd, in Allenstown from 12-4pm. Join us for BBQ by NH Veterans for Peace, a potluck luncheon, a singalong of songs of resistance and hope with Bob Moore, and the opportunity to meet candidates endorsed by the NH Peace Action C4, Karishma Manzur and Paige Beauchemin, as well as a few others AND our interns Rémi & Hazel, and new staff member Rachel. Read more and get tickets HERE. Note, we could use more side salads if you are coming!
On Tuesday, the Senate passed a War Powers Resolution about Iran, H.Con.Res.86, a resolution from both houses of Congress directing President Trump to end all hostilities with Iran. The legal power of this resolution is unclear, but the message it sends is powerful. In fact, it so affected Pres. Trump that he pushed to have another WPR brought forward and pressured several Republican Senators to change their votes, resulting in S.J.Res.185 failing in a vote on Wednesday night. The failure of S.J.Res.185, however, does not negate the success of H.Con.Res.86. We are glad that NH’s representatives all had the courage to stand up to war and vote for these resolutions. While real, tangible change is always our ultimate goal, these symbolic victories show that the political climate is shifting and send a strong message. This strategy made a significant difference in achieving a ceasefire in the war on Yemen, and we hope it will have a similar effect in this case.
Further evidence of major shifts in U.S. public opinion and politics came this week when progressive Democrats won three major victories in New York primaries.
Driven forward by their willingness to stand up to Israel, their demands for economic justice, and support from our popular movement and NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, these three candidates, Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander, and Claire Valdez defeated establishment Democrats in each of their primary elections. Fortunately, each of these congressional seats are solidly Democratic seats and thus these progressives are anticipated to win their general elections already!
I look forward to meeting many of you at the event on Sunday!
Rémi Jacques, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – June 12, 2026
In this past week we have seen how under the Trump administration the United States is increasingly one of the greatest threats to world peace. Legislatively, the House Armed Services Committee moved forward this year’s National Defense Authorization Act with yet another record breakingly large proposed military budget including Section 224, which would permanently and systemically integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries. As the bill moves forward into the House of Representatives and eventually the Senate during the coming weeks, we must mobilize and tell all of our representatives to stop this outrageous bill before even more blood is on the hands of our nation.
Rather than protecting peace, freedom, and democracy, a worldwide survey by the Alliance of Democracies found that the majority of people in 65 out of 84 countries surveyed named the United States as “the biggest threat to the world”. Under the ever oscillating and aggression-prone Trump administration fear of the U.S. is surpassing the perceived threat of long-time autocracies such as Russia and China. But even as the actions of our government become more and more concerning to us seeking to oppose the policies and to the international community abroad, we should not lose hope. At the same time, research by the Rockefeller Foundation is finding that support for international solidarity and collaboration on global issues such as finding peace, solving hunger, and stabilizing the climate are growing. When times are desperate, we are given an opportunity to reach those who may not have listened before and convince them that the status quo must go.
Peace & Pups!
Last Sunday, June 7th, NHPA tabled at the NH Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) PawsWalk in Stratham, NH. During this event, we saw many adorable dogs out and about with their families, fundraised by selling vintage peace pins and accepting generous community donations, and informed attendees on the impacts of war on the lives of animals and what they can do to join our movement to end destructive conflicts. When war and other crisis force people to flee their homes, animals are abandoned and funding is unavailable for shelters and veterinary clinics. We were glad to learn, however, that the work of groups such as SPCA International and Veterinarians Without Borders provides emergency rescue and medical care to animals in war zones. We are happy to say that the community at the PawsWalk was enthusiastically receptive to the cause of peace, not only as it related to animal welfare, but in its own right.
News & Events – June 5, 2026
Major news from the House of Representatives this week. H.Con.Res.86, Rep. Meek’s war powers resolution to cease US military action in Iran, was passed with bipartisan support. We are happy to say both NH Reps. voted for this bill and that Rep. Goodlander was one of 5 cosponsors. The bill will now go to the senate for a vote, which we are hopeful for after last week’s bipartisan support for S.J.Res 185, a similar war powers resolution regarding Iran. The increasing number of war powers resolutions reaching, and now passing, in Congress goes to show the impact that we can have when we organize in our democracy and show our representatives that peace matters to us. So thank you for all the work you’ve done, keep an eye out for the bills highlighted in the next Action Alert, and keep making your voices heard!
Unfortunately, H.Con.Res.84, Rep. Tlaib’s WPR seeking to stop the US from participating in Israel’s war on Lebanon, failed in the House in a vote of 92-324. We are sorry to report that both NH Reps. Pappas and Goodlander voted no. How do they justify voting to stop attacks on Iran, but are supportive of the destruction of Lebanon? We hope you will ask them. We plan to help build momentum on this issue so it will eventually pass just like the Iran WPR.
We are excited to announce the formation of our new NHPA Outreach Committee!
Do you enjoy connecting with others around peace and justice issues you care about?
Are you interested in building authentic relationships and joyful collaboration?
Do you want to help connect people to meaningful opportunities for action and education?
We’re forming a new Outreach Committee at NHPA, and we’d love for you to join us at our June kickoff meeting! Our first Outreach Committee Meeting is Thursday, June 18th from 7-8pm, via Zoom. Come help shape the Outreach Committee and meet others who want to build a more connected peace movement in New Hampshire. Let us not forget, as Joan Baez said: action is the antidote to despair.
What We’ll Do Together
Help plan welcoming new-member gatherings
Engage in one-on-one conversations with members and supporters
Table at events and reach out to new supporters
Grow collaborative relationships with aligned organizations
Speak to new audiences at diverse venues to broaden our movement
Create mentoring opportunities and leadership pathways
Mobilize people for campaigns, events, education, and fundraising
News & Events – May 29, 2026
Here on my last day of this internship, I’m leaving with a deeper sense of hope than when I first began in January. In the middle of so much heaviness in the world, this experience has reminded me how powerful community can be. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a thoughtful, supportive, and passionate group of activists, and to learn alongside all of you. Working with NH Peace Action has shown me that peace is something people choose to build together every day through organizing, educating, creating, and simply showing up for one another.
This week brought an important reminder of what grassroots people power can accomplish.
After massive public backlash and organizing from local residents, the proposed AI data center project in Nottingham was withdrawn an hour before the Planning Board meeting. Residents raised concerns about the environmental damage, water usage, and energy consumption large-scale AI infrastructure brings.
While organizers know this may not be the end of the fight, this is still a powerful example of what happens when we refuse to stay silent. This week in Nottingham showed that when people come together, they can force those in power to listen and act.
Yesterday, Congressman Meeks and Congresswoman Velázquez introduced a War Powers Resolution aimed at stopping unauthorized U.S. military action in Cuba. These WPRs are proving to be an effective way to push back against expanding U.S. warmaking and continue to gain support. The current WPRs on deck do not yet list our congressmembers as cosponsors. Let’s convince them to take a stand.
Call your reps and urge them to support WPR and oppose further illegal military escalation against Cuba!
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
Change has always come from us refusing to accept injustice as inevitable. That hope, solidarity, and collective action matter deeply – it pushes us forward and reminds us that a better world is possible. I’m incredibly thankful for everything I’ve learned through this experience, and I’m excited to share that I’ll also be returning this Fall to continue working with this deeply meaningful organization.
Thank you all for continuing to show up, organize, and believe in a more peaceful future!
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – May 22, 2026
As Memorial Day approaches, we choose again to remember the human cost of war. Too often, those in power use remembrance to justify endless militarism. We believe that honoring
those lost to war must also mean refusing to repeat its tragedies.
Many veterans, who know well the cost of war, are taking courageous, nonviolent action for a more peaceful and just world.
Antiwar veterans and organizers across the U.S. mobilized publicly against growing threats of war with Iran and against expanding ICE detention throughout the country. Veterans gathered alongside immigrant justice advocates to warn against repeating the catastrophic mistakes of past U.S. wars, emphasizing the devastating human costs of military escalation both abroad and domestically. Many speakers drew direct connections between endless war overseas and the expansion of surveillance, detention, and state violence here at home.
At the same time, dangerous rhetoric toward Cuba continues escalating. The recent indictment targeting Raúl Castro is being used to intensify hostility and threats against a country that poses no threat to the United States. We must reject the path of sanctions, regime change, and military confrontation before another preventable crisis spirals.
Call your reps with this simple message: “Speak out against the Trump Administration’s growing and unnecessary hostility towards Cuba. I do not want another war!”
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: (202) 224-2841 / (603) 647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
Learn and take more action for Cuba!
- Why We Must Stand Against U.S. Military Threats and War on Cuba: Wednesday June 3rd, 7:30pm EST, a national organizing call and action campaign opposing escalating U.S. hostility toward Cuba and calling for diplomacy over militarism.
- Organized by the International US-Cuba Normalization Conference Coalition
- Peace & Justice Conversations: Monday, June 1, 7-8 PM on Zoom NHPA hosts: U.S. Policy of Regime Change in Cuba with Peter Kornbluh, and William LeoGrande
This week, Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran War Powers Resolution passed a major Senate hurdle in a 50-47 vote to advance the legislation, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support. The resolution would require Congress to approve continued U.S. military action against Iran rather than allowing unchecked executive escalation. Meanwhile, House Republican leaders canceled the planned vote on Iran war powers, avoiding public challenge to Trump’s policies and aggressions towards Iran.
We peace advocates have organized tirelessly against another catastrophic war in the Middle East. These votes in favor of WPR show that persistent public pressure is making a difference.
This Memorial Day, may we remember those lost to war by renewing our commitment to diplomacy, justice, and a more peaceful future. The greatest way to honor those affected by war is to work toward a future where fewer lives are shaped by violence.
Thank you for being part of the movement!
- Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – May 8, 2026
Mother’s Day in the United States began not as a commercial holiday, but as a call for peace.
In 1870, abolitionist, suffragist, and anti-war activist Julia Ward Howe wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation in the wake of the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War, urging women across the world to organize against war and the destruction of human life. She envisioned Mother’s Day as an international day of resistance to militarism, violence, and political indifference. She wrote:
“We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies…We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: Disarm, Disarm!”
More than 150 years later, her words remain painfully relevant.
As civilians across the world continue to endure bombardment, displacement, starvation, and immense loss, communities across the world continue to demand an end to violence and U.S. complicity in war.
This week marks two years since the arrests of the Mothers’ Day 5 – five New Hampshire peace activists who participated in a nonviolent sit-in at Congressman Chris Pappas’ Dover office demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military support for Israel’s genocide.
After months of consistent vigils outside the office, constituents escalated their actions to make clear that New Hampshire communities would not remain silent in the face of mass civilian suffering. The activists were arrested with criminal trespassing charges.
Looking back two years later, what began as a local act of conscience has grown into a broader movement that has transformed public conversation around Palestine across New Hampshire. Vigils, educational events, coalition building, and direct action have kept this issue in public spaces. Communities across faiths and generations have come together to demand a foreign policy rooted in human dignity rather than endless war and violence.
Even as headlines shift, the movement continues.
Join us Sunday, May 10 at 10:00 AM for A Conversation with the Mothers’ Day 5 at the Community Church of Durham (17 Main St., Durham, NH). Hear Amy Antonucci, Em Freidrichs, Janet Simmon, Janet Zeller, and David Grishaw-Jones reflect on their 2024 nonviolent action, subsequent arrests, and the ongoing movement for Palestinian liberation and peace.
Flotilla Update:
Thiago Ávila and Saif Abu Keshek, activists apart of the Global Sumud Flotilla, continue to be held in Israel’s detention after their aid mission was intercepted. Their detention is a painful reminder of how even humanitarian efforts and calls for peace are being met with repression.
At the same time, thousands of Palestinians, including medical workers, journalists, and political prisoners, continue to face imprisonment and abuse while civilians in Gaza endure unimaginable suffering. These realities call on us to demand a better future for Palestinians rooted in peace and justice through continuing to organize and take action for their human dignity and freedom.
We encourage community members to continue contacting elected officials and demanding support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, an end to U.S. military funding and weapons transfers fueling this violence. You can also participate in local actions and vigils, support the BDS movement, and continue using your voice to speak out. For more actions you can do, see
http://qumsiyeh.org/whatyoucando.
This Mother’s Day, we honor everyone continuing to show up in their communities, refusing to look away from suffering and fighting for peace, justice, and our shared humanity.
- Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy
News & Events – May 1, 2026
May 1 marks May Day/International Workers’ Day, a global day of action rooted in resistance, solidarity, and the fight for dignity.
Organizers across the country are calling for “No school. No work. No shopping.” A collective pause to disrupt systems that depend on our participation.
Join us TODAY at the NH Statehouse from 11AM-1PM for a May Day Rally!
May Day traces its origins to the late 19th century, when workers across the United States organized for something we now take for granted: the eight-hour workday. Today, May Day is recognized worldwide as a symbol of worker power, international solidarity, and collective resistance.
This May Day arrives at a time of deep global uncertainty and violence, much of it paid for by our tax dollars. This drives up costs of living, deepens inequality, and diverts resources away from communities and into militarization. When governments prioritize military spending over human needs, working people pay the price. War and economic injustice are intertwined crises.
Last week we pointed out the deepening connections between the environmental and peace movements. Historically, May Day has brought together labor organizers, immigrant rights advocates, and peace activists into a shared struggle. That coalition is needed now.
We have been told that we need to funnel money into militarization because of the jobs it brings, which has driven a wedge between peace and labor movements. However, research continues to show us that investments in any other sector creates higher employment.
In a world where basic needs are too often pushed aside, May Day reminds us that change has always come from people refusing to accept things as they are. What began as a fight for the simple right to live beyond endless labor has only grown – stretching across borders, from workplaces to communities shaped by inequality and war today. Let’s speak up for policies that invest in human needs instead of militarization, and join or organize actions for justice and peace. What does solidarity look like in your community, and how can you be part of building it?
Thank you for being part of the movement.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – April 24, 2026
Earth Day invites us to pause and take in the beauty of this planet. Spring light returning, rivers running fuller, people reconnecting with the land beneath our feet. It is a moment for gratitude, but also for honesty. Protecting the Earth requires more than appreciation, it demands that we confront the systems placing it in harm’s way. Make sure to read until the end for our “Good News in the Peace Movement” section.
Too often, conversations about climate change leave out one of its most powerful drivers: militarization.
Over the past week, we hosted a Peace and Justice Conversation with Pat Hart of 350NH discussing the growing connections between the climate justice and peace movements.
Nearly 100 people attended a screening of Earth’s Greatest Enemy at the Red River Theater in Concord cosponsored by NHPA and others. Together, these events sharpened reflections on how the climate crisis and the machinery of war are deeply intertwined.
The U.S. military is now recognized as the world’s largest institutional polluter. It consumes more fuel annually than many entire countries, and is responsible for tens of millions of metric tons of carbon emissions each year. Since the start of the so-called “War on Terror,” U.S. military operations alone have emitted over 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases. Yet military emissions are often exempt from international climate agreements and remain largely outside public accountability.
Earth’s Greatest Enemy, a feature film project by Abby Martin, brought this reality into focus by highlighting the lasting damage to land, water, and communities across the globe. From contaminated groundwater to devastated ecosystems, the environmental cost of militarism is lived and experienced by many people in the world.
In conversation with Pat Hart, Youth Campaigns Organizer with 350NH, we explored how these impacts are inseparable from the broader climate crisis. The same systems driving fossil fuel dependence are also fueling conflict and instability. Watch the full conversation HERE.
Recent global tensions, including U.S. military action involving Iran, only reinforce this connection. Dependence on fossil fuels continues to shape foreign policy and escalate conflict, making the transition to renewable energy not just an environmental necessity, but a pathway toward de-escalation and long-term peace.
We also grappled with the unpredictable nature of violence and war. At its most extreme, it raises the risk of nuclear escalation. Even a limited nuclear exchange could trigger catastrophic climate effects, including global cooling and widespread crop failure, putting billions at risk. Climate justice and nuclear disarmament are inseparable in any vision of a livable future.
If we continue to invest in systems of war, we deepen both environmental and human insecurity. But if we invest instead in sustainability, equity, and care, a different future becomes possible.
Earth Day may have passed, but its message remains: protecting the planet means challenging the systems that put it at risk. Committing to a vision of peace allows both people and the Earth to thrive.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
**In our Action Alert on 4/21, we identified one of the JRDs as SJ Res. 38 when it was actually SJ Res. 32. We apologize for the mistake.
News & Events – April 17, 2026
Major votes in the U.S. Senate and House happened this week – War Powers Resolutions and two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval. We are pleased (and surprised) to report all our reps voted yes on all of these! This is a major development that our work together has helped bring about! See more details at the end in “Good News in the Peace Movement.”
As we wrap up our taxes this week, we ask: what is our money funding?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2026 allocates $1,000,000,000,000 to the Pentagon, with a proposed $1,500,000,000,000 for FY2027. These absurdly massive budgets passed with little opposition from either party.
Our tax dollars are consistently directed toward militarization over human need. As Pres. Trump put it, “We’re a big country. We’re fighting wars. We can’t take care of day care… We have to take care of one thing: military protection.” These statements show that funding war over healthcare, housing, and childcare is a purely a political choice.
Behind these inflated budgets are real human consequences.
In the U.S., the infrastructure for war is quietly maintained through the Selective Service System. Men ages 18-26 are already required to register, but starting this December, registration will become automatic through a provision in the latest NDAA defense bill. Using pre-existing government data, this change quietly removes even the minimal barrier of individual action, normalizing the expectation that future generations will be called to serve in war.
The draft has not been used since the Vietnam War, but the system remains ready. In a time of rising global tensions, that preparation speaks volumes.
For those who do serve, the impacts of war don’t end when they return home. Veterans face some of the highest rates of trauma, moral injury, and suicide in the country. These are not isolated tragedies, it is a broader human cost of militarization.
As U.S. military spending grows, so does our support for violence abroad, especially within Palestine.
On March 30, 2026, the Israeli Knesset passed a new death penalty law targeting Palestinians. It removes key legal protections, allows execution by majority decision, and mandates death by hanging within 90 days. It operates within a system where Palestinians are tried in military courts with conviction rates around 96%, often based on coerced confessions.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, warn that this law deepens an already discriminatory, two-tiered system. At the same time, reports continue to document the deaths of Palestinians in detention due to torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Additionally, peaceful protests within Israel have increasingly been met with repression.
Violence, dehumanization, and racist legal structures do not make anyone safer. Yet, U.S. support of Israel remains largely unconditional and billions in military aid continue to flow.
If we are serious about peace, we must be serious about where our money goes.
Why are we investing trillions in war while basic needs go unmet? Why do we continue funding violence abroad while communities at home struggle? And why the silence from elected officials in the face of clear human rights violations?
Congress is still likely to see a $200 billion supplemental appropriations bill for war, on top of the military budget. Our NH representatives must vote NO on this increase and invest in their own communities. ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR PETITION HERE!
We must refuse to accept endless war as inevitable – and challenge the systems that fund and sustain it. This means continuing to speak out against policies that harm communities abroad and at home, demanding accountability from those in power, and organizing together.
A more peaceful future is possible, and it starts with our action. Thank you for being part of the movement,
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – April 3, 2026
State Secretary Rubio suggested that if Iran “spent billions on its people instead of weapons” the country would look very different. Yet, Pres. Trump argued that “We can’t take care of daycare. We’re a big country. We’re fighting wars. It’s impossible for us to take care of daycare, Medicaid, Medicare, all these things.” The U.S. criticizes other nations for prioritizing military spending, while making the same contradictory tradeoffs at home. This past weekend delivered a clear message to the Trump Administration: Granite Staters are ready to stand up for peace and democracy. Make sure to read until the end of the “Good News in the Peace Movement” section!
At Saturday’s No Kings Rally in Concord, roughly 3,000 people came together in a powerful show of solidarity. That energy carried across the state, with 51 actions taking place in communities throughout New Hampshire – direct evidence of a growing, people-driven movement. To support these efforts, we sent 52 trained peacekeepers to 5 locations to help ensure events remained safe and grounded in nonviolence. This momentum in our state reflects an ongoing broader national shift, as more people reject endless war and instead call for investment in our communities.
Meanwhile, NH Peace Action continues regular visits to the offices of Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas, plus ongoing outreach to Senator Hassan, making sure they hear directly from constituents pushing for peace-centered policies.
While all four have questioned Trump’s reasons for his war on Iran, their voting records tell a more complicated story. Rep. Pappas has backed major defense and foreign aid packages that include tens of billions in military assistance to Israel. Rep. Goodlander’s unconditional support of Israel might be changing as we noted her cosponsorship of H.Con.Res.38. In the Senate, Sen. Shaheen has supported efforts to block or review some weapons transfers to Israel, citing growing humanitarian concerns and the need for greater oversight. Sen. Hassan, by contrast, has generally opposed those efforts, continuing to support unconditional military aid.
At the same time, discussions continue around a proposed $200 billion supplemental funding request tied to military operations involving Iran. NH Peace Action remains committed to holding our delegation accountable, ensuring that their votes and policy decisions align with the people. We’ve recently launched a petition urging Congress to oppose this massive funding request and prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation over war. SIGN OUR PETITION HERE!
Through lobbying, community organizing, and peacekeeping, NH Peace Action is building a culture of nonviolence and accountability.
In Peace and Solidarity, Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – March 20, 2026
In a moment dominated by headlines of war, there are still countless and steady efforts working toward peace. Make sure to read until the end for our Good News in the Peace Movement section!
Even in the shadow of conflict, leaders and communities are truly working to de-escalate tensions and build meaningful, sustainable conversations regarding urgent crises. In places like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaders and civil society are engaging in diplomacy and peace talks to reduce violence and ease tensions, including through recent meetings aimed at coordinated de‑escalation in eastern Congo. China is working to help Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and restraint, calling for ceasefires and face‑to‑face talks.
In the Middle East, even as conflict intensifies with the U.S./Israel War on Iran, countries and coalitions are pushing for ceasefires and renewed negotiations. Canada has called for coordinated global diplomacy to prevent further escalation, while regional actors like Turkey continue behind-the-scenes efforts to support dialogue.
These efforts don’t always make headlines, but they matter. They show that peace is something built through persistence, trust, and a willingness to choose connection over control. Even in the most difficult conditions, the work of diplomacy continues – not just to resolve individual conflicts, but to lay the foundation for a more peaceful and interconnected world. Each act of dialogue, each step toward de-escalation, contributes to a broader global movement that reminds us peace is not only possible, but already in progress.
At the same time, the United States is facing a critical choice. Reports of a potential $200 billion war supplemental for Pres. Trump’s war on Iran sends us in the opposite direction. At a moment when so many around the world are investing in diplomacy, we could also embrace the reality that lasting peace is NOT built through war.
Earlier this month, civil rights leader Bernard Lafayette, founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and nonviolence strategist died. Learn about and remember him through Kazu Haga’s article in Waging Nonviolence.
In peace and solidarity,
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – March 13, 2026
In a week that brought us so much devastating news, NH Peace Action was glad to stand and speak with so many people who object to the current violence our government is choosing to engage in.
We were gratified by the strong turn out at our War on Iran Rally this past Sunday. Over 200 people attended. We heard from excellent speakers, shared in great music and appreciated being together – and landed on the front page of the Concord Monitor the following day. One of our board members was featured in the story “NH military veterans join nationwide anti-Iran war protests.” I was also invited to speak at the Seacoast Unity Hub in Portsmouth on March 10. My message about the connections between domestic and foreign policy and how to challenge the militarism that allows authoritarians such as Pres. Trump to stay in power was well received. Vigils reported strong turn out and positive responses. Our two online programs looked at some of the bigger picture issues. Joseph Gerson discussed global power dynamics between the U.S. and China, and Leo Sandy helped us question the inevitability of conflict and offered philosophical and educational resources to help us build a culture of peace.
Please help us continue to spread the word and pressure our representatives to listen to us. Write a Letter to the Editor (send a copy to info@nhpeaceaction.org, click here to see guidelines and resources) and call your reps offices. You can thank all of NH’s reps for last week’s votes for the War Powers Resolutions. However, there is not a clear commitment among the democratic representatives to oppose the war funding bills we expect to see soon. We must convince them that it is NOT acceptable to say they don’t want war and then vote to use billions of taxpayer dollars to fund it anyway.
See below for contact info, many great upcoming events, and this week’s good news story.
Amy Antonucci, NH Peace Action Education Fund board chair
Keep calling your senators and representatives
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
News & Events – March 6, 2026
It has been a heartbreaking week. We remember Joan Baez’s words that “action is the antidote to despair” and offer these options:
Please join us this Sunday, March 8, 1-2 PM at City Plaza in Concord for a No War On Iran Rally! Let’s tell our government to end the senseless bombing of Iran and prevent a wider war. Scroll to our events section for more info.
At a moment of rapid escalation, it is essential that people of conscience continue to speak out. The United States has already spent decades and trillions of dollars on wars in the Middle East, with devastating consequences for civilians abroad and communities here at home.
War Powers Resolutions were voted on this week. Both were defeated this time: Senate: 53-47; House of Representatives: 219-212. All NH reps voted yes, as we had urged them to.
The public is tired of forever wars. We cannot afford – economically, environmentally or morally, another multi-trillion-dollar mistake in the Middle East.
In the midst of all of this and for the first time in decades, a U.S. president is threatening to restart nuclear weapons testing. Past U.S. nuclear tests in places like Nevada and the Marshall Islands have left generations with cancer, contaminated land, and deep injustice that has never been fully addressed. Additionally, there is no military necessity for explosive nuclear testing, and restarting it would signal that the US is willing to reignite the global nuclear arms race.
Congress has the power to block any funding that could be used for new nuclear weapons tests, and we must ensure that our elected leaders stop Trump from dragging us into a disastrous global arms race. NH Peace Action has signed on to Back From the Brink and ReThink Media’s joint digital action focused on preventing President Trump from restarting explosive nuclear testing.
You can real all about it and take action today!
News & Events – February 13, 2026
“Justice is what love looks like in public.” – Cornel West
This Valentine’s Day, let it be known: love is not passive. As militarism escalates abroad and repression expands at home, it is our compassion for humanity that compels us to act. This week, there are urgent opportunities to push back against war with Iran, defend immigrant communities here in New Hampshire, and demand nuclear restraint. Read until the end for our “Good News in the Peace Movement” segment!
Last week a U.S. aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea, just days before Iranian and U.S. officials were scheduled to meet for nuclear talks. Conversations are now ongoing, however, President Trump is considering more lethal strikes on Iran – including assassinations of Iranian leaders. Meanwhile, P.M. Netanyahu has been welcomed to the White House where he is pressuring Trump to escalate and risk a region-wide war.
The American public does not want this. A recent poll found that 70% of voters oppose military action against Iran. Military intervention will NOT bring freedom to the Iranian people.
Take action today!
Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the Kaine-Paul War Powers Resolution.
Urge your Representative to support the Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
Here at home, Gov. Kelly Ayotte continues coordinating with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security around the proposed “human being facility” in Merrimack, despite widespread concern and pushback from residents in the town and across the state. Granite Staters are organizing town halls, demanding transparency, and standing with our immigrant communities targeted by this administration. We refuse to let New Hampshire become a staging ground for detention and deportation.
On a global scale, the New START treaty expired on February 5, leaving no binding limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than half a century. Pres. Putin has indicated that Russia will continue observing the treaty’s limits as long as the U.S. does the same, a reminder that restraint and diplomacy remain possible. Meanwhile, we are excited to note that 50 members of Congress (but none from NH) have signed onto H. Res. 317 calling for a comprehensive and realistic approach to reducing nuclear danger. Now is the time for our government to recommit to arms control and prevent a new arms race in our fragile global political climate.
Peace requires our participation. Thank you for being part of this movement – together, our actions show that compassion and love can always overcome hate.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – February 6, 2026
We need our community to act fast.
A resolution is being brought before the New Hampshire House today: HR 34, frames Sharia law an “existential threat” to New Hampshire and the U.S. This resolution is Islamophobic, and it must be challenged. There is no evidence of Sharia law ever being enforced in U.S. states, and existing religious practices fall within constitutional protections for religious freedom. The language used in HR 34 stigmatizes and discredits our Muslim communities.
A public hearing on HR 34 will take place TODAY at 10:30AM at the State House. If you are unable to attend in person, written testimony can be submitted online until midnight: Submit your testimony HERE: https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
Peace requires resisting fear-based policy and standing up for the dignity and rights of all members of our communities. Read more about the nature of the bill HERE.
Recent developments in nuclear diplomacy and foreign influence showcase the stakes for global peace. The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to meet today in Oman to discuss nuclear powers, after several Middle Eastern leaders urgently lobbied the Trump administration not to walk away. Trump had previously canceled the negotiation on Wednesday over disputes in the agenda, prompting fear of U.S. military action. Dialogue, patience, and respect are essential to advance lasting peace, not intimidation or threats.
Progress on New START offers another step towards security: the U.S. and Russia may be moving toward an agreement to continue observing New START,which expired yesterday. Negotiations have recently taken place, though any agreement would still require approval from both presidents. While no formal announcement has been made and skepticism is appropriate, this development represents a potential step away from an unconstrained nuclear arms race.
NH Peace Action is happy to have signed onto a 70-organization letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice calling for a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) investigation into the Canary Mission.
Introduced by Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Action, the letter cites investigative reporting suggesting that Canary Mission is engaged in undisclosed foreign coordination to influence U.S. political discourse by targeting individuals who oppose Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians or criticize the IDF. Canary Mission intimidates students, academics, and activists for their beliefs – therefore discouraging open, nonviolent political engagement. The DOJ’s National Security Division has confirmed receipt of the submission, and indicated it is under review to determine whether it raises a FARA issue. Click here to read the full letter!
Peace is built through showing up, speaking out, and holding our leaders accountable at every level. Thank you for continuing to take action with NH Peace Action.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Intern
News & Events – January 30, 2026
The start of 2026 has already tested our attention and our values. Headlines move quickly, crises overlap, and sometimes it feels impossible to keep track of everything going on. NH Peace Action is here to cut through that noise, and show that a peaceful future is achievable. Scroll to the end for our “Good News in the Peace Movement” segment.
Today, people across the country are participating in a National Shutdown to confront ICE’s escalating terror against our communities. This past week, we’ve witnessed deadly violence and an increasing ICE presence around the country. We are happy to say that both Sen. Shaheen and Sen. Hassan voted to block more funding towards the DHS, but the fight is far from over. As violence and unrest escalate, strikes remain one of our most powerful nonviolent tools. When done collectively, they disrupt unjust systems at their economic core.
On February 4, the New START treaty, the last remaining agreement limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, is set to expire. Its existence has helped prevent an arms race for decades. The Doomsday Clock reminds us how close we are to global catastrophe, and letting this treaty slip pushes the hands even closer to midnight. Our leaders should NOT choose militarization over diplomacy, especially when the stakes are existential.
Tuesday’s (2/3) Action Alert will outline action you can take, but for now speak up and spread the word. Contact your representatives, and demand that they publicly support arms control and diplomatic solutions.
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- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
One story getting lost in the headlines: Venezuelan oil has quietly come under U.S. control, with 500 million dollars sold and transferred overseas to a Qatari bank – without any congressional oversight. This continues a long-standing pattern of extractive, profit-driven foreign policy under the Trump administration that undermines our democracy. Our involvement in Venezuela only serves U.S. interests, not the Venezuelan people and their rights.
NHPA continues to invest in nonviolence through multiple education series and our Peacekeeper Project, learn more here: https://nhpeaceaction.org/nh-peace-keeper-project/
At a time when repression is increasing, these skills protect communities and keep movements grounded in compassion.
Our world’s problems demand action, not violence. Thank you for helping us create a more peaceful world.
Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – January 23, 2026
As the new year advances, our community continues to take bold and passionate steps towards peace and justice. Read on for updates and the continuation of our new section, Good News in the Peace Movement.
This past Saturday, NH Peace Action participated in a global day of action to say NO to war in Venezuela and beyond. Despite snowy weather, we saw 25+ people turn out to the Statehouse. This outstanding presence, despite the conditions, sends a direct message to our Congress: we are united, organized, and unwilling to accept a future that does not value peace. We thank everyone who participated in Saturday’s rally and all who continue to move this work forward.
As the work in the peace movement continues, NHPA leadership is also preparing for what comes next. Last week, NH Peace Action Education Fund held a Board retreat to reflect on 2025’s accomplishments and challenges to prepare for 2026. These conversations and strategies are grounded in a shared understanding that peace work is critical in our current moment, amid escalating militarism and deepening global crises. We are moving forward with clear intention, purposeful organizing, and strategic action for peace throughout this year.
Yesterday, January 22, marked the 5th anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) going into force. While governments around the world modernize and expand nuclear arsenals, this treaty offers an alternative path without nuclear powers, emphasizing security, respect for international law, and humanity. Learn more about TPNW HERE.
The significance of this moment is heightened as the last remaining nuclear arms treaty (New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire on February 4, 2026. For nearly four decades, this agreement has helped limit nuclear threats and reduce the risk of catastrophic conflict. Its uncertain future puts all of us at greater risk. Ninety-one percent of those polled in the U.S. want our government to negotiate with Russia to continue or even further limit nuclear arms – we are the majority!
This week, we will be emphasizing calls and advocacy on this issue, with more information and action coming in Tuesday’s Action Alert and Thursday’s event. Learn more HERE.
Keep calling your senators and representatives and urge them to support peaceful initiatives and oppose nuclear escalation. War doesn’t benefit our world – it puts us all at risk.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
- Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
News & Events – January 16, 2026
NHPA remains committed to justice, nonviolence, and people-powered change. This past week brought urgent developments both at home and abroad, reminding us all why public pressure and collective action matter. Scroll to the end for our Good News in the Peace Movement segment.
This week, Senate Republicans blocked the War Powers Resolution that would have required congressional approval for further military action in Venezuela in a narrow 51-50 vote.
What matters is how the vote unfolded. Earlier in the week, five Republicans had joined Democrats to advance the resolution, signaling growing concern in Congress over unchecked executive military power. The tie only occurred after two GOP Senators were pressured under pressure to flip their votes. The need to arm‑twist votes and bring in Vice Pres. Vance shows the administration’s vulnerability – and that organized public advocacy is making an impact.
At the same time, tension remains high as the U.S. threatens military escalation in nations like Greenland and Iran.
On Saturday, January 17th at 3 p.m., NH Peace Action, NH Veterans for Peace and other groups will hold a rally at the Statehouse as part of a global day of action to Stop The War on Venezuela.
State-sponsored violence continues at home. The murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has sparked nationwide outrage and protests.
Here in NH, concerns intensified after a facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire was listed as a possible site for a new ICE processing center. Hundreds of NH residents protested outside of the Merrimack Town Hall, the strong public response in NH reflects growing national concern of expanded ICE operations amid a pattern of escalated violence.
Call your Congress members and tell them that we oppose an ICE facility in our state and demand accountability and transparency regarding the murder of Renee Nicole Good.
News & Events – January 9, 2026
As U.S. foreign policy escalates towards Venezuela and threatens other nations, NH Peace Action is reaffirming our stance: with the people of Venezuela and with the principle that peace can never be built through domination or profit-driven warfare. While headlines highlight violence and despair, we also know that people-powered victories are happening too. Scroll to the end for our new segment: Good News in the Peace Movement.
As said by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible.” Yet once again, U.S. leaders are instead choosing coercion over cooperation and threatening the very fabric of our democracy.
For years, U.S. policies towards Venezuela have contributed to instability and suffering, while doing little to advance human rights or democracy in the nation. Sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and attacks on vessels have contributed to economic collapse, widespread food insecurity, and millions in need of humanitarian assistance long before the recent U.S. invasion. These outcomes are not inevitable; they are the direct result of political decisions made without respect for humanity.
Back home, we are confronting that same disregard for humanity. We mourn the loss of Renee Nicole Good who was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Her death is a devastating reminder that systems built on violence inevitably harm everyone. There will be a candlelight vigil held this evening at 5:30pm at the Statehouse, see the events section for info.
The Trump administration’s use of domination and intimidation does not create peace. Collective punishment and military escalation are not tools of justice, they are violations of domestic and international law.
A just and lasting peace requires diplomacy, international cooperation, and respect for self-determination. And that’s where we come in.
Right now, we need you to raise your voice. NH Peace Action has been recognized for the powerful impact of our Letters to the Editor, and this moment demands that same public pressure. Write a Letter to the Editor to your local paper and tell them your thoughts on U.S. aggression in Venezuela, ICE’s misuse of power, ongoing support of Israeli violence and more. Please send a copy to info@nhpeaceaction.org, and be sure to mention NH legislators by name so they are urged to take notice. Click here to see guidelines and resources for writing and submitting your Letter.
Yesterday, the Senate advanced a War Powers Resolution by a 52-47 vote that would limit Pres. Trump’s ability to carry out further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. We are happy to say both NH Senators voted in favor, but the job is not over. A full vote is expected next week, and now is the time to make your voice heard.
Keep calling your senators and representatives and urge them to support War Powers Resolution, oppose sanctions and military escalation that harm civilians, and demand a shift toward diplomacy and human rights.
As we continue our work, we are also excited to welcome new energy to our team.
My name is Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, and I am an intern with NH Peace Action Education Fund this semester! I’m a junior at UNH Manchester studying Public Relations, with a focus on nonprofit management. Peace and nonviolence have guided my life, whether it be through organizing, mutual aid, or simply refusing to accept injustice as inevitable. This is a daunting time for the peace movement, but that is exactly why I’m so eager to get involved.
This spring, I will be supporting NHPA with their Tuesday Action Alerts and Friday Newsletter (which you are reading now!), helping to provide grounded context and opportunities for action for our readers. Additionally, I’ll be helping with event planning and community tabling to talk with folks around New Hampshire about peace and justice. I am deeply grateful to be learning from and organizing alongside this committed community, and I’m thrilled to help turn our shared values into collective action in the months ahead!
In solidarity and with peace, Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, NH Peace Action Education Fund Intern
News & Events – January 2, 2026
As we enter a new year, NH Peace Action will continue to work for a world that solves problems without war and violence, honors the dignity of all people, and extends that respect to the planet we live on.
This is a daunting moment in history. People with power seem determined to use it to destroy. They want a world of more nuclear weapons and testing, expanding wars, genocide and police states, and unending extraction of our planet’s “resources.” They do not seem to notice or care about the consequences, but we know that allowing militarism and its associated environmental disasters to continue means we accept a short, grim future for humans and many other species.
We also know that there are many people like us working for a different vision. As John Lennon said: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” (Although calling us naive dreamers is backwards while these politicians tell us war leads to peace and destruction is progress. They are the ones who need a reality check, not us, let’s not forget that!)
If you need to remember that we are not alone and not powerless, we suggest reading 10 Good Things That Happened in 2025 by Medea Benjamin. If you haven’t yet, look at Rivera Sun’s report: Unprecedented: 2025 In Review A Special Report from Nonviolence News on Resisting Authoritarians & Corruption plus her more recent: ]Renewables Rising, Ecosystems Rebounding – Some Surprising Good News For The Planet in 2025.
If you want to become an even more strategic activist, please join us for our winter book study of “This is an Uprising,” and our many other programs that aim to educate and empower all who are building the peace and anti-authoritarian movements that CAN bring the changes we need.
We know there are many moments of despair and heartbreak. We invite you to our Work That Reconnects online and in-person programs in January to help with that. We also remember that: “People have always been good at imagining the end of the world, which is much easier to picture than the strange sidelong paths of change in a world without end.” -Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power
We will also continue to keep you informed about ways you can advocate and act for more peaceful and just U.S. policies.
They are back in DC – keep calling and asking for a more peaceful U.S. foreign policy in the new year!
News & Events – December 26, 2025
It’s our last Friday Newsletter for 2025! As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting.
We know that from many angles this was a distressing year… but that’s not the only story. We quote Rivera Sun from Unprecedented: 2025 In Review A Special Report from Nonviolence News on Resisting Authoritarians & Corruption: “”In retrospect, 2025 was not a great year for authoritarians. This may sound surprising – it’s certainly true that they were causing suffering in far too many nations around the globe – but more importantly, authoritarians faced consequences and challenges from an unprecedented wave of movements. From Serbia to Peru, leaders who abused their power were met with unrelenting resistance. From the Philippines to Ukraine, corruption is being challenged. From Bulgaria to Morocco, economic austerity is facing youth-led opposition. From Hungary to the United States, authoritarians are being thwarted by people-powered movements.”
We want to express our gratitude to the many people and organizations that joined and supported us over this challenging year.
Our many wonderful speakers who gave their time and expertise to help us further understand the problems and become more effective advocates: Joseph Gerson, David Hartsough, Peter Beinart, Megan Chapman, Janet Simmon, Janet Zeller, Em Friedrichs, David Grishaw-Jones, Alicia Sanders-Zakre, Weldon Nisly, Rebecca Shoot, Elizabeth Hyunsook Cho, Solby Lim, Lincoln Rice, Kali Rubaii, Tim Nafziger, Kaylie Efstratiou, Eadie Pitino, Devlin Wilson, Harris Gruman, Lefty Morrill, Kazu Haga, Kevin Blanchette, Isaac Evans-Frantz, Jackie Cabasso, Michael Dwyer, Chuck Gomez, Joel Berman, Nancy Jo Chabot, Scott Dickman, Barbara Peterson, Lilly Dragnev, Miko Peled, Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Sarah Augustine, Noam Perry, Bob Sanders, Jeremy Love, Ambassador Chas Freeman, Kate Zale, Issa Amro, Rep. Ellen Read, and David Blair.
To every one of you who answered our calls to action, vigiled & rallied, wrote letters to the editor, acted as peacekeepers at one or more of the 45 actions the NH Peacekeeper Project went to this year, gave your time, energy and money to NH Peace Action and the peace movement in general. We are glad to provide structure to the work, but it is only when all of you add your voice in whatever way you can that we make any progress. (On January 12 we will have a program further assessing our work last year and looking ahead.)
We also remember the inspiring activists we lost this year (or so): Susan Ohler Bliss, John Lamperti, Roger Burkhart, Jane Lemeland, David Hartsough, Jackie Cleary, Bill McCarthy, Paul Cox, and Joanna Macy. Presente!
Thanks also to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Hickory Fund and The Clowes Fund for helping support our work this year, and to John Lamperti’s family for a donation that will help establish a youth internship program starting in January 2026. By far, our biggest source of funding is from all of you, our members and friends – thank you! If you would like to make an end of year donation to help us continue the work in 2026, you may do so HERE.
Gratefully, The Boards and staff of NH Peace Action Education Fund & NH Peace Action:
NHPA Ed Fund (C3): Amy Antonucci, Chair, Jonie LaBombard, Secretary, Kaylie Efstratiou, Treasurer, Sandra Yarne, Chris Hansen, Paul Krautmann, Scott Dickman, Garrett Walker, Jesse Gillis.
NHPA (C4): Bill Maddocks, Chair & Treasurer, Janet Simmon, Sara Smith, Elisabeth Bialosky, Doug Bogen, Scott Dickman, Amy Antonucci
News & Events – December 19, 2025
This time of year, many people are preparing for celebrations. With family and friends, religious or secular, it is a time with loved ones, good food, gifts and travel all meant to bring joy to our lives. We hope that is true for all of you reading this!
However, in many places in the world, especially the “Holy Land,” war and violence means people have little to celebrate and few ways to do so. No feasting or gifts, trapped and mourning loved ones. The U.S. is too often directly or indirectly responsible for this violence. Meanwhile, in the U.S. many struggle to celebrate in the face of hardship: hunger, homelessness, lack of access to basic needs and safety.
The resources that we divert to war and militarism could instead be used for the good of the people of the U.S. and beyond. We know you are with us in opposing this status quo. Change is possible. It is up to all of us to make it happen and we are glad to do that work together with all of you. Keep reading for timely action you can take, and a lot of events to join in.
We hope that the coming days and long nights bring you joy, love, rest and rejuvenation as we all experience the larger cycles of the planet, our beautiful home.
UPDATE: Our work to avert a U.S. war on Venezuela continues. H Con Res 64 came close to passing this week, and both NH Reps Goodlander & Pappas voted for it. Please thank them! We also learned that 60 NH state representatives signed a letter opposing “any potential move toward U.S. military involvement in Nigeria and Venezuela” and sent it to our delegation in DC. You can see it here. And we can follow up their work with our own calls.
TO DO: S. J. Res 98, Senator Kaine’s War Powers legislation, to “direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela” could come up for a vote at any time. There’s also a new War Powers Resolution: S.J.Res.100. Both should be supported by our Senators. Call NOW and keep calling!
News & Events – December 12, 2025
The NH Peacekeeper Project (a project of the NH Peace Action Education Fund) held back to back training sessions on December 6. Twelve people completed the Peacekeeping 101 training workshop led by Leanne Tigert, Nancy Jo Chabot and Bill Maddocks. These community volunteers will be paired with experienced peacekeepers and will hit the streets for their first peacekeeping assignments in the coming weeks. We now have more than 140 Active trained peacekeepers in our roster.
Also on December 6th, eighteen experienced peacekeepers participated in a three hour Advanced Peacekeeper training session led by Ken Barnes, Bill Maddocks and Arnie Alpert. Through dynamic roleplays peacekeepers explored new challenges that may be encountered at demonstrations, visibilities and other actions where we provide peacekeeping including interaction with armed paramilitary and ICE agents. Arnie Alpert led a fascinating session on the history and philosophy of nonviolent action from Jesus, to Gandhi and King and Gene Sharp. Arnie reminded us that while we hear much in the media about political violence there is far more political nonviolence occurring through the massive No Kings and 50501 rallies nationally and in NH and the thousands who are resisting ICE kidnapping and other assaults on our communities. He underscored how nonviolence is not passive response to oppression but the active and energetic application of tactics that resist the forces of repression.
Arnie also shared a powerful resource from Jamila Raqib of the Albert Einstein Institution. The playbook of every successful nonviolent struggle lays out four steps that “enable us to think holistically about nonviolent resistance — a powerful tool in the fight for democracy and human rights”. These steps are: 1. Assess the situation to understand the conflict landscape, 2. Build the power to carry out effective action, 3. Act to shift power and 4. Defend our wins to ensure long-term resilience.
This has been a challenging and interesting year of growth for the NH Peacekeeper Project. We are grateful for the commitment of our peacekeepers, the organizations that ask us to assist them in their actions and the donor and wider community of support that have helped us meet this moment with nonviolent action.
Bill Maddocks, NH Peacekeeper Project Coordinator
News & Events – December 5, 2025
NH Peace Action stands against aggressive military actions in Venezuela! Take action with us: Call your reps – info below – and join the rally this Saturday!
Pres. Trump’s rhetoric continues to escalate. He has now promised land strikes inside Venezuela “very soon.”
We urge you to question our government’s motives. Is this really about drugs? Fentanyl is not coming into the US via Venezuela, and there is no evidence that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro runs a drug ring. Meanwhile, Pres. Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras who was convicted in the U.S. as a central figure in a 18-year-long drug-trafficking scheme that brought over 400 tons of cocaine into the US.
Venezuela does have the world’s largest known oil reserves and some rare earth minerals. How many in the US really want to risk the lives of Americans and 28 million Venezuelans in another blood for oil quagmire? Polls show a majority do not.
The US military buildup in the Caribbean is an unnecessary and dangerous provocation. The United States has no legal authority to attack Venezuela or overthrow its government. All the attacks on the alleged “drug boats” are illegal. The U.S. government declaring a no-fly zone aims to give them permission to shoot down Venezuelan aircraft now as well.
Congress must assert its Constitutional authority by passing a War Powers Resolution (WPR) to stop the Trump Administration’s violence. There have been two WPRs, which came very close to passing. We are pleased that NH Senators Shaheen & Hassan voted for the WPRs.
Just days ago H Con Res 64 was introduced in the House by Rep. McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Massie (R-KY), and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX). We need our NH Reps Pappas and Goodlander to sign on as cosponsors!
This should not be a difficult action for them. Let’s push hard for them to sign on!
Your message can be as simple as:
For Reps: “My name is ___ and I’m calling from ___ NH. I do not want the US involved in another unnecessary foreign war. Sign on to H Con Res 64 and any other legislation that could avert this tragedy.”
News & Events – November 28, 2025
Greetings on the day after Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a complicated holiday. For some it is a cherished day of the year, spent with family and friends celebrating what one has to be grateful for while not being overwhelmed with consumerism. For others it is a Day of Mourning, a day symbolizing the horrors of genocidal settler colonialism and highlighting tragic losses. I will venture to say that for most of us we think about all of these things.
The ability to hold many feelings and truths simultaneously does not seem to be something we are comfortable with in this country, but it is our reality – always, and particularly in these extreme times.
We are grateful for food, warm clothes as the weather turns colder, shelter and the comforts of a home. We are grateful to live in relative peace and to have a voice in how our society operates and rights that are often respected – although those are not as robust as they should be, and are not applied equally. We are acutely aware that many abroad and some in our midst do not have as much, and we do not want to take any of it for granted.
We are also grateful for a peace movement that is growing stronger, a vigorous resistance to authoritarianism blossoming in the US, the demise of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, fewer bombs falling on Gaza than last November, and a massive shift in public opinion in support of human rights for Palestinians.
In NH we were glad to see Senator Shaheen release a statement of concern about Pres. Trump’s meeting with Mohammed bin Salman and sign a letter to block nuclear testing. Both Senators Shaheen and Hassan voted yes on S.J.Res.90, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela. Congresswoman Goodlander was one of six representatives to release a video reminding members of the US military that they are obligated to refuse illegal orders. Congressman Pappas signed on as a cosponsor of H.Res 473, Calling for the urgent delivery and disbursement of humanitarian aid to Gaza and HR 5894, The RESTRAIN Act, to prohibit explosive testing of nuclear weapons conducted by the United States.
We are especially grateful today for all of you who make up our organization and movement – your work matters!
Is any of this enough? No. There remains a daunting list of problems to address when it comes to US foreign policy. But the above actions, along with many others the past couple of years, prove that change can happen and that we are able to move our elected officials in the direction that we want them to go, even if it’s only an inch at a time. Let’s continue to push them to act, call them out when we need to, but also send thanks when they take the actions that we are asking them to do.
Let’s allow ourselves to take in our successes to fuel our lives and our activism.
News & Events – November 21, 2025
November 20 was World Children’s Day. Our friend and fellow activist, Kathleen Temple, said in her daily Peace Bits blog that “If the children of the world, all of them, were being cared for and listened to as they should be, the military-industrial complex would wither and die.” Yes!
This week we joined Not In My Name NH in presenting a talk by Issa Amro, Palestinian human rights activist committed to nonviolent action. He joined us virtually from the West Bank to discuss the spiraling violence they face, and the inspiring resistance they engage in. Many asked how we can best support them. Watch the event here, meanwhile, read these responses from Issa, slightly paraphrased:
First, you are doing great. I’m an activist for the last 22 years, and many Palestinians didn’t believe in international solidarity from outside. They say no there is no real international solidarity. In the last two years, people stop me in the street and tell me, “Issa, your friends in the campuses, in the United States, in London, in Italy, in Canada, everywhere in the world are making a huge difference.” And you really give us hope and protection and you are our voice. We are defending our narrative and defending our land together. So your support, your contribution, your solidarity is making a huge difference. Every action, every tweet, every event is so so important for the Palestinians to remain and stay in their land and to keep the hope and stay strong and firm.
Never lose hope and be united and don’t at all think that what you do is useless because they try to make you feel it’s useless. Be proud of your activism. Be visible with your actions.
Please, please continue with your engagement in the political life in the United States because we want to transform the public opinion, the public support to political support.
As the American civil rights movement changed the laws and changed the systems in the United States, we the Palestinians one day we will win our freedom. We will win our self-determination and justice and equality…. I’m very optimistic by your support, by your solidarity, by your actions so I feel I’m not alone. I feel that we are a group, we are a family, we are a movement working together to make a change and if we liberate Palestine we will go to another country, because we care about the globe. We are a global movement, we are global human rights defenders, we want everybody on earth to live in peace, peace and justice and equality and self-determination.
We see more support from European countries and from many countries and UK, even they are changing their ways because of you, because of your narrative. Now we are almost there in the United States…. There is a big change. It’s a big start and it’s a very important start and we can’t at all ignore the shift in the world about the occupation and about apartheid. This is something very important. We don’t want to ignore it and we don’t want to see it as something small happening.
You can find out more and support Issa Amro’s work here. Then, as he requested, reach out to your representatives to advocate for justice, equality and peace for all. Scroll down further for more ways to learn, engage, and work together.
Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
News & Events – November 14, 2025
This week we marked Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day in the US. This was a holiday created to celebrate the end of World War One and make a commitment to preventing war in the future. We have been honoring it this week with action to stop the nation-state violence still plaguing us today.
Veterans For Peace wrote: “Veterans For Peace calls on all veterans and allies to reclaim Armistice Day as a day of truth and resistance. Let us honor not only the dead of past wars but the living who still suffer under empire: Palestinians facing genocide, Latin Americans facing U.S. intervention, Indigenous nations defending their lands, migrants fleeing U.S.-backed violence, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities fighting for dignity, and service members who dare to question unlawful orders.”
Many places in the world are experiencing violence. We have recently highlighted Sudan and Venezeula, and we speak out against the war profiteering and nuclear weapons that sow violence even if not used. We also continue our focus on Palestine as we believe that what happens there echoes around the world. If war crimes, ethnic cleansing and genocide are tolerated there, more countries will be emboldened to use them, too. If we can turn things around, however, recommit to international law, legal consequences for those who commit crimes, and support true diplomacy, justice and human rights, that example can also ripple far beyond Palestine.
In so many ways this is a critical, historic moment. That we have the chance to influence it is a grave responsibility and a tremendous privilege. Thank you all for joining us.
Reach out to your representatives:
News & Events – November 7, 2025
This week, members of the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East had the pleasure of welcoming NH State Rep. Ellen Read back from her time aboard the Thousand Madleens to Gaza, which was part of the latest Freedom Flotilla. The Flotilla is a grassroots people-to-people solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives from different parts of the world, working together to end the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza.
She was met at the Durham Community Church by about 25 folks who cheered her arrival (directly from Logan Airport!). She spoke briefly about her motivation for joining the Flotilla and shared that she has already signed up for the next one.
We will schedule a program with Ellen in the near future, where you’ll be able to hear about her experience and ask questions. Stay tuned.
NH Peace Action also heard this week from Ret. Ambassador Chas Freeman, who shared his insights into US foreign policy and the complexities of US diplomacy, particularly in the Middle East. Attendees found him informative and engaging and we will invite him back soon.
We have great programming coming up, including another NH Peace Action Acts! on Zoom next Thursday, where we’ll have a briefing on Venezuela and then take collective action. We have been very encouraged at the number of people that have been attending these action nights. Scroll down for info on other programs as well.
We are also encouraged by this week’s election results. To see some truly progressive, peace and justice-oriented candidates win despite the money and establishment politicians lined up against them shows that we are in a moment where some true change is possible.
Keep telling your reps you want them to stop fueling violence in the world: stand against the Trump Administration’s attacks on Venezuela, end weapons to Israel, stop using the military in U.S. cities, say no to new nuclear testing and a new nuclear arms race!
News & Events – October 31, 2025
These days it feels we are subjected to an unending stream of distressing news. The onslaught is no doubt intended to overwhelm us and shut us down. Staying connected to each other and actively resisting are ways we push back against that. As Joan Baez said: action is the antidote to despair.
Another way I keep my spirits up is to stay informed about courageous and creative actions that people are taking now or have taken in the past. Rather than constantly reading about the ground we are losing, it is so heartening to learn about the work – and many successes – of nonviolent action.
I also think it’s healthy to give ourselves a break from ruminating on the people doing awful things in the world and remind ourselves of the many amazing people around us.
Want to try it? I recommend:
Subscribe to Nonviolence News – Each week, Rivera Sun brings 30-50 stories of “nonviolence in action” to readers, illuminating the scale and scope of how nonviolence is actively shaping our world.
Read Waging Nonviolence, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to providing original reporting and expert analysis of social movements around the world.
Watch A Force More Powerful, the documentary series on six cases of how nonviolent power overcame oppression and authoritarian rule.
Take an Engaging Nonviolence class with Pace e Bene where you can learn and reflect with others.
Not only will these inspire us, but there are lessons to learn from these examples. Becoming more strategic can lead to more successes, which can really help keep us going!
Amy Antonucci, NH Peace Action Education Fund Board Chair
We continue to tell our reps we want them to stop fueling violence in the world: stand against the Trump Administration’s attacks on Venezuela, end weapons to Israel, stop using the military in U.S. cities, say no to new nuclear testing and a new nuclear arms race!
You can thank Senator Shaheen for her statement yesterday: Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jeanne Shaheen warned that Donald Trump’s announcement on nuclear weapons testing was dangerous and reckless. “The harmful toll that nuclear testing has wrought on Americans and our environment is the product of a chapter of history that should remain in the past,” Shaheen said.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500; 506 Hart Senate Office Building Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204; 324 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300; 452 Cannon HOB Washington, District of Columbia 20515
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002; 223 Cannon House Office Building. Washington, DC 20515
News & Events – October 17, 2025
It was just about two years ago that we took to the streets, representatives offices, and City Council chambers with the message: Ceasefire Now! We called for diplomacy so that the Israeli prisoners could go home and a just peace could be negotiated. If the ceasefire had come quickly maybe we would feel like celebrating. But now Gaza has been turned into rubble, tens if not hundreds of thousands of people are dead, the West Bank is even more dangerous for Palestinians than it had been, and a plan has been accepted that promises to continue the subjugation of the Palestinian people and thus ensure that there will not be a true peace (more detailed analysis here).
Of course, we absolutely appreciate seeing people returned to their families and communities, and fewer bombs dropping on people and the planet. But the horrors, suffering and cruelty we have been watching, even from afar, has been heartrending if not traumatizing.
Still… there is good news. We know that October 7, 2023 was not the start of a conflict. In fact, The Palestine Education Network here in NH was just one organization working for years on human rights and justice for the Palestinian people. For decades activists were trying to engage the public and our representatives on this issue without much success. Over the past two years, the learning, action and movement building we have been able to do is more than some of us expected to see in our lifetimes. We have changed our representative’s behavior, reached huge numbers of people, weakened AIPAC and mobilized activists all over the world. That is something to celebrate.
Some of us decided two years ago not to rest until there was a ceasefire, not imagining it would take years to reach that goal. Maybe this is a time to catch our breath. However, this cannot be the moment that we walk away from this struggle. We must continue to build and use the power that we have been cultivating. We can see that the struggle for human rights for Palestinians connects to many other struggles. As Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us, we “are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”
Helping Palestinians reclaim their rights brings us closer to the world we are working for, one that values every person and the planet we live on, brings safety and freedom for all, and no longer uses war and violence to solve problems. We can come together to eliminate nuclear weapons, demilitarize and address the threats facing us as a species. In this new world where borders and nation-states are not used to divide us, we can savor our diversity while recognizing our deep connections.
Thanks for being a part of this movement and organization.
Amy Antonucci, NH Peace Action Education Fund Board Chair
News & Events – October 10, 2025
This week we passed anniversaries of violence and suffering. We acknowledge and mourn this, and we continue to work for justice in the world.
We are following Trump’s plan for Gaza. We hold hope that it might alleviate suffering and save lives in the short term, but it will not bring justice, accountability or human rights for all. Its continuation of the subjugation of the Palestinian people ensures that it will never bring true peace or security for anyone. Our Monday night presenter this week, Sarah Augustine, spoke about colonialism. Her focus was on the U.S., but her words are instructive about what’s going on in Palestine as well. It will be up to us to keep working for a different vision of how we can live together on this planet.
We had a wonderful, uplifting gathering on Sunday. Thanks to all who joined us. Our speaker, Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, gave an illuminating talk. He models persistence and generosity in the face of oppression. We encourage you to learn about his inspiring work at the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability. We honored three activists who stood out to us this year as contributing to a more peaceful world: David Grishaw-Jones, Anne Romney and Ann Podlipny. They are not alone. We invited anyone to stand who had participated in various types of activism for peace this year, such as protesting & vigiling, writing letters to the editor, lobbied your reps – eventually most were standing, appreciating all we’re doing together.
In other news, all the boats with the Thousand Madleens to Gaza have been intercepted. NH State Representative Ellen Read left the boat to receive medical attention so we don’t believe she is among those abducted by Israel. Follow the Thousand Madleens HERE and on Instagram.
Thanks for your continued communications with our representatives. We have some good legislative news: both NH Senators voted yes on the War Powers Resolution, S.J.Res.83, we wrote about on Wednesday and Representative Pappas became the latest cosponsor of H.Res.473 – Calling for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza! We have been asking for this
Keep up the calls, letters and pressure!
News & Events – October 3, 2025
Most of you have heard about the unarmed Flotillas that have been trying to reach Gaza with humanitarian supplies. Did you know that NH is now represented on one of them?!
The Global Sumud Flotilla, 42 vessels with 500 people on board, set sail in August to break the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza. It was intercepted and most vessels were boarded by the Israeli military on October 1st. The activists on board have been detained by Israel. However, as of this writing, it is possible that 4 of the ships are still sailing and one of those may reach Gaza. Track the Flotilla HERE.
Another flotilla, Thousand Madleens to Gaza, launched from Italy on September 27, with 10 vessels. Among those on board is NH State Representative Ellen Read. Doreen has been in touch with her and conveyed all the good wishes that people have sent. As of Wednesday night, she was 60 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and in good spirits, despite knowing she may be in Israeli custody within 2-3 days. You can track the Thousand Madleens HERE and also on Instagram.
If you need a reminder of why you do this work, here’s an article from the NY Times describing the shift from total allegiance to AIPAC:
“Some Democrats who once counted AIPAC among their top donors have in recent weeks refused to take the group’s donations. Its annual trip to Israel, a formative experience for many lawmakers that once drew a majority of first-term members, has seen a drop-off in Democratic attendance. And a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus has voted in recent months for legislation opposed by AIPAC to cut off weapons sales to Israel.”
It’s because of your pressure on your elected officials that this is happening and being reported on.
This is your last chance to get tickets to our Annual Event on Sunday at the Derryfield in Manchester. We’ll speak with Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, founder and director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, Bethlehem University via Zoom from Palestine, enjoy a great meal, present awards to Anne Romney, Ann Podliny and David Grishaw-Jones, and delight in each others company. Ticket link below. Email Doreen if cost is a barrier to attendance.
Keep up the calls, letters and pressure! Just this week NHPA members dropped off letters to Senator Shaheen and met with Rep. Pappas. Help us convince them that the people of NH care about ending violence here and abroad.
News & Events – September 26, 2025
Thank you to all who participated in our auction by donating and by bidding. We are pleased to say that with your help we raised even more than we did last year! Next up, we hope to see you at our Annual Fall Event on Sunday, October 5, 1:30pm for networking, a delicious meal, activist awards, and a great program featuring Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh via Zoom from Palestine.
We continue to be inspired by your engagement in activism during such a difficult time. Last week we had a record number of attendees for our NH Peace Action Acts Zoom night. We were pleased that so many attended this past Monday night conversation on How to Have Difficult Conversations, with lots of great questions and comments. The peacekeeper training earlier this week had a full roster of participants, too.
One theme we hope stands out from these programs is that the peace we are working for is not quiet and accepting. In fact, we can embrace disagreements, differences and creative tension for change. We want to learn how to engage in healthy conflict and make real change in our society with skill so that we honor each other’s dignity and build bridges instead of walls in the process.
Today is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. We sent out a call to action on Wednesday. If you didn’t get to it yet, today would be a great day to do so!
On the subject of nuclear weapons, Israel and more, make calls, send postcards and write Letters to the Editor…
News & Events – September 19, 2025
This Sunday, September 21, is the International Day of Peace.
The idea that we are supposed to celebrate peace while so much violence is occurring might feel hard to embrace. I admit that it does for me. I can feel cynical and despairing thoughts trying to form as I write this.
However, knowing what we want and are working for can help us get there.
I just picked up the new book by Rob Hopkins: “How to Fall in Love with the Future.” Rob believes that “imagination is at the core of every social revolution; without it, we can’t envision the “what ifs” that lead to transformative change.”
We talk a lot about the horrors happening in the world. Some days, that seems like the only story unfolding. Maybe if we spent more time envisioning the world we want to the point where we could really see and feel and almost touch it, we would feel more energized to keep working for it, and inspire more people to join us.
The 2025 theme is Act Now for a Peaceful World. So many of you are doing that. Our Action Zoom last night was our best attended yet. Despite the bad news and the painfully slow pace of change, our numbers are growing and we are having an impact. That is something we can celebrate on the International Day of Peace and every day.
One action to take: become a NH Peacekeeper! NH Peace Action’s NH Peacekeeper Project has been selected to receive a Volunteer Service Award at Volunteer NH’s 2025 Spirit of NH Awards Ceremony. We are deeply grateful to all of those who serve as Peacekeepers. Please be in touch if you want to join a training and serve in this role.
News & Events – September 12, 2025
On the day after September 11, many of us are thinking of 24 years ago, the horror of being attacked and how we hoped to turn it into a moment of learning and change in our priorities and policies. The U.S. could have celebrated the resilience and altruism of our people (including the largest sea evacuation in history, rescuing 500,000 civilians from NYC in 9 hours) and deepened our empathy towards others who suffered similarly, often at the hands of the U.S. government. That the U.S. instead leaned into vengeance and violence is a tragedy we are still caught up in.
Just this week, US-supported Israel bombed negotiations in Qatar and attacked Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and likely the Gaza Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla. Last week the U.S. bombed a Venezuelan vessel killing 11 people. In the U.S. the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act bill for 2026, sending over $1 trillion to the Pentagon (please thank both NH reps for voting NO on the NDAA), while deporting Russian anti-war activists, and seeing a political figure assassinated. Trump is also renaming the Defense Department the Department of War, which is at least more honest.
But, everywhere, people resist and act.
Spain announces an arms embargo on Israel, Hollywood stars boycott Israeli film companies and the Transition Security Project was launched.
In NH, we are invited to sign a petition from Upper Valley for Palestine to Co-op food stores, and to join the major campaign to stop ICE flights out of Pease now under way:
Did you know Pease Airport is the number one location in northern New England for ICE deportation flights? Dozens of flights have transported hundreds of people who do not have access to due process under the law. Widely circulated and reliable reports make it clear that ICE’s practices of apprehension, detention, and deportation – of immigrants and citizens – systematically violate basic Constitutional rights.
We can work to stop this by demanding that the Peace Development Authority (PDA) who oversees airport operations stop these inhumane flights. The PDA meets Tuesday morning 9/16 and we need to gather as many signatures as possible which demand:
“We, the undersigned residents of New Hampshire and the local area, call for an immediate end to the use of Portsmouth International Airport for ICE deportation or transfer flights. These flights make the Pease Development Authority complicit with practices that are cruel and violate fundamental human and Constitutional rights. Further, they harm our economy, divide our families, and betray the values we hold as a state.”
SIGN THE PETITION – Deadline is Monday night 9/15. Join the protest outside the PDA office on Tuesday 9/16 8am-10am, 55 International Dr. Portsmouth.
And keep making calls and sending postcards and Letters to the Editor!
News & Events – September 5, 2025
It is a critical but overwhelming time to be an activist. As peace advocates, watching the militarization of our borders and our own cities on top of the violence the U.S. government perpetrates and supports abroad is agonizing.
We are coming up on a busy weekend full of opportunities to come together and speak out. Workers Over Billionaires Labor Day Rallies will happen across the state, with the largest expected in Concord. Kent Street Coalition put together a helpful list.
We are also welcoming back Bob Sanders from his Ride Against War in Gaza Cross Country Tour! His return will include a cycling contingent from Manchester to Concord to join the Workers over Billionaires Rally at the statehouse. You can print this out to display to celebrate his return. Bob, a 70-year-old Jewish retired reporter and founder of Not In My Name NH from Concord NH, has been riding his bicycle across the U.S. His 4,000-mile ride began on May 28 in San Francisco CA and is concluding on September 2 in Portsmouth NH. Along the way, Bob has spoken at dozens of events, including sharing the stage with Rep Rashida Tlaib in Detroit, spoken with hundreds of people and many U.S. Representatives, and had media coverage all across the country. We are thrilled to welcome this courageous and stalwart activist back from his journey! Find out more and scroll down for all his NH events on this page.
As we know, protest is just part of the work we need to do. This week we hosted Barbara Peterson to talk about what we need to build while we disrupt the systems not serving us. Read her pamphlet here. As she writes: “Gandhi believed that civil disobedience was just half the work. The other half was what he called constructive programs—alternatives to the unjust systems he sought to replace. These were the foundations of a new society, built within the shell of the old.” Exciting work we can do together!
Lastly, we want to call your attention to a recent interview of Senator Shaheen on Face the Nation. She makes some strong statements and calls for action to stop Israel’s starvation of Palestinians. We encourage you to thank her and ask her to take bold action, such as sponsoring a Block the Bombs bill in the Senate. Then call your other representatives and ask them to follow her lead – and ours – and act to stop the horror and support justice and peace.
News & Events – August 29, 2025
It is a critical but overwhelming time to be an activist. As peace advocates, watching the militarization of our borders and our own cities on top of the violence the U.S. government perpetrates and supports abroad is agonizing.
We are coming up on a busy weekend full of opportunities to come together and speak out. Workers Over Billionaires Labor Day Rallies will happen across the state, with the largest expected in Concord. Kent Street Coalition put together a helpful list.
We are also welcoming back Bob Sanders from his Ride Against War in Gaza Cross Country Tour! His return will include a cycling contingent from Manchester to Concord to join the Workers over Billionaires Rally at the statehouse. You can print this out to display to celebrate his return. Bob, a 70-year-old Jewish retired reporter and founder of Not In My Name NH from Concord NH, has been riding his bicycle across the U.S. His 4,000-mile ride began on May 28 in San Francisco CA and is concluding on September 2 in Portsmouth NH. Along the way, Bob has spoken at dozens of events, including sharing the stage with Rep Rashida Tlaib in Detroit, spoken with hundreds of people and many U.S. Representatives, and had media coverage all across the country. We are thrilled to welcome this courageous and stalwart activist back from his journey! Find out more and scroll down for all his NH events on this page.
As we know, protest is just part of the work we need to do. This week we hosted Barbara Peterson to talk about what we need to build while we disrupt the systems not serving us. Read her pamphlet here. As she writes: “Gandhi believed that civil disobedience was just half the work. The other half was what he called constructive programs—alternatives to the unjust systems he sought to replace. These were the foundations of a new society, built within the shell of the old.” Exciting work we can do together!
Lastly, we want to call your attention to a recent interview of Senator Shaheen on Face the Nation. She makes some strong statements and calls for action to stop Israel’s starvation of Palestinians. We encourage you to thank her and ask her to take bold action, such as sponsoring a Block the Bombs bill in the Senate. Then call your other representatives and ask them to follow her lead – and ours – and act to stop the horror and support justice and peace.
News & Events – August 22, 2025
It is a critical but overwhelming time to be an activist. As peace advocates, watching the militarization of our borders and our own cities on top of the violence the U.S. government perpetrates and supports abroad is agonizing.
Today we bring you a quote to inspire your continued work:
“Hope locates itself in the premises that we don’t know what will happen and that in the spaciousness of uncertainty is room to act. When you recognize uncertainty, you recognize that you may be able to influence the outcomes — you alone or you in concert with a few dozen or several million others. Hope is an embrace of the unknown and the unknowable, an alternative to the certainty of both optimists and pessimists. Optimists think it will all be fine without our involvement; pessimists take the opposite position; both excuse themselves from acting. It’s the belief that what we do matters even though how and when it may matter, who and what it may impact, are not things we can know beforehand. We may not, in fact, know them afterward either, but they matter all the same, and history is full of people whose influence was most powerful after they were gone.” ― Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People PowerAmy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
News & Events – August 15, 2025
Mary Oliver wrote the poem “Franz Marc’s Blue Horses” in response to seeing the spirituality and serenity symbolized by four blue horses in his expressionist painting. She wrote, “I would rather die than try to explain to the blue horses what war is. They would either faint in horror or simply find it impossible to believe. “
As we commemorated the 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I found it impossible to believe that others were not as horrified by these events and their possible repetition as I am.
What have we as a nation done to ask Japan for forgiveness? Japanese culture places high value on asking for forgiveness for even minor affronts. If someone steps on another person’s toe in a public space, they might say, “moshi waki gozaimasen” (If you please, my transgression is so inexcusable that I wish I were dead.) In Japan, forgiving someone is also highly satisfying. How different from our own culture.
A first step to truly atone for our transgression as the only nation to use nuclear weapons would be to sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Treaty was adopted in 2017 and ratified and became international law in 2021.
Making more of these bombs does not make us safer. Deep listening makes us safer. Dignity, respecting the wishes of others, giving up the need for dominance, abandoning being number one at any cost, and sharing the limited resources of our world makes us and the world a safer place.
As members of civil society, we must recognize that the abolition of nuclear weapons will only be accomplished through our persistent call for it. In the 2026 election, we must ask candidates about how they view national security and let them know that we prefer diplomacy over preparation for war. We must demand a decrease in expenditures on war and nuclear weapons and increased funding for diplomacy.
Currently, there are Senate and House resolutions for the United States to pull the world back from the brink of nuclear war. Please ask Representatives Pappas and Goodlander to sponsor H.R. 317 and Senators Shaheen and Hassan to sponsor S.R. 323. (You can use Back From the Brink’s online tool to send the appropriate requests)
We also need to examine our own lives, how we feed the myth of superiority, and how we learn to truly honor our own needs and the needs of others.
May all beings live in peace, free from greed and hatred.
Sandra Yarne, NH Peace Action Education Fund Board member
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
News & Events – August 8, 2025
NH Peace Action condemns the visibility action of the Blood Tribe Nazi group at the NH statehouse on Saturday, August 2. As the sponsor of the NH Peacekeeper Project, we are committed to creating a world of peace and nonviolence and countering the hateful message expressed by hate groups. The same commitment to human rights that leads us to stand up for the Palestinian people also moves us to do so for our Jewish neighbors and the many others targeted by nasty groups and governments.
The action in Concord was chilling, and is part of a wider campaign of antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ, racism, misogyny and other hateful trends that have reared their ugly heads over the past several years. We abhor this brazen display of hatred which is indicative of a breakdown in civility and humanity that is occurring across the U.S. We ask what kind of a culture leads young men down a path that is so inhuman and lacking basic empathy? What trauma and limited options have caused them to become so distanced from their hearts and our collective beloved community?
The theatrics by groups like this are dramatic, but fortunately happen infrequently in the Granite State. But currently another fascist attack on our community is occurring daily across NH and the U.S. Like the Blood Tribe Nazis they appear as masked men in rental vans and cars. They then seize our brothers and sisters off the streets, at workplaces, and homes. These Department of Homeland Security ICE abductions tear apart families and lives. It is most often people of color that are the targets and thus DHS ICE also exhibits a vicious white supremacist vision for our country that most Americans reject.
Let us all stand up and stand together against this cruel political environment that is antithetical to our national motto E Pluribus Unum – out of many is one. As an organization grounded in nonviolence, NHPA is here to model, educate and support you as together we create a culture of peace. See below for ways to learn more and join us, including an action against ICE today in Newington, advocacy for Palestinians on Monday in Manchester, a Zoom conversation about healing our divides, and much more.
In Solidarity,
Bill Maddocks with The Peacekeeper Project & Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
News & Events – August 1, 2025
Legislative advocacy is hard work, especially when approaching it with a commitment to honoring every person’s dignity and creating the Beloved Community.
The King Center’s Steps for Nonviolent Social Change based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence includes: “Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, forces, oppressive policies, unjust acts, but not against persons.”
But, it is hard to be respectful to someone who uses their power to support policies that amount to war crimes. When the situation is dire and the harm is ongoing it is hard to listen to the excuses and justifications and attempt to come across as calm and kind. Often these days, screaming feels more appropriate. It is hard to be bold and speak truth to those in power while standing firmly in our values of compassion and reconciliation.
But, we try. In fact, from what we at NHPA can tell, all of you are doing it. It’s beautiful to see and we thank you.
This week we had a win – Senator Shaheen voted yes on Sen Sanders Joint Resolutions of Disapproval: S J Res 34 and S J Res 41. The votes did not succeed, and Sen. Hassan voted no, but the 27 votes for one of the JRDs is a significant increase from the 15 in April, and Sen. Shaheen’s vote is being cited nationally since she is the ranking member of Foreign Relations.
Many of us find it hard to celebrate any progress… after all, the JRDs failed so we did not stop the immense suffering the Palestinians are enduring. And yet, our movement needs that encouragement and to learn from what we accomplish. It can keep us going and make us more effective.
Keep reading to see the many events NHPA and our allies are planning, including some commemorating the 80th anniversaries of the U.S. nuclear bombings in Japan. Also, you can find a Rage Against the Regime Rally near you here.
You can still contribute to our mid-year fundraising appeal HERE. We have not met our goal yet – please help us get there! Thank you so much to those that have already donated!
News & Events – July 25, 2025
Last week NHPA hosted a Regional Peace Action gathering at the World Fellowship Center. It was great to have time for processing and planning, sharing struggles and successes. Some of us had wondered if it was appropriate to take the time for this when there are so many crises needing our attention, but, as Bayo Akomolafe says: The times are urgent – let’s slow down. While we had many serious conversations, it was uplifting to be with others so committed to this difficult work and make plans together.
NH Peace Action has helped support an ongoing ceasefire vigil every Wednesday in Dover since winter 2024, switching between Senator Shaheen’s and Rep Pappas‘ offices. Because it involves lobbying, it is at an inconvenient time: 2-3pm, the middle of the workday. We have been there in the snow, the rain, the heat. Some weeks it is a very small group. Sometimes we ask ourselves if it is worth it to continue, if we are making an impact. It’s tough to gauge, but this was a week that gave us hope and evidence that we are. Senator Shaheen made a strong statement condemning the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and her office had it printed out, waiting for us. We suggest you call Sen Shaheen to thank her and ask what actions she will take next, and call your other reps and challenge them to follow her lead.
Speaking of an activist who never gave up, we honor the life of Joanna Macy who died last week at 96 years old. She dedicated her life to working for peace, justice, nuclear disarmament and ecology. She was an inspiration and mentor to many of us. Here is just one bit of wisdom she left us with:
“Action isn’t a burden to be hoisted up and lugged around on our shoulders. It is something we are. The work we have to do can be seen as a kind of coming alive. More than some moral imperative, it’s an awakening to our true nature, a releasing of our gifts.”
Thank you, Joanna Macy – Presente! And thanks to all of you for your actions and for being who you are.
You can still contribute to our mid-year fundraising appeal HERE. We have not met our goal yet – please help us get there! Thank you so much to those that have already donated!
Amy Antonucci, NH Peace Action Education Fund Board Chair
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
You can still contribute to our mid-year fundraising appeal HERE. We still need to raise $2,950.00 to make budget. Thank you so much to those that have already donated!
News & Events – July 18, 2025
It was a busy week for NH Peace Action. Our board chair, Amy Antonucci, spoke at both the NH Farmer Day of Action and the North Conway Good Trouble Lives On rally. She was pleased to be able to connect the topic of militarism to the many important domestic issues that people are already talking about.
Our NH Peacekeepers were deployed to many Good Trouble Lives On rallies around the state. We were happy to show up and support in this way. An article just published highlights the important role Peacekeepers play. “Violence de-escalation trainings are key to making movements stronger” reminds us that “As provocateurs try to discredit protests, having civilians trained in the skills of de-escalation gives people power a greater chance of success.”
As a follow up to this latest day of action, we share this talk by David LaMotte, Why heroes don’t change the world. He points out that “it is always movements that lead to large-scale change, though our dominant cultural narrative of change focuses on individuals. It is not naive to think you can change the world, it is naive to think you could be in the world and not change it, but that change happens in community.”
We also want to note one positive development found in the mostly terrible budget bill – The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was expanded to cover more of those harmed by the Manhattan Project’s Trinity Test which happened 80 years ago this Wednesday. Thanks to all who have advocated for this.
We have created a petition that you can sign and send to others, as well as continuing your direct outreach to our reps:
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
You can still contribute to our mid-year fundraising appeal HERE. We still need to raise $2,950.00 to make budget. Thank you so much to those that have already donated!
News & Events – July 11, 2025
Next Thursday, we hope you will be attending one of the Good Trouble July 17 events, which Peace Action and many others are joining in around the country. We further encourage you to bring messages about peace and U.S. foreign policy to the rallies. John Lewis himself pointed out the connections between our actions at home and abroad, as he said in a conversation reported on in Waging Nonviolence:
“How can we preach one thing and practice something else? To say it’s ok for the government to engage in military action abroad, but you must not engage in violence here? In a real sense, I think our foreign policy is a reflection of our domestic policy. That’s why we must say to our nation that we must not continue to use the tools of war and violence in our foreign policy.”
You can even print and hand out Peace Action National Policy Briefings on Gaza and Iran.
Speaking of National Peace Action, we were honored that Kevin Martin, President of Peace Action and Peace Action Education Fund, wrote a letter for our mid-year funding appeal. Here’s an excerpt:
“You may know I have worked with Peace Action in various capacities for almost 40 years, and I am 
most proud of our commitment to being a true grassroots organization. During most of those four decades, especially as Executive Director and now President of Peace Action, supporting the work of our affiliates, chapters and associate organizations has always been one of my highest priorities.
Which is why I am particularly pleased to write to you today to ask for your support for New Hampshire Peace Action, an affiliate I have long worked closely with and admired. Its evolution over the years has been a real boon to peace and justice work in the Granite State and beyond.
Recently, NHPA’s work on national legislation has been impressive, helping move Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a key senator as the ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and also even recently impacting Sen. Maggie Hassan’s votes to support free speech and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Please give as generously as you can to keep NHPA on the forefront of change for peace and social justice. Between now and August 15, a very generous donor will match your donation (up to a total of $5,000). Your gift now will have double the impact!
Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Kevin Martin, President, Peace Action and Peace Action Education Fund”
Kevin’s full letter can be read at the donation link.
News & Events – July 4, 2025
At NH Peace Action’s gathering last Saturday we read from Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” It was a reminder of the history that we need to reckon with. It feels especially poignant now when we are losing ground on the ideals espoused in the Declaration of Independence of freedom, liberty, self-determination and self-governance.
This country has never lived up to those goals, especially not when the Declaration was written, having decimated the Indigenous people, built an economy dependent on enslaved people, and excluding women or even “unpropertied” men as full citizens. Progress has been made since then domestically. However, our increasingly imperialist foreign policy holds us back. Empire and true democracy are not compatible. Our country’s backsliding into concentrated power, with a ballooning military budget and a small elite class sucking up our resources, all laid out in our new budget highlights the values we are really living by.
We do have some inspiring history, however, that we can lift up and learn from. We want to remind you of the decade of nonviolent campaigns that won independence for the colonies. Maciej Bartkowski writes: “Our country was born through persistent nonviolent resistance of tens—if not hundreds—of thousands of residents of the American colonies… Our Independence Day celebration is incomplete without recognizing the deep significance of mass collective civilian-led mobilization and nonviolent resistance campaigns between 1765-1775 that led to the de facto liberation of the American colonies.”
Maybe you are participating in a Free America event this weekend or making plans for the July 17 Good Trouble Lives On day of action. Or you are vigiling for peace & justice in Concord, Dover or elsewhere in NH, fasting for the people of Gaza, and otherwise engaging in protest, persuasion, noncompliance and noncooperation. Know that you are continuing a proud and growing tradition that has changed the world many times.
Thanks again for your actions last week that helped convince Senators Shaheen and Hassan to vote yes on Sen. Kaine’s Iran War Powers Resolution, S.J. Res. 59! Call and thank them.
Now, we ask Rep Pappas & Goodlander to support the Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution and H Res 473: Humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in the House.
News & Events – June 27, 2025
What a week… global tensions between nuclear nations as we endure record breaking heat from climate chaos… I’d venture to say that few of us got even one good night’s sleep this week. Given the possibilities, I am grateful to be writing to you with some good news, actions to take and a hope to see many of you Saturday.
First, we’d love to see you for our Annual Meeting this Saturday, June 28, from 10 AM to 2 PM 
at Bear Brook State Park for an update on our work, a potluck lunch (BBQ provided by Veterans For Peace), a workshop on “How to Have Difficult Conversations”, and a reading from Frederick Douglass’ address: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” It will be great to be together! If you are joining us, look for this sign at the entrance to the Shelter Pavilion.
News to encourage us: there have been no more U.S. attacks on Iran as of now, there is pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Mahmoud Khalil is home, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic nomination for Mayor of NYC and after a major activist campaign, the shipping giant Maersk is divesting from companies linked to Israeli settlements. All of these are major victories. Our No War on Iran Rally on Friday went well and was covered in NH press, and the Emergency Rallies for Peace on Sunday made the news.
Keep taking action so we’ll have more good news to report: Today could be the day that Sen. Kaine’s Iran War Powers Resolution, S.J. Res. 59, gets a vote. Keep calling your Senators until it’s over! NH Senators are important – Sen Shaheen has a lot of influence as the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen Hassan is considered a swing vote on the resolution. People around the country are watching to see what they will do. Let’s do our part! If you haven’t, please also sign and share our petition.
For your outreach on the War Powers Resolutions (S.J.Res.59 in Senate, H.Con.Res.38 in House) here are possible talking points:
-With the weekend’s military attacks, Pres. Trump has violated the US Constitution, US and International Law – again
-Don’t allow us to be pulled into another disastrous war in the Middle East by Pres. Trump and P.M. Netanyahu
-Israel continues their ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the West Bank while the world is looking elsewhere
-We want you to support S.J.Res.59 / H.Con.Res.38 to uphold U.S. and International law and save lives!
News & Events – June 20, 2025
News & Events – June 13, 2025
We hope you will be joining in a “No Kings” protest on Saturday, a chance to express our opposition to the increasingly militaristic, repressive, rule of force actions that Trump is unleashing on the U.S. We encourage you to bring the message of peace in our foreign policy as well. Many of the rallies will be focused on domestic issues – critical ones that we are fully in favor of making noise about. We also think that one can’t really understand what’s happening in our country now unless we look at our behavior outside our borders.
Along with a focus on foreign policy, NHPA is committed to using and teaching about nonviolent action. We believe that how we act matters as well as the results we get. We’re proud to be sending Peacekeepers to events on Saturday. We have helped train hundreds in NH in de-escalation and nonviolence and hope all reading this will bring those skills and mindset to this weekend’s events. Check out this Waging Nonviolence article for reminders and a new resource to help everyone stay safe.
As we were prepping this message, the news of Israel’s “pre-emptive” attacks on Iran reached us. We’d like to share an excerpt from National Peace Action:
“Israel has attacked Iran once again, allegedly hitting dozens of targets including nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, say Israeli officials. They also say this is not a one day attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a brief statement saying Israel acted unilaterally. Numerous Members of Congress are wisely expressing grave concerns.
The timing of the attack came just days before the sixth round of negotiations on a potential new deal between the U.S. and Iran. Pres. Trump petulantly pulled the US out of the 2015 Iran anti-nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by Pres. Obama, the U.N. and other nations with Iran, and approved by Congress. The JCPOA was by all accounts working to cap Iran’s nuclear program.
Congress must make it clear the U.S. will not be dragged into the conflict by Israel, invoking the War Powers Act to re-assert its power over declaring war, which the Constitution specifically assigns to Congress.”
Emergency protests have been called for Friday June 13, 11am at the JFK Federal Building in Boston, and others may be organized. And this Saturday’s nearly 2000 No Kings Day rallies across the US should include a call for peace, between Israel and Iran, and for an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Keep reading for other events and announcements. Thanks for your attention and engagement!
Action Alert – June 10, 2025
Last Friday we highlighted multiple actions happening worldwide that you could support. Here are updates so you can call your reps again with current info.
First, for one we didn’t send yet… NH Resident Bob Sanders is back on the road with his Ride Against War in Gaza cross country bicycle trip with stops all over the country! Find out more and follow Bob’s progress.
The French dockworkers who refused to load weapons on ships bound for Israel obtained a victory: the Israel-bound ship had to leave without its military supplies. You can still sign this petition to support European workers blocking weapons shipments.
The Freedom Flotilla ship, The Madleen, was siezed by Israel on June 9 despite their lack of any legal authority to do so. Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, wrote that “Breaking the siege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us.” U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib led a sign on letter to Secretary of State Rubio demanding he ensure the safety of the Madleen. We’ve heard no statements from our four NH Reps. We urge you to call and ask them about it.
The Gaza humanitarian aid resolution, H Res 473, now has 96 cosponsors since it was introduced last week. NH Reps Pappas and Goodlander have NOT signed as of this writing. Call them about this!
There are now 21 cosponsors of the historic bill, H.R.3565, the Block the Bombs Act, in Congress to stop US weapons to Israel. NH Reps Pappas and Goodlander have NOT signed. Call them and ask them to cosponsor H.R.3565.
For more details and talking points see Peace Action Gaza Policy Briefing and FCNL’s Gaza Fact Sheet
News & Events June 6, 2025
It’s been another week overflowing with news about peace, justice and democracy. Today we call your attention to action you can take and news to note – and even celebrate.
Although powerful individuals in the U.S. continue their unjust and destructive behavior, for instance the veto of a UN resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a new discriminatory travel ban, increasing pushback is making a difference.
In U.S. democracy news, this week we’ve heard a lot about Musk and Trump’s disintegrating relationship, but we call your attention to Waging Nonviolence’s article: Elon Musk’s departure from DOGE was a massive, unplanned retreat by the richest person on the planet due to relentless noncooperation. So, activists, let’s learn from and feel good about this success!
In foreign policy, especially the deadly situation in Gaza, there is movement and you can help.
French and Italian dockworkers are refusing to load weapons on ships bound for Israel. ACTION: Sign Avaaz’s petition to support them.
The Freedom Flotilla has set sail again, with climate activist Greta Thunberg’s presence drawing international attention. Israel is threatening more violence against the activists. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is leading a sign on letter to Secretary of State Rubio demanding he ensure the safety of the Madleen. ACTION: Ask other U.S. Reps to join her call.
On Wednesday, the Gaza humanitarian aid resolution, H Res 473, was introduced in the House (companion to S. Res. 224), sponsored by Rep Jayapal and over 90 others. NH Reps Pappas and Goodlander have NOT signed. ACTION: Call them about this!
On Thursday, we saw the introduction of an historic bill, H.R.3565, the Block the Bombs Act, in Congress to stop US weapons to Israel. It’s extremely important that Members of Congress hear from us about this. ACTION: Call and write your Representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R.3565, the Block the Bombs Act.
Make plans to join the June 14 National Day of Action. Find an event near you at nokings.org.
With so much going on, we do hear from people that they are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged and may have trouble treating each other with care and kindness. Len Ziefert of Not In My Name NH reminds us: “Let’s remember we need each other to prevail. I realize seeking and speaking our individual ‘truths’ while not being destructive of community is a delicate balance. Just remember community is like an onion and not only do we need each other, we need to reach layers of folks we never dreamed we’d seek to be in community with.”
Let’s endeavor to stay engaged and active while honoring each other’s dignity!
Keep calling your reps! For more details and talking points see Peace Action Gaza Policy Briefing and FCNL’s Gaza Fact Sheet
Action Alert June 3, 2025
We add our voices to the chorus of outrage at Pres. Trump’s plans for an “Army Birthday Parade” on June 14.
The Army says the parade will cost around $45 million. Meanwhile, programs for healthcare, food assistance, education, climate and more are being slashed, government workers have been fired, and the U.S. deficit is rising.
There is a bill in congress that addresses this hypocrisy. Neither of our representatives have signed onto it. Ask them to cosponsor H.R. 2761, the Halting All Parades for Presidents’ Yearly Birthdays; It Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your (HAPPY BIRTHDAY) Budget Act.
We also hope folks have the June 14 National Day of Action on your calendar. These will coincide with the “Army Birthday Parade” in DC.
As a peace organization, we not only abhor the wastefulness and how this event continues to feed Trump’s ego and vanity. We also object to the continued glorification of violence, domination and military solutions to all our problems. It is a terrible insult to the people of the world who have been or are being targeted by U.S. weapons. We hope you will all attend a June 14 event, and spread that message. Here are signs World Beyond War has created for you to print.
Find an event near you at nokings.org.
And make those calls about H.R. 2761, food and protection for Palestinians, nuclear war and more. See our previous action alerts for more info.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
News & Events May 30, 2025
Wednesday was World Hunger Day. The focus of the day is often on environmental issues increasing food insecurity and malnutrition. This year we also face the intentional starvation of 2 million people that the U.S. is a party to. In fact, the U.S. is shifting money away from domestic hunger prevention programs to fund the Israeli military as it creates famine. It is a reminder of the connections between domestic and foreign policy that we continue to point to.
NH activists were involved in lobbying both of our Senators on World Hunger Day, as well as holding a public vigil. It was also day 7 of the 40-day Fast For Gaza which NH is participating in. We hope you will support the fasters with regular calls to your reps asking them to speak out and act against the weaponization of famine against the people of Gaza.
Here are a few other peace related news items for you to appreciate or act on:
Thanks to the hard work of fellow peace activists across the country, the Nevada state legislature unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution urging the federal government to maintain the 30-year moratorium on explosive nuclear weapons testing.
Last Saturday, International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament, Women Cross DMZ commemorated the ten-year anniversary of their DMZ crossing and renewed calls for peace with a peace walk outside the U.S. Camp Humphreys military base in Pyeongtaek, Korea.
The Gaza Flotilla will sail again despite recent Israeli attacks. Colonel (Ret) Ann Wright reminded us that “since 2008, 35 unarmed, civilian ships filled with hundreds of activists from around the world have attempted to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. In 2008, five small ships actually got into Gaza, the first ships from international waters that had arrived in Gaza in over 40 years.” Another courageous group of nonviolent activists leave Sicily around June 1.
We also want to share the cautious optimism about the current Iran-U.S. talks from our friends at the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). Jamal Abdi, President of NIAC, says “A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given the space to succeed – free from external sabotage and unrealistic red lines.” It’s time to let our representatives know that we support a deal instead of war. NIAC is also collecting personal testimonials.
Keep calling your reps!
Action Alert May 27, 2025
Members of the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East (of which NHPA is a founding member) have joined the 40-day Fast for Gaza organized by Veterans for Peace, Friends of Sabeel North America and others. Please help amplify their message and sacrifice!
The goals of the Fast include showing solidarity with the people of Gaza while raising awareness of the starvation they are being subjected to, and inspiring people to pressure elected representatives to call for a ceasefire and to restore food supplies to Gaza. Organizers remind us that “Our Fast matters only if people know about it. We spread the word far and wide.” –
The hunger strike began on May 22 at the United Nations building in New York, where a group of fasters (including our friend, Kathy Kelly) will remain until June 30. Hundreds of others across the world, including NH, are joining in the fast from their own communities.
You can officially join as a faster here. If you are doing so from NH, we’d love for you to let us know at info@nhpeaceaction.org
Whether you are fasting or not, call your reps and ask them to speak out and take action against the intentional starvation of the people of Gaza. Tell them you agree with those in NH fasting. You might also join NHPA in continuing to repeat that violence leads to more violence and that only a ceasefire and a just peace will offer security and dignity for all – in Palestine, Israel, the U.S. and around the world. No one is safe when people are treated this way.
Specific to NH, thank Sen. Shaheen & Hassan for cosponsoring S.Res.224 – calling for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and ask them to take further action; ask Rep. Pappas & Goodlander to cosponsor the House JRDs and H.R. 2411 – The UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act.
News & Events May 23, 2025
We were deeply saddened by the brutal murder of two Israeli embassy officials in Washington DC. These deaths, two more added to the huge death toll, occurred against the backdrop of mass starvation in Gaza. The anger, frustration and despair from the occupation is boiling over. We at NHPA will continue to repeat our warning that violence leads to more violence. It is within our power to affect U.S. and Israeli actions in Palestine and to save the lives of people in all these places. Only a ceasefire and a just peace will offer security and dignity for all.
So far, however, the U.S. only adds fuel to the fire. The Trump administration has turned away from any leadership in negotiating a ceasefire. Israel and Netanyahu were bypassed and the topic of Gaza was barely mentioned on Trump’s “business tour” of the Gulf States. U.S. Ambassador Hucakbee praised the Israeli military’s escalation while Israeli soldiers shot over the heads of European diplomats documenting illegal expansion into Palestinian territory.
The European Union, Britain and the Canadian governments have had enough and have suspended trade negotiations and threatened other severe actions unless Israel backs off of its assault on Gaza and its illegal blockade on vital aid.
If our elected officials really cannot influence our own government to act appropriately, we can urge them to support our European and Canadian allies to demand an end to this brutal, dangerous madness.
We’d also like to highlight other efforts you can contribute to at this critical moment:
Both NH Senators cosponsored S.Res.224 – Calling for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza! This Resolution has received more congressional support than any other legislation yet to help Gaza. We thank you for urging Sen. Hassan to sign on. Thank our Senators for answering our call to speak up.
Veterans for Peace and others are supporting a 40 day Fast for Gaza. NH activists are participating! Find out more here and write us if you want to join the NH contingent.
The campaign targeting Microsoft for supporting Israel’s military operations is gaining momentum and could use more signatures.
NH activist Rev. David Grishaw-Jones is spending two months in the West Bank. We invite you to keep up with him on his blog and share it with others.
Keep calling your reps! Here are some messages you might want to convey:
Senator Shaheen & Hassan: Thank them for cosponsoring S.Res.224 – A resolution calling for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to address the needs of civilians in Gaza.
Rep Pappas: Thank him for signing a letter recognizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid to be let into Gaza and urge him to take further, bolder action, such as cosponsoring the House JRDs – Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services and H.R. 2411 – The UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act.
Rep Goodlander: Ask her why we have not found her name on any of the sign-on letters about the forced starvation of Palestinians. Ask her to cosponsor the House JRDs – Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services and H.R. 2411 – The UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act.
News & Events May 16, 2025
Walking through my neighborhood I saw a sign “Celebrate Mothers Abolish War.” We in Peace Action resonate with that message. So why are we unenthusiastic when we hear President Trump talk of bringing peace to Ukraine and Gaza? It is probably because we know that a durable and just peace is not based upon one person or side saying that there will be peace and imposing the conditions that need to be met.
We do have models that inform us as to what is possible when solving intractable conflicts, such as the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa and the ending of the Troubles in Ireland. In a recent interview, Emma DeSouza, an Irish woman who educates about the Good Friday Agreement, describes what is needed to reach a just peace. She does not believe in hard and fast rules because each situation is unique, however, she does believe several conditions need to be met.
First, all parties must be included in the discussions. This means people who are considered terrorists and bad actors and those who are deemed so evil that they don’t need to be considered, must be included. In the Irish negotiations, civil society was represented by ordinary people affected by the violence. Therefore, many women were part of the talks and played a major role in keeping the talks going. Upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, women who participated reminisced and concluded that the agreement would not have come together without the active participation of women who were not elected officials. Monica McWilliams, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, also asserts that women were critical. She further believes that peace-building is an ongoing process. It continues to this day in Ireland. Many believe that parts of the agreement have not been fulfilled. Still, they see the Agreement as a huge success.
Second, DeSouza holds that all options for a resolution must be on the table. All parties need to listen to all points of view and recognize the needs of the other. McWilliams claims that when there is deep listening the common interests of the parties become apparent. It is also important that all parties remain open to admitting responsibility for their past actions. In South Africa, this was accomplished through the Truth and Reconciliation Hearings. The open testimony given by individuals about their suffering and/or their aggression helped bring healing to the entire society.
Peace-building requires finding common ground, owning one’s part in the violence, finding ways to make reparations, and treating the intergenerational trauma that has occurred. Senator George Mitchell is recognized as a key figure in the Good Friday Agreement process. He promoted the idea that “you must move from your position.” This openness was essential.
When we consider how President Trump is approaching Ukraine and Gaza, we see a totally different approach. He has not brought all parties together. Nor has he advocated to consider all possible solutions. He leads with demands and threats. In Afghanistan he negotiated only with the Taliban and did not include the government of Afghanistan. The disastrous final exit from that country was blamed on Biden, but Trump’s lopsided approach to peace played a role in the terrible outcomes.
It is helpful for people interested in peace to be cognizant of what leads to a just and durable peace: listening, finding solutions that address the needs of all, and ending the idea of the evil other, the enemy that needs to be annihilated in order for us to be safe. For too long, our country has promoted our role as a dominating power to broker “peace.” Peace through domination rather than partnership is often not peace at all. All groups, all communities, elected officials and civil society, need to participate in the solution to end the horrors of war.
Peace is possible. It is an attitude, it is a process, and it demands flexibility and humility.
May all beings live in peace, free from hatred and greed.
Sandra Yarne, Ph.D., NH Peace Action Education Fund Board Member
News & Events May 9, 2025
Given all the difficult news we are dealing with, we are glad to offer a number of chances for you to connect with others who care and take action. Let us highlight a few of those here.
This Tuesday, May 13, 7-8pm on Zoom NH Peace Action Acts! We’ll take collective action – calls and messages to our reps and LTEs to local papers.
Our weekly Ceasefire Vigils will be Wednesday, May 14, 2-3pm outside Senator Shaheen’s Dover office including a visit to her office and Thursday, May 15, noon-1, in front of the Concord NH State House. These Vigils have been ongoing for over a year now, we hope showing our representatives and the public that we are resolved not to give up on a just peace for the Middle East. We can report that recently the feedback we receive is overwhelmingly positive.
On Saturday, May 17, 1-3pm, please come to our Nakba Memorial Gathering in Manchester. This will be a solemn memorial and march in remembrance of the Nakba, the catastrophe of 1948, when over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes.
We also hope you will sign our petition to Rep Chris Pappas and keep calling your representatives. We have seen some small changes in their actions that we want to build on. Only with continuing pressure will that be possible.
See below for further info on these events plus great educational programs.
As Joan Baez said: “Action is the antidote to despair.” Acting together is even more heartening and powerful. Join us!
News & Events May 2, 2025
On April 28 the United States unleashed four airstrikes on a detention center in Yemen holding 115 African migrants. At least 68 perished. The U.S. military justifies its actions as retaliation for Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping – although a ceasefire in Gaza would be more effective.
The silence of the U.S. media in the wake of this atrocity is deafening. This selective outrage is not merely a journalistic failing but a reflection of deeper systemic issues. The United States’ longstanding alliance with Saudi Arabia, a key player in the Yemen conflict, complicates the narrative. Acknowledging the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen would necessitate confronting uncomfortable truths about this alliance and the role it plays in perpetuating the war.
In 2023 alone, over 110 million people were forcibly displaced from their communities. More than 36 million fled across national borders, driven by conflict in places like Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. The bombs drop, the tanks roll in, the earth splits and the people run. Not because they want to, but because they have no other choice. U.S. foreign policy is a major cause of this worldwide crisis.
Meanwhile, many of the same people our policies dispossess are then demonized here. By Pres. Trump, yes, but also by many other politicians – remember that all four NH representatives crossed the aisle to vote for the Laken Riley Act. We have a long way to go to ensure that people have freedom of movement and freedom to thrive where they are already living.
We hope you were able to stand yesterday in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and friends, whether they were displaced by violence or came here for opportunities like work and education.
We celebrate that Mohsen Mahdawi has been released on bond and that Mahmoud Khalil’s lawsuit will move forward in Federal Court. This is a great moment to tell our representatives that we want them to protect the First Amendment and our due process rights, and to call for the release of all detained students and activists. Let them know if you took time out of your otherwise busy life to attend rallies on these issues, and that you expect them to take risks and go out of their way as well.
News & Events April 25, 2025
We are thrilled to see the upsurge in nonviolent protest here in the U.S. It is important and is making a difference and it helps us learn how to use our power to make change. For those of us already involved in movements, we can offer what we’ve learned to support and inform the work. We can bring our perspectives on what else is needed to create real change. Our organizing director, Lefty Morrill, wrote about that. Here is an abbreviated version:
It began with a hum. A whisper turned into a chorus, and suddenly, there they were. Hundreds of thousands. Righteous, defiant, beautiful. Saturday, April 19 became an exhale, an offering. It was exhilarating, inspirational, even transformational. But no, it is not enough.
Because power does not flinch at beauty. It has heard your slogans before, printed them on T-shirts in its factories. Power does not stand at the edge of the crowd, trembling. It sits, bored, texting lobbyists and sipping its drinks.
These rallies are the soft beginning. Not the answer. We forget that protest is not revolution. It is the punctuation mark before a sentence not yet written.
Behind the grand speeches and overhead drone shots, you’ll find the quiet complicities. The NGOs funded by the same empires they claim to resist. The permits granted by the very governments being protested. The politicians who showed up for photo ops, mouthing solidarity with pockets brimming with lobbyists cash.
It is not enough to be angry once a week if, come Monday, you return to work building the same machine you marched against. Rebellion is not a weekend hobby. It is a choice that bleeds into breakfast, into love, into the books you read, the money you spend and the comfort you forfeit.
Join activist organizations. Donate as much time and money as you can to the groups doing the work of building the resistance. Talk to your friends and family.
Because the ones we struggle against do not sleep. They do not pause. And so, if we are to matter, we must become ungovernable not just in parks and squares but in kitchens and classrooms. We must disrupt not just traffic but transactions.
This is not to say stop marching. No. March until your feet blister and your voice breaks. But know this: marching is the dress rehearsal. The real play happens after the lights go out. In whispers shared under curfews. In food grown outside the supply chains. In love that defies borders. In schools that teach truth, not obedience.
The world we want will not arrive because we asked politely on a Saturday afternoon. It will be wrestled, brick by brick, from the jaws of systems that have learned to survive applause.
Last Saturday was a beautiful echo. But echoes fade. Let us become the sound that does not.
Lefty Morrill, Organizing Director
The full version of Lefty’s article is here.
We look forward to seeing you at the next rally! In the meantime, read on for keeping the action and education going…
Please keep calling your reps! About Palestine, Yemen, the military budget, U.S. political prisoners and more.
Rep. Becca Balint Led 67 House Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Mohsen Mahdawi’s Arrest. Rep Goodlander signed it. Rep Pappas, sadly, did NOT. What do you think about that? Call and tell them.
News & Events April 18, 2025
How do we respond to a country that is slipping from a democracy into an autocracy? Jonathan Pinckney, professor of political science at the University of Texas at Dallas, has been studying this phenomenon for over a decade. His recent book is From Dissent to Democracy: The Promise and Perils of Civil Resistance Transitions (2020). His research examined resistance movements in countries over the past 35 years that have had regime changes undermining democracy and supporting autocratic rule. He compared violent versus non-violent resistance and differing success rates in restoring democracy.
Pinckney found that non-violent resistance was more effective than violent resistance. Non-violent resistance restored democracy in 52% of the cases. He further defined the types of non-violent actions used. His categories included strikes, boycotts, condemnation, and quiet diplomacy. The most successful method was quiet, diplomatic relationship-building with loyalists to the autocracy in order to persuade them to support democratic principles.
The recent defection of seven Republican Senators over Trump’s bypassing of Congressional duties to set tariffs was an example of a weakening of a pillar of support. The Republicans in Congress have been a pillar of support by silently allowing the President to override Constitutional powers of Congress through his endless Executive Orders.
As a response to the Constitutional crisis which is occurring, I have been supporting Peace Action and looking for additional ways to help save our democracy. We have been holding weekly zoom trainings sponsored by Rise for Freedom in our home. The organization is a collaboration of well-known advocacy groups: Peace Action, Public Citizen, League of Women Voters, Hands-Off, Women’s March, and Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice. Rise for Freedom is committed to non-violence and building strong local communities in order to save our democracy. Jonathan Pinckney was a presenter recently at a Rise4Freedom webinar.
It is important for all of us to be part of local and broader communities committed to action, non-violence, and the dignity of all people. Both NH Peace Action and Rise for Freedom are promoting these ideals. Check out Rise4Freedom.org and consider becoming a host.
We also hope your weekend includes a rally for democracy. The theme this time is “No Kings” which refers to the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord as the start of the American Revolution. However, the full history, a people’s nonviolent history, is far more interesting and instructive. Few of us were taught about the successful nonviolent struggle that the colonists engaged in for 10 years. You’ve heard a little about it (Boston Tea Party), but there is more and it has lessons for us now. We do not want this moment to devolve into armed conflict with our neighbors, so let’s share this hidden story and its lessons!
Rejoice in the well-being of others,
Sandra Yarne, Ph.D.
News & Events April 11, 2025
This month NH Peace Action is highlighting the connections between war and ecological problems. We all know that a nuclear exchange would be the ultimate environmental catastrophe, but our speaker, Kali Rubaii, reminded us that the military machine begins destroying the Earth before weapons are even made. From mining on Indigenous lands, to factories in the neighborhoods of people of color or low income, to the use of these instruments of death that kill all life, not just human, militarism is destroying the planet that we are a part of. If we continue to organize our economy around war and use violent means to address our problems, our species will not survive. We could instead prioritize joining across borders despite our differences, to solve the climate and other ecological crises.
We invite you to join us in learning and educating others. Join us tomorrow April 12, 1pm – 3pm in Concord to Rally for Peace & Planet, read and share The Ecology of Occupation (excerpt below) by Lefty Morrill (organizing director of NHPA) in Counterpunch, attend our Monday Conversation on April 21, 7pmET about Apache Stronghold and the Fight to Save Oak Flat.
Meanwhile, Pres. Trump announced plans for a $1 trillion military budget next year – with Israeli PM Netanyahu literally standing next to him! Trump: “We’re going to be approving a budget, and I’m proud to say, actually, the biggest one we’ve ever done for the military, $1 trillion. Nobody has seen anything like it.”
Join us on tax day in Manchester to speak up about how you want your taxes spent!
Read below for actions and more events. Meanwhile, here’s an excerpt from Lefty’s powerful article in Counterpunch:
“In the fractured and scarred landscapes of Palestine, where the earth’s skin is etched with memories of violence, dispossession, and resistance, there lies an unspoken tragedy. An ecological tragedy. Beyond the suffocating walls of the occupation, beneath the rubble of homes and the twisting olive trees, there is a landscape slowly being strangled, not only by military might but by the relentless, invisible hand of environmental degradation. This is a tale not just of loss—of life and liberty—but of a land under siege, of natural resources turned into tools of war and power…”
In Peace & Protest,
Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
News & Events April 4, 2025
I am sorry to bring you bad news about the JRDS. Both of our senators voted no on the two resolutions on Thursday. While we had expected Sen. Hassan’s “nay” vote, Sen. Shaheen’s came as a surprise. Last November she voted “yea” to all of the JRDS while her own party was pressuring her not to. That she would stand up to Pres. Biden that way but not to Pres. Trump is hard to fathom.
In 2025 alone we have vigiled eight times outside her office, had three meetings with her staff, delivered dozens of letters to the editor on the subject to her staff, and our community has made thousands of phone calls to her offices. It is heartbreaking that after showing her how many NH residents want change on this issue she was unwilling to vote for these resolutions.
We urge you to call her office and write Letters to the Editor to express your disappointment. We suggest remaining respectful but also being honest about your outrage, sadness or horror.
Those of us attending vigils can report that public opinion is overwhelmingly with us now. Over the past month the number of positive honks, waves, and gestures has skyrocketed. At the last few vigils in Dover and Concord we counted 60-90 expressions of gratitude per hour.
This is another reminder that our democracy needs attention. When we hold a majority view and do strong advocacy and still cannot get our representatives to listen and act, there is a problem with the system.
It is the case that protest and persuasion alone is usually not enough to create deep change. We’ll be looking at our strategy to see where we might ramp up our efforts. We aren’t alone in our resistance – early in March five Vermont towns voted to cut economic ties with Israel and just this week Rutgers University proposed forming a “mutual defense compact” with other schools and Jewish Columbia University students chained themselves to a fence to protest Mahmoud Khalil’s detention.
This is also a good moment to remember and honor the life of the amazing activist and friend to NH Peace Action, David Hartsough (May 2, 1940 – March 22, 2025). From the age of 17 until his last days at 84, David dedicated his life to social change. We were honored to host him as a speaker for a discussion of the film “The Movement and the Madman” just two months ago, and two years before to share his stories about “Waging Peace: Global Adventures of a Lifelong Activist.” David was both impressive and accessible. Just a few weeks ago he and I were emailing as he helped me line up another speaker. He was warm and gracious, and the memory of him and his life will sustain and inspire us.
In Peace & Solidarity,
Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
News & Events March 28, 2025
We are now two months into a presidential term that keeps the level of chaos and personal suffering at an unbelievably high pitch. Recently, I repeated Heather Cox Richardson’s suggestion that finding joy in our lives is a form of resistance. How do we do that when we are full of fear about the ramifications of what has just been broken by the administration?
We fear for ourselves and we fear for others who might not be able to absorb the loss of employment or the loss of the security net that has supported them. One source of inspiration for weathering our current stress and even accessing joy can be found in the lives of well-known people such as the Dali Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both men experienced personal and national trauma and remained positive and inspirational.
In 2015, the Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu met for a week to celebrate the Dali Lama’s 80th birthday and to discuss how to find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering. In The Book of Joy by the Dali Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams, the authors propose eight pillars of joy. Four pillars are qualities of mind – perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance; and four are qualities of the heart – forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.
The pillar or attitude of acceptance is being tested for most of us at this time. Acceptance requires an understanding of reality versus railing against it, often with denial or anger. Desmond Tutu said about acceptance, “It means we can turn our faces toward the wind and accept that this is the storm we must pass through.” One of our board members said that we are faced with a firehose of bad news. If we do not accept reality, we risk being stuck in anger and stress. Acceptance of reality is the place from which change can begin.
Buddhist practice focuses on seeing things accurately and then responding skillfully. Not every goal we set will be met because many things are beyond our control. Our responsibility is to pursue the goal and be flexible about the outcome.
Another pillar of joy is compassion, one of the heart attitudes. We experience the most joy and happiness when we focus on others and not ourselves. Compassion means “suffering with.” In the past few weeks you have probably felt compassion with all the people who have lost their jobs or are being rounded up and deported. The need for compassion and the lack of it in this Administration is staggering. We all will have opportunities to act on our compassion and generosity.
Recently, Elon Musk stated that the most pressing problem in the world is “too much empathy.” Empathy is the cousin of compassion. So once again, many of us who believe that greed is the most pressing problem and compassion is the antidote are left feeling as though we just stepped through the looking glass. Everything is being turned upside down.
It is critically important for each of us to clarify the principles and goals that organize our own lives. Find readings and friends to support the things you believe in and devote time to assessing your adherence to your goals. We need to have ways to anchor ourselves and our actions when faced by the winds and the firehoses that cause suffering.
Above all, rejoice in the well-being of others. This is a form of resistance that will bring joy and happiness to each of us.
In peace and harmony,
Sandra Yarne, NHPAEF Board member
News & Events March 21, 2025
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza has been shattered, and Israel has resumed its indiscriminate bombing campaign. Hundreds of Palestinians have already been killed and over 500 injured in this new wave of Israeli strikes.
So, let’s ramp up our efforts to block U.S. arms to Israel! There are already bills in Congress to do so. Many members of Congress pointed to the ceasefire as a reason not to support them – they cannot say that now.
Free speech in the U.S. is facing mounting threats as well. Mahmoud Khalil wrote about his experience and the judgement against Greenpeace for supporting Standing Rock protests is shocking.
Help us speak out by joining our NH sign-on letter.
But, all is not lost… we want to mention a hopeful sign in the world: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a 30-day halt of attacks on energy infrastructure. This could be an important step toward further negotiations and an end to the war. Since the majority of Ukrainians say they want negotiations not more war, we are relieved to hear that their wishes are finally being heeded.
Please keep calling our reps! NHPA has meetings set up with the staff of most of them and our voice is more powerful when you all back us up with your outreach.
Ask Rep. Pappas & Goodlander to cosponsor House Joint Res. 68, 69, 70, 71 – Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services, and sign on as original cosponsors for Rep. Carson’s UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act.
Ask Senators Shaheen & Hassan to cosponsor Sen. Sanders’ four JRDs opposing Trump’s proposed $8.56 billion in weapons transfers to Israel and cosponsor S. 898 The UNRWA Restoration Act. Also ask them to oppose Mike Huckabee for Ambassador to Israel as his confirmation hearing is set for next week (likely Tuesday).
News & Events March 14, 2025
New Hampshire Peace Action is pleased to announce that we have hired an organizing director! He comes to us straight from a peacekeeping trip in the West Bank. As a way to start to get to know him, here is a piece that he wrote while in Palestine…
I find myself in Palestine, a traveler among the tangled threads of time and violence, here as part of a delegation from the Community Peacemaker Teams. The scenes we have witnessed have become etched in our hearts, like the sharp lines of a memory too painful to forget. There is something about this place, about the weight of what has happened and what continues to unfold, that stretches the mind beyond the limits of understanding. For a North American, the reality of living beneath such a shadow—the weight of occupation, the smoldering embers of injustice—seems almost ungraspable.
Our team leaders, wise in their empathy, have carefully woven into our time here small glimpses of a different reality—a quiet, unspoken normalcy, as though they, too, know that we must sometimes glimpse the light to survive the dark. It is within these small spaces that we find fragments of hope, like delicate threads held together in a worn tapestry.
One such space was a visit to the original Palestinian keffiyeh factory, a place where the fabric of history is both made and worn. The keffiyeh, that simple, elegant headdress—a patchwork of cotton, stitched into a symbol, a sign of resistance. It has become an emblem of Palestinian struggle, its black-and-white checkered pattern as much a statement as it is a piece of clothing. It wraps the wearer’s head in defiance, in remembrance, and in the bitter longing for a world that has yet to arrive.
In the shop, the colors of the keffiyehs bloomed before me, a kaleidoscope of patterns, a riot of histories woven into thread. Among them, one caught my eye: green, white, and orange—soft hues that whispered to me of something familiar. I turned to the shopkeeper, curiosity in my voice, and asked what this particular keffiyeh represented. “For the Irish people,” he said, his words slow, measured, as if passing a message across time and distance.
I am Irish by ancestry, and my heart swelled at the thought. Green—the color of Catholic Ireland, orange—the color of Protestant Ireland, white—the fragile, aching hope of union, of reconciliation, of peace. The same colors, the same yearning for a future stitched from the torn fabric of the past.
Could this be a sign? A soft murmur of hope amidst the harsh winds of occupation? What would it look like, I wonder, this Jewish-Palestinian state—a vision of equality, of justice, of peace? A place where the threads of division—of history, of religion, of ethnicity—are not cut, but woven into a new fabric, one that binds all in its embrace, where no one is left standing alone in the shadow of their past. Could it be that we are all, in the end, wearing the same garment, woven from the same struggle?
NH Peace Action
News & Events March 7, 2025
First, apologies for the lateness of this email, multiple power and internet outages today!
Tomorrow, March 8, is International Women’s Day, and the month of March is Women’s History Month in the US. While not always appreciated, women have been prominent leaders of movements for justice and peace.
It is now recognized that women, and their children, are disproportionately affected by war. In modern warfare, civilian casualties are often much higher than those in the military, and women and children are often over-represented. For instance, in Gaza, women and children make up 70% of verified deaths.
They are also important agents in the peace process. From information gathered by the United Nations we now know that peace processes which involve women are more successful and long-lasting. Gender-equal societies are less likely to experience conflict in the first place. Women are more likely to seek alternatives to violence by listening to others and seeking resolution through peaceful means. In a crisis or fear-inducing situation, women are more likely to tend to others rather than respond with fight or flight.
The Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, said: “Women continue to pay the price of the wars of men. This is happening in the context of a larger war on women. If we do not stand up and demand change, the consequences will be felt for decades, and peace will remain elusive”.
There are multiple upcoming events that will focus on women:
Tomorrow, Saturday, March 8, 50501 is holding a Women’s Day Rally at the Concord NH State House. NHPA Peacekeepers will be there.
Wednesday, March 19, noon: NH Peace Action cosponsors a webinar: Women in Conflict Zones. More details below and RSVP HERE
Monday, March 24, 7pm Eastern: NHPA Peace & Justice Conversations: The Feminist Path to Peace – Women’s Leadership in the Movement for Peace in Korea. More info below and RSVP HERE
Both Senator Shaheen and Hassan have worked on gender equity. We encourage you to express to them your wish for an end to war as a means to solve conflict to demonstrate their wish to protect women everywhere. Specific ways to do that include cosponsoring Sen. Sanders’ four JRDs opposing Trump’s proposed $8.56 billion in weapons transfers to Israel and supporting the UNRWA Restoration Act which is soon to be introduced in the Senate and House.
News & Events February 28, 2025
Does it seem as if the last four weeks have felt more like six months than one month? If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, you are not alone. The rapid dismantling of much of our government that the Trump Administration has unleashed has left many feeling unhinged. The dystopian feelings might have you wondering if the world of “BLADE RUNNER” or “1984” is right around the corner.
Take heart. There are things you can do to resist, to be helpful, and to be sane. Heather Cox Richardson recently said that a form of resistance is to be joyful. This can seem like a high demand upon us. As a psychologist, I frequently advise people with low to moderate depressions to use what energy they have to do things that have given them pleasure or joy in the past. Even though the activities do not produce these feelings, participating in them can prevent one from falling deeper into a depression. So consider doing something that has the potential to give you joy. The goal is to bring balance back into your life.
Begin by closing your eyes and taking ten deep breaths. Inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose with an audible whoosh. Now imagine doing something that has been enjoyable to you in the past. Or imagine yourself engaging in something that you have always wanted to do. Open your eyes and say what came up for you. Then construct a way to make this happen.
If your pleasurable activity was not something you can do every day, that’s ok. Make a plan for yourself, for what you envisioned. Then add something that you can do daily. It is important to have daily things in your life that are normally pleasurable. You need to do them and to note that you are grateful while being engaged in the activity.
Here are some suggestions for activities that you might already be involved in and have been scientifically proven to increase well-being: being outdoors; singing; listening to uplifting music; volunteering; gardening; talking with a friend; exercising aerobically; walking; dancing; listing three things you are grateful for daily; meditating; practicing yoga; eating healthy foods; and interrupting negative thoughts. Try some of these things and discover how they affect you.
Additionally, limit your time on social media. Go on a news diet. Read about current events instead of watching the news. Work with others to address societal problems. You have received this email because you belong to New Hampshire Peace Action. Join us by taking weekly action using our alerts and attending our online programs.
Be the drop of water that forms an ocean.
Sandra Yarne, Ph.D., Board Member, NH Peace Action and Palestine Education Network
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: NH Peace Action has hired an organizing director! Michael “Lefty” Morrill is set to begin working with us in early March, when he returns from a Community Peacemaker Team currently in the West Bank. He plans to join us for a quick report from Hebron on Monday, February 24, 7pm ET (see below for more info on the event). We’ll tell you more about him in the near future as well.
News & Events February 14, 2025
This week NHPA has been contacted by national groups asking for our help to interrupt Pres. Trump’s plans to ethnically cleanse Gaza and try to preserve the precarious ceasefire. Our action is critical because Senator Shaheen is a – maybe THE – key person to stand up to Trump on this, ideally by introducing a JRD (Joint Resolution of Disapproval) for the $7.4 billion in weapons that Pres. Trump plans to send to Israel.
In response, we sent delegations to her Manchester and Dover offices and are working to secure meetings with her DC staff. Can you help us keep up the pressure? Here’s how:
1. Please call Senator Shaheen’s office daily to encourage her to introduce a Joint Resolution of Disapproval for the $7.4 billion in weapons that President Trump plans to send to Israel (further background below). Also, call Senator Hassan’s office to ask her to support her colleague on this.
2. Join us for a vigil outside Senator Shaheen’s Dover office on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 2 to 3pm. Let’s show her how many people care about this issue and support her action on it.
This would be a bold move for her – the sort of action we want to see from her now!
Despite the challenges we face, we CAN make a difference. Just this week, the NH House Education Policy and Administration Committee voted unanimously to kill HB 283, a bill that would gut the definition of an adequate education, after 30,000+ people signed in remotely to oppose it. Note that everyone who wants to preserve education is our potential ally. Much of the waste in our government is in the DOD. Even Steve Bannon is calling for reductions in defense spending because financing the interest on the debt it incurs will eventually bankrupt the U.S. Saying no to arms for Israel conforms with good moral, legal and fiscal principles.
Thanks for your commitment to peace & justice!
Amy Antonucci, NHPA Ed Fund Board Chair
More background to help with your calls: In 2024, Shaheen co-sponsored a JRD to prevent the Biden Administration from sending an additional $7.4 billion in weapons to Israel. Shaheen put a hold on this request, and the request and the hold carried over into this Congress. President Trump now plans to send these weapons to Israel.
Recently Trump has stated that all Palestinians have to be permanently resettled to other countries, that the U.S. needs to “own” Gaza, and that U.S. troops may be used to institute these illegal and immoral plans. In an interview with Fox’s Bret Baier, Trump said that the Gaza Strip would be a “real estate development for the future”. His plan to “take over Gaza” would not include a right of return for the more than 2 million Palestinians that he has said have “no alternative” but to leave because of the destruction left by Israel’s U.S.-backed military campaign.
Are our representatives really comfortable continuing to support this, to use our tax dollars to send $7.4 billion of weapons to carry out those threats?
Amy Antonucci
News & Events for February 7, 2025
Outrageous news continues.
After hosting P.M. Netanyahu, President Trump called for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza with the help of American troops to seize and “own” the land. This proposal to ethnically cleanse Palestinians is both unreal and a logical extension of what has been happening, long before October 2023. Then, yesterday, Pres. Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC), circumventing Congress. The US Senate, led in this case by Senator Shaheen, had just declined to advance HR 23, which would have imposed sanctions on the ICC. This was an attack by Trump on international institutions, agreements and treaties as well as continued consolidation of his power over the U.S. government.
However, resistance grows.
Over the weekend, while Chevron invested millions on Super Bowl advertising, 33 communities across the U.S. took action to expose their involvement in the destruction of Palestine.
Nine countries joined together as the Hague Group, coordinating to support the Palestinian people’s right to national self-determination. They plan to prevent military aid to Israel from docking in their ports. Activists and workers in the U.S. can join in this effort to stop illegal, unconditional weapons shipments and stand up for international law.
The 50501 Movement — a nationwide protest against President Donald Trump’s actions and Project 2025 — gathered people to protest across the country on Wednesday, including hundreds in front of the Concord NH State House from noon until 7pm.
That same day, two different groups which included NHPA members visited Senator Shaheen’s Dover office advocating for more action against Trump’s actions at home and abroad.
NH Peace Action was thrilled to host author Peter Beinart last night. He spoke eloquently about the difficulty that Americans and Jewish people have had in coming to terms with the decades of ethnic cleansing in Palestine. He outlined ways forward, which he acknowledged will not be easy or fast, but reminded us of other times and places where similar changes occurred, bringing about more justice, equality and peace. If you missed it, we have it recorded here.
Please continue to call your elected officials. Tell them what you think and what you want them to stand up for. As we told Senator Shaheen’s office: There are times for compromise, but this is not one of them.
Thank you for all that you do,
Amy Antonucci, Board Chair
News & Events for January 31, 2025
First, we have good news to follow up on our Tuesday action alert. Senator Shaheen took the lead and Senator Hassan joined her to vote NO on the motion to vote on HR 23, the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” so it will not proceed in the US Senate in its current form. It will likely be back, however. Meanwhile, please thank our Senators and stress why you care about this.
This was just one of many issues trying to get our attention this week.
For the past two weeks many of us have felt like those unfortunate, fake rodents that continuously pop up in a Whack-a-mole game. Every time we expose ourselves to our media source of choice our senses and our central nervous system are whacked by the latest outrage emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Our human response to fear releases cortisol to prepare for the fight-or-flight response. We can’t exist constantly subjected to this for very long before the stress has profound impacts on our well being (ask the people of Gaza, southern Lebanon, Ukraine, Congo, etc.).
How do we survive the onslaught? It’s easy to feel discouraged. The flurry of executive orders and midnight missives is designed to do just that – cause chaos and destabilize you, exhaust you, and make you give up. A brief excerpt from Truthout describes this very clearly:
“In our current moment, it’s important to remind ourselves that we are not helping or saving anyone by falling into patterns of shock and reaction. Absorbing each blow head-on and then performing our disapproval online is not “resistance,” which is something we all should have learned during Trump’s first term. Trump is a performer. Becoming a full-time viewer and critic of the Trump Show does not create safety or justice for anyone. It merely drives us mad.”
We are going to have to build our resistance movement, while taking time for self care and meaningful and positive community connection. The famed writer Anne Lamott published an opinion piece in the Washington Post recently which offered this sage advice:
“A passionate activist friend told me she doesn’t feel very resisty yet, but one thing that characterizes deserts is the stillness, until the wind blows. And, boy, when it blows, it’s like an organ. You can hear its shape and power because everything else is so still. How or when will the wind start up? How could we know? But it always does. Spring is less than two months away — warmth, light, daffodils, life bursting into its most show-offy self.
“Give me those far away in the desert,” Saint Augustine said, “who are thirsty and sigh for the spring of the eternal country.”
I can tell you this: The resistance will be peaceful, nonviolent, colorful, multigenerational — we older people will march with you, no matter our sore feet and creaky joints. There will be beautiful old music. There will also be the usual haranguing through terrible sound systems, but oh well. Until then, this will be my fight song: left foot, right foot, breathe. Help the poor however you can, plant bulbs right now in the cold rocky soil, and rest.”
There are hundreds of organizations, with thousands of members each, resisting. Add your voice to any one of them. We’ve put together a list of some of our local partners. Many of you already belong to multiple organizations and do so much. Here are a few steps you can take:
-Don’t spread panic or fear, instead research and serve as a community resource.
-Remember to take time for yourself.
-Connect with these or other groups that are working to create safe community:
American Friends Service Committee – NH Program
American Civil Liberties Union – NH
And please continue to call your elected officials!
News & Events for January 24, 2025
Earlier this week, we were disappointed that our entire NH congressional delegation voted in favor of the Laken Riley immigration bill. This is the first bill that the Trump administration put forward and in every way, reflects the cynicism, disregard for due process, and fostering of an atmosphere of terror and harassment, which is the hallmark of the new administration’s approach to dealing with immigration.
According to the American Immigration Council “This bill does nothing to improve safety or fix our broken immigration system. Under the guise of preventing violence, the bill forces immigration officers to indefinitely detain and deport non-citizens who pose no public safety risk, without access to basic due process.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement estimates the cost of implementing these draconian measures will be more than $26.9 billion in its first year. The cost in terms of lives shattered and families pulled apart is immeasurable.
NHPA focuses on foreign policy, so you might ask why we are talking about immigration issues. We see many connections. One, U.S. military operations (as well as economic policies) are a major contributor to the conditions that cause people to take the drastic step of leaving their homelands. Two, the militarization of our borders is another way that our resources are diverted from programs that could uplift instead of destroy. Of course, we also care how people are treated everywhere, including here.
To stay informed and get involved with immigration issues, sign up for AFSC-NH’s State House Watch , connect with Welcoming NH and check out GSOP’s Immigrant Solidarity Network page.
This past weekend NHPA was present at a number of events that brought people together to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr and strengthen our networks while Trump was inaugurated. See our website to read remarks we delivered in Portsmouth and Manchester.
Let’s remember some of Dr. King’s wise words as we enter challenging times: “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.”
Read on to find some ways to stay connected and continue the struggle together.
Bill Maddocks & Amy Antonucci, NHPA Board members
News & Events for January 17, 2025
There’s so much going on to speak to: the ceasefire announcement, ICC sanctions, Inauguration and MLK events, and a great honor for NHPA.
First, the agreement for a 42 day ceasefire that promises to return Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners home and pause the active violence. For more than 15 months we have been working for a ceasefire for Gaza, Palestine and Israel. It is hard to fathom that it has taken so long or to believe that it might really be here. We approach this news with caution, even skepticism, but also with hope that this is a step that will begin to save lives and alleviate suffering.
Over these months, we also saw the larger picture. The Palestinian people have been enduring an occupation for decades, an open wound infecting and hurting those in the region and beyond. The brutality of colonialism, the lack of democracy around the world, and the way those with power turn to violence first have again been apparent since October 2023.
But, we see more willingness to engage on the topic of Palestinian rights and the cost of ignoring them. It is our intention at NH Peace Action and the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East that what started as a call for “ceasefire” will lead us further along a road towards a just peace.
We will watch closely what happens next and hope to be able to adjust our strategy to a new set of circumstances that can make space for more healing and justice.
Next, we’d like to mention a great honor for NH Peace Action. Our own Amy Antonucci, Board Chair, will be the MLK, Jr Award recipient Monday, January 20, at the Martin Luther King, Jr Community Celebration in Manchester NH. For over 30 years, the Martin Luther King Coalition has presented the Martin Luther King Award to a NH resident who carries on work for social justice in the spirit of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We hope to see you there to celebrate.
There are numerous other gatherings this weekend to mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. and / or Monday’s Inauguration. See below for info.
We heard this week from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights that congressional staffers report that calls opposing arming Israel have dropped to their lowest levels. We would like to reiterate our request to you for daily outreach to reps. Here are some specific calls to make now:
Please thank Representative Maggie Goodlander for voting against H.R. 23, the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” and thank Senator Shaheen who has made a public statement that she will oppose legislation to punish the International Criminal Court. You can tell Rep Pappas of your disappointment that he voted for H.R. 23 and ask Senator Hassan to join her fellow NH Senator to speak out against this legislation. Also, continue to tell them you want diplomacy and justice in Palestine & Israel and beyond, not more war.
Thank you for acting – your voice matters.
New & Events for January 10, 2025
The legislatures in DC and Concord are back in session and moving fast. In fact, you received two action alerts from us this week already. Here’s what you can do now…
NHPA activists visited Senator Shaheen’s Dover office this week to ask her to oppose the 8 billion dollar arms deal with Israel that President Biden has proposed to Congress and to oppose sanctions on the International Criminal Court. It is particularly important that we speak up since the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 23, the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” yesterday. Unfortunately, Rep. Pappas again crossed the aisle to support this Republican-led effort. We are pleased to report that new NH Representative, Maggie Goodlander, voted against it.
Please contact all your reps so they know how their constituents feel above these issues.
We would also like to call your attention to an important vote about immigration that AFSC-NH has informed us about. While immigration is not a major focus for NHPA, during this time when many in the U.S. will face increased attacks, we feel it’s important to be sure to support others working on related issues.
On January 7, the US House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act, an anti-immigrant bill that exploits a heart-wrenching crime as justification for an attack on Constitutional protections and due process rights. Read more here and here: Five things to know about the Laken Riley Act.
Sadly, NH’s newest Member of Congress, Maggie Goodlander joined Congressman Pappas in supporting the measure – two of the 48 Democrats who joined 216 Republicans to pass the bill.
The bill has advanced to the US Senate where it will be voted on soon. Please call Senators Shaheen and Hassan and urge them to vote NO on the Laken Riley Act. And call your Rep. (Pappas or Goodlander) and express your dismay at their vote for this anti-immigrant legislation.
Thank you for acting – your voice matters!
Action Alert – January 8, 2025
Please call your Rep. now to demand they vote against a bill (H.R. 23, the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act”) to shield Netanyahu from accountability under the International Criminal Court.
The new U.S. Congress began their new year with a dangerous move to shield Netanyahu from accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) which could halt the work of the ICC on all of its cases.
The plan to undermine the ICC was buried in the 2025 House “rules package”. This is the very first and foundational bill the House takes up every new session.[1] This year’s House “rules package” created an expedited path for sanctions for the ICC if it investigates or takes
action against Netanyahu. Now, the actual ICC legislation will be voted on.
The U.S. is right now rewarding Israel with $8 billion in new weapons transfers[2], while the House leadership has cued up this plan to sanction the International Criminal Court for attempting to stop human rights violations.
The bill and its sanctions are designed to be sweeping and draconian. Anyone who “aids” the ICC in simply “investigating” someone like Netanyahu or the Israeli government could be sanctioned. Providing any “material support” to an ICC investigation would be sanctionable. Many of these same people are working on cases in Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar and more. All of these investigations will be hampered if not shut down.
The vote could come any day now so it’s best to make a call rather than email.
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
News & Events for January 3, 2025
As we turn the calendar page, we want to share with you:
1. A link to good news from the past year. There was so much awful news in 2024… but there were also 100s of success stories from nonviolent movements worldwide! Rivera Sun put some of them together here.
2. We want to call your attention to a few programs outside of our regular Monday night series but we hope will support us all as we enter 2025:
– Wednesday, January 15, 7pm ET, NHPA Zoom Book Study Begins: Join us to discuss “Nonviolence: Twenty-Five Lessons from the History of a Dangerous Idea” by Mark Kurlansky. Four sessions: Wednesdays January 15 & 29, February 12 & 26, 7-8:30pm.
-Wednesday, January 22, 7pm ET, Zoom: Film Discussion of The Movement and the Madman with director Stephen Talbot, producer Robert Levering and peace activist David Hartsough.
-Thursday, February 6, 7pm Eastern, Zoom: Peter Beinart, author and journalist, speaks on his new book: “Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza”.
Further details on all of these and more are below.
Thank you for your action which is so important in these times.
ACTION ALERT for December 10, 2024!
On December 10 Palestinian writer, poet and educator Refaat Alareer will posthumously publish a book, “If I Must Die,” a collection of his poetry and prose. Israel assassinated Refaat Alareer on December 6, 2023 with a targeted airstrike while he was taking refuge with extended family. Let’s help keep his story and his work alive by turning Refaat’s book into the international bestseller it deserves to be. Royalties support his surviving family.
Order it today for yourself and as gifts for others. Suggested purchase options that will help further its reach are:
Amazon (helps boost Amazon ranking)
Bookshop.org (counts toward NYT bestseller list)
Then, we urge you to call your representatives about the war in Ukraine.
The Biden Administration recently approved Ukraine’s use of long-range US missile strikes deep inside Russia. This is a step that Biden had previously taken off the table because of the likelihood that it would cause a dangerous escalation and heightened risk of nuclear war. In response, as expected, Russia lowered the threshold on their use of nuclear weapons. In addition, the U.S. is sending cluster bombs to Ukraine – cluster bombs are internationally banned for their history of mutilating children and civilians long after wars come to an end.
As many have been saying for over two years, we must support diplomacy over war in this conflict. With over a million people dead and no military end in sight, it is time for the West to allow negotiations. Nearly 70% of Americans now agree with the need for talks to end this war. Please call your reps to tell them what you think. You can also sign Codepink’s petition.
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Thank you for your action which is so important in these times.
ACTION ALERT for November 18, 2024!
There’s a great deal happening in Washington in the coming week and your help is needed!
First, as you may recall, Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced several bills, along with Senators Welch, Merkley, and Schatz to block some arms transfers to Israel. Collectively, they make up a package of “Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs).” These arms include tank and mortar rounds that have been documented to kill innocent civilians including children, journalists, and medical workers, and other weaponry implicated in war crimes by Israel.
It is very likely that these JRDs will be voted on this week. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is reportedly considering voting in favor of some of them. It’s crucial that you call and let her know that you support ending these weapon transfers. Let Senator Maggie Hassan know the same and that the $20 billion dollars could be better used for humanitarian aid to Gaza and U.S. needs. Their numbers are below.
Second, while you have their staff on the phone, let them know you support Senator Peter Welch’s bill (to be introduced this week) to restore funding to UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees).
And third, H.R. 9594 (the “nonprofit killer bill”) will be back this week. It will allow the Trump Administration to take away nonprofit status from advocacy groups accused of “terrorist connections.” We expect it to be used against peace groups first, but the vague language and process will make it easy to use against many others, too. It was defeated last week because it did not have the required ⅔ majority, even though 52 democratic house members voted with republicans, including Rep. Chris Pappas. This week it only needs a majority vote. This is a complicated bill that has good provisions in it, too, so maybe Rep. Pappas was unaware that it was bad for non-profit groups. Please call and ask him: “Why did you vote for this? Were you aware of the ramifications for non profits?” If Annie Kuster is your representative, call and thank her and ask for her to vote against it again. Their numbers are below.
It’s going to be a busy time for activists in the coming months and years. Let’s try to stay focused, hydrated and healthy and make sure to take some time to recharge your batteries! If you need help with finding information, making calls or writing letters, please reach out to Doreen or Amy and we can help or put you in touch with someone who can.
Thanks for all you do!
Amy Antonucci, Chair, NH Peace Action Board of Directors
Keep calling your representatives…
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
VP Kamala Harris: (202) 456-1111, https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/vicepresident/
Amy Antonucci, Chair
ACTION ALERT for April 23, 2024!
Today we bring you an invitation to join us for a Vigil in Dover, then three legislative alerts.
Mother’s Day Honoring Vigil: Please join us for a special vigil in Dover on Friday, May 10 at 2:30 PM at the office of Congressman Chris Pappas, 660 Central Avenue. As famine and the Israeli government’s bombing of refugee camps in Rafah escalate an already catastrophic situation in Gaza, join NH Peace Action, AFSC, Veterans for Peace, the Community Church of Durham, Palestine Education Network, Peace with Justice Advocates of NHCUCC and other groups to implore Congressman Pappas to act for an immediate end to the violence and an end to US military aid to Israel. We will have a program of songs and interfaith prayers, and we will read Julia Ward Howe’s Mothers Day proclamation. A small group will enter the office to relay our messages to the Congressman’s staff. (Note that this vigil is in addition to our weekly Wednesday vigils.)
“From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, disarm! The sword is not the balance of justice.” Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence indicate possession.” – Julia Ward Howe’s proclamation for the original Mothers Day in 1870
Legislative Alerts:
RAFAH: After rejecting a ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas, the Israeli military forced Palestinian families to flee their tents in eastern Rafah, dropped bomb after bomb in western Rafah, and stormed the Rafah crossing, cutting off any access to humanitarian aid entirely.
Please make a call to your Senators and Representatives and demand that they take meaningful action to stop the carnage.
ATTACKING NONPROFITS: In April, the House of Representatives passed HR 6408 by a vote of 382-11. This legislation would grant the secretary of the treasury broad power to designate any charity as a “terrorist supporting organization” and remove its tax-exempt status within 90 days. The Senate introduced its companion measure, S 4136, shortly after.
Nonprofits, like other organizations, are already restricted from providing funding to foreign terrorist organizations under numerous anti-terrorism laws. The new bill would allow the feds to shut down a charity without an official terrorism designation, according to Matthew Petti in Reason, April 2024. This new legislation is worrisome given recent charges of terrorism leveled at U.S.-based Palestinian organizations and student groups. Read more about this here.
Please call or write your Representative and ask them to vote NO on S 4136 when it comes up for a vote. Please call or write your Senator to vote NO on both bills when they come up for a vote.
ANTI-SEMITISM AWARENESS ACT: The U.S. House of Representatives and the NH House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee approved language last week that conflates criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism and hate speech. H.R. 6090, which expand the federal definition of anti-Semitism despite opposition from civil liberties groups and allow crackdowns on anti-war protestors, passed the House on May 2. Chris Pappas is a cosponsor of this. We suggest you tell him what you think about that. then call your Senators and urge them to vote NO on H.R. 6090 – Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2023 when it reaches them.
See this ACLU Press Release for more info about the national bill.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
ACTION ALERT for April 23, 2024!
Over the weekend, the US House of Representatives passed the $95 billion package of foreign aid bills that includes military funding for Israel. While we pressured Rep. Kuster and Rep. Pappas to vote no, it was not a surprise that they both voted in favor. The package now goes to the Senate, where a vote is expected Tuesday afternoon and is likely to pass. We still need to tell our elected officials to ensure that military aid to Israel– or any other country– conforms to US and international law.
Action #1: Contact Senator Shaheen to demand full enforcement of the Leahy Law.
Last week, one of our action alerts focused on telling our elected officials to enforce the Leahy Law , which prohibits US military aid to countries with documented human rights abuses. This need was confirmed by an investigative report that found State Department staff had recommended to Sec. Blinken that arms sales be restricted to a specific Israel military unit with recorded abuses, but he was refusing. The report– and our engagement with elected officials– have resulted in some small progress. It is reported that the US will soon place arms sales restrictions to that unit. This is a positive first step, but we need to continue to call on Sen. Shaheen to pressure the State Department to fully enforce the Leahy Law and sanction Israeli security forces implicated in human rights violations.
Action #2: Two New Hampshire bills to oppose: SB 439 and SB 563
In past legislative action alerts we highlighted the need to oppose SB 439, that would limit boycott efforts aimed at Israel. The public hearing has passed, but the House Executive Departments committee plans to take it up today, April 23. You can still contact the committee and urge them to vote no on this bill.
On Wednesday, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will take up
SB 563, the ‘“anti-sanctuary cities” bill that would require NH law enforcement to engage in Federal immigration enforcement. The public hearing was last week and NH Peace Action joined other groups in opposing the bill. Please contact the committee and urge them to vote no on this bill.
Action #3: Tell Rep. Kuster and Rep. Pappas to vote no on PERA Act
The Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act (PERA Act) would authorize $2.5 billion dollars in military aid to the Philippines. Peace and environmental activists in the Philippines oppose this because of its negative impact on the environment and that it represents an escalation in military tension with China. Read here for more information.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Tim Lenoch, NHPA Director
ACTION ALERT for April 16, 2024!
The situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East is extremely volatile right now. After the escalation over the weekend, there are a variety of scenarios that can play out in the coming days, including an all out war between Israel and Iran. The crisis and violence in Gaza remain. In the US House, there is a push to pass the supplemental military aid package to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. This bill was passed by the Senate months ago. The House may pass a stand alone bill to provide Israel military funding, which would then go quickly to the Senate. Biden has stated he wants Israel to de-escalate. Regardless of his words, the best thing we can do for peace and de-escalation is to stop continued military aid to Israel, especially given they are not in compliance with US and international law.
The key messages for our legislative action alert remain the same:
- Permanent ceasefire now
- Restore UNRWA and increase humanitarian aid
- Stop military aid to Israel
- Prevent a wider war
Action 1: Tell Reps. Kuster & Pappas to vote no on military aid to Israel.
The key message is that Israel is not following US Law. It receives military aid, but blocks humanitarian aid, a violation of Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act. You can ask your representative why they did not sign on to the Pocan letter calling for an end to weapons transfers to Israel while they continue to block humanitarian aid.
Action 2: Tell Senators Hassan & Shaheen no new military aid to Israel and enforce the Leahy Law
If the House passes a stand alone Israel military aid package, it will go to the Senate quickly and we want our Senators to vote no. We also want to raise our concern that the US is violating the Leahy Law which prohibits US military aid to countries with documented human rights abuses, which includes Israel’s indiscriminate bombing in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.
Action 3: Tell all four legislators & President Biden to address the violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the start of a new war in Sudan that has led to a massive humanitarian crisis, including famine. For many reasons, this crisis has been ignored and we need to start pressuring our elected officials to do something. This website has good information and messaging for contacting elected officials and important decision makers.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Tim Lenoch, NHPA Director
ACTION ALERT for April 9, 2024!
This week we have three action alerts for you to engage your various legislators and to move them towards peace. Ideally, you can do all three. Moving forward we plan to give you more options for our weekly action alerts, including other pressing issues of war and peace beyond Gaza.
Action One: Tell New Hampshire state legislators to oppose SB 439
Tomorrow, Wednesday April 10, the New Hampshire House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will take up , SB 439, a bill that would ban businesses which participate in a boycott of Israel from receiving NH state contracts, funds, or investments.
Please contact NH state legislators and tell them to oppose this bill.
- Register your opposition to SB 439 using the NH House sign-in portal.
- Email the committee HouseExecutiveDepartmentsandAdministration@leg.state.nh.us
- Email or call your own state representatives (if they are not on the committee) and ask them to oppose SB 439 on the House floor. You can find out who your state representatives are using this tool on the NH House website.
- Testify against SB 439 in person during its public hearing on Wednesday, April 10, at 2:30pm. The hearing will be in Room 306-308 of the Legislative Office Building (33 N State St) in Concord; the building is located behind the NH State House.
Action Two: Ask Rep. Kuster and Rep. Pappas to sign on to Rep Pocan’s letter
In Washington, a letter is circulating in the House by Rep. Pocan– and signed by Rep. Pelosi, among nearly 40 members– that urge President Biden to “withhold pending offensive weapons transfers to Israel. . . and to place conditions on future weapons assistance.” Read news coverage HERE
- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
- Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
Action Three: Ask Sen. Shaheen and Sen. Hassan “what do you believe in?”
Over the last few months, NHPA members have had productive and respectful discussions with staff from Sen. Shaheen and Sen. Hassan’s office. We have seen some movement towards peace– especially from See. Shaheen– but neither of our Senator’s have made clear public statements about what they believe in to stop the violence and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. One reason may simply be that they are not being asked enough by the people they represent. Let us know what response you get from them.
- Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Do you want to be involved in the electoral process in NH Congressional District 2?
Rep. Kuster will not be seeking reelection. If you are interested in working with other peace activists to explore ways to engage in the electoral process with this open Congressional seat, please let us know HERE.
Tim Lenoch, NHPA Director
ACTION ALERT for April 2, 2024!
We still encourage folks to contact their Federal legislators to ask them to support and lead in demanding a ceasefire, to restore UNRWA funding, and expand humanitarian aid to Gaza. There is no new specific legislation this week, but we hope something will develop soon, especially as there appears to be some positive movement.
We have a specific action for those in Rep. Kuster’s district: this past Friday, NHPA leaders and partners with the Back from the Brink Campaign met with staff from Kuster’s office to urge her to sign on to House Resolution 77, which “calls on the United States to embrace the goals and provisions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.” Kuster’s staff was unaware of this resolution and now is the time to encourage her to sign on. Please contact us if you would like to get more involved in this topic, including writing letters and getting participating in our project with Back from the Brink.
While much of our advocacy around ending the devastating fighting and atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank has been directed at the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration, we would also like to spotlight another avenue taken by organizers around the world: boycotts of the Israeli government and other institutions (often companies) that support the continued Israeli military operation in Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank. Unfortunately, there is active state legislation in New Hampshire right now that seeks to crack down on these boycotts. Today’s action alert is about how we can take action to oppose this anti-boycott bill.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives is currently handling a bill, SB 439, that would ban businesses which participate in a boycott of Israel from receiving NH state contracts, funds, or investments. While SB 439 does not outright ban New Hampshire businesses from taking part in boycotts, it would serve to intimidate companies out of engaging in this nonviolent form of protest against Israeli apartheid. This would stifle an important method for stopping U.S. complicity in human rights abuses against Palestinians.
If SB 439 sounds familiar, it might be because we wrote an action alert back in January asking for help to oppose this bill in the NH Senate. Unfortunately, SB 439 passed in the Senate in February on a voice vote, and it is now before the NH House (which must pass the bill before it can reach the governor’s desk). NH Governor Chris Sununu has already backed the bill, which would codify an anti-boycott executive order he signed last summer and make it a permanent part of NH state law. As such, it is imperative that we stop SB 439 in the NH House of Representatives.
There will be an opportunity to oppose SB 439 when it is up for a public hearing in the NH House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Wednesday, April 10, at 2:30pm in Concord. Whether you can testify against the bill in person or can only take action remotely, here are some steps you can take to stop this anti-boycott bill.
- Register your opposition to SB 439 using the NH House sign-in portal. Once you are on the sign-in page, enter your name and town/city before selecting the hearing date (April 10), committee (House Executive Departments and Administration), the bill number (SB 439), and your position (oppose) before you submit. You have the option to submit written testimony on the form as well.
- Email the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee and ask them to vote against SB 439. You can email the whole committee at HouseExecutiveDepartmentsandAdministration@leg.state.nh.us or find the contact information for individual members on the committee page.
- Email or call your own state representatives (if they are not on the committee) and ask them to oppose SB 439 on the House floor. You can find out who your state representatives are using this tool on the NH House website.
- Write letters to the editor in your local newspaper explaining why you oppose SB 439.
- Show up to testify against SB 439 in person during its public hearing on Wednesday, April 10, at 2:30pm. The hearing will be in Room 306-308 of the Legislative Office Building (33 N State St) in Concord; the building is located behind the NH State House.
For more information on all of these possible actions and to see guidance on preparing testimony, you can visit an action toolkit from Upper Valley for Palestine at: tinyurl.com/stop-sb439NH
Hayden Smith for NH Peace Action
ACTION ALERT for March 26, 2024!
Today we start with an update on national action on Gaza, give a short update on Haiti, then tell you about local actions that need your support.
New Hampshire Peace Action continues to organize for a just peace in Gaza, where the death toll has now surpassed 32,000 and basic necessities remain scarce as half of Gaza’s population is at risk of famine. The flow of critical humanitarian aid has been stymied by the Israeli government, which announced over the weekend that it will not approve the passage of food aid convoys operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main UN agency supplying aid to Palestinians in Gaza, into northern Gaza. The Israeli government continues to allege that the agency has been infiltrated by Hamas (even though these claims are under increasing scrutiny), and the U.S. government has so far continued to block funding to UNRWA even as countries like Canada, Australia, Sweden, and Finland have restored their funding to the agency over the past month.
We are particularly disturbed that the U.S. Congress passed a government spending package last week that included a provision banning U.S. funding for UNRWA until March 2025. This same spending package also included $3.8 billion in military aid for Israel as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s $886 billion budget. While we did not want a U.S. government shutdown, we did not see any serious efforts from our representatives to remove these damaging provisions from the spending package, and the entire New Hampshire congressional delegation ultimately voted to pass the spending package. We hear that the spending package also prohibits funding for UN investigations into the Israeli government’s human rights violations.
We encourage you to call your federal lawmakers to voice your disappointment with continuation of the ban on U.S. funding of UNRWA and let them know that the U.S. funding should go to critical aid agencies like UNRWA, not toward giving more weapons to the Israeli military. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN-7) has also pledged to introduce a new standalone bill that would restore funding to UNRWA, and now is the time to begin building support for this legislation as we await its formal introduction in Congress.
We also need urgent action to ensure that U.S. troops don’t launch an armed intervention into Haiti. The crisis in Haiti is indeed alarming, with violent gang warfare leaving the country without an elected government and contributing to a worsening humanitarian crisis. While we feel compelled to offer whatever support we can to people in Haiti and refugees who are fleeing, we must stand firm in opposing calls among some in the U.S. government for a U.S. military intervention into the country. Haiti has a violent past with foreign interventions that have often left it hobbled with dysfunctional, foreign-installed governments that ultimately collapse. Though we must provide aid, a U.S. military intervention would undermine Haiti’s sovereignty further, and we must remind our federal lawmakers and the Biden administration of this.
Whether you wish to call about Gaza, Haiti, or both, you can call the NH congressional delegation and the White House using the contact information below.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
On the local front in New Hampshire, we continue to see activity around municipal resolutions calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. These resolutions have proven to be useful tools for pressuring the congressional delegation and mobilizing more local residents around the crisis in Gaza. If you live in or near the following cities, we encourage you to contact your aldermen or city councilors and speak in support of a ceasefire resolution.
In Nashua, activists with Southern NH for Palestine and other groups are continuing to show up to Board of Aldermen meetings to request the introduction of a ceasefire resolution. They are asking supporters to attend the next Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30pm in Nashua City Hall and use the public comment period to advocate for such a resolution. If you can’t come in person, you can also sign a petition and/or contact your aldermen.
In Dover, local organizers with Southern NH for Palestine, the American Friends Service Committee, and other groups have worked with a city councilor to get a draft ceasefire resolution on the agenda! The city council is due to take up this resolution at its next meeting on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:00pm in Dover City Hall. Organizers are asking local residents to come and speak in support of passing the ceasefire resolution. Please note that public comment is only open to Dover residents or business owners, though others are welcome to attend the meeting to provide quiet support. If you can’t come, we recommend contacting your city councilors to ask for their support.
The myriad of armed violence and humanitarian crises around the world can feel overwhelming, but even if you can take one small action for peace this week, we can make a collective difference. The pace of change is awfully slow, the U.S. government is feeling the pressure and slowly shifting its stance. Just this week, a ceasefire resolution cleared the UN Security Council in a 14-0 vote after the U.S, finally stopped using its veto and instead abstained. We still have far to go, but there is momentum on our side.
Hayden Smith for NH Peace Action
Action & Legislative Alert for March 19, 2024
The crisis in Gaza continues to be our top priority with legislative action. Violence continues, the threat of famine is imminent, and victims have limited access to desperately needed medical care.
Activism to demand a ceasefire is growing and appears to have some, limited, success. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer’s speech on the floor late last week opened a much needed discussion at high levels of decision making, and Biden seems to agree with Schumer’s message. Biden and Netanyahu have recently spoken for the first time in a month and Israel will send a delegation to DC to discuss possible escalation of the violence with an assault on Rafah. Tell President Biden to stand up to Netanyahu and use his power to demand a ceasefire and get aid into Gaza. You can do so using this email tool from our friends at Win Without War.
In addition to Schumer’s speech, key Senate leaders are pushing Biden to demand from Netanyahu both a ceasefire and for Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza. We want our New Hampshire Senators to take on this leadership as well.
As we shared on Friday, we are cautiously optimistic that Sen. Shaheen stated on a recent radio program: “We need a cease fire, we need to get humanitarian aid into the people of Gaza who are suffering, and we need to do it now.” (You listen HERE, the comment is at 10:53.)
We need to contact Sen. Shaheen and thank her for making this statement, but she needs to follow her words with action by signing on to a letter from her Senate colleagues to President Biden stating that Israel is in violation of Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act by limiting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Here is an article in Common Dreams and the letter from the senators to the president is HERE.
Please continue to contact all four of our Federal Legislators with both our demands for a ceasefire a simple question or two for them: What are you doing to prevent the killing of thousands of innocent people by the Israeli military and what are doing to prevent a famine in Gaza?
Another Legislation Action at the Federal level is asking our representatives to support the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act. The Korean War was suspended by an armistice agreement in 1953, but a permanent peace agreement is still needed. Tell your elected representatives to co-sponsor the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act!
At the state level in New Hampshire, we continue to oppose SB 439, a bill seeking to crack down on nonviolent boycotts of Israel by banning New Hampshire state investments and contracts from going to businesses that are participating in a boycott of Israel. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the House Executive Departments and Administration committee, which meets this Wednesday, although this bill is not on the agenda as of right now.
Please contact your NH House Representative, especially if they serve on the committee, and urge them to oppose this bill that seeks to limit people power that comes from collective action.
You can find the committee members HERE. And you can use this tool on the NH General Court website to find the contact information of your NH House representatives.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Action & Legislative Alert for March 12, 2024
- Nashua: Sign a petition calling on the Nashua Board of Aldermen to introduce and pass a ceasefire resolution. If you can, come to Nashua City Hall this Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30pm to speak in favor of a ceasefire resolution during the public comment section of the Board of Aldermen meeting. Alternatively, email your aldermen if you are a Nashua resident.
- Dover: Come to Dover City Hall this Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00pm to call for the introduction and adoption of a ceasefire resolution during the public comment section of the City Council meeting. If you are a Dover resident, you can also email your city councilors. [Please note that you must be a resident, taxpayer, or business owner in Dover in order to speak during public comment at Dover City Council meetings.]
Thank you for your action, at whatever level. Though the process can be excruciatingly slow as lives continue to be lost, we are starting to see gradual shifts in the U.S. government’s support for the Israeli military’s deadly campaign in Gaza. We must seize the moment by pressing our case for a just peace in Gaza and across the region.
Action & Legislative Alert for March 4, 2024
There will be a flurry of action in New Hampshire and across the country this week aimed at compelling the U.S. government to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and adequately fund desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Please read on to see ways you can get involved.
This Monday, March 4th, we have a chance to pass municipal resolutions calling for a Gaza ceasefire in two New Hampshire communities: Durham and Portsmouth. The Durham Town Council is set to vote on the town manager’s draft ceasefire resolution during its 7:00 pm meeting at the Durham Town Hall (8 Newmarket Road), while the Portsmouth City Council will vote on its own ceasefire resolution at the City Council Chambers (1 Junkins Avenue). If you reside in either Durham or Portsmouth, we urge you to contact your town or city councilors in support of the local ceasefire resolution proposal and consider attending either of this Monday’s meetings. Non-residents are also welcome to speak in either Durham or Portsmouth, though we recommend that you mention how you are connected to the community (work, worship, family, etc.).
- DURHAM: Find contact information for town councilors by clicking here (draft resolution available on the meeting packet).
- PORTSMOUTH: Find contact information for city councilors by clicking here (draft resolution available on the meeting packet).
At a time when we are still struggling to get the U.S. federal government to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to end unconditional military aid to Israel in the face of the collective punishment of Palestinians, passing ceasefire resolutions in our towns and cities is one avenue for putting more pressure on our New Hampshire congressional delegation and the Biden administration to act. Some may say that town and city governments should not be weighing in on international affairs, but when our federal taxpayer dollars are being used to fund devastating armed violence that has created a humanitarian catastrophe for Palestinians and officials in the federal government will not cooperate with our pleas to stop this, we believe it is within the purview of local governments to advise our federal representatives on a better course of action. Additionally, these resolutions can help spread awareness about the devastation in Gaza and emphasize that the community stands in solidarity with all local individuals who have faced hate or feared for their safety in New Hampshire as a result of the Israel-Hamas war. The city of Lebanon, NH, has already passed a preliminary ceasefire resolution, and we hope to have more NH communities do the same.
At the federal level, NH Peace Action is part of a national effort urging the U.S. government to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). U.S. funding to UNRWA has remained suspended since late January after the Israeli government accused the agency of having members of Hamas on its staff who participated in the October 7th attacks; this suspension of funding has left UNRWA in a precarious position to continue its crucial work in Gaza at the exact same time that the humanitarian crisis is worsening. In the wake of the killing of over 100 people who were attempting to collect food from an aid convoy in Gaza City last Thursday (in what Israeli forces said was a stampede and eyewitnesses described as Israeli soldiers opening fire on aid-seekers) and growing scrutiny of the Israeli government’s accusations against the agency, the European Union recently moved to partially restore funding to UNRWA. We must push the U.S. to follow the European Union’s lead so UNRWA can deliver critical food, water, and medical supplies to desperate Palestinians. The Biden administration has tried to placate concerns by instructing the U.S. military to airdrop aid into Gaza, but the impact of this approach falls well short of what can be achieved by ground-distributed aid. We need UNRWA to be properly funded to take on the unfolding humanitarian disaster.
Our national Peace Action organizers have created this email tool to contact your members of Congress about unfreezing U.S. aid to UNRWA. You can also call your lawmakers and the White House using the contact information below.
And please provide your input by completing this survey regarding NHPA’s structure and work. Click HERE for the survey.
Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 285-4300
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002
President Biden: (202) 456-1111 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Thank you for your action at this desperate time for so many Gazans.