There are those who will have you believe that activists like me give St. Louis a bad reputation. In fact, activists strive to make this place a healthy, civilized and productive environment for all who live or visit here.
The city’s reputation took another hit when United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) decided to have its national assembly here this weekend (of course, after checking in about the convention boycott initiated by the Coalition Against Police Crimes). It seems that the Millennium Hotel deceived UFPJ about whether it was a union workplace in order to lure the group to town. Tens of thousands were informed about this trickery with the speed and scope of the internet. UFPJ has hooked up with labor leaders to address this issue, but they have stayed focused on their mission and purpose.
United for Peace and Justice was founded in 2002 during George W. Bush’s first term, when it became obvious that the administration had embarked upon an aggressive empire-building and permanent-warfare strategy.
What started as a campaign against the war has become an influential alliance that includes 800 local and national organizations, primarily in the U.S., which aims to expose U.S. war policy and mobilize against it. When UFPJ issued a call for global action on the anniversary of the Iraqi invasion, more than 2 million people in 60 countries responded with local rallies and marches.
As a young organization, UFPJ has already established an impressive record. As part of the global day or protest in 2003, it helped to organized nearly 800 protests around the world, including one in New York that drew a half million people. Although the multi-racial, intergenerational group is interested in mobilizing anti-war protests, it is equally involved in strategic planning that gives guidance to its work around militarization, nuclear disarmament, civil liberties and immigration rights.
UFPJ does more than tap into anti-war sentiment. It organizes thousands to repeal the Patriot Act, resist the imminent military draft raise issues of the impact of a war economy during democratic elections, to name a few.
Locals are elated that UFPJ worked to resolve conflicting events that had Danny Glover and Angela Davis scheduled to speak at the same time. United worked with the Black Student Union at Saint Louis University, who are sponsoring the Davis event, to combine the two powerhouse speakers on one program. This program will be held on Sunday evening, February 20 at the Busch Student Center. Other sponsors are the St. Louis American and the Great Issues Committee.
I encourage you to join the national assembly and network with people from around the country who are united in spirit and action for peace and justice. I think it will be a powerful and lasting encounter. For more information about this weekend’s activities, visit www.unitedforpeace.org.