FNVW E-Letter 8.17.23

Nonviolence in action since 1981

Note from the Executive Director
We've Got the Power

Last week I immersed myself in the community living experience that is People Camp. Many events that transpired at camp this year reminded me that People Camp is indeed a microcosm of the larger world in which we live, complete with all the human elements that entails. What makes People Camp special, however, is that its smaller scale and intensity provide a unique space for People Campers to experiment with creating community and living into our peace and justice centered values in new ways.

I'd like to share one story from People Camp 2023 that exemplifies the power each of us has to make positive change in our community. Early in the week, a new People Camper, Judy Sausen, noticed that we did not compost our food waste at People Camp. She voiced her concerns to me. Overwhelmed with other People Camp needs I told her the food waste decisions were made by the owners of the Northern Pines Retreat Center where People Camp takes place and were out of our hands.

Demi Miller and Greg Mott, the movers and shakers who brought composting to People Camp this year

Good thing the People Camp community is made up of folks who know how change really happens...

Two days later, Greg Mott, the person in charge of food leftovers at People Camp, told me the news that FNVW was registered to compost with Hubbard County this year and into the future. We could start composting our food waste right then and there! What brought about this turn of events, you might ask? Here's how I understand it happened: Greg asked the People Camper responsible for running errands in town, Demi Miller, to see if the grocery store sold compostable bags. Turns out the store did. So Demi inquired at the grocery store to find out what composting options existed in town. Soon Demi was at the Hubbard County Transfer Station talking to the very passionate person responsible for the Hubbard County Composting Program. Demi got FNVW registered to compost with Hubbard County and learned what the composting process and requirements were. The rest is history.

Research done by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, shows that it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in a nonviolent campaign to bring about political change. Three people at a camp of 93 people was all it took to bring composting to People Camp. For me, this story is a reminder not to underestimate the power we have to make change happen.

With Revolutionary Love,
Leah

2023 People Camp Recap

Last week 93 member of the FNVW community gathered together for a week of learning, playing and sharing life together at FNVW's People Camp!

Thank you People Camp 2023 Planning Committee members, Phil Grove, Lorenzo Lien, Maria Musachio, Collin Scott, Susan Shirk, and Joy Wener Bang, for organizing this year's People Camp.

Thank you to People Camp 2023 Co-Directors, Collin Scott and Keely Townsend for your leadership.

And thank you to each and every People Camper for sharing your time and talent with the People Camp community. You make People Camp happen.

We can't wait to see everyone August 11-17, 2024 at next year's People Camp!

Register for the Walk for Peace & Justice Fundraiser!

Click on the image above to hear FNVW Board Member, John Ewu's invitation to join the Walk for Peace and Justice

Challenged by our experiences of violence across the Twin Cities in recent years, Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW), in collaboration with Twin Cities Nonviolent and many other peace and justice groups, is organizing a large Walk for Peace and Justice on September 30^th.

Everyone is invited to attend this event which will instill hope in the future, hope in the power of the people, and hope for a peaceful and just future.

Your contribution and/or participation will be a demonstration of your commitment to nonviolence and peace and justice in the Twin Cities and beyond. Don't miss this inspiring opportunity to raise funds to support FNVW's peace and justice work in our community. Sign up to walk or make a donation here.

Kicking-off at Brackett Park in Minneapolis, we'll walk to the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge for a Hands Across the Mississippi Ceremony followed by food, music and speakers at the Danish American Center.

In collaboration with Twin Cities Nonviolent, this event takes place on Day 10 of Twin Cities Nonviolent annual 12 Days Free from Violence.

Together we will uplift the vision of a world beyond violence and a culture rooted in nonviolence.

There are many ways to take part:

Let us know you're interested through our Facebook event
Sign up to walk
Donate to support the FNVW walkers
Register another organization you are a part of to participate
Invite your place of worship to participate
Spread the word– share this invitation video with friends or share our social media posts!
Attend the Hands Across the Mississippi Ceremony at the end of the walk at 12 p.m.

We invite all groups and organizations in Minnesota that promote nonviolence, peaceful conflict resolution and equitable justice to partner with us. Contact us at walk4peace@fnvw.org if you’d like more information or are interested in helping us plan the event.

Find out more and register to participate here: fnvw.org/walk4peace

Thank you to our sponsor, Old National Bank

🎙New Everyday Nonviolence Podcast Episode!🎙

Available wherever you get your podcasts:

PodBean Spotify Apple Podcasts

GUN SAFETY IN MINNESOTA: PROGRESS AND PLANS

Part two of a two-part Everyday Nonviolence Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota

Host Jarren Dean speaks with Maggiy Emery, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota, about bills passed during the 2023 state legislative session and the organization’s other efforts to address gun violence. Maggiy also shares actions each of us can take to help prevent gun violence in our community.

Maggiy is an activist passionate about creating just communities. She has worked with a variety of organizations including the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Open Door, Safe Hands Rescue, Healthcare for All Minnesota, Greener Pastures and the Andrew Goodman Foundation.

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by Hugo Rejas Pinelo. Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

Maggiy Emery, Executive Director of Protect MInnesota

Listen to the Episode

Additional information about the organizations/resources referenced in this episode can be found at:

Protect Minnesota: protectmn.org
The Violence Project: theviolenceproject.org
Moms Demand Action: momsdemandaction.org

Listen to the first episode in this two part Everyday Nonviolence Podcast Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota:
League of Women Voters Firearms Study

George Lakey Twin Cities Book Tour
September 24-30
Hosted by Friends for a NonViolent World

FNVW is organizing a variety of community events where George Lakey will share stories and wisdom from his life as a nonviolent activist. Mark your calendars and come ready to be energized and inspired!

"One of the big things about George is his bottomless well of hope and optimism. He frankly says this is the best period for social change that he's been alive for, and feels excited about continuing with his activism even at age 85." - Betsy Raasch-Gilman

DANCING WITH HISTORY:
a life for peace and justice

By George Lakey

A memoir of a Quaker activist and master storyteller on his involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and environment. From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most recent during a climate justice march at the age of 83, George Lakey has committed his life to a mission of building a better world through movements for justice. Lakey draws readers into the center of history-making events, telling often serious stories with playfulness and intimacy.