Read Rev. Bob Moore's Letter to the Editor below, published Sunday, 7/9 in The Times of Trenton and Tuesday, 7/12 in the Town Topics.

Dear Editor,

I was grateful to learn that the US has just completed destruction of its last Chemical Weapons stockpile. I was part of strongly lobbying the US Senate to ratify the Treaty banning Chemical Weapons in 1997, and it was approved by more than the necessary 23 of Senators on a strongly bipartisan basis.
Banning these heinous weapons of mass destruction makes the world much safer from them being used to kill or harm unthinkable numbers of innocent victims. Iraq used them in its war against Iran from 1980-1988.

Now people of good will around the world need to actively support a global ban on nuclear weapons. So far, activists have played a major role in reducing the global nuclear warhead arsenal by over 80%.

However, the last treaty toward that end, New START, was in 2010, and Russia and the US recently suspended verification of it due to tensions in the Ukraine War.

I urge all readers of good will to support the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, approved by 122 nations in 2017. For further information, visit peacecoalition.org and click on the Abolish Nuclear Weapons icon on the right, and the first item in Take Action.

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Click on the title below to read an advance article published 7/10 on Planet Princeton on the 7/16 Webinar co-presented by CFPA and the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia (UNA-GP).

Talk: Ending Climate and Nuclear Crises for the Next Generations

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Click here to read an advance article on CFPA's Annual Membership Program, published on 5/26 in the Princeton Packet and on centraljersey.com. An advance article published on 5/31 on Planet Princeton can be read by clicking here.

 

Read the advance article by Don Gilpin below on CFPA's Annual Membership Program, published 5/24 in Town Topics.

Watson Coleman and Parsi Headline Peace Coalition Annual Event on June 4

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman will be honored and international relations expert Trita Parsi will deliver the keynote address at the Coalition for Peace Action’s (CFPA) Hybrid Annual Membership Program on Sunday, June 4, from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. at Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane in Princeton.

CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore described Watson Coleman as “a staunch supporter of CFPA’s peacemaking agenda since she first took office and voted in support of the Iran Nuclear Agreement.” He praised “her strong peace leadership.”

Moore praised Parsi’s work in support of the Iran nuclear agreement (“which unfortunately Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018”) and noted that Parsi continues to play a leadership role in “moving us closer to a world that believes in diplomacy, not war.” Moore described Parsi as “a leading light of our peacemaking efforts.”

Click here to read entire article.

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Click below to listen to Rev. Bob Moore's 5/19 radio interview with Chris DeBello on Issues and Ideas Radio.

Rev. Moore Discusses Court Ruling Regarding NJ's Right To Carry Laws 

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Read Rev. Bob Moore's Letter to the Editor below, published 5/12 in The Times of Trenton.

Who Do We Love More: Our Guns, or Our Children?

Mass shootings have become the new norm in America, with over 200 mass shootings to date! Outrageously, gun violence is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 18.

In response to this horrifying situation, the NRA and their allies are saying that the primary cause of gun violence is untreated mental illness. But Americans’ mental illness rate is similar to other developed countries, while our rate of gun deaths is on average 25 times higher.

What makes America such a shameful outlier is the easy availability of guns. There are over 450 million guns in the US, an average of more 1.3 per person.

And the kind of guns Americans can easily obtain include assault weapons, the weapon of choice for mass shooters. These guns are weapons of war designed for the battlefield. From 1994-2004, they were banned nationally, and the danger of an American being killed in mass shootings declined by 70%. Tragically, that ban was allowed to sunset in 2004.

We know what works: restricting easy access to guns. Countries and states that do that have much lower rates of gun deaths. So who do we love more: our children or our guns?

CFPA's Executive Director Rev. Bob Moore's op-ed below was published on Common Dreams on April 9 and August Free Press on April 11.

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Rescind Congressional Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Iraq NOW

Recently, the US Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to rescind the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq. I applaud Senator Menendez, who is Chair; and Sen. Cory Booker, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They played a key role in this victory for a more peaceful US foreign policy. President Biden, who voted for that AUMF in 2003, has said he will sign it if it gets to his desk.

At this writing, it is unclear if the US House will post the rescission for a vote and, if so, whether it will pass in that chamber. I fervently hope that it will, so one of the most notorious episodes in US history can be peacefully laid to rest.

If that does happen, it would be a strong parallel to the rescission of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution by the US Senate in 2009. That AUMF in 1964 was also based on deception, and authorized the US military intervention in Vietnam, which became the greatest American debacle of that era.

Click here to read entire article.

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Read Rev. Bob Moore's Letter to the Editor below, published 4/2 in The Times of Trenton.

Diplomacy needed to avoid nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine

Recent developments regarding the nuclear danger in Ukraine have been profoundly troubling.

First, Putin announced plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, possibly as soon as July. That significantly increases the danger that Russia will use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine War—especially if Putin perceives that he has no other way of “winning” that war.

Second, Russia and the US will no longer abide by the transparency provisions of the New START Treaty. This is the only remaining nuclear weapons treaty with verification between the US and Russia. It means dramatically increased danger that the launch of a non-nuclear missile could lead to accidental nuclear war.

Third, following an in-person visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the leader of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that the danger of a major nuclear accident there is greater than ever—due to both sides planning military action nearby.

The threat of a nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine and globally is terrifyingly worse. A diplomatic surge is urgently needed to find an off ramp toward a just peace if we are to reduce the chances of a major nuclear catastrophe.

Read CFPA PA Director, Ed Aguilar's Letter to the Editor below, published 3/19 in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Dangers are increasing

In recent weeks, there has been much news and commentary on Ukraine in The Inquirer. This is a horrible and brutal war, and Russia is clearly the aggressor, advancing to seize about 15% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory in the past year. This is not just a “border dispute,” as GOP primary candidate-to-be Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida would have us believe. Nor could another candidate, former President Donald Trump, end it through a little quiet diplomacy with Vladimir Putin.

These candidates are either ill-informed, posturing for far-right primary votes, or both. But there are other very real risks at play. As pointed out by columnist Trudy Rubin (March 12), there are nuclear risks here. But we cannot afford to escalate the war.

Is helping Ukraine a moral position? I believe it is, and Pope Francis — among other faith leaders — has said we must find ways to end the aggression.

Why not let the pope, and other possible international figures, help mediate to bring an end to the aggression?

 *****

Read Rev. Bob Moore's Letter to the Editor below, published 3/6 in The Times of Trenton.

Dear Editor,

A just published Newsweek article reveals new information based on an article in a Russian Ministry of Defense journal, and high-level sources in Russian military and political leadership, showing that Russia is adopting policies that greatly increase the chances that it will use nuclear weapons.

Russia believes the Pentagon is trying to disarm up to 70% of its nuclear forces in a “conventional instant global strike,” as the US is fearful it is losing world dominance.

Russia would use "modern strategic offensive and defensive, nuclear and non-nuclear weapons, taking into account the latest military technologies," said the Defense Ministry article written by a deputy commander of Russia's strategic missile forces and a retired colonel.

As long as the Ukraine War continues, the danger of the use of nuclear weapons remains acute —by miscalculation, paranoid fears, or misinformation. The only “off ramp” that will definitely prevent the use of nuclear weapons, which could potentially escalate all the way to global nuclear annihilation, is to engage in a diplomatic surge to rapidly end the war.

Those interested in participating in this critically urgent effort to prevent the very real danger of nuclear weapons use, potentially escalating to annihilation can visit peacecoalition.org.

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Vigil marks one-year anniversary of Ukrainian War

Published March 1 on Central Jersey.com.
By Andrew Harrison

With handmade signs and Ukrainian flags to mark the one-year anniversary of the war, more than 35 people gathered at Palmer Square in Princeton for a vigil calling for a diplomatic surge to prevent endless and nuclear war in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

“The goal is to call for a diplomatic surge to try to end the war in Ukraine,” said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of Coalition for Peace Action, which organized the vigil.

“The problem is that if we don’t end the war that two very grave dangers continue.”

One of the dangers Moore noted is the use of nuclear weapons.

“Russia has already done a lot of nuclear saber rattling and that is reprehensible,” he said, adding Russia has a lot of nuclear weapons. “This is a danger that could escalate. We are calling for this diplomatic surge to make that go back to a lower level.”

The second major danger is an endless war.

“We have just had too many of those,” he said.

Click here to read entire article.

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Tiger Park Vigil and Chapel Remembrance Commemorate Anniversary of Ukraine War

Published in the March 1 edition of Town Topics.
By Donald Gilpin

Carrying signs calling for “Mediation Not Escalation in Ukraine,” “Diplomacy Not War,” and “No Nukes in Ukraine,” the group stood in a vigil for 40 minutes, which was followed by a short rally in which CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore spoke and read his recently published op-ed on the need for intensification of diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine.

He also read a letter from former Royal Navy and United States Navy fighter pilot Richard Moody warning against supplying fighter aircraft to Ukraine.

“The urgent thing right now is to find a way to de-escalate and to get a cease fire,” Moore said. “That isn’t getting the attention and prioritizing it deserves.”

Noting that the war had reached a stalemate with both sides seeking military superiority, Moore continued, “We need to find a way to prioritize diplomacy, not soft-headed diplomacy — it should be hard-nosed diplomacy. Even a cease-fire like the one that ended the Korean War would be better than what we have now.”

Moore emphasized the danger of the use of nuclear weapons as long as the war continues. “We must support urgent and effective diplomacy to bring the year-old Ukraine war to a rapid end, save untold lives being lost in another endless war, and protect humanity from the danger of nuclear holocaust,” he said.

Click here to read entire article.

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An honest discussion on police brutality

Published on the front page of the March 3 Princeton Packet and on Central Jersey.com.
By Andrew Harrison

Following the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers in Tennessee, a recurring question remains: “What will it take to stop police brutality?”

That is what members of the Coalition For Peace Action, Not in Our Town Princeton, and the People’s Organization for Progress came together to discuss during an online webinar on Feb. 7.

“The greatest antidote to police brutality is organized and mobilized people,” said Lawrence Hamm, president of the People’s Organization for Progress based in Newark. He was the keynote speaker of the webinar.

“When people go to sleep and become complacent, when people fail to speak out and take action against injustice, that just creates an atmosphere where that injustice can thrive.”

Hamm added that there must be a movement against police brutality.

Click here to read entire article.

Vigil planned in Central Jersey on first anniversary of Ukraine war

The article below was published February 23 by Community Bulletin on NJ.com.

On the first anniversary of the Ukraine War, the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action is sponsoring a Vigil for a Diplomatic Surge to Prevent Endless and Nuclear War in Ukraine from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at Palmer Square in Princeton, across from Nassau Presbyterian Church, 65 Nassau St.

Participants will silently hold posters along Nassau Street for about 40 minutes, followed by a short rally with speakers in Tiger Park adjacent to the street.

Attendees are welcome to attend the rally even if they can’t come for the full hour. Register by emailing jnew@peacecoalition.org so the coalition can get a count on how many posters to provide. Visit peacecoalition.org for more information.

On the Campus and in Town, Princeton Commemorates First Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

The article below appeared on TAPinto Princeton on February 22.

Earlier in the day, the Coalition for Peace Action will hold a vigil for what it terms “a diplomatic surge to prevent endless and nuclear war in Ukraine. The vigil will be from noon to 1 p.m. in Tiger Park at Palmer Square, across from Nassau Presbyterian Church.

The vigil will start with participants silently holding posters (provided by the organizers or brought to the event by participants) for about the first 40 minutes along Nassau Street. At around 12:40 the group will gather in Tiger Park adjacent to the street for a short rally with speakers.

Those wishing to attend and receive a poster to hold in the vigil should RSVP with the number expected in their party by e-mailing jnew@peacecoalition.org.

In a statement posted on its website, the CFPA explained that “as part of our Diplomacy, Not War Campaign, CFPA has been advocating for a diplomatic surge for some time. But the Ukraine War has reached a stalemate and is in grave danger of becoming yet another endless war, or even a nuclear war, if there isn't a ceasefire leading to permanently ending it. [Read below] the op-ed ‘A Diplomatic Surge is Needed to Prevent Endless War and Reduce the Nuclear Danger in Ukraine,’ by CFPA Executive Director Rev. Bob Moore.

“The first anniversary of the war is an especially important time to visibly advocate for a Diplomatic Surge. New developments suggest both great danger--reliable reporting that Russia's northern fleet is deploying nuclear weapons for the first time in 33 years; and increased hope--news that the UN General Assembly will vote on a Ukraine-supported Ceasefire resolution on February 23.”

 

Rev. Bob Moore's Op-Ed has been published on Planet Princeton, in the Imperial Valley Press and Eagle Times, on the Lowell Sun, on Elizabethton Star , and on Common Dreams.

OPINION: Diplomatic surge is needed to prevent endless war and reduce the nuclear danger in Ukraine

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine War [February 24, 2022], Russia appears to be undertaking a major offensive while Ukraine is planning a counter-offensive. Each side appears to think it can clinch a clear military victory, and force the other side to accept that it can’t win.

But the reality is that a stalemate has been reached that is causing immense suffering on each side, with particularly brutal destruction by Russia of civilian targets in Ukraine, including energy facilities, apartment complexes, hospitals, and even schools. The momentum Ukraine saw up through the fall seems to have dissipated.

Of grave concern to the whole planet is that Russia has a policy that if they perceive an existential threat, they are willing to use so-called tactical nuclear weapons — which are short range for battlefield use, and are less powerful than long range nuclear weapons — to intimidate an opponent to back off and make concessions.

In response to this increased danger of nuclear war, experts at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recently moved its Doomsday Clock forward to 90 seconds to midnight — the closest it has ever been!

Given escalatory steps each side has recently taken, there is an acute threat that the Ukraine War will turn into yet another endless war. Russia is using long range missiles to destroy civilian infrastructure in blatant violation of international law. The U.S. and Germany have agreed to send advanced tanks to Ukraine, to enable their planned counter-offensive.

This means an increased risk of turning into a NATO-Russia war that would threaten unthinkable destruction throughout Europe, as well as the first use of nuclear weapons in war since 1945. The entire world has a stake in preventing this nightmare scenario.

The previous endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ended up causing irreparable harm to large parts of the Middle East and have been followed by major instability in both those countries. But neither involved the danger of the use of nuclear weapons, despite the false assertion that Iraq supposedly had nuclear weapons.

As long as the Ukraine war is allowed to continue, the danger of the use of nuclear weapons remains acute. The only “off ramp” that will certainly prevent the use of nuclear weapons, which could potentially escalate all the way to global nuclear annihilation, is to engage in a diplomatic surge to rapidly end the war.

The current Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Milley, and his predecessor, Admiral Mullen have both proposed such diplomacy.

Some realistic diplomatic approaches are being suggested. For example, the promise of long-term American support for Ukraine’s security could be linked to its willingness to open negotiations. The prospect of some sanctions against Putin’s regime being lifted could be linked to Russia’s willingness to offer concessions Ukraine might accept. Another possibility is for a neutral country to host talks, preferably during a ceasefire, on a long-term truce and steps toward peace, with the UN as the facilitator.

If we wish to avoid catastrophe, we must support urgent and effective diplomacy to bring the year-old Ukraine war to a rapid end, save untold lives being lost in another endless war, and protect humanity from the danger of nuclear holocaust.

Those interested in participating in this critical effort to prevent the very real danger of nuclear annihilation are urged to visit peacecoalition.org.

 

Princeton Vigil Slated for Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Click here to read this February 17, 2023 advance article posted on Planet Princeton.

 

Princeton Interfaith Service to Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Click here to read this January 16, 2023 advance article posted on Planet Princeton.

 

Princeton Offers Diverse Events in Honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Advance article posted January 15, 2023 27 on TAPinto Princeton.
By Richard K. Rein

The Rev. Vernon Byrd Jr. will preach at the annual multi-faith service in honor of Martin Luther King at 7 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church, co-sponsored by the Princeton Clergy Association and Coalition for Peace Action.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Standing in Solidarity Against Hate and Bigotry

Click here to read this essay by CFPA's Executive Director, the Rev. Robert Moore, which appeared in the January 12 edition of the online magazine, Princeton Perspectives, a subsidiary of Princeton Online.

 

Bill strengthening concealed carry laws will face legal challenge

Published in the December 27, 2022 online and December 30, 2022 print editions of The Princeton Packet.
By Mark Rosman, Managing Editor

“Today is not a day for victory. Today is a solemn recognition of a law that will alleviate a potential increase in violence, injury or death in New Jersey from the increase in concealed handguns anticipated by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has usurped New Jersey’s former protective law designed for public safety,” said Dolores Phillips, legislative director for CeasefireNJ, based in Princeton.

“When public safety is eroded and the use of concealed handguns is increased, there is no chance for nonviolence, only further violence.

“The decision for the New Jersey Democratic leadership to take on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to reduce its harmfulness and the consequent social anxiety the ruling creates from the relaxing of New Jersey’s handgun carry standard deserves much praise by those of us seeking a nonviolent society.

“CeasefireNJ and all its members who have advocated for gun violence prevention commends the exemplary leadership of Gov. Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and the legislative sponsorships in the Assembly and Senate for getting this public safety legislation signed into law today. We thank you all,” Phillips said.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Emerging From Pandemic, Princeton Plans Its Future

CFPA was featured for a 3rd straight edition on the front page of Town Topics, December 28, 2022
By Don Gilpin and Anne Levin

“SUPPORT UKRAINE”: Demonstrators gathered in front of Nassau Presbyterian Church in March at a Peace in Ukraine vigil, sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action. The crowd spilled over from Palmer Square’s Tiger Park across the street. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

Rallies, demonstrations, vigils, and many other manifestations of political activism, most in response to issues of national or international concern, were frequent in Princeton in 2022.

The war in Ukraine; perceived threats to democracy in the form of election deniers, Supreme Court decisions, and climate change; gun violence; antisemitism and other forms of hate and bigotry; curtailment of voting rights and abortion rights; and famine in Afghanistan were all issues that galvanized Princeton area residents to show up and make their voices heard, most often at Hinds Plaza outside the Princeton Public Library or at Tiger Park in Palmer Square.

Leading much of Princeton’s political activism was the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), headed by its executive director the Rev. Robert Moore. The CFPA remained steadfast in its efforts to promote peace through its advocacy of diplomacy not war, its peace voter guides, its support of Ukraine, its annual conferences and multifaith service for peace, its opposition to hate and bigotry in all forms, and its opposition to gun violence.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Governor Murphy Signs Gun Safety Bill Strengthening Concealed Carry Laws in New Jersey in Response to Bruen Decision

Posted on December 22, 2022 on Insider NJ.

“Today is not a day for victory. Today is a solemn recognition of a law that will alleviate a potential increase in violence, injury, or death in N.J. from the increase in concealed handguns anticipated by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has usurped N.J.’s former protective law designed for public safety. When public safety is eroded and the use of concealed handguns is increased, there is no chance for nonviolence, only further violence,” said Dolores Phillips, Legislative Director for CeasefireNJ based in Princeton. “The decision for the NJ Democratic leadership to take on a U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling to reduce its harmfulness and the consequent social anxiety the SCOTUS ruling creates from the relaxing of NJ’s handgun carry standard deserves much praise by those of us seeking a nonviolent society. CeasefireNJ, and all its members that have advocated for gun violence prevention, commends the exemplary leadership of Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, Speaker Coughlin, and the legislative sponsorships in the Assembly and Senate for getting this public safety legislation signed into law today. We thank you all.”

“Since the US Supreme Court ruling making concealed carry of guns easier, over 300,000 New Jerseyans have reportedly applied for a permit–compared to only about 500 per year granted previously. This will lead to a Wild West scenario of massive gun proliferation. Already there are many examples of states that allow more concealed carry killing innocents, including children,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace Action, of which Ceasefire NJ is a Project. “Through our Ceasefire NJ Project, we were proud to have worked hard advocating for the bill being signed today, including enabling nearly 600 NJ citizens to contact their state legislators in support. The common sense restrictions in it will make our state safer from the US epidemic of gun violence.”

Click here to read entire article.

Solidarity Vigil Against Hate and Bigotry featured on front page of Town Topics and Town Talk on page 6

Published on front page of the December 21, 2022 edition of Town Topics.
By Weronika A. Plohn

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, center, and Councilman David Cohen, second from right, were among the demonstrators at the Solidarity Vigil Against Hate and Bigotry held Saturday afternoon at Tiger Park. The event was sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action along with the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Not In Our Town Princeton, and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization. Participants share what brought them to the vigil in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)

Click here to see Town Talk  on page 6 of the December 21 edition, where you can read quotes from Solidarity Vigil participants. Once there, put your cursor on the white dot on the slider bar at bottom right, and slide it toward the + sign to zoom in.

Where To Celebrate New Year's Eve 2022 In The East Windsor Area

Click here to see entire article posted Mon, Dec 26, 2022 on East Windsor Patch.com.

Coalition for Peace Action hold vigil standing against hate and bigotry

Published on CentralJersey.com, December 21, 2022, in advance of the December 23, 2022 hard copy edition of the Princeton Packet.
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer

Holding aloft signs that proclaimed, “Solidarity Against Hate and Bigotry,” nearly 30 people assembled on Nassau Street at Palmer Square in a vigil to protest the surge in hatred directed toward minority, religious and ethnic groups, as well as the gay, lesbian and transgender community.

The hour-long vigil, which was held Dec. 17, was organized by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action and co-sponsored by Not in Our Town, the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization.

Some attendees crossed the street to stand in front of the Nassau Presbyterian Church, waving their signs at passing motorists. Some drivers honked their car’s horn in a show of support. After a few minutes, they rejoined the larger group in front of Tiger Park on Palmer Square.

The attendees were welcomed by the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action. He led them in chanting “Red, yellow, blue, white. We are all precious in God’s sight. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer), we are all precious in God’s sight.”

“We all know about the terrible surge in hate and bigotry in the virtual world and in the flesh-and-blood world. It is time for all people of good will to stand in solidarity,” Moore said.

“We are here for friends, not bigotry. I really believe, as people of good will do, to do the right thing and take a stand on certain forces of evil in the world. Be activists,” he said.

Everyone has an opportunity to do something and to do their own part, Moore said. If a hateful comment is overheard at a party, “you can’t be silent. The vision God has for us is to be in respectful relation with each other.”

Click here to read entire article.

Solidarity Vigil Against Hate, Bigotry to Be Held on Saturday, Dec. 17

Published on the front page of the December 14, 2022 edition of Town Topics.
By Donald Gilpin

A Solidarity Vigil Against Hate and Bigotry will take place at Tiger Park in front of Palmer Square on Saturday, December 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. in response to a recent rise in hate crimes and violence.

Sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), along with the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (BRCSJ), Not In Our Town Princeton, and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, the rally will represent a stand against all acts of violence and hatred, online and in real life.

“There has been a huge surge in hate crimes and violence,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. “It’s gotten worse and worse. Spreading these hateful messages is pernicious.”

Moore cited increasing numbers of attacks and threats against LGBTQ, African American, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, and other communities. “These are the people who are being targeted now,” he said. “We need to be proactive to prevent that, and the best way to be proactive is what we’re trying to do with the solidarity vigil on Saturday.”

He continued, “We don’t want these groups to feel that people of good will are just watching and saying, ‘Oh, that’s too bad, but what can I do about it?’ We need to be way more proactive. This event is trying to get ahead of the curve and say, ‘We’re not going to wait for the next hate crime to happen. We’re going to be expressing solidarity with all these victim communities and all people of good will standing together.”

Click here to read entire article.

 

Solidarity Vigil Against Hate and Bigotry Set for Dec. 15 in Princeton

Posted on the Planet Princeton website, December 5, 2022

Click here to read advance article by Krystal Knapp.

 

42nd Annual Conference and Multifaith Service for Peace Planned

Posted on the Bucks County Herald website, November 10, 2022

Click here to read article.

 

Peace Coalition to Hold Service, Conference, Confront New Post-Election Challenges

Published on front page of Town Topics, November 9, 2022
By Donald Gilpin

Looking to tackle the challenges of the post-election period, the 42nd Annual Conference and Multifaith Service for Peace, sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), along with 35 co-sponsoring religious and civic groups in the region, will take place on Sunday, November 13.

Rabbi David Saperstein, called the most influential rabbi in America by Newsweek magazine, will deliver the Multifaith Service sermon at 11 a.m. in the Princeton University Chapel, and in the afternoon he will be joined by climate justice movement leader and New Yorker writer Bill McKibben, and social justice advocate and co-founder of the CODEPINK peace group Medea Benjamin for a Conference for Peace on Zoom from 2 to 4 p.m.

“These are trying and troubling times,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the CFPA. “It’s good this event is happening so soon after Election Day, especially if there is a concerning outcome on Election Day. People are going to want to be somewhere together in solidarity.”

He also noted that the service and conference would encourage participants ”to be more empowered to effectively advocate for peace policies.”

Click here to read entire article.

Back from the brink:
Preventing nuclear war in Ukraine

Rev. Bob Moore's Op-Ed published 10/24 in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier

As Russian President Putin faces continuing military losses in Ukraine, he has ratcheted up his nuclear saber-rattling. His efforts to call up 300,000 more Russian soldiers are facing major resistance, and he is encountering increasing criticism from Russian elites for his disastrous leadership of a war based on catastrophic miscalculations.

Russia has a policy that if they appear to be on the verge of losing a military conflict — and they have just lost a vast area previously occupied by the Russian army — they are willing to use so-called tactical ("smaller") nuclear weapons to intimidate an opponent to back off and make concessions.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Danger of Nuclear Weapons Use Remains Acute as Ukraine War Continues

Rev. Bob Moore's Letter to the Editor published 10/19 in Princeton Packet 

Russian President [Vladimir] Putin has doubled down on his nuclear saber rattling as he increasingly feels cornered. Experts are warning that we may be closer to nuclear weapons use than we’ve been since the Cuban Missile crisis about 60 years ago, when the world came terrifyingly close to a full-scale nuclear war that could have killed many millions.

President [John F.] Kennedy and Soviet leader [Nikita Sergeyevich] Khrushchev de-escalated by opening a back channel for private negotiations. It was effective diplomacy that prevented nuclear war. Khrushchev reasonably demanded that if he were to withdraw Soviet nuclear weapons from Cuba, the U.S. must withdraw its nuclear weapons in Turkey, which were equally close to the USSR. Kennedy wisely agreed, but kept the agreement secret to prevent political blowback.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Russia's Ukraine Invasion: Effective Diplomacy Needed to Avert Further Escalation, Nuclear War

Published 10/17/22 in Black News

Published 10/18/22 in Counterpunch

Published 10/20/22 in The Sumter ITEM

As Russian President Putin faces continuing military losses in Ukraine, he has ratcheted up his nuclear saber rattling. His efforts to call up 300,000 more Russian soldiers are facing major resistance, and he is encountering increasing criticism from Russian elites for his disastrous leadership of a war based on catastrophic miscalculations.

Russia has a policy that if they appear to be on the verge of losing a military conflict—and they have just lost a vast area previously occupied by the Russian army—they are willing to use so-called tactical ("smaller") nuclear weapons to intimidate an opponent to back off and make concessions.

Experts are warning that we may be closer to nuclear weapons use than we’ve been since the Cuban Missile crisis exactly 60 years ago. In October 1962 the world came terrifyingly close to a full-scale nuclear war that could have killed many millions.

Some 100 tactical nuclear weapons were deployed with Soviet commanders in Cuba, who were pre-authorized to use them if the US launched a land invasion—which the majority of US military leaders at the time urged Kennedy to order. Kennedy rejected that, saying it would be perceived as “a Pearl Harbor in reverse.” If he hadn’t, it almost certainly would have led to a full-scale nuclear war.

But the Cuban Missile Crisis lasted 13 days, not the seven months-plus of the Ukraine war to date. More importantly, President Kennedy and Soviet leader Khrushchev wisely opened a back channel for private negotiations. Contrary to then-Secretary of State Dean Rusk’s assertion at the time that, "We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked," it was actually intense diplomacy that prevented nuclear war.

Khrushchev had reasonably demanded that if he were to withdraw Soviet nuclear weapons from Cuba, the US needed to withdraw nuclear weapons it had deployed in Turkey, which were equally close to the USSR. Kennedy wisely agreed, but kept the agreement secret to protect himself from political blow-back.

To his credit, in response to Putin’s threats, President Biden has refrained from making provocative counter-threats, and recently made clear that the US and Ukraine’s allies wouldn’t back down if Russia used tactical nuclear weapons. He went on to say that we need to take steps to prevent “nuclear Armageddon,” and find ways to offer Putin an off ramp—as Kennedy did with Khrushchev.

But as long as the Ukraine war is allowed to continue, the danger of the use of nuclear weapons remains acute. The only “off ramp” that will certainly prevent the use of nuclear weapons, which could potentially escalate all the way to global nuclear annihilation, is to engage in a diplomatic surge to rapidly end the war.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is recruiting co-signers on a letter to President Biden urging such a diplomatic surge. I’m proud that my Congresswoman, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, recently co-signed that letter. We need more leadership from our Congress, and all sectors of American society, to press for intensifying diplomacy to end the Ukraine war to de-escalate this terrifying nuclear danger.

The most effective diplomacy is the kind that President Kennedy used to help end the Cuban Missile Crisis. He recognized the USSR’s legitimate grievance and consented to their request that the US withdraw its nuclear weapons from Turkey. Russia may have legitimate concerns that could be addressed as part of a diplomatic resolution. Now is the time to exert all possible pressure to end this war before it comes home to all of us.

The Rev. Robert Moore has been Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action since September 1981.

 

Local Organizations Gear Up For November 8 Election Races

Published in the October 5, 2022 edition of the Town Topics

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) has been busy developing and distributing Peace Voter Guides and raising funds for signature ads for two Congressional races. The guides compare Malinowski and Kean in the 7th district on key peace issues, and in the 2nd district, they compare Democrat Tim Alexander to Incumbent Republican Jeff Van Drew.

The CFPA’s Peace Voter Guides seek candidates’ positions on a range of issues related to gun legislation, climate change, diplomatic efforts, and nuclear weapons.

“We need to focus on the elections that are going to be the closest,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. “We can’t do all of them — just the ones where we think we can have a real impact.”

Moore pointed out that the Malinowski-Kean contest is rated the closest in the state. “This is where we’re investing the most organizing effort.” Malinowski responded affirmatively to all 10 of the pro-peace questions posed by CFPA, “but Tom Kean ignored our overtures,” said Moore. “He’s missing in action. You can hardly find him. He’s really insular in that sense.”

Moore noted that the Peace Voter Guides have been very effective. “We call it voter education, but it also is voter motivation,” he said. “A big part of trying to win elections is getting people to the polls. You have to give them a reason that they feel genuine concern or passion about.”

He went on to emphasize the importance of gun violence prevention, noting that New Jersey has the second strongest gun safety laws and the third lowest per capita rate of gun violence in the country. “Those two things are very much related, I think,” he added.

Most recently the CFPA has published its Peace Voter Guide on Alexander and Van Drew in South Jersey’s 2nd district. Alexander, a new candidate and former Atlantic City police officer, responded positively to all of the pro-peace questions on the Peace Voter questionnaire.

“He’s very impressive,” said Moore. “He’s seen it from both sides. He went into depth on all of the issues we presented — impressive intellect.” Although the 2nd district is “solidly Republican,” Moore is optimistic that Alexander will present a strong challenge.

Click here to read entire article.

 

The surprising details behind New Jersey's rise in gun sales

Published in the October 4, 2022 edition of the Asbury Park Press

“It’s a very alarming decision, and I think it’s already leading to another big spike in gun purchases,” said the Rev. Bob Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action which has overseen a statewide gun violence prevention project called Ceasefire NJ for over 25 years.

The decision could lead many to believe that “other people might also be carrying guns in public places, so I better have my own,” he said.

Prior to the decision, only New Jersey residents who could establish an urgent necessity for self-protection would be eligible for a permit. But the issuance of a permit was still subject to the discretion of the reviewing law enforcement agency and a superior court judge. Now, applicants must only meet the other concealed carry permit criteria: pass a background check, display familiarity with firearms and not have a disqualifying disability, per the Attorney General's office.

Removing the "common sense" need to provide a life-or-death rationale to get a concealed carry permit is "taking a bad situation and making it much, much worse," said Moore.

He pointed to the fact that crime victims rarely defend themselves with a firearm. According to the Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, victims used a gun for self-defense in about 2% of nonfatal crimes and about 1% of property crimes from 2014-2018. One analysis estimated that fewer than 600 potential perpetrators were killed in defensive gun use incidents that made the news in 2019. And, per the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, firearms are used far more often to intimidate than in self-defense and guns in homes are used more often to frighten partners and family members.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Diplomatic solution in Russia-Ukraine war would ‘save lives, de-escalate nuclear saber rattling’

Rev. Moore's Letter to the Editor published in the September 28, 2022 edition of The Princeton Packet

Vladimir Putin’s recent nuclear saber rattling is profoundly reckless. At the start of his aggressive war against Ukraine, he already made a huge miscalculation that Ukraine would be quickly conquered. Now there is a real and growing danger of an even worse miscalculation.

Russia has had a bizarre, high-risk nuclear policy for some time. They believe that if they were in danger of losing a war and used a so-called tactical nuclear weapon (as powerful as the bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki) on the battlefield, that any opponents would retreat in fear of triggering a larger nuclear war that could threaten global annihilation.

Recently, the leaders of Turkey and France offered themselves as mediators; and China and India distanced themselves from Putin’s war. Just as a global coalition was assembled to support Ukraine in defending itself from Russian aggression, these along with the U.S. and Europe should urgently press for a diplomatic solution.

This would not only save many thousands of lives, but it would also de-escalate the nuclear saber rattling and move the world back from the very real danger of nuclear war. Readers wanting to learn more, and/or to support such a diplomatic surge, are invited to visit peacecoalition.org.

Rev. Robert Moore
Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action

 

Active Today or Radioactive Tomorrow?

Rev. Moore's Op-Ed published on September 19th in the LA Progressive

As I write, there remains a grave danger that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy plant in Ukraine, Europe’s largest, could have a meltdown, similar to the catastrophic one at Chernobyl. All it would take is for the electricity needed to keep the cooling pools where the used fuel rods are stored to end; and that has already happened for brief periods three times recently.

Alternatively, if a demilitarized zone is not quickly established, conventional weapon attacks could result in the plant becoming a “dirty bomb,” spewing deadly radioactive materials over a very wide area, rendering vast areas inhospitable to the survival of life. President Zelensky has correctly characterized Russia’s military actions as turning the nuclear plant into a kind of nuclear weapon.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Press Coverage of "Save Our Democracy" Rally, Co-Sponsored by CFPA

Published on September 19th in the The Trentonian

Click here to read the article.

 

Eight Organizations Plan Save Our Democracy Rally for September 17

Published in the September 14th edition of Town Topics.

Responding to threats to democracy from election deniers, recent Supreme Court decisions, and climate change, a Save Our Democracy rally sponsored by eight different organizations will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 at Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library.

“We are co-sponsoring this rally to counter the grave and continuing threat to democracy represented by election deniers and violent insurrectionists threatening the cornerstones of our democracy: free and fair elections, and the peaceful transition of power,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore.

Moore emphasized the danger of the current threats to democracy. “This is unprecedented,” he said. “Nothing like this has ever happened before in my lifetime. The peaceful transfer of power is being directly undermined by Trump and his sycophants, and unfortunately the majority of the Republican party is in that latter category.”

He continued, “I can have respectful disagreements with Republicans, and I have for many years, but I can’t have respectful dialogue with somebody who is trying to destroy the democracy that this country is built on.”

Criticizing the suggestion that state legislatures should decide election outcomes regardless of vote tallies, Moore warned, “That’s turning democracy on its head. That’s what autocrats do. They manipulate elections to keep themselves in power. The heart of democracy is being challenged, and that’s what troubles me the most.

“That’s why we’re having the rally. We need people to get out there and raise these issues and vote. But not only vote. They need to lobby and stay involved on an ongoing basis. I believe that people power is the real solution to this, non-violent people power. I know that citizen involvement and actively using the classic means of democracy works. I’ve seen it work over and over in my 45 years as a peace organizer.”

Click here to read entire article.

 

Coalition Supporters Gather to Commemorate Anniversary of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings

Published in the August 17th edition of Town Topics.

In an August 3 op-ed, CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore quoted U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned in an August 1 address to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, “Humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.”

Citing a number of “close calls” over the past 77 years, 45 of which he has spent organizing full time for the abolition of nuclear weapons, Moore pointed out, “Dozens of times political leaders around the world have considered using nuclear weapons, including Putin’s recent threats against Ukraine. This is not something remote. We’re close to the cliff and at any moment, as Secretary Guterres said, a miscalculation or misunderstanding could push us over the edge.”

Click here to read entire article.

 

Coalition for Peace Action: Commemoration of atomic bombings urges new effort for nuclear disarmament

Published on the front page of the August 16, 2022 edition of The Princeton Packet.

Rev. Robert Moore, CFPA’s executive director, said the CFPA has held commemorations of the atomic bombings every year since they were founded in 1980.

“The purpose is not to look back with 20-20 hindsight to question whether the atomic bombings in 1945 were justified. What’s done is done. Rather, our reason for having these commemorations is to remember the absolute horror that nuclear weapons represent and face the real and growing threat they present today,” he said.

“On this 77th anniversary, we re-commit ourselves to working for the global abolition of nuclear weapons so such total destruction can never again be inflicted.”

Click here to read entire article.

 

‘We choose life:’ Princeton protest demands action against mass shootings, gun violence

Published on the front page of The Princeton Packet June 24, 2022

 According to Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), the rally had been part of a day of action nationwide on June 11 by the student-led movement, March for Our Lives.

Click here to read entire article.

 

Nine gun bills cleared by Assembly committee, with more votes coming tomorrow

Published in New Jersey Globe June 22, 2022

“New Jersey has, according to the Giffords Law Center, the second-strongest gun safety laws in the country, and corresponding with that we have the third-lowest per capita rate of gun violence,” said the Rev. Bob Moore of the Coalition for Peace Action. “We’re not an island, and we can’t protect ourselves entirely from guns that might come into this state. But by making it more difficult for someone to get and use a gun in a violent way, I think we are safer.”

Click here to read entire article.

 

In wake of mass shootings, Princeton students, community rally for gun control

Published in The Daily Princetonian June 22, 2022

On June 11, the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) led the “Rally Against Mass Shootings & America’s Gun Violence Epidemic” in Hinds Plaza. That same day, a group of Princeton students joined the thousands of protestors with March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C.

According to CFPA Executive Director Reverend Robert Moore in an interview with The Daily Princetonian, around 350 people attended the rally in Princeton.“We need to vote and we need to lobby,” Moore said at the protest.

In a press release before the rally, Moore emphasized the importance of harnessing the energy of the moment toward advocating for real change.

“We invite[d] everyone to come together to mourn, but even more important, be empowered to unite to stop and reverse the surging epidemic of gun violence across our nation,” he said. “One near-term action that will be advocated is active support for a package of eight new gun safety bills to make New Jersey’s already strict laws even stronger.”

Click here to read the entire article.

 

Rally against gun violence

Published on front page of Town Topics June 15, 2022

The Rev. Lukata Mjumbe of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church was one of the speakers at Saturday’s rally at Hinds Plaza, which drew more than 300 people. Organized by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, the event was part of a Day of Action in nearly 500 cities across the country coordinated by March for Our Lives, a youth-led gun violence prevention group. (Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)

 

Rally against gun violence planned in Princeton

Published: on NJ.com Jun. 10, 2022, 7:45 a.m. By Community Bulletin

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action is spearheading a “Rally Against Mass Shootings and America’s Gun Violence Epidemic” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at Hinds Plaza, next to the Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon St. in Princeton.

The rally is part of a “Day of Action” scheduled in nearly 500 US cities coordinated by March for Our Lives, the youth-led gun violence prevention group formed after the Parkland, Florida, mass shooting that killed 17 high school students in 2018. Read More...

 

Rally Against Gun Violence on Saturday

Published on front page of Town Topics June 8, 2022
By Donald Gilpin

With a focus on mourning the lives lost in recent mass shootings and advocating to halt the surging epidemic of gun violence, Princeton will be hosting a rally at Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library on Saturday, June 11 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), the rally is part of a Day of Action taking place in about 500 locations around the country and coordinated by March for Our Lives, the student-led gun violence prevention group formed following the 2018 Parkland, Fla., mass shooting. Read more...

 

Rally Against Gun Violence Planned In Princeton Saturday

The rally will begin at 4 p.m. at Hinds Plaza as part of a day of action in nearly 500 cities coordinated by March for Our Lives.
Posted Mon, Jun 6, 2022 at 4:46 pm ET in Patch by: Sarah Salvadore

(LouiesWorld1/Shutterstock)

PRINCETON, NJ - On Saturday, the Coalition for Peace Action will be hosting a March for Our Lives rally against mass shootings and gun violence in America. The rally will begin at 4 p.m. at Hinds Plaza.

The rally is being held as part of the nationwide March for Our Lives events on Saturday demanding action against gun violence.

Events will be held across nearly 500 cities coordinated by March for Our Lives — the gun violence prevention group formed after the mass shooting in Parkland, FL. Read more...

 

Rally against mass shootings to be held Saturday, June 11 in Princeton

Posted June 6, 2022 in Planet Princeton by: Krystal Knapp

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action will host a rally against mass shootings calling for action to stop America's gun violence epidemic Read more...

  

 Multi-faith gathering to pray for an end to gun violence

 By Community Bulletin

 

In the midst of war in Ukraine, U.S. and NATO must de-escalate

Opinion - NJ.com Published: Apr. 09, 2022 & subsequently published in the Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper.

Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action, urges NATO and the U.S. to de-escalate to prevent nuclear war in Ukraine.

De-Escalate NOW to Prevent Nuclear War in Ukraine!

Since invading Ukraine on February 24, President Putin has put Russian nuclear forces on high alert and issued warnings to other nations that if they interfere with the Russian invasion they risk “consequences such as they have never seen in their history.” 

The nuclear threat has been further elevated by statements made last week by Russian leaders that Russia has a “right” to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine conflict in response to conventional weapon threats or an “existential threat” to Russia.

What makes Russia’s threat especially dangerous is that it has been made in the context of ongoing warfare. Even if this threat were meant solely to intimidate, the fog of war sharply increases the chances of a nuclear war through inadvertent escalation, miscalculation, or accident. Please click here to read remainder of op-ed.

 

Local Experts Discuss Ukraine, Refugee Crisis, Nuclear Danger

Front page of Town Topics on March 30, 2022
By Donald Gilpin

As the war in Ukraine continued into its second month, three Princeton experts weighed in on two of the most distressing and complex issues emerging from the ongoing conflict: the danger of nuclear war and the humanitarian crisis for nearly four million refugees.

Zia Mian, physicist and co-director of Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security, and Stewart Prager, Princeton University professor of astrophysical sciences and faculty member with the Program on Science and Global Security, discussed nuclear arms and the nuclear threat in a March 27 Zoom webinar sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA). Click here to see remainder of article.

Princeton Residents Come Together in Solidarity With Ukraine as War Continues

The crowd at last Thursday’s Peace in Ukraine vigil, sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, grew rapidly, spilling across the street from Palmer Square’s Tiger Park to the steps of the Nassau Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Charles A. Plohn)

Published on front page of Town Topics on March 9, 2022
By Donald Gilpin

As the war in Ukraine continues, different segments of the Princeton community struggled to understand, to take in the scale of the tragedy, and to create a meaningful response, with actions that might have positive effects.

More than 200 people gathered at 5 p.m. on March 3, at first in Palmer Square’s Tiger Park on Nassau Street, then spilling across the street to the Nassau Presbyterian Church, for a Peace in Ukraine vigil sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA).

CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore was overwhelmed by the size and diversity of the crowd, more than four times larger than he had expected. “People were spreading the word,” he said. “It kept growing and growing. There were people of all ages and backgrounds including a lot of Ukrainian Americans.”

Moore pondered the significance of coming together to show support for the Ukrainian people. “Part of the big challenge when you’re facing the violence and the deep, deep challenges that Ukraine is facing now is that you want to know that people around the world are standing in solidarity with you,” he said. “That counts for an awful lot.”

He continued, “We all need to be in solidarity at a time like this. That to me is a potent anti-war force, that solidarity.”

Participants chanted “No War in Ukraine,” “What do we want? Peace. When do we want it? Now,” and many held blue and yellow Ukrainian flags or waved posters attacking Russian President Vladimir Putin and supporting Ukraine.

Click here to read remainder of article.

Director of Coalition for Peace Action, Pennsylvania Office, Ed Aguilar, speaks at Peace in Ukraine Rally held at People's Plaza, Independence Mall

Kevin Riordan
March 6, 2022
Philadelphia Inquirer

Photo Credit, Tom Gralish, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

The “Rally for Peace in Ukraine” was at People’s Plaza on Independence Mall. Co-sponsors of the rally included the Pennsylvania office of the Coalition for Peace Action, Granny Peace Brigade, Code Pink, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Brandywine Peace Community. They too condemned the Russian invasion, called for an immediate ceasefire, for Russia to withdraw its army from Ukraine and engage with Ukraine and the United States in serious negotiations.

Please click here to read the full article

For more pictures, please click here for our Facebook Album. 

 

Peace in the Ukraine'": More than 200 gather in Palmer
Square in support of Ukraine

By Andrew Harrison
March 4, 2022
Central Jersey.com

Also Published on front page of March 11, 2022 Princeton Packet.

"We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,"" said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of Coalition for Peace Action.

As horns were honking from drivers showing support, chants of "No War in Ukraine, rang out from crowds gathered at Palmer Square in Princeton on March 3.

On both sides of Nassau Street in front of Nassau Presbyterian Church and the Palmer Square Tiger, residents from across Mercer County held posters displaying messages of "Support Ukraine, “No War", "Stop Putin, Stop the War “and "Putin Go Home" at a peace vigil organized by the Coalition for Peace Action.

More than 200 people gathered together for the vigil with many attendees holding the Ukrainian flag as well as wrapping it around their shoulders.

Please click here to read the full article.

 

Ukraine Demonstrations Planned in Philly and Montgomery County 

Tetiana Bielkina, who lives in Philadelphia but was born in the Ukraine, holds a sign during rally on Independence Mall last weekend.DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

 

Jeff Gammage and Rob Tornoe
Published March 4, 2022
Philadelphia Inquirer

Several area peace groups plan to demonstrate outside Independence Hall at 4 PM Sunday to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call for an immediate ceasefire.  

The Rally for Peace in Ukraine is organized by the Coalition for Peace Action; Philadelphia chapter; Grannies Peace Brigade, Philadelphia, Code Pink and Brandywine Peace Community.

"As people of peace and good will, we strongly condemn Russia's abandonment of diplomacy and the abandonment of diplomacy and the initiation of an unprovoked aggression," the Princeton-based coalition for Peace Action said in a statement.  "We will gather to pray and advocate for an immediate ceasfire and withdrawal of the Russian military."

Full article availble on the Philadelphia Inquirer's website.

 

Princeton Responds in Shock, Distress to War in Ukraine

By Donald Gilpin
Published March 2, 2022
Town Topics

In a press release announcing the March 3 vigil, CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore stated that attendees are encouraged to bring anti-war posters and that a limited number of pre-printed posters and battery powered candles will be available.“

"As people of peace and goodwill, we strongly condemn Russia’s abandonment of diplomacy and the initiation of an unprovoked was of aggression,” Moore said.  “We will gather to pray and advocate for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of the Russian military.  We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they cope with the utter horror of war.”

Please click here for the full article.

 Central Jersey Peace Group Plans Ukraine Vigil

Community Bulletin
Published March 1, 2022
NJ.com

In the wake of the Feb.23 invasion by Russia against Ukraine, the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action is holding a "Peace in Ukraine Vigil" at Palmer Square in the center of Princeton from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday March 3.

The vigil will call foe the intensifying diplomacy and immediately ending the war.  Attendees are encouraged to bring anti-war posters and hold them for the first 45 minutes of the vigil, after which the vigil will continue with lighting candles symbolizing our hope for peace.

Please click here for the full article.

Princeton Group to Hold Vigil for Peace in Ukraine

By Jeff Gammage
Published March 1, 2022
Philadelphia Inquirer

A Princeton coalition plans to hold a candle-lit vigil for peace in Ukraine at 5 p.m. Thursday at Palmer Square.

The Coalition for Peace Action intends to call for intensified efforts at diplomacy and an immediate end to the war, and encourages participants to make and bring anti-war posters.

“We will gather to pray and advocate for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of the Russian military,” the group said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they cope with the utter horror of war.”

Further information can be found at peacecoalition.org and by emailing the group at cfpa@peacecoalition.org.

 

 

February 16, 2022 Edition of Town Topics

Demonstrators in Palmer Square Urge U.S. Action to Combat Afghan Famine

By Donald Gilpin

END AFGHAN FAMINE: A small group of demonstrators, under the leadership of the Coalition for Peace Action, gathered in Palmer Square on Monday evening, February 14, to urge the Biden administration to do more to help Afghanistan avoid widespread famine. (Photo by Patricia A. Hall)

Click here to see complete article

 

Click here to view short video of News 12 NJ Coverage of CFPA's Love to Afghanistan Vigil - February 14 

 

 WIMG, 1300 AM Gospel Station to re-broadcast CFPA's webinar on the
Russia-Ukraine Crisis, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson presenter

This webinar will be re-broadcast on the Gospel station 1300 AM, WIMG, on Tuesday February 15 at 6:05 PM. You can also listen to the program on the web at www.wimg1300.com.  You will also be able to be view the program on WPHY, a local television station within Mercer County.  WPHY will televise the one hour recording beginning February 17 through-out the month of February.

 

 Princeton Offers Array of Events to Celebrate MLK Jr.’s Life and Legacy

By Donald Gilpin
Published January 12, 2022
Town Topics

The annual Multifaith Service to honor King’s legacy will be held online again this year and will feature the Rev. Dr. David Latimore, director of the Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 17.

The service will also include faith leaders and music from a wide range of faith traditions and is expected to last until 8:30 p.m. Latimore’s sermon is titled “A Life of Hard Choices.”

Co-leading the service, which has been taking place for more than three decades and is sponsored by the Princeton Clergy Association and the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), will be AME, Baha’i, Baptist, Christian Science, Jewish, Muslim, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ faith leaders.

“We are thrilled to have such a prominent faith leader as our preacher this year, as well as a diverse group of faiths represented in the leadership for this year’s service on the official holiday for Dr. King’s birthday,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. “We will also have powerful and uplifting music. We strongly encourage interested people from all backgrounds to participate.”

Click here to read the entire article

 

Activists hold rally in N.J. to mark one year after Capitol attack in Washington

 

Princeton Vigil Marks Anniversary of Jan 6 Capitol Attack

Photos from Planet Princeton, Janie Herman Photographer
January 7, 2022

Click here to view 

The Candlelight Vigil for Democracy Begins
Thursday at 5:30 at Hinds Plaza.

By TAPINTO STAFF
PublishedJanuary 5, 2022 at 10:57 PM
Last UpdatedJanuary 5, 2022 at 10:57 PM
TapIntoPrinceton

Rally Planned to Protect Voting Rights, Commemorate January 6 Insurrection

Rally, Candelight Vigil Marks Anniversary of Capital Attack

CFPA Mentioned in the Year-End Review Issue of Town Topics

Princeton Vigil Will Mark Anniversary of Attack on U.S. Capitol 

Click here to read the remainder of the article.to read the remainder of the article.

 

Letter to the Editor on Safe Storage of Guns by Rev. Bob Moore 

published in 12/10/21 Trenton Times, 12/15/21 Town Topics, 12/16/21 Bucks County Herald, Central Jersey.com, and Planet Princeton

The news that a 15-year-old brought a loaded gun on December 8 to Lawrence High School in NJ is a wake-up call that mass shootings like the recent one in Michigan are also a real danger here. I’m relieved that the gun and student were quickly removed from school, preventing a potential mass shooting.

However, we need strong laws that ensure that guns in the home are stored securely and safely, so young people and others can’t access them in the first place. That is the best way to prevent guns from being brought to school.

Our Ceasefire NJ Project has been working with NJ state legislators, along with legal, policy, and health experts for the past 18 months to develop a Safe Storage of Guns bill that would be the strongest in the nation. If passed and implemented, this would prevent future school shootings, along with accidental shootings, murders, and suicides in New Jersey.

That bill is now before the NJ legislature, and I strongly concerned citizens to visit peacecoalition.org and click under the first item under Take Action to contact their legislators urging them to support this critical bill to make us safer from gun violence.

For further information, click the Ceasefire NJ icon on the right at peacecoalition.org.

The Rev. Moore is Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, of which Ceasefire NJ is a Project.

Forty Years Later, the Rev. Bob Moore and CFPA Keep Fighting -- For World Peace

Click here to read remainder of article

Front Page Article in the 11/10 Town Topics about CFPA's 11/14 Annual Conference and Multifaith Service for Peace 

Simone Campbell, “Nun on the Bus,” To Headline CFPA Multifaith Service
By Donald Gilpin

Click to see 11/8 Recording of Interview with Rev. Bob Moore and Rev. Patricia Hall to be broadcast on WIMG Radio and Local Cable TV.

March for Social Justice Reform Includes Stops in Princeton

Published in Town Topics on October 13, 2021
By Anne Levin

Hamm, a 1978 graduate of Princeton University, is walking from Montclair to Trenton over nine days, “to highlight the issue of police brutality and to demand the New Jersey Legislature pass legislation to hold police accountable,” he said in a press statement. “First and foremost, we demand passage of A4656/S2963, the police review boards of civilians, with subpoena power bill.”

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Legislature looked at the bill, but it was stopped before it could be voted upon. “There was a good start,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action. “But the bill got stuck. My good friend Larry Hamm has started this march to try to bring it back to our attention and say this needs to get finished.”

Click here to see full article.

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Advance coverage: CFPA to co-host vigil at drone command center in Pennsylvania Saturday in response to civilian deaths in Afghanistan -- Planet Princeton, September 30, 2021

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"It’s time to stop the forever wars and reduce military spending" -- Op-ed by Rev. Robert Moore on NJ.com, published Sept. 25, 2021

Published in Star Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper, on Sunday, October 3

As the longest war in U.S. history, in Afghanistan, recently came to a messy, painful close, it is time to challenge the U.S. policy since the end of World War II of maintaining a large, expensive military during peacetime instead of returning to a much smaller, defense-only military.

As I reflect on the numerous debacles of U.S. military and CIA interventions abroad since 1945, from Korea to Cuba, Vietnam to Iran, Chile and Libya, as well as Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq, I am struck by how wrong-headed and counter-productive they have been. In every case, despite a heavy price in terms of blood and money, they have led to outcomes that were as bad and often worse than before our interventions.

I am reminded of the old adage, “If your only tool is a hammer, then every problem is going to look like a nail.” By relying primarily on the “hammer” of military intervention to address these problems, we have earned a reputation of being a nation that tries to determine the outcomes of problems around the world by engaging in endless wars that seek to violently control what happens in other nations.

Certainly after 9-11, there needed to be a strong response that would prevent further terrorist attacks. But at the time, the global community was united in its determination to work with the U.S. to take such effective action. A much better approach would have been to take full advantage of that solidarity to take a policing/international law approach that would have sought to locate and capture the attackers, bring them to trial and punish them accordingly. This would have potentially resulted in far less violence and prevented a 20-year “forever” war.

Such “forever” wars are also extremely expensive. But war or no war, the U.S. military budget has remained at about 50% of the discretionary federal budget, i.e., excluding trust funds like Social Security and Medicare. For 2020, military spending was about $750 billion. Maintaining such an enormously expensive military results in underinvestment in urgent domestic needs like job creation, universal pre-K and free community college, as well as mitigating the climate catastrophe.

We should move toward a Peace Economy in which we substantially reduce military spending so that it is robustly adequate for the defense of the U.S., but no longer budgets for the U.S. to be constantly ready to intervene militarily in trouble spots around the world.

An additional very large area of savings is the hugely expensive U.S. nuclear modernization program, projected to cost $1.7 trillion over the next 30 years. We should instead negotiate verifiable nuclear reduction treaties, including eliminating land-based nuclear weapons —which are alarmingly prone to being launched accidentally during a crisis.

If we re-allocate a substantial portion of the savings from reducing U.S. military spending toward strengthening diplomacy, public health, humanitarian and development assistance to global trouble spots, we would increase security and well-being for ourselves and others. That would bring us much closer to the age-old vision of Peace on Earth.

The Rev. Robert Moore has served as the executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action since 1981.

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Front Page -- "Rev. Robert Moore Honored as Leader In Quest for Peace," by Donald Gilpin, Town Topics, September 8, 2021

Last Wednesday, September 8, the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) for the past 40 years, was working in his Witherspoon Street office when Princeton Councilmember David Cohen, along with five of Moore’s CFPA colleagues, paid him a surprise visit.

September 8, 2021 is “Reverend Robert Moore Day” in Princeton, Cohen announced, as he read out loud a Princeton Town Council Municipal Resolution in Moore’s honor. The resolution — citing Moore’s four decades of leadership in working with the CFPA to abolish nuclear weapons, end endless wars, prevent gun violence, and combat growing militarism and the climate crisis — was formally passed by the full Council at their Monday, September 13, meeting.

In September 1980 a group of Princeton-area faith leaders, concerned about the escalating nuclear arms race, founded what would become the CFPA, and on September 8 of the following year they hired Moore to lead the organization.

Under his leadership the CFPA has expanded to become a regional office serving central and south New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. It is one of the largest grassroots affiliates of National Peace Action, with over 7,500 member and supporting households.

“Rev. Bob Moore has been a superb team leader who has been a major factor in CFPA being widely recognized as one of the most respected and effective grassroots peace groups in the country,” said Irene Goldman, longtime organizational leader and CFPA board chair since 2004. “We are fortunate to have his leadership continue as he reaches his 40th anniversary as executive director.”

In a September 10 phone interview, Moore reflected on the accomplishments of the past 40 years and on the urgent work ahead. He spoke proudly of the CFPA’s reliance on “the classic means of democracy,” mobilizing people to make their voices heard in a variety of ways.

“Democracy is achingly slow a lot of times, but for those people who will stay with an ongoing, organized effort like the one we offer through the CFPA, if you hang in, over time democracy does work,” he said. “You just have to be really persistent — and smart.”

He emphasized the importance of the organization’s faith-based foundation. “One of our organization’s strengths is its growth out of concern in the faith community — all different faiths,” he said. “By having that kind of base, we had staying power. If you have a base in the faith community you have a base in institutions that are lasting, institutions with moral authority.”

Click here to read full article!

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Climate Catastrophe Letter to the Editor, September 3, 2021

Published in the September 8, 2021 edition of Town Topics

Dear Editor,

Until recently, instead of referring to benign sounding “climate change,” I had been using “climate crisis.” However, the two hurricanes that battered our region with severe flash flooding, tornados, and high winds just in the past month, have opened my eyes to how drastically the situation has worsened. So now I call it the “climate catastrophe.”

We see this catastrophe unfolding here, nationwide, and globally, and worsening far faster and more severely than almost anyone expected. Massive fires, extreme heat, flash floods, and droughts are all afflicting the world in unprecedented ways.

The organization that I lead, the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), began a campaign called No Wars, No Warming in conjunction with the People’s Climate March attended by over 400,000 in September 2015. This campaign seeks to educate the public on the connections between militarism and the Climate Catastrophe.

The climate catastrophe is an existential threat in the same category as global nuclear holocaust. If anybody doubts that, just look around at events like those above. We must rapidly intensify efforts to prevent further global warming, or we face the danger of planetary extinction.

Readers wanting to join CFPA in this effort are encouraged to visit peacecoalition.org.

The Rev. Robert Moore
Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action.

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Advance Coverage of 76th Anniversary Commemoration of Atomic Bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, NJ.com

The Coalition for Peace Action will hold a program commemorating the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Hinds Plaza adjacent to Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St.

The program will include a minute of silence at 7:16 p.m., which corresponds to the Japanese time the bomb dropped on Hiroshima (8:16 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945), killing about 140,000 civilians and wounding hundreds of thousands more. 

Keynote speaker will be ambassador Thomas Graham, who served for nearly three decades at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and was appointed by President Clinton in 1994 as special representative for arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament. He will address the importance of implementing a No First Use policy, which declares that the U.S. will not use nuclear weapons first.

There also will be music and a candlelight closing around 8:30 p.m. The commemoration will be preceded by a bring-your-own picnic at 6 p.m. (no alcoholic beverages permitted).

“Our reason for having these commemorations is to remember the absolute horror that nuclear weapons represent, and the real and growing threat they present today,” said the coalition’s assistant director Niki VanAller. “We call for the important step of implementing a No First Use policy, and we recommit ourselves to working for the global abolition of nuclear weapons so such total destruction can never again be inflicted."

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Cumberland County mass shooting reignites gun control debate, Atlantic City Press, Ahmad Austin, May 30, 2021

After nearly a year of home confinement for most of the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cities around the country have started 2021 with gun violence occurring at a record pace. That nationwide increase was felt locally with a May 22 mass shooting in Fairfield Township that killed three and injured 11 at a house party.

The shooting has prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to call for federal action to combat gun violence. As is often the case with the issue of gun control, Murphy’s comments have been both applauded and criticized by multiple organizations in the state.

[..] The Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the gun reform advocacy group Coalition for Peace Action, agrees with the governor that the state and country should have tighter gun laws. 

Moore also showed his support for “several of the bills (Murphy) mentioned, like microstamping bullets so ones that are used in crimes can be traced to the purchaser,” he said, “and closing major loopholes on obtaining a gun, like the ability to get them at gun shows and online without a background check.”

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Divest Princeton holds “Earth Day, No Delay” rally at Nassau Hall -- Daily Princetonian, Paige Cromley, April 26, 2021

On Saturday, April 24, roughly 100 people gathered in front of Nassau Hall for an “Earth Day, No Delay” rally held by Divest Princeton.

Participants called on the University to move faster and more decisively against climate change, specifically advocating for the divestment of its $26 billion endowment from fossil fuel companies and the ending of its research partnerships with corporations like ExxonMobil.

Reverend Bob Moore from the Coalition for Peace Action spoke about humanity’s spiritual responsibility as “caretakers of this earth, not destroyers or exploiters.”

Click here to read the full article. 

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Invest In Solution, Not Pollution: Activists Tell Princeton U. -- Princeton Patch, Sarah Salvadore, April 26, 2021

Students and local activists gathered at Princeton University on Saturday to urge the institution to divest its endowment from fossil fuels.

The message was loud – 'divest from pollution, invest in solution.'

The rally, organized by Divest Princeton was the culmination of several days of programming around Earth Day.

The rally began with organizers calling for justice for victims of police shootings and anti-Asian hate across the country. Attendees held up signs and told the university that 'delay was denial' when it comes to climate change.

Co-sponsors of the rally were Princeton Environmental Activism Coalition, Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), Princeton Mutual Aid, and Princeton Against Gun Violence.

"Not only is the climate catastrophe happening already, but it is also impacting poor people and people of color disproportionately. This is a justice issue, not just an environmental issue," said the Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of CFPA.

"This university says, 'Princeton in the nation's service.' Well, our country needs Princeton to serve the nation by getting rid of global warming now."

Click here to read full article. 

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Rally to urge Princeton U.’s divestment from fossil fuels -- Community Bulletin, NJ.com, April 23, 2021

A rally calling on the Trustees of Princeton University to divest its endowment from fossil fuels is scheduled for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the campus’s Fitzrandolph Gate at Nassau and Witherspoon streets, in front of Nassau Hall.

Divest Princeton, made up of students, alumni and faculty, is the rally sponsor and primary organizer. It has been advocating for the past year for Princeton University to cancel all current and future investment in the fossil fuel industry. Co-sponsors include the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, Princeton Environmental Advocacy Coalition and Princeton Against Gun Violence. 

Princeton University’s Resources Committee is expected to recommend in support of divestment at the Council of the Princeton University Community meeting on May 3. From there, it would go to the Board of Trustee’s Committee on Finance, and then to the full board for approval. It is expected to be on the board’s May agenda.

“Princeton University has shown itself to be responsive to calls for moral progress, as when it divested from South Africa in 1985; and, recently, removed Woodrow Wilson’s name from its School of Public and International Affairs,” said Coalition for Peace Action executive director the Rev. Robert Moore. “Each of these took sustained struggle and pressure to be actualized. Now we invite the public to join in pressing for the urgent divestment from fossil fuels to help slow a rapidly worsening climate crisis before it’s too late.” 

Scheduled to speak at the rally along with Moore are Ryan Warsing, Isabel Rodrigues, Hannah Reynolds and Katie Massie from Divest Princeton; Princeton Undergraduate Student Government sustainability chair Mayu Takeuchi; Princeton Mutual Aid organizer Daniel Ponton; and Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Phd candidate Malini Nambiar.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend. All attendees must wear face masks and practice social distancing.

For more information, phone 609-924-5022, email cfpa@peacecoalition.org or visit peacecoalition.org.

See further advance coverage in the Princeton Patch.

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‘Asian Americans are Americans’ – rally in Princeton refutes anti-Asian sentiments -- by Lea Kahn, Princeton Packet, March 29, 2021

The Rev. Robert Moore of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action welcomed the crowd, setting the stage for the rally and its speakers.

“We stand in solidarity with you as we face an epidemic of hatred,” Moore said.

Moore said there are two foundational beliefs in Christianity and Judaism: all people are created in the image of God, and every person deserves to live in peace. Those are basic human rights, he said.

“We are all precious in God’s eyes. We must say ‘no’ to hate, we must say ‘no’ to violence, and we must say ‘yes’ to peace. We need to stand up for each other,” Moore said.

Click to read full article.

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Large Crowd Rallies in Solidarity With Asian American Community -- Donald Gilpin, Town Topics, March 31, 2021

More than 500 people, overflowing Hinds Plaza outside the library and the Witherspoon and Hulfish streets area, gathered in Princeton on Saturday afternoon, March 27, to rally in solidarity with the Asian American community.

The mood of the two-hour event was at times reverent and mournful, at times angry, loud, and determined. There were frequent chants of “Enough is enough” and others, and history lessons, including many personal examples and chronicling the legacy of racism in the United States and prejudice and violence against Asians. Many impassioned expressions of support and solidarity came from all quarters of the Princeton community.

The Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, stated, “We are in solidarity with the Asian American community as they face the epidemic of hatred, and we will overcome this.”

He described the large diverse rally crowd as an example of “the beloved community” and added, “We stand up for each other. We stand in solidarity with each other. And we stand for the love that will always overcome and triumph over hate.”

In a follow-up phone conversation on March 29, Moore emphasized the large turnout, the strong messages, and above all the importance of the solidarity manifested at Saturday’s rally. “We always want to stand in solidarity with any group that is suffering from that kind of hate, discrimination, and violence,” he said. “Whoever is suffering is not standing alone. There are a lot of people of good will who want to stand in their corner.”

Click here to read full article.

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‘We are not your model minority’: Stop Asian Hate rally and vigil takes to Hinds Plaza -- Anika Buch and Isabella Shutt, The Daily Princetonian, March 28, 2021

“Our existence is resistance,” said Sadaf Jaffer, former mayor, current Chair of the Inclusion & Equity Committee in Montgomery Township, and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), at a Stop Asian Hate rally and vigil in Princeton this weekend. It was held to condemn the recent acts of violence against members of the Asian and Asian American community as well as to emphasize America’s long history of anti-Asian sentiment.

On March 27 at 1 p.m., hundreds of people gathered at Hinds Plaza for the rally. Protesters, who were instructed to be socially distant by organizers, appeared spread out and masked. Along with stickers and incense sticks, the organizers distributed extra masks, while emphasizing a social distancing protocol.

The event began with a speech from Reverend Robert Moore from the Coalition for Peace Action, who concluded, “We’re here to say no to that hate, no to that violence, and yes to peace.”

Click here to read full article.

Photo by Krystal Knapp, Planet Princeton

"The entire plaza was full of people, and a portion of Witherspoon Street was shut down to accommodate the overflow crowd that filled the street and a portion of Hulfish Street. The rally and vigil featured speakers including elected officials, activists, representatives from nonprofits and community organizations, professors, and students." 

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Atlanta Shooting

Published as a letter to the editor in March 20 Trenton Times; and quoted in front page article in March 24 Town Topics.

Dear Editor,

I am heartbroken and outraged by the recent mass shooting in Atlanta in which a white male shot and killed eight people, including six Asian-American women.

During the past year of pandemic, the epidemics of gun violence and racial hatred have dramatically worsened. Nationally, gun murders have increased to almost 20,000.; and hate crimes against Asian Americans have surged to nearly 3,800 in the past year.

These inter-related epidemics require us to respond with more than thoughts and prayers. People of conscience need to urgently advocate for sensible gun safety measures such as requiring gun purchasers to have permits to purchase their guns; and a three-day waiting period after purchasing a gun before being able to pick it up. These measures could have prevented the Atlanta shooting.

I am also appalled at statements by Captain Jay Baker of the County Sheriff’s Department that the shooter was just having a bad day and didn’t act out of racial animus. Such dismissiveness is inexcusable and greatly increases the harm to the Asian American community. Captain Baker’s social media includes anti-Asian racist posts, and he should be fired.

Readers wanting more information or to get involved are encouraged to visit peacecoalition.org.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Robert Moore
The writer is Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action.

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Obituary - Raymond Hooper Close: CIA veteran and anti-war activist

In recognition of his activism against the war and for his extensive work with the Coalition for Peace Action, the organization chose him to receive The Patriot for Peace Award not long after 9/11. “He was the perfect person for the award,” says the Reverend Robert Moore, the executive director of the CFPA. “He was authentically patriotic, loyal to an America that stands as a beacon of democracy. He was a true public servant. We benefited greatly from his vast experience and from his devotion to what is right. I was honored to know him and to work with him so closely for so long.” At the ceremony at the Princeton Battle Monument, which commemorates George Washington’s victory on July 3, 1777, Ray described the award as the greatest honor of his life.""

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"NJ gun permit applications spiking -- how fear brought unprecedented demand," by Alex Napoliello, Trenton Times, January 14, 2021

Statistics show when there are guns in the home, they are more likely to be used in a domestic violence situation or to aid in suicide, gun control advocates say.

“I grew up on westerns when the good guy with the gun always shot the bad guy with the gun and always beat him,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action. “There’s a certain level of Wild West mentality here that I think is dangerous and misleading. What the actual statistics show is that if you do get a gun and have it in your home, it’s far more likely to be used against somebody who resides in the home than an intruder.” (Click here for full article.)

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"South Jersey pastor to lead virtual Princeton MLK multifaith service," NJ.com Community Bulletin, January 13, 2021

The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodbury, will be the lead preacher for the annual multifaith service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — this year taking place online 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18.

The service has been held annually for over three decades and is co-sponsored by the Princeton Clergy Association and the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action. It has been hosted live at various houses of worship in Princeton until this year. Due to the pandemic, this year’s program will be online; information for attending can be found by clicking here. 

In addition to Boyer, the service will include faith leaders and music from a range of faith traditions, including AME, Baha’i, Baptist, Christian Science, Jewish, Muslim, Presbyterian, Sikh and United Church of Christ.

“We are thrilled to have such a prominent faith leader on social justice as our preacher this year, as well the most diverse group of faiths represented,” said Coalition for Peace Action executive director the Rev. Robert Moore, who has served as chair of the planning committee for the annual MLK service since 2017. “We will also have powerful and spiritually uplifting music.” (Click here for full press release.)

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"Many MLK Day Tributes Planned Despite Restrictions of Pandemic," by Anne Levin, Town Topics, Jan. 13, 2021

For more than three decades, the annual Multifaith Service co-sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action and the Princeton Clergy Association was hosted live at various houses of worship in Princeton. This year, the event paying tribute to King is online at 7 p.m. The Rev. Charles Boyer, founder and director of Salvation and Social Justice, and pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Woodbury, will preach. The service will also include faith leaders and music from a wide range of faith traditions including AME, Baha’i, Baptist, Christian Science, Jewish, Muslim, Presbyterian, Sikh, and United Church of Christ.

“We are thrilled to have such a prominent faith leader on social justice as our preacher this year, as well the most diverse group of faiths ever represented in the leadership of the service on the official holiday for Dr. King’s birthday,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action, in a press release. “We will also have powerful and spiritually uplifting music. We strongly encourage interested people from all backgrounds to visit peacecoalition.org to find the information to participate in this major annual event.” (Click here for full article.)

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"Advocates argue paper ballots are key to secure elections in NJ," by Genesis Obando, NJ Spotlight News, Jan. 5, 2021

At the time she began questioning whether her ballot was cast or not, Harris said she was an average citizen involved with the Coalition for Peace Action, attracted to the group’s rallies and its push for peace. She says that voting is important to the group because it helps them elect candidates that best align with their beliefs.

“If we don’t have the ability to have secure and competent elections, then we have just lost the power to affect change with our legislative branch,” said Harris. Harris and the Coalition for Peace Action have fought to make hand-marked paper ballots the primary way New Jersey votes.

Harris and Irene Etkin Goldman, the board chair for the Coalition for Peace Action, started a Voting Integrity Task Force within the organization after the lawsuit took off. The goal was to educate voters and to lobby for the use of handwritten paper ballots in all elections.

Despite the unfounded allegations of mail-in voter fraud this year, Goldman and Harris are adamant that this election season was successful and hope that election officials and lawmakers consider using the same paper ballots to secure future elections. But to also make the proper accommodations for disabled voters so they can vote using a ballot-marking device.

“Voting by mail as a concept turned out to be great, but it’s successful because it is a paper ballot,” said Goldman. “A voter casts their vote and it’s counted through an optical scanner, but then it can be audited, and a human eye can see what a human hand marked.”

“We’re going to have to remain very vigilant, because after the pandemic we don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Harris. (Click here to read full report.)

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 "Princeton Adapts in Year of COVID Pandemic Struggles," by Don Gilpin and Anne Levin, Dec. 30, 2020

“Princeton Responds to Coronavirus Threat” read the February 5 Town Topics headline. At that point the “threat” seemed overstated and the community’s “response” — assessing individuals who had recently traveled to Wuhan, China — seemed more than sufficient to dispel any risks. [...] In the ensuing eleven months of 2020, the COVID pandemic changed the town of Princeton as it changed the lives of almost everyone across the globe.

[...] In response to the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general and the increased threat of war with Iran, the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) led a rally for diplomacy not war with Iran on January 11. In leading up to the 2020 elections, the CFPA also conducted its extensive Peace Voter Campaign, including peace voter guides. The CFPA also co-sponsored a Save the Post Office rally on August 22 and a Protect the Results rally in Princeton on the day after the election.

(Click here to read full article, detailing the highlights of 2020 in Princeton)

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"150 rally to ‘protect the results’ of presidential election," by Michael Mancuso, NJ.com, November 5, 2020

On the day after Election Day, at a rally at Hinds Plaza in Princeton, the message was concise and clear: ‘Protect the Results.’

It was one of more than 100 such named rallies scheduled across the state and country in response to lawsuits from President Donald Trump, challenging counting procedures in the as yet undecided election.

In his remarks at the Princeton rally, Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, said, “In a democracy the voters choose the leader. The leader does not get to choose the voters… We’re here to tell President Trump. We’re here to tell The United States Supreme Court. Protect the Results.”

Click here to read full article and see more photos!

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"Protect The Results rally urges counting of every vote," by Andrew Harrison, Princeton Packet, November 5, 2020

Several local organizations in Central Jersey rallied residents to Princeton’s Hinds Plaza to resist any measures to stop the counting of mail-in ballots, as those votes continue to be counted across the country to determine America’s president in the 2020 election.

“In America, in a democracy, the voters select the leader and the leader does not select the voters. We are here to say protect the count, protect the results, because the vote is one of our most fundamentals rights as Americans,” said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of Coalition for Peace Action. “If we don’t protect this it will continue to erode.”

Moore added that mail-in and provisional ballots are just as valid and important as the votes conducted on Election Day.

“I do not care what party or who someone is voting for, every single American who votes should have their vote counted. That is what democracy is all about and how we determine who the winner of this election is,” he said. “That is what we are here to insist on. The president is planning on sending his team of lawyers, maybe to go all the way to the Supreme Court, to stop the vote of mail-in voters. That is abhorrent. That is why we are out here today to say stop it before it even starts.”

Chants of “Every Vote Counts, Every Voter Counted” were voiced from those in attendance at the rally during the late afternoon event. With handmade signs raised by attendees urging the importance of counting the vote, calls to action to uphold democracy were issued by featured speakers and organizers.

Click here to read full article.

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"Princeton rally participants call for every vote to be counted," Planet Princeton, November 5, 2020

People gathered on Hinds Plaza in Princeton Wednesday afternoon to spread the message that every vote should be counted in the general election. Presidential candidate Joe Biden won two more states Wednesday evening, Wisconsin and Michigan, as the mail-in ballot count continued. President Donald Trump is pursuing legal challenges to stop the mail-in ballot count in some states.

The “Protect the Results” rally was sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, Indivisible Princeton, and Indivisible Cranbury. Attendees wore face masks. Many people brought posters to the event, which was one of several hundred rallies held across the country on Wednesday.

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Advance coverage of 11/4 Protect the Results Rally in Princeton in NJ.com &Planet Princeton.

Event also covered in the print version of Town Topics. 

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Letter to the Editor on Iran Sanctions, Published in the Trenton Times, 10/14/2020

Dear Editor,

On October 8, the Trump Administration imposed draconian new sanctions on Iran, which include the threat to violently board Iranian cargo ships to enforce them. This is an utterly reckless and potentially catastrophic provocation that could lead to war—a real “October surprise” by a President far behind in all major polls. Unfortunately, with so much campaign noise, this step to the precipice of war has been ignored.

Even before COVID-19, U.S. sanctions on Iran were the source of immense suffering. New U.S. sanctions will only make it far more difficult for people in Iran to access critical medical equipment and humanitarian aid.

Trump’s maximum pressure campaign has meant maximum failure. U.S. sanctions only strengthen hardliners in Iran by allowing them to deflect blame for their people’s suffering, rally support against an external threat, and justify the repression of grassroots peoples’ movements for systemic change.

Broad, sectoral sanctions are war by another name. Their intended purpose is to inflict such pain on the population as to provoke regime change. To prevent the very real danger of war, the U.S. must end its deadly sanctions, disavow the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign and re-engage in good-faith, multilateral diplomacy. For more information, visit peacecoalition.org.

The Rev. Robert Moore

The writer is Executive Director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action.

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"Election 2020 Voting Starts This Week," by Donald Gilpin, Town Topics, September 30, 2020

The Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), was even more adamant about the urgency of this election. “To claim that ‘this election is the most important in our lifetime’ is often hyperbole,” he said, “but this time I don’t think it is. We’re at a place where we have an utterly incompetent right-wing ideologue in the presidency. He has no respect for democratic norms or the Constitution.”

Moore continued, “It is clear that this is somebody who should not be president of the United States, on so many counts. Among them is his position on gun violence and peace issues. This is a very dangerous period, and he’s impulsive, irrational, anti-science. There are so many things troubling about Donald Trump’s leadership.”

CFPA initiatives this year include the Peace Voter Campaign, conducted by the CFPA since 1995 and this year focusing on Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which Moore described as “a swing area in a swing state.” The CFPA Peace Voter Guide compares the candidates on ten different issues, with particular emphasis on issues of peace and violence. It will be published as a signature ad in at least one, possibly two, Bucks County newspapers.

The first three issues are all related to gun violence, which, Moore says, suburban women in particular have been very responsive to. Based on CFPA research of the candidates’ statements and actions, the Peace Voter Guide notes that Biden supports a National Assault Weapons Ban, universal background checks for all gun sales, and a “red flag” law allowing judges to order removal of guns from anyone posing imminent danger. Trump is opposed to those measures, the Peace Voter Guide reports.

Also, for the second New Jersey congressional district, the CFPA is publishing a Peace Voter Guide electronically, comparing the views of candidates Amy Kennedy (D) and Jeff Van Drew (R). “We are non-partisan,” Moore emphasized. “We try to make sure voters are educated on the issues.”

(Click to read full article.)

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Demonstrators Urge: “Save the Post Office,” “Protect the Vote” -- by Donald Gilpin, Town Topics, August 26, 2020

Calling on authorities to “save the post office,” “defend democracy,” and “protect the right to vote,” about 50 demonstrators gathered at the Alexander Road Post Office in Carnegie Center on Saturday morning, August 22, as part of more than 800 nationwide rallies that day.

“Our demand today is that the post office continues to do its job and deliver our ballots quickly to us and then back to our county governments for counting,” said event co-organizer Frank von Hippel, senior research physicist and Princeton University professor emeritus in the Program on Science and Global Security.

In the event co-sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), von Hippel joined with Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, Princeton University Computer Science Professor Andrew Appel, CFPA board member and Treasurer Mark Pepper, and CFPA Chair Irene Goldman in calling on Congress to protect the postal service from Trump administration attacks, and to act to safeguard the integrity of the mail and the upcoming election, which during the pandemic will be conducted more than ever before through mail-in ballots.

Speakers also called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to resign in the wake of slowdowns and service cuts. “These rallies give notice that we are alert to what is happening in our country,” said von Hippel. “They let our elected officials and other people inside our government, including the post office, know that we will support them if they defend our democracy.”

Decrying an “attack on the postal service” and an attack on people’s right to vote,” Zwicker expressed optimism that people across the country were “coming out to let their voices be heard, to say, ‘Don’t mess with my mail, save our United States Postal Service and protect democracy.’”

Zwicker described legislation he is promoting in the New Jersey State Legislature that ensures that people can track their mail-in ballots on a state website. “We have to be sure that every single vote is counted, because every single vote matters,” he said.

“How dare the president use the USPS as a pawn to win an election and acknowledge to the people that that is what he is doing,“ said a statement read by Goldman from Jonette Smart, president of the Trenton branch of the NAACP. “Now is the time for Americans of all backgrounds to stand as one America and demand full services restored to the USPS. The USPS is an institution that no matter where you live, what color you are, how much money you make, works for all American people.”

Goldman, in a telephone conversation Monday, pointed out that health protocols required that the gathering be limited to about 50, and she praised the demonstrators for all wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing as they listened and cheered, many with posters and banners, outside the post office building.

She emphasized the importance of paper ballots, which the CFPA has advocated for many years, and she criticized “the abuse of power” of the Trump administration in attempting “to decimate the USPS.”

She continued, “That is unconscionable, and Donald Trump’s intention was to limit the USPS so that absentee ballots would be diminished, voting by mail would be diminished, and therefore controlling votes to disenfranchise enormous groups of people. The president is using the tactic of fear to control the vote. I trust the U.S. postal system. I do not trust the current postmaster general to protect and provide the service on which this country has depended for centuries.”

Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, by phone Monday, stated that more than 250,000 ballots for the November 3 election will be printed starting in early September and mailed out, with return postage paid, by the first week in October to all registered voters in Mercer County.

“The system worked out well in the July primary,” Covello said. “Everybody got their ballots.” She urged voters to fill out the ballots and mail them right back or drop them in one of the county drop boxes, where ballots will be picked up by election officials. The county will have a total of 13 drop boxes, one of which will be at the municipal building in Princeton. Ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and received within seven days of the election.

Covello stated that her office was proceeding with the mailing of ballots in accordance with an executive order from the governor, regardless of pending lawsuits by the Trump campaign against New Jersey and by the New Jersey attorney general against the post office to restore cuts in budget and service.

Covello, who has been county clerk, implementing vote-by-mail since 2008, stated, “I am concerned that the mail must go through for vote-by-mail to be effective. We’ve never had any problems with vote-by-mail. In fact, most people find it to be a safer option than voting machines because you have a paper trail. So I find it to be a very reliable method of voting. I’m disappointed that people are having concerns about it now all of a sudden.”

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"Spend less on weapons, more on programs of social uplift," co-authored by the Rev. Robert Moore & William Hartung, August 13, 2020, Star Ledger

As the House and Senate consider the Pentagon budget this year and in the years to come, they should act to reduce the department’s bloated budget and shift funding to what Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. described as “programs of social uplift.” New Jersey’s congressional delegation will have an important say in this ongoing debate.

Proposed spending on the Department of Defense comes in at the massive sum of $740 billion this year. That’s more than the levels spent by the next 10 nations in the world combined and higher than expenditures at the peak of the Korean and Vietnam wars. These huge expenditures represent more than half of the federal government’s discretionary budget, squeezing out federal spending on virtually everything it does other than funding for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Discretionary outlays cover investments in housing, education, transportation, job training, the environment, energy development, scientific research, and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic and longstanding demands to address racial and economic inequality cry out for a new approach to protecting Americans who rely less on guns, bombs and aircraft carriers and more on public health and community development initiatives.

Late last month, as a result of initiatives spearheaded by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI), Congress had a chance to weigh in on the question of whether to shift funds from the Pentagon to meet other urgent needs. They promoted measures in both houses of Congress to reduce the Pentagon’s top line by 10%, without reducing funding for military personnel or defense health programs.

Adopting this approach would have provided a good down payment on the new approach to security that is sorely needed in this new era, while freeing up urgently needed funds for public health, jobs, education and other essential services in the communities that need them most. Unfortunately, both amendments were defeated, but they received unprecedented support that will set the stage for similar measures next year. Within the New Jersey delegation, Sen. Cory Booker and Representatives Frank Pallone, Donald Payne and Bonnie Watson Coleman voted in favor of the 10% cut.

There is no lack of programs to cut to reach the goal of a 10% reduction in the Pentagon budget. First and foremost, Congress should roll back the Pentagon’s plans to build a new generation of nuclear-armed bombers, missiles, submarines, and warheads at a potential cost of over $2 trillion over the next three decades. Current costs for the nuclear enterprise are running at almost $50 billion per year. These expenditures are both dangerous and unnecessary. The United States possesses thousands of nuclear weapons when experts have suggested that a few hundred would be more than enough to dissuade any nation from attacking the United States. The ultimate goal should be to eliminate these world-threatening weapons altogether.

Of particular concern are land-based, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which former Secretary of Defense William Perry has described as some of the most dangerous weapons in the world because the president would only have a matter of minutes to decide whether to launch them in a crisis, greatly increasing the chance of an accidental nuclear war. The Pentagon wants to triple spending on these risky systems in this year’s proposed budget.

The F-35 combat aircraft is another system ripe for reductions. Analyses by the nonpartisan Project on Government Oversight have shown that the F-35 may never be fully ready for combat, due to a raft of performance and cost issues.

Last but not least is the Pentagon’s massive bureaucracy. A study by the Defense Business Board has indicated that the department could save $25 billion per year just by eliminating excess bureaucracy. The Department of Defense employs over 600,000 private contractors, many of whom do jobs that are redundant, and can be done by government employees for less money.

The debates of this year and next could be critical turning points in how we conceive of our priorities and how we define safety and security. The New Jersey delegation has a critical role to play in these discussions. It’s time to redefine security and focus on the real threats to our lives and livelihoods.

Rev. Robert Moore is the Executive Director of the New Jersey-based Coalition for Peace Action.

William D. Hartung is the Director of the Arms and Security Program at the Center for International Policy.

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"High school student draws crowd for candlelight vigil in memory of George Floyd," by Andrew Harrison, Princeton Packet, June 17, 2020

Hundreds of people would gather around the tercentennial fountain in Heritage Park in Cranbury to participate in a candlelight vigil for George Floyd and other victims of police violence and racial discrimination.

Individuals and families of every age, race and nationality took part in the vigil as sundown occurred on June 14. Attendees were brought together by Princeton High School junior Isabel Sethi, who organized the peaceful protest.  

For Sethi, viewing the death of Floyd while he was in police custody, was the moment when she knew she could not be a bystander as people pushed for reforms on policing and racial discrimination.

“Watching the now infamous George Floyd video, the video of his arrest and subsequent death was really the catalyst for me. Law enforcement officials are expected to serve and protect citizens yet they killed one of their own with so much indifference,” Sethi said. “They did not care that he said he could not breathe; they were more annoyed with people asking them to stop. I knew whatever small way I could contribute I needed to do that.”

The candlelight vigil was co-sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action and the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. Organizers estimated that more than 250 people were in attendance during the evening.

Speakers for the vigil included Princeton High School science teacher Joy Barnes-Johnson, Cranbury Mayor Matt Scott, chief activist Robt Seda-Schreiber at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Princeton University professor of African American Art History Chika Okeke-Agulu, parish associate for the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury Rev. Joanne Petto, and Rev. Bob Moore of the Coalition for Peace Action.

(Click here to read full article.)

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Hundreds, mostly young adults, gathered Sunday night at Heritage Park to honor George Floyd and other victims of police brutality.

The event was organized by Isabel Sethi, 17, a junior at Princeton High School, and several other guest speakers were in their early 20s.

"I'm only 20 years old ... there are so many young faces in the crowd," said Dominique Hazel-Criss, a rising junior at Rutgers University and representative for the Black Lives Matter chapter of Rutgers. "When they say we're the future, they mean it.

“We're the future lawyers (and) the future policymakers ... the future educators," she said. "Those racist police, those racist policymakers ... they were once the future too and that is the problem."

[...] Sethi organized the protest in conjunction with the Coalition for Peace Action and the Bayard Rustin Center after watching the video of Floyd’s death.

(Click here to read full article.)

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"‘It has to end’: Protesters in Princeton demand justice for Floyd's death," by Marissa Michaels, The Daily Princetonian, June 3, 2020

Over 1000 protesters gathered outside FitzRandolph Gate on June 2 — chanting, kneeling, and listening — to protest the deaths of George Floyd and other black Americans, especially those at the hands of police.

The protest is one of many that emerged out of last week’s high-profile killing, when Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, pressed his knee into George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, while three other officers stood by. In the Floyd family’s private autopsy, the death was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxia.

The four officers were fired immediately and Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin had 18 previous complaints against him.

Floyd’s death was caught on camera, and the video has sparked outrage throughout the country. Other videos of police using force against civilians show rising tensions at many protests.

[...] The protest began with demonstrators kneeling for a moment of silence held for eight minutes and 46 seconds, representing the amount of time that Chauvin kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck.

Following the silence, there was a series of speakers, beginning with Imani Mulrain ’23, and including Princeton native Sumiayyah Stephens, Associate Professor of African American Studies Ruha Benjamin, Chair of the Lewis Center for the Arts Tracy K. Smith, and Witherspoon Street Presbytarian Church Reverend Lukata Mjumbe.

[...] The event was organized in just two days and was sponsored by Not in Our Town, CHOOSE, PHS MSAN, PHS PULSE, Princeton Latinos y Amigos, Labyrinth Books, Princeton YWCA, Code Equal, Housing Initiatives of Princeton, and the Coalition for Peace Action.

(Click here for full article)

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Letter to the Editor: "This Memorial Day, It's Not About Fighting, but Reuniting the World," by Ed Aguilar, published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 2020

To the Editor:

This Memorial Day is unlike any other, yet all too familiar. We mourn the fallen-- whether they are American draftees and servicemembers who perished in too many wars in the last two centuries; whether they are millions of children, women, and men civilians who perished in those wars; whether they are the survivors of the fallen, who live with their memories and their grief. This year, we will add at least another 100,000 Americans, most of them civilian victims of a needless tragedy born of a combination of a new virus which came from Nature and knows no bounds, and the negligence and folly of too many political and social leaders in the world who did not do their duty to stop, listen, and protect our peoples from this scourge, or who acted too little, too late, and without exercising leadership, here and abroad.
It doesn't end there. We need to actually enforce social distancing, mask-wearing, and continued caution, now more than ever, as the nation cautiously reopens its doors to business and schools, and works for longer-term reforms and remedies. If not, Dr. Anthony Fauci has already told us what will happen-- a (continuing) new wave, potentially as deadly than the first, or even greater, as the disease hits the global South, with even less protection, and continues in the North. Please heed the call of UN Secretary-General Guterres: War is not the answer, especially now. We need a global cease-fire of civil and international conflicts, so that we, and the people of all nations, can focus on the unity we need, to overcome and stop this virus. And sanctions not only don't succeed, they hurt the most innocent. It will take years, but this is a struggle in which humanity can and must find a common purpose, or it will find a common fate.

Sincerely,
Ed Aguilar
Pennsylvania Director, Coalition for Peace Action

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"Peace Action Coalition Agenda Features Voter Drive; Forums with Chomsky, Klare," by Donald Gilpin, Town Topics, May 27, 2020

"Seeking to maximize its impact for peace in the upcoming elections, the Coalition for Peace Action’s (CFPA) nonpartisan 2020 Peace Voter initiative is focusing on candidates in New Jersey congressional Districts 2 and 4 in the July 7 primary and plans to target general elections in those districts plus Districts 3 and 7 in November, along with the presidential election race in Pennsylvania.

Peace Voter can wield the greatest influence in the contests that are expected to be very close, said CFPA founder and Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. So far Peace Voter has conducted press briefings with 2nd District leading Democratic candidates Brigid Harrison and Amy Kennedy, who will be competing for a spot on the November ballot to run for congress against the Republican (recently switched from Democrat) incumbent Jeff Van Drew. " (Click here for full article.) 

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"Resist Trump’s Wrecking Ball Approach to Longstanding Peace Agreements!" by the Rev. Robert Moore, Op-Ed News, May 22, 2020

President Trump’s May 21 announcement of US withdrawal from the 30-year-old Open Skies Treaty is yet another example of his wrecking ball approach to the entire architecture of hard-won agreements to peacefully prevent war.

For starters, it is blatantly lawless. Trump himself signed into law a requirement that Congress be notified 180 days in advance of the President starting the process to withdraw from such treaties. Trump completely disregards that and acts like a king above the law.

The Open Skies Treaty took an important confidence building approach to preventing war by increasing transparency about what Russia, the US and other signatories do with military assets. It reduces the chance of misperception and miscalculation that could lead to catastrophic war by accident.

This is the third major arms control agreement Trump has withdrawn from; the previous two were the Iran Nuclear Agreement and the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Agreement. In each of those prior cases Trump alleged non-compliance by other parties and demanded capitulation. 

Predictably, when that didn’t happen, instead of seeking to engage in dispute resolution procedures in those treaties, Trump just withdrew. He asserted that he would be able to negotiate a better treaty to replace the ones he abrogated. But nothing like that happened in either case.

Trump also announced that he is starting talks on extending the New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement with Russia. But compounding the major diplomatic fiascos above, he insists that China, which has a tiny nuclear arsenal compared to the US and Russia, be an added party to that extension. There is zero chance it will happen. So, it amounts to a poison pill that will destroy the last remaining restraint to prevent a new nuclear arms race.

Trump has taken the wrecking ball to the entire architecture of treaties and diplomacy, which will certainly lead to a major new arms race and greatly increased danger of major war.

The best way to oppose Trump’s juggernaut of blowing up peace agreements is to support a bill in Congress advocating extension of the New START Treaty. Click here to learn more and email your members of Congress! 

The Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace Action
May 22, 2020

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"The Second Amendment ‘sanctuary’ movement has arrived in NJ," by Ximena Conde, March 2, 2020, WHYY

"'The thing that bothers me the most is that it could give people the mistaken impression… that somehow those laws don’t apply in those municipalities and of course, that’s wrong,' said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action which helps run Ceasefire New Jersey.

The state has one of the lowest per capita gun deaths in the country, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data and Moore worries any effort to rescind gun laws could increase those deaths.

Still, gun activists across the state say they won’t stop until they can reverse the laws they argue infringe on their rights." (Click here to read full article.)

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Advance event coverage: "Hands Up pays homage to lives affected by gun violence," NJ.com
and " PRIME Gallery Presents HANDS UP (A Campaign for Peace)," New Jersey Stage

Click here for event details. Ceasefire New Jersey will be speaking at this art gallery fundraiser,which will serve as a tribute to the lives that were lost during the 2019 Jersey City shootings on Martin Luther King Drive this past December. The tribute will also feature the works of artist Jahahd Payne, a victim of gun violence, pictured below.

A percentage of proceeds for the show will be donated to Ceasefire NJ.

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As town and University plans and projects progressed, protests helped define the year 2015. A sit-in by Princeton University students citing Woodrow Wilson’s racist beliefs drew national attention to the campus and the town. There were additional demonstrations in reaction to national events such as the murders at a church in Charleston, South Carolina and the more recent mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. On the University campus, at Hinds Plaza, and at marches through town, there were silent and not-so-silent demonstrations in support of gun control and related issues. (Read Complete Article)

Lawmaker Wants To Close Loophole That Lets People Buy Guns Without Background Checks
By Tom Sofield December 15, 2015 LevittownNow.com

 What State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-31) thinks is a “common sense idea” is having trouble moving forward in Harrisburg.

Despite bipartisan support, Santarsiero, a Democrat also running for the U.S. House of Representatives, said he is having trouble moving House Bill 1010 up for a vote in the House. He said he has support from lawmakers of his own party and even Republicans.

The bill would close a loophole that allows the purchase of long guns during private sales ineligible for background checks. It would also ban persons on the national terrorism watch list and no-fly list from purchasing firearms legally.

If the bill becomes law, Santarsiero and supporters from the BuxMont Coalition for Peace, Bucks County Against Gun Violence, Bucks County Peace Center, CeaseFirePA, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action believe it could help save lives and prevent some mass shootings. (Read Complete Article)

 Memorial in Falls honors victims of mass shootings on anniversary of Sandy Hook
Posted: Monday, December 14, 2015 By Anthony DiMattia, staff writer
Monday's gloomy backdrop was appropriate for the third anniversary of one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.  With heavy hearts, members from local, state and national gun-safety groups planted 1,289 American flags at Snipes Farm in Falls to honor the victims from each mass shooting since the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Among those in attendance were members of Bucks Against Gun Violence, Bucks County Peace Center, Bucks Safe, Bucks County Woman's Advocacy Coalition, BuxMont Coalition for Peace Action, CeaseFirePA, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action. Each called for stricter gun laws that they say will prevent future mass shootings, which they defined as any shooting of four or more people. (Read Complete Article and Watch Video Online) 

Bucks County groups stress quest for

peace in a violent world

Posted: Friday, December 4, 2015 By Anna Coleman, Bucks County Courier Times
 
Recent acts of terrorism have brought tragedy to every corner of the globe.

We should commemorate the lives of those we have lost and spend time in thought and prayer. But this is also a time for action, a time to stand up against violence and hatred, not to answer with more.

It is time for a different answer, an answer that is peace and love.

Sharing these feelings, a friend and I attended the candlelight vigil in Langhorne that the Courier Times covered a few weeks ago. We were immediately inspired by the hope felt among the crowd. Hope for a time when protest like that one will not be necessary, for a time when we will not grieve for ones lost in acts of violence.

I was inspired by the adults who surrounded me that night. Their assurance that a time like that will come filled me with a sense of determination to see it myself. (Read Complete Article Online)

 

CFPA's Annual Holiday Gathering slated for Dec. 5
By Rich Cuccagna December 04, 2015 The Trenton Times

PRINCETON — As the nations of the world meet for the Paris Climate Summit from the end of November until December 11, the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) will hold its Annual Holiday Gathering, centered on its No Wars, No Warming campaign, which makes the connection between the climate crisis and war, on Saturday, December 5 from 2-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton.

The gathering starts with a potluck from 2-3 p.m.; attendees should bring a healthy dish to share, followed by the program from 3-5 p.m. It is free and open to the public. (Read Complete Article Online)

Langhorne vigil draws crowd to honor victims of terrorism

By Matt Schickling November 24, 2015   The Wire

At rush hour on Monday, a busy Langhorne intersection became a place of peace. 

Small groups gathered on all four corners of where Routes 213 and 413 meet with lighted candles and signs calling for peace in the world. “We are all one family,” “Love thy neighbor,” and “Peace on earth,” they read, messages aimed to honor the victims of terrorism throughout the world.

The vigil was organized and sponsored by the Bucks County Human Relations Council, BuxMont Coalition for Peace Action, Interfaith Community of Lower Bucks, The Peace Center and Zubaida Foundation. (Read Complete Article Online)

Video: Rally in Langhorne calls for peace following recent terror attacks in Paris

Video by Bill Fraser | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Bucks County Courier Times
Community members held a candlelight vigil in Langhorne on Monday, November 23, 2015, to honor recent victims of terrorism and all those who are suffering around the world. (Click to Watch Video) 

Peace Activists Rally for Victims of Terror

Monday, November 23, 2015 By Elizabeth Fisher
Bucks County Courier Times (Click here for Complete Coverage)

Candlelight Vigil For World Peace Greets Commuters

By Tom Sofield November 24 LevittownNow.com

Several dozen people stood at Langhorne Borough’s busiest intersection Monday during rush hour to call for world peace.

The “Light Up Langhorne” event was organized by the Interfaith Community of Lower Bucks, BuxMont Coalition for Peace Action, The Peace Center, Zubaida Foundation and Bucks County Human Relations Council.

The candlelight vigil was put together in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, organizers said. The rally was to think of all those who are suffering around the globe. (Read Complete Article Online)

 Protestors challenge Christie's stance on Syrian refugees
By Lindsay Rittenhouse The Trenton Times November 22, 2015

PRINCETON — "For refugees, plenty of space, but we can't fit racist hate." That was the message Sunday of residents, activists and religious leaders who protested Gov. Chris Christie's comments on Syrian refugees outside Drumthwacket, the governor's residence in Princeton.

The Central New Jersey Democratic Socialists – operating out of New Brunswick, Freehold and Princeton – organized Sunday's rally through social media after Christie announced on Nov. 16 that he feels the United States should not admit any refugees from the Syrian civil war, not even "orphans under age 5." (Read Complete Article)

Issues of inequality focus of Princeton Peace Conference
Front page of The Trenton Times By Lindsay Rittenhouse on November 09, 2015

Princeton's Coalition for Peace Action Conference brought local residents, activists and various ethnic and religious group leaders to Nassau Presbyterian Church on Sunday for its 36th annual peace conference.

This year's conference focused on all types of national and international issues directly hindering peace.

J. Jondhi Harrell – founder and executive director of the Center for Returning Citizens – spoke from firsthand experience to the injustices of mass incarceration.

Having been incarcerated for 25 years, Harrell said he raised his four daughters and one son from a prison cell and that it tore his family apart, as it does for all men and women behind bars. (Read Complete Article Online)

  Bucks County lawmaker seeks to close loophole in gun-safety laws

    Bucks County Courier Times By Margaret Gibbons Friday October 16, 2015

A Bucks County lawmaker is calling for the public’s support of proposed gun-safety legislation to close a loophole that allows private purchases of long guns such as rifles, assault rifles and shotguns without a background check.

The proposed legislation would extend background checks already in place for handguns to those purchasing long guns through private sales, such as purchases at a gun show.

The proposed “common sense” legislation will help enforce existing laws, “not create a whole new system of unreasonable regulations,” said Democratic state Rep. Steve Santarsiero. (Read Complete Article)

Rally for gun safety, H.B. 1010 spotlights voices for ‘commonsense’ reform
Rep. Steve Santarsiero October 15, 2015 PAHouse.Com

NORRISTOWN, Oct. 15 – On the Montgomery County Courthouse steps today, prominent Pennsylvania lawmakers, gun-safety advocates, domestic-violence experts and victims of gun violence rallied behind a plan to enact universal background checks for gun purchases in Pennsylvania.

House Bill 1010, sponsored by state Rep. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, would require all firearms – including the private sale of long guns – to be done before a licensed firearms dealer or county sheriff in order to complete a background check on the purchaser’s criminal history or involuntary commitment to a mental health facility. Currently, state law does not require that background checks be conducted for the private purchase of long guns.

Gun-safety advocates from CeaseFire PA, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Bucks Safe, Bucks Against Gun Violence, DelCO United, Heeding God’s Call, Coalition for Peace Action and PA United for Background Checks attended the event. (Read Complete Article & Watch Video of Rally )

Mobilizing to Stop Gun Violence 

Front page of the October 14, 2015 Town Topics
At a press conference Monday at Hinds Plaza, government officials and members of the clergy were joined by citizens concerned about the rise of gun violence in this country. The group is pressuring New Jersey senators to override Governor Chris Christie’s recent veto of a bill that would have required anyone seeking a gun permit to notify local law enforcement if they are attempting to have their mental health records expunged. Mayor Liz Lempert, shown here at the microphone, introduced State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, who is pictured between Senator Linda Greenstein and the Reverend Bob Moore of the Coalition for Peace Action. Mr. Sweeney said the governor’s veto of the “common sense” gun safety legislation was done to placate conservative voters. Reverend Moore said, “Let us put partisan politics aside and put the protection of the public from gun violence first — for at least one day.” The override vote will take place October 22. (Read Article Online )

Sweeney: I Will Call State Police if Legislature Doesn’t Vote on Gun Control Bill
10-12-15 By Brenda Flanagan NJTV NEWS

  “We can no longer be silent! We can no longer sit idly by as mass shootings escalate across the United States!” said Rev. Bob Moore.

With gun control advocates like Moore, from Coalition for Peace Action/Ceasefire NJ, voicing full support — Senate President Steve Sweeney took the podium in Princeton to put his colleagues on notice: he will call them into session later this month for a second shot at overriding Governor Christie’s veto of SB 2360. The bill requires notifying local police whenever someone with documented mental illness seeks to expunge that record before applying for a gun permit. (Click Here to Read Complete Article and Watch Video Footage)

Click the picture below to Watch the September 24 Coalition for Peace Action Press Conference on Gun Violence Prevention bill (S.2360)

 Sweeney vows to send N.J. State Police to find senators absent for gun override
By Susan K. Livio | NJ.com October 12, 2015

PRINCETON — State Senate President Stephen Sweeney announced there will be another attempt to override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a gun control bill next week, and warned his colleagues who dare to be absent: We'll come find you.

Standing among two dozen elected officials and gun-control advocates Monday, Sweeney said he would "put the house on call" and would use his authority to send State Police to find any of the other 39 senators who are no-shows for the Oct. 22 voting session.

"Let us put partisan politics aside and put the protection of the public first, for at least one day!" shouted The Rev. Robert Moore, the executive director for the Coalition for Peace Action. (Click Here to Read Complete Article )

 

Coalition for Peace Action thanks Senator Cory Booker
in Support of Iran Deal - Sept. 25, 2015


On Friday, September 25, the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), NJ Peace Action, Moveon, and NIAC, participated and co-sponsored an event thanking Senator Cory Booker in his Newark-NJ office, for his support on the Iran Accord. CFPA was met by Senator Booker's staffer, Zoe Baldwin (center with flowers) and interviewed by Ang Santos, from WBGO News Radio.

 Peace Groups Thank Sen. Booker In Support of Iran Deal By Ang Santos, WBGO News Newark, September 25, 2015
Peace advocacy groups gathered at Senator Booker’s office in Newark with sun flowers and hand written letters to thank him for his support of the Iran nuclear agreement.

Reverened Bob Moore of Coalition for Peace Action says it’s been a two year initiative that required a lot of attention and citizen engagement.

“Change comes from the bottom up,” said Moore.  “So we said, this is a democracy.  This is how democracy is supposed to work, and what it’s supposed to look like.  We the citizens are supposed to be influencing our elected officials.”
(Read and Listen to Complete News Coverage) 

CFPA screening 9/11 documentary Sept. 27
By Rich Cuccagna The Trenton Times, September 16, 2015

In the wake of the recent anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) will hold a screening of the documentary "In Our Son's Name" on Sunday, September 27 at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.

"We are honored to host this powerful film about affirming values of peace and nonviolence in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in US history. We encourage members of the public to come and learn about this transformative journey of peace," said Alesha Vega, CFPA Assistant Director. (Read Complete Article)

Booker's visit to Livingston temple brings needed civility to the Iran debate The Star Ledger By Tom Moran September 8, 2015

Once in a while, democracy inspires. As it did this morning when U.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited a temple in Livingston to explain his support for the new agreement with Iran on nuclear weapons.

The questions, from a crowd of about 75 Jews and non-Jews who gathered at Temple B'nai Abraham, were penetrating. The speakers had done their homework. (Read Complete Article)
CFPA Leaders and friends were present at the meeting with Senator Booker in Livingston, NJ on September 8, 2015. See Recent Events.

 See guests Dr. Robert Goldston, Professor US DOE Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Dr. Frank von Hippel, Professor of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, speak on the U.S. Iranian Nuclear Deal on Princeton Community Television's BackStory with Joan Goldstein HERE

Read physicists and long-time CFPA sponsors, Rush Holt and Frank von Hippel, answer technical questions on the Iran Nuclear Deal HERE! 

Video: Give peace a chance
(See footage from the Peace Rally
and interviews from CFPA's Alesha Vega and CFPA PA's Ed Aguilar, here)

Give Peace a Chance!


Op-Ed by Rev. Bob Moore, CFPA Executive Director, sent August 10, 2015 to newspapers in the region. So far it ran in the August 14 print version of the Princeton Packet. Please feel free to take from it to use in your own letters to the editor. If you see it published anywhere, please contact cfpa@peacecoalition.org to let us know!

On July 14, after nearly two years of tough negotiations, an Agreement on the Iran Nuclear Issue was reached. For obviously partisan reasons, many Republicans came out against the agreement before it was even delivered to them. On August 6, the Senate’s third ranking Democrat, Chuck Schumer, also came out against it.

I am reminded of a slogan many of us used in opposing the Vietnam War: Give Peace a Chance! Polls show that a majority of Americans support this Agreement, and want it to be implemented. But Congress now has until September 17 to take action and could reject the deal, possibly even over-riding a promised Presidential veto.

Walking away from this hard-won agreement will result in Iran being able to get a bomb in as little as two weeks, while having international sanctions collapse. The US would be soon face another disastrous Middle East War, far worse than the ones in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Read Complete Article)  

CFPA's Executive Director, Rev. Bob Moore's, Reponse Letter to the Editor as seen in the hard copy print version of the August 12, 2015 Trenton Times

 

Dear Editor, 

You have run several letters to the editor recently responding to my published statements regarding the Iran nuclear agreement and the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Regarding the first, the agreement is based on verification, not trust. While Iran’s behavior until the Interim Agreement freezing and taking initial steps toward curtailing Iran’s nuclear program in November 2013 generated doubts, almost all experts rate their compliance since then as excellent.

The verification of the Iran Nuclear Agreement would be the strongest, most intrusive in history. There will be 24-7 monitoring of all declared sites for the entire nuclear production chain, from uranium mining to its final use. Suspect covert sites would be subject to prompt, intrusive inspections.  

Yes, some of the limits on Iran’s centrifuges and amount of enriched uranium it can possess begin to sunset after 10-15 years. Diplomacy requires compromise, and this is the best agreement that could be reached after 22 months of tough negotiations. It keeps Iran at least one year away from obtaining a bomb for up to 15 years. The strongest in history inspections remain in place permanently. (Read Complete Article)

 

The Iran nuclear deal is crucial for peace in the future
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 7, 2015
Letter to the Editor co-authored by CFPA's Western PA Coordinator, Jo Schlesinger 

The Iran nuclear agreement, confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, appears to be everything that was predicted in the Joint Plan of Action, and more. After more than two years of intensive negotiations, diplomacy has mapped out a future that keeps Iran from imminent access to the bomb and keeps the United States from another catastrophic war in the Middle East.

Criticism is loud and well-funded but not fact-based. All key components of the deal that the United States sought were achieved: 97 percent cuts in uranium stocks, rigorous inspections and a long-term additional protocol, which subjects Iran to significantly added inspections and transparency. In return, sanctions will be lifted but can be reinstated at any time. (Read Complete Article)

Peace Vigil on 70th Anniversary of Dropping of Atomic Bombs
WNPV1440 AM Radio August 5, 2015

“It time to retire nuclear weapons on the 70th anniversary of the bombings.”

Thursday at 6pm the Coalition For Peace Action and the Doylestown Friends Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee will co-sponsor a peace vigil at State and Main streets in Doylestown.

“We will fly four banners that say abolish nuclear weapons. Paper Origami Peace Cranes will be handed out. We have to realize that nuclear weapons are not good for the planet.”

Coalition for Peace Action Assistant Director, Alesha Vega says, the coalition supports the deal President obama recently reached with Iran. (Read Complete Article Online)

Peace vigil in Doylestown to commemorate Hiroshima, Nagasaki
The Intelligencer August 5, 2015

Four large "Abolish Nuclear War" banners will fly Thursday at a vigil in Doylestown hosted by the Coalition for Peace Action to mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The CFPA is calling for the mandatory retirement of nuclear weapons. 

"The purpose of these commemorations is not to look back with 20-20 hindsight to question whether the atomic bombings in 1945 were justified. What's done is done," said the Rev. Bob Moore, CFPA executive director. "Rather, our reason for having these commemorations is to remember the absolute horror that nuclear weapons represent and the real and growing threat they present today."

The first event, on Wednesday in Princeton, New Jersey, will include a picnic with a moment of silence at 7:16 p.m. to coincide with the exact time, 8:16 a.m. Japanese time Aug. 6, that the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, in the last days of World War II. The picnic and outdoor program will be at Albert Hinds Plaza, next to the Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon St. (Read Complete Article Online)

  'Crockpot season,' thoughts on nuclear deal with Iran | Letters
The Trenton Times July 31, 2015

Iran has agreed not to make a nuclear weapon under terms spelled out in months of negotiations. As the poll on page A10 of The Times (the OPINION page) of July 22, 2015 revealed, the majority of Americans support the agreement with Iran. Although it will be based on diligent verification of all technical aspects of possible bomb making, the same poll shows that many Americans believe that Iran will not adhere to the agreement. It is not surprising because many biased politicians and pundits are engaged in short-run opposition and scare tactics rather than in the big picture of stopping a troublesome nation from becoming the next nuclear nation.

Historians will remind us that, in the midst of the Cold War with a nuclear arms race between the United States and the former USSR, the top leaders, Reagan and Gorbachev (who had little reason to trust each other), met in Reykjavik, Iceland, and discussed the reduction of nuclear weapons. The result of their talks was the agreement a year later to remove Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces from Europe and to continue to negotiate other reductions in nuclear weapons. The lesson from Reykjavik is that conflicting nations can enter into agreements to reduce nuclear threat. All members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives should seriously consider their responsibility in working toward a nuclear free world. The agreement with Iran is a bold step and includes steadfast verification of all possible phases of Iranian nuclear weapons development. (Read letter online)
Carol Kiger Allen, Coalition for Peace Action Board Secretary
Princeton, NJ

Coalition to commemorate anniversary of Hiroshima bombing
On Page 3 of the printed version of the The Trenton Times , July 28, 2015

The Coalition for Peace Action will have a Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the Hiroshima bombing anniversary, Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Commemoration will begin with a bring-your-own picnic at 6 p.m. (no alcoholic beverages permitted), followed by the outdoor program at 7 p.m. and an indoor Program from 7:30-9 p.m.

Both the picnic and the 7 outdoor portion of Commemoration Ceremony will be in Albert Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon St. The indoor program will be in the Community Room of the Library from 7:30-9. In case of rain, the picnic will be cancelled and the entire program beginning at 7 will be in the Community Room of the library.

"The purpose of this commemoration is not to look back with 20-20 hindsight to question whether the atomic bombings in 1945 were justified," said coalition Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. "What's done is done. Rather, our reason for having these commemorations is to remember the absolute horror that nuclear weapons represent, and the real and growing threat they present today.

Plan for Christie gun law changes not put forward yet

On Front Page of the printed version of The Bergen Record July 19, 2015, By Dustin Racioppi The Record (Bergen County)
Three weeks after Governor Christie said, in a late-night email on the eve of his presidential campaign, that he would propose “common-sense” changes to New Jersey’s gun regulations, no plan has been put forward.

Christie’s decision was met with a mix of praise and criticism — in some cases from the same people. While the governor announced he would make the regulatory change, he did not sign legislation on his desk that would close a loophole in the state’s gun law requiring domestic violence offenders and those with restraining orders against them to give up all their firearms. Bill sponsors and critics of the Republican governor expressed disappointment, and some said it served as an example of how Christie is trying to appeal to a conservative base.

“It looks to me like he’s playing [to] a particular audience,” said Dolores Phillips, legislative director of the advocacy group Ceasefire NJ.

She called it a “deceptive practice” and said the press release “gives the appearance of policy initiatives to benefit his presidential campaign and clearly is using his office staff and official website to do so.” (Read Complete Article)  

Standing Together
Front page of paper version of Town Topics July 2, 2015

Speaking at the Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace and Racial Justice held in response to the previous week’s shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., Director of the Coalition for Peace Action and Co-Pastor of Christ Congregation in Princeton Rev. Robert Moore told the gathering “We stand together in unity as a community of love.” The event was organized by CFPA, the Mt. Pisgah AME Church and the Princeton Clergy Association. (See article online)
 

Critics see politics behind Christie’s move to ease gun permits for domestic-abuse victims and lack of action on bill to stop abusers from getting guns.
The Record (Bergen County) July 1, 2015 By Dustin Racioppi STATE HOUSE BUREAU
Critics say it’s no coincidence Christie OK’d only one of them

Gun rights advocates and domestic violence activists both see what Governor Christie did Monday night to New Jersey’s firearms regulations as a common-sense step to help victims of abuse.

But that’s where the agreement ends and the suspicion starts.

In a late-night announcement on the eve of his candidacy for the White House, Christie moved to loosen regulations and expedite reviews of gun permits sought by domestic violence victims. But while that would hasten a victim’s ability to get a gun, a bill that would take away guns from domestic violence offenders sat unsigned on his desk.

Given Christie’s low approval ratings and need to cultivate conservative support in his campaign for the Republican nomination for president, some saw his moves less about victims and more about the governor’s quest for the White House, which he made official 14 hours after announcing the regulatory change. (Read Complete Article)

Prayers for peace: In wake of Charleston massacre, vigil participants call for racial justice, gun control


By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer Centraljersey.com Jun 25, 2015

Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday night in downtown Princeton for a prayer vigil that doubled as a call for gun control and racial justice on the one-week anniversary of the church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina.

An interfaith collection of clergy led prayers for peace, for South Carolina’s and the country’s leaders and for the families of the nine black victims killed at the Mother Emanuel AME Church by a young white man armed with a handgun.

The Rev. Deborah Brooks, pastor of the historically black Mt. Pisgah AME Church on Witherspoon Street, called the shooting a “racist act.” (Read Complete Article)

Remembering the Charleston 9: Hundreds Gather on Palmer Square for Interfaith Prayer Vigil


June 26, 2015 by Krystal Knapp Planet Princeton

At one point during the march in downtown Princeton, the line of people stretched all the way from Nassau Street down Witherspoon Street, across Paul Robeson Place, beyond the Arts Council of Princeton.

Almost 400 people marched from the Mt. Pisgah AME Church on Witherspoon Street to Tiger Park on Palmer Square, and another 100 or more joined them at the square on Wednesday night, the one-week anniversary of the shootings at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. (Read Complete Article)

Princeton prayer vigil scheduled in response to Charleston church shootings

By Nicole Mulvaney June 22, The Times of Trenton   

PRINCETON — A march and prayer vigil will be held in Princeton Wednesday night in response to the church shootings in Charleston last week.

The event is organized by Mt. Pisgah AME Church — the same denomination as the South Carolina congregation — along with the Princeton Clergy Association and the Coalition for Peace Action. (Read Complete Article)

Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace and Racial Justice Wednesday
By: Linda Arntzenius June 23, Town Topics

In response to the recent shooting at a Black Church in Charleston, the Mt. Pisgah AME Church in collaboration with the Princeton Clergy Association and the Coalition for Peace Action, will take place Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. The event will begin with a March from Mt. Pisgah AME Church (the same denomination as the church where the shooting occurred), 170 Witherspoon Street. Supporters are urged to gather the front of the church for the approximately quarter mile March to Tiger Park, Palmer Square. Those who are unable to march are welcome to go straight to Tiger Park. Area faith leaders will offer prayers and reflections followed by a candlelight vigil as darkness falls. For further information, visit www.peacecoalition.org or call (609) 924-5022. (Read article online)

 Opinion: To prevent war with Iran, remember deceptions of war with Iraq

The Times of Trenton guest opinion column June 06, 2015 by the Rev. Robert Moore and Richard Moody

The question recently was raised to presumed presidential candidate Jeb Bush whether, knowing what he knows now, he would have started a war with Iraq, as his brother, President George W. Bush, did in 2003. His initial answer, on which he flip-flopped a number of times in the days following, was yes.

We tend to believe his first answer, partly because it was unvarnished before any public blowback — but even more because many of his top foreign policy advisors include those who championed the rush to war using manipulated intelligence on Iraq. It is crucial to remember the truth about what led to that war, as we may be on the verge of being neo-conned into another even more disastrous war — with Iran. (Read Complete Article)

Letter: Beware same group of agitators who are pushing for another war
By The Times of Trenton Letters to the Editor on June 08, 2015
 The guest opinion article "To prevent war with Iran, remember deceptions with Iraq" (June 7) was right on the mark.

Ironically, some of the neo-conservatives who got us into the deadly and unnecessary war with Iraq are front and center again, this time about Iran. Sadly, much of the media is playing the same compliant role as before.

The war-mongers and the military-industrial complex about which President Eisenhower warned us need to portray a demonic enemy for them to prevail. It saddens me to think that the American public could be fooled again, at what cost in human life and suffering one can scarcely contemplate. (Read Article Online)
-- Eugene F. Horan,
Monroe

Anti-Violence Rally: ‘I Never Know Which Saturday There’s Going To Be A Funeral’

LevittownNow.com By Tom Sofield, April 23, 2015

Pastor James G. Evans III of Norton Avenue Baptist Church in Bristol Township is tired of conducting funerals for parishioners who died due to violence. 

Last Sunday, Evans along with about 100 people of all faiths marched from the Norton Avenue church, down Green Lane to a service at the House of Prayer. Chants of “stop the violence” echoed through the streets as the group called for an end to gun violence.

“We can act like it ain’t happen and doing funerals – or we can do something about it,” he said.

Evans said he’s conducted several funerals over the past few years for victims of gun violence, some from Bristol Township and some from outside the area.
Cathy Leary of the BuxMont Coalition for Peace said the rally was supported by passersby and neighbors who voiced their support and honked as the group walked down Green Lane with a police escort. (To read complete article, Click Here)

Bristol Township Community calls for end to Gun Violence
By Beth Fisher Bucks County Courier Times

From left to right: Marie Rosenberg, Bucks Safe; Cathy Leary, BuxMont CFPA Director; Movita Johnson Harrell, The Charles Foundation; Pastor Brown of Bristol

  Marchers from Norton Avenue Baptist Church, the House of Prayer, and the Bucks County community call for An End to Gun Violence.

For more pictures, Click Here to view via Facebook. (You do not need a Facebook account to view the pictures)
Click here to watch a powerful video from the event. (Video By: Chloe Elmer/Staff Photographer Bucks County Courier Times)

"I am in awe at the strength of the people in this video. If this does not make you want to stand up and let your voices be heard I am not sure what will." -Cathy Leary, BuxMont CFPA Director

 Residents of Bristol Township and surrounding areas gathered at Norton Avenue Baptist Church to call for an end to gun violence in their community.

“We’re in a war,” Pastor James D Evans III said. “The casualties are devastating our community.”

Cathy Leary, of the BuxMont Coalition for Peace, spearheaded the event that attracted about 100 people to pray and march the streets calling for peace.

“Faith-based is going to lead the way,” Leary said of the numerous organizations involved in the campaign for peace.

Prayer services started at Norton Avenue Baptist Church, after which the crowd marched down Green Lane to the House of Prayer, chanting “stop the violence; save our children,” and holding signs that read “Communities working together to end gun violence.”

Neighbors in their yards and drivers passing by waved and called out encouragement and thanks. (To read complete article, Click Here) 

Princeton Public Library screening 'Countdown to Zero' April 19
By Rich Cuccagna | Times of Trenton on April 07, 2015
 

A screening and discussion of "Countdown to Zero" will take place Sunday, April 19, at 3:30 p.m. at Princeton Public Library. Part of the Global Cinema Café series, the film traces the history of the atomic bomb. It also examines the present state of affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident.

Following the screening, Bruce G. Blair, a research faculty member at Princeton University's Program on Science and Global Security, will speak and lead a discussion. Blair is the co-founder of Global Zero, serves on the Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board, and often testifies before Congress. He has produced a PBS series and many documentaries, including "Countdown to Zero." (To view article online, Click Here )

The event is co-sponsored by the library, Global Cinema Café, Coalition For Peace Action and Whole Earth Center.

On Iran, Congress has to heed vox populi
The Philadelphia Inquirer Monday 6, 2015 Letter to the Editor By Edward A. Aguilar, Pennsylvania director, Coalition for Peace Action

PRINCETON: 'Unmaking the Bomb' authors to highlight Peace Coalition membership event
DATE POSTED ONLINE: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 in the Friday, March 27 Hard Copy Edition The Princeton Packet

Dr. Zia Mian and Dr. Frank von Hippel, co-authors of the recently published book “Unmaking the Bomb,” will make a presentation on their book for the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) Annual Membership Renewal and New Member Welcome Gathering on Sunday afternoon, March 29, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road.

Dr. Mian directs the Project on Peace and Security in South Asia at Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security. Previously, he has taught at Yale University and Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and worked at the Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetss, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad.

A former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology, Dr. von Hippel’s areas of policy research include nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, energy, and checks and balances in policymaking for technology. (To read the Complete article online, Click Here )

Unmaking the Bomb Authors to Speak at Peace Coalition Event
Town Topics, Written by Linda Arntzenius Friday March 27, 2015 Online Version

Co-authors of the recently published book Unmaking the Bomb, Zia Mian and Frank von Hippel, will discuss and answer questions about their work at a Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) gathering on Sunday, March 29, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road. The program, which is free and open to the public, with no RSVP required, will include an opportunity to renew membership or join CFPA. Mr. Mian directs the Project on Peace and Security in South Asia at Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security. Mr. von Hippel is a former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology. He won a 1993 MacArthur fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his fields of research. The CFPA Annual Membership Renewal and New Member Welcome Gathering in the Unitarian Universalist church just up the hill from light at intersection with Route 206 will begin with a light meal from 2 to 3 p.m.,which is free to CFPA members who have renewed for 2015, or to new or renewing members who bring their membership contribution to the door. Those planning to attend the light meal are asked to RSVP by emailing cfpa@peacecoalition.org or calling the CFPA office at (609) 924-5022. For more information, visit: www.peacecoalition.org. (To View article online, Click Here .)

Letter: Continue talks with Iran - seek understanding for a peaceful world
The Trenton Times,     Letter to the Editor by peace activist and member of the Coalition for Peace Action Richard Moody, March 18, 2015

I write in reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent warmongering speech before Congress and the subsequent extraordinary open letter sent to Iran by 47 Republican U.S. senators.

I believe Iran is highly unlikely to attack Israel -- or the U.S. Although the exact number is unknown, it is reported that Israel has between 75 and 400 nuclear warheads. It also has nuclear armed submarines. Iran's ayatollahs have stated they are not pursuing a military nuclear option, since Iran -- unlike Israel -- is a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, an agreement two of our supposed allies with nuclear capability have also not signed: India and Pakistan. (To view Richard Moody's complete letter to the editor in the Trenton Times, Click Here; The same letter appeared in the Crested Butte News on April 3, 2015)

IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Letter to the Editor by CFPA, Philadelphia Director Ed Aguilar January 29, 2015

Successful talks with Iran are in U.S. interests
 
Wed, Jan 28 Pittsburgh Post Gazette by JO SCHLESINGER, Western PA Coordinator - CFPA

Although the United States and its international allies are within reach of a working framework agreement on Iran's nuclear program, escalating tensions and a bill to increase sanctions threaten to undermine it.

The current negotiations with Iran provide the best opportunity we’ve ever had to guard against a nuclear-armed Iran. With patient and persistent diplomacy, the international community has come a long way toward resolving this issue peacefully. Now with negotiations between the P5+1 (the United States plus five other nations) and Iran nearing conclusion, Congress should do nothing that could risk jeopardizing the talks. I urge Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey to oppose the increased sanctions legislation and support ongoing diplomacy. (To read complete article, Click Here)

Opinion: Shine a light on U.S. policy

of drone warfare

Sunday, January 11, 2015 Op-Ed The Trenton Times by Rev. Robert Moore

In this season of the shortest, darkest days of the year, many faith traditions focus on the divine promise of light. In an oft-quoted verse, the Hebrew Bible summarizes the theme: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...” (Isaiah 9:2).

With the recent release of the more than 500-page U.S. Senate Report on Torture, light has been shone on a dark chapter, the so-called “war on terror.” The CIA secretly tortured suspects, subjecting them to techniques widely recognized as torture under U.S. and international law. (To read complete article, Click Here)

Regarding "Senate probe unveils CIA brutality" 
Letter to the Editor by The Rev. Robert Moore- December 11, 2014 The Record

I applaud the Senate Intelligence Committee for its thorough, detailed report on the CIA's practice of torture. I'm proud to be a citizen of a country that is willing to admit when it does wrong.

  Torture violates the values of my faith, as well as our nation's basic values. Using torture has further corrupted the CIA. The report shows that it attempted to hide the use of torture from then-Secretary of State Colin Powell and that the CIA was later caught spying on its own oversight committee.

  U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., strongly supported this report. When he was tortured in North Vietnam, what helped sustain him was the belief that his nation was above such heinous activity.

  Predictably, the CIA and its supporters are asserting that valuable information was obtained by using torture. With full access to the classified record, the report thoroughly documents in detail why that is false. Even using common sense, we know that a man who is tortured will say whatever he thinks will make his torturers stop.

  We must demand that we remove the stain of torture from our nation's present and future. Only then will we as a nation be on the moral path toward justice, peace and reconciliation.

  The Rev. Robert Moore
Princeton, Dec. 11

  Coalition for Peace Action holds

Sandy Hook vigil


Monday, December 15, 2014 By Rich Cuccagna Times of Trenton

PRINCETON — Coalition for Peace Action led a vigil on Sunday, Dec. 14 to commemorate the 26 victims who died due to gun violence on the same date two years ago in Newtown, Conn.

Twenty of those victims who were murdered that day were children.

At its peak, about 30 people took part in the vigil.

To begin the vigil, 13 individuals each held two candles to represent the 26 fallen victims to gun violence at Sandy Hook Elementary.

The crowd chanted things such as “Remember Newtown!” and “No more Gun Violence!” throughout the vigil. (to view article online, Click Here)

Coverage of the vigil also ran in the Wed., December 17 hard copy edition of Princeton's, Town Topics

 

  Religious leaders hold gun vigil on

Sandy Hook anniversary

Sunday, December 14, 2014 By ANTHONY DIMATTIA Bucks County Courier Times 

Religious leaders and congregants gathered Sunday in Bristol Township for a vigil to end gun violence.
About 100 people gathered in the Norton Avenue Baptist Church to pray on the second anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

  Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action to host annual holiday gathering 

By Amy Reynolds | Times of Trenton on December 09, 2014 

PRINCETON — The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action will host its annual holiday gathering Friday at Nassau Presbyterian Church, located at 61 Nassau St., across from Palmer Square.

During the event, the coalition will honor CFPA chairwoman Irene Etkin Goldman, who is finishing her 10th year as chair, organizers said.

“We urge all who want to help recognize and honor Irene Etkin Goldman for 10 years of superb leadership as CFPA board chair, hear a wonderful children’s musician, and celebrate the holiday in a spirit of peace to come and join us on Friday, Dec. 12,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, CFPA executive director. (to read complete article Click Here)

Protesters take to Nassau Street in Princeton

By Max Pizarro 12/08/14 Politicker NJ

 

 

L.A. PARKER: Princeton peace rally

eyes the why of the tiger

By L.A. Parker, The Trentonian Posted: 11/28/14 

Slogans add strength to initiatives whether they get used in addiction recovery or social activism.

“Just for today” or “Let Go, Let God” support daily efforts for people who face issues regarding drugs, alcohol, or other unhealthy behaviors.

Small words such as “Love” or “Peace” or a simple peace sign are potently powerful.

Civil unrest that connects to events occurring in Ferguson, Mo. always tether to “No justice. No peace.”

That meme resounded during a Princeton rally last week as several hundred people marched for both peace and justice in Ferguson.

Participants listened as speakers invoked ideas that celebrated U.S. freedom, particularly a right to assemble and protest.

That the rally had been planned regardless of a grand jury decision, made clear that the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action group, understood both mission and purpose. (to read complete article Click Here)

 

  Princeton students and residents hold protest of Ferguson decision

 
By Isaac Avilucea 11/27/14 The Trentontian

Hundreds of demonstrators peacefully assembled Tuesday night at Tiger Park on Nassau Drive in Princeton in a show of solidarity with civil rights leaders and family members of a Michael Brown, a black unarmed teenager who was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., in August.

The rally came a day after a Missouri grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer responsible for his death.

“This is another sign that racism is still a problem in this nation,” said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action, one of the sponsors of the rally, along with the New Jersey chapter of Progressive Democrats of America and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. Moore, who is white, was one of several people who acknowledged his “white privilege” and handed the microphone off to a number of influential community leaders – including ones from the black community. They implored the crowd that words are insufficient to beat back a rising tide of “police militarization” and encouraged them to follow up with the state’s political leaders to ensure something is done to address their concerns. One of the event organizers, Mary Ellen Marion, cited a rash of police-involved shootings in New Jersey as proof law enforcement’s use of lethal force isn’t isolated to Ferguson. (to read complete article Click Here)

 

Princeton rally follows Ferguson verdict 

By Martin Griff The Times of Trenton on November 26, 2014

 

 

 Daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaks at

35th annual peace conference in Princeton

By Times of Trenton Staff Writers on November 11, 2014  

The daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was among the speakers Sunday for the 35th Annual Conference and Interfaith Service for Peace hosted by the Coalition for Peace Action.

 Other speakers included Amy Goodman, an author and host and executive producer of Democracy Now!; Jamal Abdi, policy director of the National Iranian American Council; and Ariane Tabatabai, a Stanton Nuclear Fellow, Harvard University who has published on the Iran negotiations. (to read complete article Click Here)

 

Chancel Choir concert will remember lives lost to gun violence (on Sat. November 1, 2014)

 

 

 

Tutu, Goodman to Speak At “Seal the Deal” Event

by Town Topics October 23, 2014

The Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) will present its 35th Annual Conference and Interfaith Service for Peace, titled, “Seal the Deal on the Iran Nuclear Issue” on Sunday November 9 in Princeton.

The event features Amy Goodman and Naomi Tutu, the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Ms. Tutu has worked on race, gender, and peace issues around the world. Ms. Goodman is an award winning journalist, renowned author, and host and executive producer of Democracy Now! (to read complete article, Click Here)

 

 Coalition for Peace Action holding peace event in

Princeton



ByRich Cuccagna October 21, 2014 The Times of Trenton

PRINCETON — "Seal the Deal on the Iran Nuclear Issue" is the title of the 35th Annual Conference and Interfaith Service for Peace sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) and co-sponsored to date by 31 religious and civic groups in the region on Sunday, November 9 in Princeton.

Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has worked on race, gender, and peace issues around the world, will appear at an individual Sponsor-only Reception and Dinner from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, November 8 at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. (to read complete article Click Here)

Gun rights advocates slam Jersey City mayor over plan to reward 'socially responsible' gun dealers

By   Terrence T. McDonald in October 2 online version The Jersey Journal

The mayor's plan is backed by Ceasefire NJ, which lobbies for stricter gun control laws. Nicola Bocour, the group's project and legislative director, said the policy could have a "huge impact" by illustrating to vendors that their profits could be affected if they don't "take gun violence seriously."

  Bocour dismissed the complaints of gun rights advocates.

  "We have yet to hear them support something in full that would actually help to increase responsible ownership," she said.

L.A. PARKER: The only thing truly worth fighting for is Peace

By L.A. Parker in September 20 online version The Trentontian

 

Happy International Peace Day.  Ready? Wrestle.  My son, along with his mother, about 75 George School students, plus, parents, and chaperones travel to New York City to rally for world initiatives that reverse global warming.  Also, on the geopolitical table, is a push for peaceful resolutions of disagreements, hence the moniker “Stop Global Warming, Stop Global War.” While many press for world peace, influenced by worthy organizations such as Coalition for Peace Action, a personal admission confesses internal wars of ego, anger, jealousy, and a litany of other human characteristics that erupt. If New York City is out of your travel or pay grade then check out the Coalition for Peace Action website www.peacecoalition.org. for local peace activities.

 

 

Princeton-based Peace Action Education Fund awarded

 

$75,000 grant

 

By Cristina Rojas in Spetember 19 onine version Times of Trenton   

 

 

   The Peace Action Education Fund, the educational arm of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Foundation to Promote Open Society to put together a faith community response and education outreach campaign around drone warfare.

 

Don't become embroiled in another Mid-East war
Letter to the Editor Published on September 16 The Princeton Packet   

By The Rev. Robert Moore, Princeton

       President Obama has presented what he believes is a viable strategy to eliminate ISIS, but for me his speech raised as many questions as it provided solutions.
      We’ve seen how unintended consequences of military action can spiral out of control, causing more pain and suffering in the region and hurting our security. U.S. air attacks, and the civilian deaths they cause, have often served as recruitment tools for groups like ISIS. Too many U.S. weapons have already fallen into the hands of the extremists.
     No combat boots on the ground? We already have close to 1,300 troops in Iraq, and may need to send more, and possibly into Syria as well, for any number of contingencies that might arise. It also presumes that many nations in the region will provide such "boots," but very few are making such commitments so far.
     Why isn’t there more emphasis on effective nonviolent alternatives for countering ISIS? We could crack down on oil dealers purchasing ISIS’s oil on the black market. Why not restart UN-sponsored negotiations to end the Syrian civil war and charge ISIS leaders with crimes against humanity in the International Court?
     Best of all would be for the U.S. to take global leadership in curtailing global warming by a "race to the moon" type of push for rapidly shifting away from oil, gas, and nuclear toward clean renewables like solar and wind. By doing so, we would undermine petro-dictatorships in the Middle East, Russia, etc., and act most effectively for No Wars, No Warming.Let’s emphasize these alternatives before becoming embroiled in another Middle East war, a probable quagmire-to-be. For more information, visit the Coalition for Peace Action web site, www.peacecoalition.org or call 609-924-5022

 

International Day of Peace Celebration in Medford Lakes on Sept. 21

  Published in September 8 South Jersey Local News  

The Protestant Community Church of Medford Lakes (Cathedral of the Woods) will have a special program on Sunday, Sept. 21, in conjunction with the International Day of Peace. Distinguished speakers and interactive workshops will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action, will join Rev. Steve Winkler of PCC for a special worship service at 10 a.m. to start the events.

 

Rallying Against Racism   

Written in August 27 Town Topics

  Sponsored by the Coalition for Pea  ce Action and Not In Our Town, Saturday’s March and Rally for Justice for Michael Brown was attended by as many as 125 people. Among the speakers were CFPA Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore; the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church Carlton Branscomb; and, at the lectern, Rutgers Professor Emeritus Daniel Harris. Some of the participants express their thoughts in this week’s Town Talk. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

 Protesters rally against Michael Brown's death in Princeton march, speeches

by Brendan McGrath in August 24 Times of Trenton

 Rev. Bob Moore, who serves as executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action in Princeton, spoke about his shock not only at Brown’s death, but also at the way peaceful protesters have been treated in Ferguson since Brown was killed. “What country am I looking at?” Moore asked. The militarization of police forces around the country poses a major threat to the country, he said. “We need to stop this,” Moore said. [more]

 

 by Erica Chayes in August 13 Princeton Sun

The evening of Aug. 5 had just begun to cool as members of the Coalition for Peace Action gathered in Hinds Plaza. Princetonians enjoyed picnics from home or a nearby café while waiting for the Commemoration of Hiroshima to commence. Baskets of neon origami and an arrangement of paper-crafted sunflowers that read, “Nuclear Abolition Now!” brought color to surrounding black and white photographs of Hiroshima victims and devastation. [more ]

 

 

Keep talking with Iran about its nuclear program

letter to the editor in July 22 Trenton Times and July 25 Princeton Packet.

Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program have resulted in creative flexibility and verified compliance with the restraints in the interim agreement that reached the six-month mark July 20. As a result, negotiators have extended the talks for another four months, until late November (“World powers agree to extend nuclear talks,” July 20, nj.com).

I urge our U.S. senators and representatives in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to seize this opportunity to publicly speak out in support of diplomacy. New sanctions or other saber-rattling measures could undermine the progress our diplomats have made toward a multi-year agreement that guards against a nuclear-armed Iran and the risk of a major war over this issue.

Readers who want more information on how Congress can support a peaceful resolution of the dispute over Iran's nuclear program can visit the website of the Coalition for Peace Action's Princeton regional office, peacecoalition.org, or call weekdays at (609) 924-5022.

The Rev. Robert Moore,

Princeton

The writer is executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action and co-pastor of Christ Congregation.

 

Do not re-engage U.S. in war in Iraq
lead letter to the editor in June 21 Trenton Times 
also published in June 24 Princeton Packet   

President Barack Obama announced Thursday that the U.S. would be sending up to 300 military advisers to Iraq, adding that the U.S. is now ready to make “limited, targeted” airstrikes if the situation on the ground dictates it. I am deeply troubled by this re-engagement in war in Iraq. 

This is a dangerous escalation of U.S. military involvement in a problem the president himself has said has no military solution. It is also a dangerous retreat from the conditions that the president set for U.S. engagement. 

What is needed in Iraq is a political solution. The domineering, exclusionary policies of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are what are fueling the sectarian tensions and led to the renewed civil war in Iraq. 

History has shown that military advisors can become ground troops, despite the best intentions. President Obama is still threatening airstrikes, which would be counterproductive and firmly make America part of what is a growing Iraqi civil war. 

President Obama needs to listen to the American people and not restart the Iraq war. 

Readers who want to take action to prevent U.S. re-involvement in the Iraq war are encouraged to contact the Coalition for Peace Action at cfpa@peacecoalition.org or
(609) 924-5022. 

-- The Rev. Robert Moore, Princeton
The writer is executive director of the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action and co-pastor of Christ Congregation.   

U.S. Rep Rush Holt honored by Princeton-based peace coalition

on page 3 in June 9 Trenton Times 

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th) addresses members of the Coalition for Peace Action during the coalition’s 33rd annual membership dinner at the MacKay Campus Center of the Princeton Theological Seminary yesterday. (James McEvoy/The Times)   

For just the second time in its 34-year history, the Coalition for Peace Action bestowed its highest award to U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th District) yesterday afternoon.  

“Your cause has been my cause,” Holt said in his keynote address after receiving the George F. Kennan Distinguished Peace Leadership Award during the coalition’s 33rd anniversary membership dinner at the Princeton Theological Seminary. “The work of perfecting our union has thus remained an unfinished task. We are up to it as a nation, and I’m privileged to be your partner in working to finish that job.”  

In his remarks to nearly 200 people in attendance, Holt compared the current Global War on Terrorism to the Cold War, saying that in both instances the power of fear caused the United States to be unable to “live up to its professed values.” [more]    

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt to Be Honored at Coalition for Peace Action Event

Posted 5/12 by Krystal Knapp on planet Princeton

 
Rush Holt, who will be retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of 2014, will be honored by the Coalition for Peace Action next month. Holt will receive the George F. Kennan Distinguished Peace Leadership Award at the Coalition for Peace Action’s 33rd anniversary membership dinner and gathering on Sunday afternoon, June 8, at the MacKay Campus Center at Princeton Theological Seminary. The Award is the Coalition’s highest honor, and this will be the second time it is being presented in the organization’s 34 year history. Holt will also be the keynote speaker at the event. [more ]

Gun safety rally sparks controversy in Langhorne 
(front page of May 7 Bucks County Courier Times) 

 
The Bucks Coalition for Gun Safety holds a pre Mother's Day Vigil in Langhorne Monday afternoon. Supporters marched along Maple Avenue from the Peace Center to state Rep. Frank Farry's office where they were met by an equally sizable group of gun rights supporters. Here Sheryl Kesselman of Holland speaks to those assembled about how she lost her son, Corey, to gun violence on May 25, 2012.   

By Elizabeth Fisher Correspondent  

Letter to the Editor by Jo Schlesinger, Coalition for Peace Action PA
April 15, 2014 in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Do you know where your federal taxes go? Maybe you’d choose for them to be spent on education, or maybe infrastructure, clean energy, affordable college tuition, veterans or science. The United States spends more on the military than the next 13 biggest-spending countries combined. One might wonder why, with our wars winding down, we need to pay 40 cents of every dollar to the military. [Read more ]

 

Celebration of the Persian New Year
March 30, 2014

Mary Iuvone of The Times of Trenton was on hand at the Persian New Year celebration co-sponsored by the Coalition of Peace Action to capture some of the fun.  See a few of her photos below, and click here to see the full set.

 

 

Protesters March Against Drones Center In Horsham
By Nicole Foulke
March 29, 2014 BucksCounty Courier Times (Subscription required. Full article below for convenience.)

Three Buddhist monks, having walked from Massachusetts, covered their saffron robes with rain parkas, wrapped their drums in plastic bags and joined peace groups on Saturday to trek another 2½ miles to the Horsham Air Guard base to protest the planned ground-control command center for drone operations.

Members of the Nipponzan Myohoji order, the monks made the protest a part of their 13th annual journey of peace, called a “Walk for a New Spring,” from the New England Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Mass., to Washington, D.C.

“We wanted to pray and express our deep yearning and our deep belief that we should renounce all drones in this country. It’s a very frightening direction to go in,” said monk Clare Carter. “I think it’s more deadly than other forms of combat because we’re more removed,” added Carter.

Opinion: Vital Measures Will Help Curb Gun Violence
Opinion piece by Nicola Bocour, Legislative Director of Ceasefire NJ
published March 28, 2014 in the Bergen Record

A New Jersey Assembley panel voted to support a bill (A2006) that would reduce the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.  While the bill is significant, the concept is not new, nor is it unique.  What the Legislature seeks to do is to join other states that have moved to a 10-round limit. [read full article]

 

Photos of Membership Renewal Gathering 
click here to see photos by Michael Mancuso from page 3 of March 18 edition of the Trenton Times

Medea Benjamin, center, peace activist and author, who was detained and physically abused recently at Cairo's airport by Egyptiain police without explanation, then deported to Turkey, speaks and autographs a copy of her book "Drone Warfare, Killing by Remote Control" for George McCollough at the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) annual memberhship renewal gathering in Princeton.

Debate Heats Up Over NJ Proposal To Ban Large Ammo Clips
March 14, NJ Spotlight

The debate over whether New Jersey should ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds appears to come down to whether one believes that the smaller clips will deter mass shooters or hinder citizens using guns in self-defense.

Supporters of the ban, including groups like Heeding God’s Call and Ceasefire NJ, say that it would force shooters to pause and reload, creating opportunities for potential victims to escape or for law-enforcement or others to apprehend a gunman... [read full article]

 

We must not undermine peace efforts with Iran
Letter to the editor in January 14 Pittsburgh Post Gazette    

The Senate will vote in the next few weeks on Senate Bill 1881, the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, which would impose new sanctions on Iran. This shortsighted piece of legislation could undo the progress made in months of negotiations. Although both Pennsylvania’s senators, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey have co-sponsored SB 1881, now is not the time to give up on the needed steps toward peace, in violation of the interim agreement Secretary of State John Kerry negotiated and signed in Geneva. 

From a Washington Post article printed Dec. 13 in the Post-Gazette (“U.S. Punishes Sanction Violators in Iran”), “both Iran and key U.S. allies abroad would perceive the U.S. as acting in bad faith, potentially undermining international support for the very sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table,” according to Wendy Sherman, State Department undersecretary for political affairs. This failure of diplomacy could then become a pretext for new threats of U.S. or Israeli aggression against Iran. 

Even former national security advisers Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft have pointed out in a joint letter, “additional sanctions now against Iran will risk undermining or even shutting down the negotiations.” Sabotaging diplomacy would jeopardize the unprecedented progress our diplomats have achieved to guard against yet another war, and yet another nuclear-armed nation. 

Let us not undermine our two countries’ first fragile steps toward peace. 

JO SCHLESINGER
Western PA Coordinator
Coalition for Peace Action
Edgewood