Declaration of Peace-San Mateo County
Taking nonviolent action to end the US occupation of Iraq
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About Us

The Declaration of Peace-San Mateo County is a group of citizens who have come together to support a comprehensive, concrete and rapid end to the war in Iraq.  We are united in our commitment to bring the troops home and to resist future "pre-emptive" wars against any other nation.  We are equally united in our commitment to nonviolence in the ways we express our support for peace.
 
Beginnings
 
The Declaration of Peace-SMC began in
June, 2006, when 100 citizens gathered
in San Mateo to listen to the experiences
of Father Louis Vitale, OFM.  Father Louie,
a longtime worker for peace and justice
in the Bay Area and nationally, told us
about the Declaration of Peace, a new
national campaign to bring the war in Iraq
to an end.  Inspired by his commitment to nonviolent action for peace, the group met
 a week later and chose a number of
actions to support an end to the war and
bringing the troops home.
 
To learn about current and future events,
click here.
 
RESISTANCE TO TORTURE PRACTICES:  On October 17 in Tucson, Arizona, Catholic priests Fr. Louis Vitale and Fr. Steve Kelly pleaded no contest to federal trespassing charges stemming from their witness against torture at Fort Huachuca last November.  They were sentenced to five months in federal prison.  Fr. Louie was the inspiration for the founding of the Declaration of Peace-San Mateo County.  For much more information, including prison addresses for Louie and Steve, visit the Torture on Trial website.  Your local organizer was present for the trial and filed this report.  For photos, click here.  UPDATE:  Fr. Louie has been moved to Imperial County Jail in El Centro, California, to serve the remainder of his term.  Several supporters have visited him and report that he is well and is grateful for letters and cards.
What we have done
 
 August, 2006 - We organized a small group of citizens to meet with Congressman Tom Lantos in his San Mateo office.  We presented the goals of the Declaration of Peace to him and requested his support.
 
August, 2006 - We began a weekly public witness, "Fasting for Peace on Thursdays," in front of the office building of the Congressman.  We fast as we are able, and we hold a banner announcing the fast and greet passersby with friendly waves and occasionally with printed materials.
 
September, 2006 - We sponsored a candlelight vigil for peace on September 21, the International Day of Peace.  The vigil, attended by 130 people, was held at the Mercy Center in Burlingame and featured interfaith reflections and music.
 
December, 2006 - We held a witness outside the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo on the Sundays in December.  A banner proclaimed "Declare Peace on Earth," and we created a special holiday card to be given to passersby.  The card contained messages of peace from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sacred writings.
 
January, 2007 - We participated in a march in San Francisco on January 27.
 
For more recent events, click here.