Our Values:
It is our belief that all people of this world deserve to live in peace, free from oppression and guided by self-determination and respect. Further, we believe that all conflict, whether among individuals, groups or nations should be resolved by non-violent means. Our Vision:
We envision a world where all people have reached an understanding and level of skill that enables them to reso
lve conflict by non-violent means. All families, ethnic, racial and faith groups, and governmental and non-governmental entities are supported by a full array of peace-centered mediation options which are available to resolve differences non-violently. Our Mission:
The Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center is committed to working cooperatively with its members and other partners to advance peacemaking both locally and globally, build understanding and solidarity among people and support peacebuilding economies. Peacemaking is to bridge the gaps that divide people, gain understanding through education, encourage non-violent forms of problem solving and promote justice and peace. Solidarity is supporting people's efforts around the world to achieve their basic human needs, human rights, justice and a peaceful society. Peacebuilding economies are those that support conversion from war-making production and international trading in nuclear, chemical and traditional weaponry into peaceful, healthy, socially-useful and environmentally protective forms of economic productivity. History:
1983 Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center founded
1983 Actions related to Nuclear Freeze Movement
1983/4 "Bridges For Peace" Soviet citizens visit and hold forum in Bennington
1988 First delegation to Somotillo, Nicaragua in response to Cold War
1991 March on Washington & Peace vigils held at Four Corners in Bennington in response to Gulf War
1992 Cree/Inuit/Innu Native People tour Vermont (in reponse to Hydro-Quebec power plant)
1996 Puppet Workshop on conflict resolution
Public lecture on the International Women's Conference in Beijing
2001 Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center web site initiated in response to events of September 11
2001 Over 400 donated blankets from the community sent to Afghan refugees in collaboration with the AFSC
2001-2004 Ongoing Saturday peace vigils at Four Corners in Bennington
2002 Vermont Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Project led to the passing of anti-nuclear resolutions in three out of six towns in Bennington County
2002 vermontpeacetrain Action Committee formed
2002-2004 Community participation in anti-war demonstrations in Washington, DC and NYC
2003 Bread & Puppet Theater performance and community fundraising event at Bennington College
2003 Anti-War Demonstration against the war on Iraq in downtown Bennington led to the arrest of 12 community members who participated together in non-violent civil disobedience
2003 Community Peace Flag outreach project initiated
2005 Bread & Puppet Theater performance and community fundraising event at Bennington College
2001-2007 Regular community participation in anti-war demonstrations in Washington, DC and NYC
2007 Participated in Citizens Awareness Walk against nuclear power
