The Argument for Nonviolence: Speaking to the Heart AND the Head"

 Join us for our June 12, 2012 Citizens for Peace Meeting 7 o'clock at Unity of Livonia

Mary Hanna, Operations Manager for the Michigan Peace Team,  will present the case for nonviolence by offering the strategic and statistical contributions of nonviolent social action, as well as recounting individual, personal stories of successful nonviolent peacemakers. An engaging speaker, Mary is able to connect with people from all walks of life.  Her emphasis is on encouraging others to consider nonviolence as a way of life by appealing to both the heart and the head. Hearing the stories of  Sophie Scholl, Captain Mbaye Diagne, Badshah Khan, Julia Buttefly Hill and Chiune and Yukkiko Sugihara will touch our hearts.

Robert Weir's Talk on India's Religious Diversity

Here's the link to the great talk Robert Weir gave at our May meeting.

A big "thank you" goes out to Kevin 'Mr. Peace' Szawala for recording this !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdolEGsQeVU

Arlington Michigan at Larry Nehasil Park on Memorial Day

Arlington Michigan at Larry Nehasil Park on Memorial Day

How will you observe Memorial Day 2012?

Ninety nine percent of American families spend Memorial Day getting together and having a barbeque or picnic.  Thinking of the warm summer days ahead with anticipation of vacations, walks on the beach, bonfires and concerts under the stars, makes Memorial Day the kickoff of good times ahead.

One percent of American families understand the meaning of Memorial Day.  They are the families with members who have volunteered to serve our country in the most unselfish way in our military.  Let’s support them this Memorial Day.

Michigan citizens have the opportunity to join with military families and visit the Arlington Michigan display to observe Memorial Day in a special way.  The Citizens for Peace is sponsoring the Veterans for Peace display comprised of symbolic markers, with the name, rank, age and photo of each fallen Michigan military man or woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country.

Created by the Michigan “Veterans for Peace” several years ago, Arlington Michigan was in Livonia for the first time last year on Memorial Day.  People came by all day and reflected on the cost of war.  One of the visitors was a Lathrup Village police officer and his wife. They stopped by to find the cross of Sergeant First Class, Matthew Lee Hilton, a Livonia resident.  He was killed in action at age 37, in Afghanistan June 26, 2008.  He was an Army National Guard Soldier from Selfridge; and was a Lathrup Village Police Officer.

Last year the Civic Center Park was renamed to honor Livonia police officer Larry Nehasil, who was killed on duty, on January 17, 2011. This year there will be chairs for visitors to sit and reflect on love, service, courage, war and peace.  Everyone is invited to stop by and consider the cost of violence, whether in war, or on the streets in our country.

Volunteers from Veterans for Peace and Citizens for Peace will be at the Larry Nehasil Park from 9 am. to 6 pm. Memorial Day, Monday, May 28^th.  The park is located at 33223 Five Mile Rd. on the South side of Five Mile Rd., East of Farmington Rd.

For further information contact Colleen Mills at 734-425-0079 or Steve Saelzer at 734-674-0688.

(The photo shows the Citizens for Peace and Veterans for Peace members holding the banner at the 2011 Arlington Michigan.)

Link to Rudy Simons' Talk on Iran

Here's the link to the great talk that Rudy Simons gave to the Citizens for Peace on "War on Iran - Views from Israel, Iran & the U.S."  A big "thank you" to Kevin 'Mr. Peace' Szawala for recording the talk and putting it on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYub5k-rhDQ

Link to Mike Whitty "Dr. Detroit" Talk

Mike Whitty gave a terrific talk to the Citizens for Peace about Making Peace With Detroit. Thanks to Jerome Sawyer for recording it, we can view a part of his uplifting talk at this link. http://vimeo.com/39989063

“India’s Religious Diversity: Stories of Respect, Peace and Harmony”

The religious diversity of India will be examined during a free public presentation by Michigan author, photographer, traveler, and speaker, Robert M. Weir at Unity Church of Livonia at 7 PM Tuesday, May 8.

Hosted by the Citizens for Peace as part of their efforts to increase public awareness of peaceful means, Weir is among a long list of notable, highly regarded speakers invited to speak during the group’s monthly meetings.

One doesn’t have to be religious to appreciate the religious diversity of the world’s second largest nation of over one billion people. Religious freedom is in the constitution of India. There are over 25 million Christians living in India. The Muslim population in India is the third largest in the world. Hinduism is the predominant religion in India and has had a big influence on the west with the influx of yoga and meditation. The other major faiths in India include Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.

During 2011 -2012, Weir traveled the Himalayas, lived in a Calcutta Muslim slum, visited families’ homes, participated in festivals and interacted with people of all faiths. A Michigan native, freelance writer, editor, public speaker, authors’ coach, and communications consultant, Weir writes about people, peace, social justice, environment, and outdoor adventures. He has written several books and more than 130 published articles as well as editing the work of other writers. He strives to simplify and create. His motto is “Have Laptop, Will Travel.”

For further information contact Colleen Mills at 734-425-0079 or go to the website www.citizensforpeace11.blogspot.com.

Thanks Colleen

Our president Colleen Mills does an outstanding job in leading Citizens for Peace.

What a Wonderful Westland Library Peace Celebration!

The Gemini brothers gave a moving concert at the Westland Library kickoff of our Peace Collection on Sunday afternoon! "If I Had a Hammer: Songs and Poems for Peace and Justice" was the title of this beautiful concert. Playing several instruments, the Gemini twins led the audience on a sing along of many popular songs such as "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", "This Land is My Land", "Kumbaya" and "We Shall Overcome". Included in their diverse concert were beautiful poems and songs of many languages.

Our International Peace Pals display of the art from children representing 68 different countries was a perfect visual to highlight the new peace books donated to the library since many of the new books are books for children.

Our thanks to Marilyn Kwik for organizing such a special day! She also has a Citizens for Peace display with our information as people enter the Westland Library.
Thanks to Bob Frank for making the initial contact with his library. Thanks to Rosemary Doyle for all of her work with the Collection of Nonviolent Materials. Our Season for Nonviolence Book Discussion at the Livonia Civic Center Library was a great success! Thanks to everyone who came to the concert and the Book Discussion series!

The photo from left to right shows the smiles of Colleen, Laz, Bob and San.

Songs and Poems of Peace and Social Justice
Westland Public Library: Faust Area
Location: 6123 Central City Parkway
Westland, MI 48185
Sunday, April 1, 2012
2 – 3 p.m.
Everyone is Invited!!

In conjunction with the Citizens for Peace organization, the Westland Library is proud to present "If I had a Hammer - Songs and Poems of Peace and Social Justice," featuring folk songs of the 1960's folk revival. Gemini, twin brothers San and Laz Slomovits, nationally known for their music for children and families, return to the roots of their music - the classic songs of Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Joni Mitchell, Malvina Reynolds, etc. as well as traditional songs associated with the 60's. Come hear songs like "If I had a Hammer," "Blowing in the Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" - and sing along with them! The concert will also features poems by ancient as well as contemporary poets on the themes of peace and social justice which San and Laz have set to original music.
This is the kickoff of our Peace Collection donated to the Westland Library.
Call Colleen for more information: 734-425-0079