This article appeared in our Spring 2017 Newsletter.
By Caitlin Forbes, Student Outreach Coordinator
Compassion. Equality. Social Justice. These are just some of the answers given when Micaela Fraccalossi, previous President of Emmanuel Peace Action, asked a group of demonstrators to describe what peace meant to them.
In early December, five Peace Action student chapters, led by Newton South Peace Action, joined with allies to organize in front of the Massachusetts State House. They were protesting against the appointments of Steven Bannon, Jeff Sessions and Michael Flynn, who represent the recent frightening turn in US politics. Yet, as dark as that turn has been, the students’ December demonstration and subsequent efforts gives us a glimpse into a more hopeful future. Our student leaders continue to promote peace, in all of its interpretations.
Fall 2016 activities included talks by Phyllis Bennis at Brandeis, Tufts, and Emmanuel; Harvard Peace Action’s dinner discussion with Martin Malin of the Project on Managing the Atom at the Belfer Center; and workshops led by Fraccalossi and Newton North president Jenny Horsburgh at our fall conference, which also attracted various student club members. Brandeis Peace Action achieved official recognition as a club and Boston College launched its club.
In the spring semester, plans include a Tufts Open Mic Night, a brown bag lunch series at Emmanuel, collaborations with Pugwash through Harvard, and an information panel with the ACLU at Newton North. Newton South recently hosted Angela Kelly and Reese Erlich at an on-campus event on Syria that drew over 100 students.
In early April, all of our student clubs will join together for a training day led by Mass Alliance. There, they will spend time learning about power mapping and campaign planning, and then apply these tactics to the issues on which they focus. We want to empower our students by providing them with a range of tools; this way, they can pursue the issues that impassion them.
Our Boston College and Tufts chapters attended a student peace conference hosted by Peace Action New York State on Feb. 17-19. The Albany conference drew 100 students and 9 partner organizations. Students were educated and trained about various issues, from humanitarian medical efforts to de-escalation instruction. From meeting with Congressman Tonko, the keynote speaker, to collaborating with fellow peace-minded students, the trip inspired our students, and is sure to energize their efforts now that they are back in Boston.
Help us keep growing our student chapters by donating to MAPA’s Education Fund and by sending interested Student Organizer candidates in my direction. We can guarantee a strong peace movement tomorrow by supporting our student organizers today.