The Declaration of Peace Campaign is organizing local nonviolent civil disobedience actions across the US March 16-19 to help end the US war in Iraq and to support a comprehensive plan for peace.
From the beginning, this campaign has clearly stated (as one of the nine elements of its comprehensive peace plan) that preventing or resisting a US attack on Iran is a crucial part of this comprehensive plan. US War with Iran would be a devastating disaster – physical, moral, political, and economic — for Iran, the United States, the Middle East, and the entire world. At the same time, such aggression would likely prevent accomplishing the goal people everywhere are working to achieve: an end to the US war and occupation in Iraq. Quite likely, it would dramatically escalate, broaden and spread the current war in incalculably horrific ways.
We therefore encourage Declaration of Peace organizers to integrate within their current plans (outreach to Congress and nonviolent civil disobedience and other forms of peaceful resistance March 16-19) a contingency plan if the US attacks Iran. Below is a suggested framework (adapted from plans being developed considered by The San Francisco Bay Area [California] “Don’t Attack Iran Coalition”.) People in local areas and groups across the United States may be interested in adapting such an “emergency response” action plan.
Contingency Plans: Taking Action Before and After a US Attack on Iran
Immediate “Emergency Response”
If there is a U.S. attack on Iran rally and demonstrate that day at noon— or the next day if an attack is in the afternoon— at a Federal Building in your area.
Plan for a massive nonviolent civil disobedience and protest the day after any US attack on Iran. This planning (and publicity) may contribute to deterring an attack. Groups may consider this framework: engaging in mass nonviolent civil disobedience at 7am onward the morning after an attack or invasion occurs if the attack takes place before 6pm. (If it takes place from 5pm to midnight we will take action the second morning after.)
Prevention Before the Attack: Action To Deter War On Iran
Action/s to build momentum and begin to demonstrate clear, well organized, creative public opposition to attacking Iran before this happens: vigils, phone-in days to Congress, nonviolent action.
Preparation
As part of the planning for local Declaration of Peace March 16-19 nationwide actions, we encourage you to develop and disseminate a contingency plan concerning a possible attack on Iran. The possibility of an attack increases the need for:
- Community-wide action planning, including plans for nonviolent civil disobedience March 16-19 and in the event of a US attack on Iran
- One or more nonviolent action trainings
- A media strategy
- Logistical planning to support
Resources on DOP Website
Use the resources on the Declaration of Peace website to help plan your action, including:
- The organizers checklist;
- The rationale for nonviolent civil disobedience;
- Nonviolence training directory and sample training agendas; and The Media Toolkit
Please post your plans, reports, pictures, video, etc. on the Declaration website to communicate your initiatives to entire campaign and the media.
Finally, be sure to let us know what you are doing – contact us at info@declarationofpeace.org!