Los Angeles Religious Leaders Plan Broad-Based Peace Movement

February 18, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

On February 18, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "flush from antiwar demonstrations that drew millions of participants worldwide, Los Angeles religious leaders and peace activists said Monday they are already looking beyond a possible war with Iraq to building a broad-based peace movement... Meeting at the USC Religious Center, about 20 priests, ministers, rabbis, Muslim leaders and peace activists said their first priority is to press opposition to a war in Iraq and to support those in the military who may want to conscientiously object... But the opposition to a war in Iraq, evidenced by massive protests over the weekend in European capitals as well as San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and other U.S. cities, has encouraged some peace organizers to think about expanding their agenda... Participants at Monday's meeting worked up a shopping list of other causes they hope the antiwar movement will aid, even if those issues have been long championed by various activists. Those include nuclear disarmament, human rights and tying military spending to cutbacks in education and social services such as health care and affordable housing."