| FOR hosts First Gathering of Conscience and Courage February 11, 2005 Organizers and veteran activists opposed to war and supportive of conscientious objection will gather at the Fellowship of Reconciliation February 18-21 to develop strategy and create a unified movement for Conscience and Against War. The group, which is drawn from many parts of the United States and Canada, will address conscientious objection, the possibility of a future draft, as well as the increasingly aggressive recruitment of youth into the military. Stepped-up military recruiting in schools and the spread of Junior ROTC programs are issues of grave concern to those opposed to the militarization of our youth. Among those attending will be members of FOR affiliated groups and Religious Peace Fellowships, experts on conscientious objection and representatives of other organizations concerned with conscience and war. “We expect a lot of people with significant expertise and experience on these issues,” said Ibrahim Ramey, FOR’s Disarmament Coordinator. Out of the gathering, the organizers hope to produce a declaration, as well as an anti-draft card for youth. They also intend to begin the process of creating a national registry for conscientious objectors, so that in the event of a draft, young people will be able to demonstrate that they are already registered as COs. Organizations other than FOR which will be represented at the gathering are the American Friends Service Committee, the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, the Center on Conscience and War and Pax Christi USA. Although the gathering is by invitation only, there will be a public forum on Nonviolent Resistance in the Face of War at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 20 at the historic Riverside Church (121st Street at Riverside Drive, Manhattan) A panel of national speakers will address the current movement against war and the possibility of a future military draft. A representative of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund will also speak. Contact: Ibrahim Ramey, FOR Disarmament Coordinator
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