Dear Friend:
In 1960, in Nashville, Tennessee, and Greensboro, North Carolina thousands of college students risked their lives by daring to be seated at the lunch counters of the local five and dime stores where they regularly
shopped. A normal, everyday occurrence for most of us ---- but these seatings, and subsequent seatings at these same lunch counters by both African American and Caucasian students in support of
the end of segregation in the south, was the beginning of a major transformation, first in the south, and ultimately, in the entire United States which resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Bill in 1964.
This simple act of nonviolent protest against the laws of segregation was a powerful shot which ultimately rang out as a loud and clear message to the people and government of the United States and the
world ---- that what the Declaration of Independence stated, would in fact, be implemented. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . .
Through our work as Common Peace, Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence, we honor those who have come before us in the name of nonviolent protest and change, and continue their
commitment and powerful work. As taught by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas K. Gandhi, “nonviolence” is a powerful, effective, pro-active tool. It engages our inner and outer selves, and unifies our personal, professional and global
relationships.
As Common Peace , our focus is “nonviolence education” ---- educating the public about the power of "nonviolence" as a pro-active expression of participation and change
in the world. In alignment with our focus, we offer nonviolence education tools to the public in the form of a nonviolence school (or home schooling) “curriculum” entitled
64 Ways to Practice Nonviolence currently being published by Pro-Ed, Inc. publishers www.proedinc.com, community healing forums, and various other effective communication workshops that educate
individuals and groups of all ages in the use and power of "nonviolence" as a daily practice and way of life that heals individuals, families and communities. We also share the vision of nonviolence
as the global standard for resolving conflict.
Through our work, we honor the students of the 1960’s sit-ins and Civil Rights Movement and so many other courageous individuals around the world over the centuries who have embraced
and embodied the principles of “nonviolence,” who have stepped out into the world, and activated personal and political, individual and global changes through “nonviolent” action.
We at Common Peace exist to nurture the spirit of “nonviolence” in our personal lives and communities and to demonstrate that every individual can move the world in the direction of peace through their nonviolent choice and
action. While this is a noble task, we are clear that we cannot do this work without you, our partners and supporters. Without you, we have the ways but not the means through which to realize
our mission and actualize our potential and the potential of thousands of students, teachers, participants and residents in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Action Request:
If you recognize, as we do, and are committed to, the power and potential of the work that is at the heart of
Common Peace, Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence, we
request that you partner with us in this work. As you wrap up your finances for 2006, please consider including
Common Peace in your end of year donations.
Please give whatever amount of money you can. Your contribution is tax-deductible; Common Peace is a registered 501(c)(3) Los Angeles based nonprofit. Every dollar you contribute allows us to train more teachers and students, formulate more
projects, and assist in creating a critical mass of individuals and groups in Los Angeles, fortified and activated by the power and presence of nonviolence.
We invite you to, at the very least, take a few moments to subscribe so that we may know how to best reach you for future events, and to acquaint or re-acquaint yourself with
Common Peace. Our website is currently being updated; our calendar and upcoming projects for 2007 will be posted by January 1, 2007. Our Newsletter will be returning, as well.
Please know that we appreciate you and all that you do and give in the name of peace and nonviolent change in the world. Thank you for opening your hearts and minds to this powerful agent of change, this powerful
alternative ---- the power of nonviolence ---- and to the power of Common Peace. Thank you for your many expressions of love and support throughout 2006. We very much look forward to continuing and
expanding our partnership with you in the New Year!
In gratitude,
Candace Carnicelli,
Director,
Common Peace,
Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence
