Why I am going to #NoWar2017: War and the Environment

World Beyond War's #NoWar2017 conference is next weekend, September 22-24, in Washington, DC at American University. A concurrent event will be held in Berlin, Germany, where I was fortunate to take part from last year. I've put up this short video to explain why I am going to DC to attend the conference:

https://youtu.be/PB_cOz4KHmg

There is still space available at the conference and I really encourage folks to attend if they can, as the list of speakers is truly and absolutely fantastic:

Medea Benjamin, Nadine Bloch, Max Blumenthal, Terry Crawford-Browne, Alice Day, Lincoln Day, Tim DeChristopher, Dale Dewar, Thomas Drake, Pat Elder, Dan Ellsberg, Bruce Gagnon, Kathy Gannett, Will Griffin, Seymour Hersh, Tony Jenkins, Larry Johnson, Kathy Kelly, Jonathan King, Lindsay Koshgarian, James Marc Leas, Annie Machon, Ray McGovern,  Rev Lukata Mjumbe, Bill Moyer, Elizabeth Murray, Emanuel Pastreich, Anthony Rogers-Wright, Alice Slater, Gar Smith, Edward Snowden (by video), Susi Snyder, Mike Stagg, Jill Stein, David Swanson, Robin Taubenfeld, Brian Terrell, Brian Trautman, Richard Tucker, Donnal Walter, Larry Wilkerson, Ann Wright, Emily Wurth, Kevin Zeese. Read speakers’ bios.

And special guest: Chelsea Manning.

The fellowship and solidarity that occurs at events like this is why I keep going to these sorts of things, besides, of course, for the opportunity to learn, grow and develop as a peacemaker. I always come away from a conference like this stronger, more balanced and greatly inspired, because of the company I have just been with.

Information on the conference can be found here. It's a pay what you can event, and there is a ride share and lodging message board to help you find a way to DC and then find a place to stay once you are there.

If you can't join us in DC next weekend, the conference will be live-streamed via World Beyond War's Facebook page, so please attend virtually, and, if you are able, please consider providing a donation so that World Beyond War can continue to do its work (I'm an advisory board member).

I hope to see you in DC! Wage Peace!

Matt