We Must Strive to Prevent a Second Anniversary of the War in Ukraine

A Call for Diplomacy to bring about an end to the Ukraine-Russia War. Provided by “Defuse Nuclear War” and used with their permission.

by Cherrill Spencer and Ellen Thomas
Co-Chairs of DISARM

March 2023

Following the first anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on February 24, we must show our congressional representatives, who keep voting to send more weapons to Ukraine rather than seeking peace, that there are peaceful alternatives to war.

This war has already cost more than 200,000 lives (by conservative estimates), forced millions to flee their homes, caused widespread destruction of Ukrainian cities, and strained already fragile supply chains that have made life more difficult for people the world over. The Russian government’s nuclear threats have also raised fears about the potential for escalation to nuclear war.

WILPF US is an active member of two coalitions that are working to bring a diplomatic end to this awful war, and they called on coalition members to take various actions on February 24. Of course, we WILPFers must continue taking these actions until peace is achieved in Ukraine.

The Peace in Ukraine Coalition called on groups in the United States to organize local actions at Congressional offices, marches on the media offices, or street vigils on February 24 to say No to War in Ukraine; Yes to Negotiations and Peace. Their resources webpage has flyers, posters, and talking points for easy download and sample letters for sending to your congressional representatives.

The Defuse Nuclear War Coalition issued a Call for Diplomacy on February 24, with nationwide actions to publicly insist that the United States government lead with diplomacy instead of militarism and weaponry. February 24 was a Friday, in a week that the House and Senate were not in session – so that was a good opportunity to bring public pressure on members of Congress while they were presumably in their home area. As constituents, we need to continue to do the following:

• Picket at our Congress member’s local office
• Demonstrate in a public place with high visibility
• Flyer / collect petition signatures for local Congressperson in a busy area or park
• Schedule a meeting with your Representative at their home office
• Protest at local TV/newspaper offices to tell them they must present the possibility of a diplomatic solution in their reporting
• Create your online action and petition using DIYrootsaction

Please send reports on actions your branch or you took on or around February 24 to disarmchair@wilpfus.org and use the same address to ask to join our committee.