Nonviolent Peaceforce officials to speak here

Unarmed civilian protection is being used in South Sudan, Myanmar, Iraq, and the Philippines by men and women in the Nonviolent Peaceforce.

This nonpartisan international organization (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org) is 15 years old and is demonstrating that our response to conflict need not be violent. The peaceworkers come from many different countries, already trained in nonviolence, and then have further training where they will be living and working.

We in Northampton are fortunate to be able to hear stories from the field on Friday, May 5, at 3 p.m. at Forbes Library, 20 West St., and on Sunday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the Northampton Friends Meeting House, 43 Center St.

Tiffany Easthom, executive director, will speak about the current work. She just returned from Iraq, where she helped set up a new program. She works out of the global headquarters in Geneva. Marna Anderson, director of development and communication, comes from the U.S. office in St. Paul, Minnesota, and relates to the chapters across this country which advocate for the Nonviolent Peaceforce.

There will be a meeting of people interested in establishing a chapter on May 25 at 7 p.m. in Amherst.

Anne Moore

Northampton

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