Two events this week call us to reflect on our stance against violence. The shooting of Michael Brown on a street in Ferguson, MO is especially in my heart. Some say the teenager was surrendering, his hands in the air to show he is unarmed, when the officer opened fire; authorities counter that Brown attacked the officer in his car and tried to take his gun. Due to the racial overtones involved in the case the NAACP is involved, and there has been much protest in the community. Last summer, I encouraged you to take the pledge in Campaign Nonviolence sponsored by Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. It is not too late to sign the pledge at paceebene.org and help strive for nonviolence in our communities.
I attended the annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Program at Loose Park in Kansas City this past week. Our local Pax Christi group met the next day and focused on the horrendous effects of nuclear warfare. I found it especially heart-wrenching to listen at Loose Park to a son of a survivor share the story of his mother, who experienced the devastating effects firsthand. Keeping this commemoration in our minds, I invite you to a demonstration at the new National Security Campus, 14510 Botts Rd. at 150 Hwy. in Kansas City, MO. on Friday, August 22nd from 9 to 11am sponsored by PeaceWorks. Dignitaries will be gathering to officially dedicate the new nuclear weapons parts plant. I challenge you to be join the protest of further development of nuclear weapons. Jay Coghlan, director of Nuclear Watch New Mexico and federal budget watchdog, reports the Department of Energy requested $613 million to fund the Kansas City Plant in Fiscal Year 2015. Some $610 million of that is for “Total Weapons Activities” under DOE’s semi-autonomous National Nuclear Security Administration. Part of our pledge for Campaign Nonviolence includes practicing nonviolence by joining the global movement to abolish war and foster a just and peaceful world for all. Please pray for all involved in this demonstration.
Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.
