Vision Statement

The Alternatives to War Committee is a community of people from the St. Cloud, MN area who are horrified and saddened by the violence that occurred on September 11 and by the potential devastation that continued violence poses to people throughout the world.

Understanding that our commitment must be deep and lasting, we meet regularly to find ways of putting these beliefs into action. Join us.

If you would like more information on the Alternatives To War Committee (AWC), and/or you would like to participate in our listserve, send an email to: alternativestowar at hotmail.com

Ghandi speaks to us still

"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man."

"Peace will not come out of a clash of arms but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of odds."

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

A statement of discipline adopted in 1960 by participants in theCanada-to-Cuba Walk is as useful today as ever:

1. Our attitude toward officials and others who may oppose us will be one of sympathetic understanding of the burdens and responsibilities they carry.
2. No matter the circumstance of provocation, we will not respond with physical violence to acts directed against us.
3. We will not call names or make hostile remarks.
4. We will adhere as closely as we are able to the letter and spirit of truth in our spoken and written statements.
5. We will always try to speak to the best in all [people], rather than seeking to exploit their weaknesses to what we may believe is our advantage.
6. We will always attempt to interpret as clearly as possible to anyone with whom we are in contact? and especially to those who may oppose us ? the purpose and meaning of our actions.

(FromNonviolence in America: A Documentary History, edited by Staughton and Alice Lynd, Orbis books, 1995, p.203)