Charleston Speaks

A Week for Peace in an Age of War

“We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but the positive affirmation of peace. We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody that is far superior to the discords of war.”

-Dr Martin Luther King Jr.


This is a movement for and by the people of United States, and for the values of peace and freedom that unites them with other people of the world. This is a movement for freedom from the historical pattern of warfare that has developed throughout our history. Each generation has known war, with the hope that future generations know only of peace.

And so, as the citizens of this nation, we rise up and demand peace. Not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of opportunity, freedom, and justice. We ask why so many of our tax dollars go towards funding bombs and bullets, instead of schools and hospitals.

Our tax payers have given the Pentagon $401.7 billion to spend this year, but, what have we given to our children? Have we given them good schools, health care, and every opportunity to pursue the American dream? Let us fulfill the promise of that dream.

So far we have spent $207.5 billion on the Iraq War. $1.7 billion has come directly from South Carolina. $37.9 million has come directly from the people of Charleston. For the Charleston tax payer, 29¢ on every federal tax dollar goes directly towards the military and defense funding. 4¢ goes towards education. 2¢ to housing, .4 ¢ towards job training- not even a penny.

Why are we spending our money on this war when our children have failing schools? When people are without full employment? When housing costs are rising, forcing families out. Let us develop our communities and strengthen the bonds that bring us together as a nation, as a people.

We rise up and call for education, for healthcare, for job security, instead of a costly war in a far off-land, where young American men and women are placed directly into a dangerous situation, and Iraqi children and families are brought destruction and death. We can do better; we demand that we do better.

Weapons of Mass destruction are missing. Health care is missing. Job training is missing. School supplies are missing. So we, the people, rise up and proclaim a week for peace in an age of war. And we stand in solidarity with people around the nation, and around the world, to demand peace. Now and for our children.