By E.J. Muñoz-Elías, S. Leal, I.C. Berke, O. Ahmad, C.D. Bess, A. Johnson, J.A. Degrasse, R. Pereira, J. Lowell, C. Strambio de Castillia

“For nothing can keep it [government] right but their own vigilant and distrustful superintendence.” (T. Jefferson)

The Rockefeller University for Peace (RUFP) is a group whose goal is to contribute to the movement to promote peace and justice worldwide. At the dawn of the 21st century, the U.S. is the sole superpower and thus it is presented with unique opportunities and challenges: the domestic and international political agenda the U.S. implements today might decisively affect the path humanity will follow in the years to come. Will the U.S. government’s guiding moral ideological principles foment the advancement of human development and the pursuit of happiness throughout?

Knowledge of the historical, economic and political context surrounding key domestic and international issues is crucial for individuals to form sensible opinions and execute their democratic rights accordingly: due to media homogenization and corporate influence, people living in the U.S. are not exposed to the panoply of opinions that exist regarding important political/social issues including war as a means of ending terrorism, globalization (forced untimely privatization/liberalization), world health (epidemics of the poor), biological/nuclear development, environmental destruction, and first amendment rights (US Patriot Act I and II), among others. RUFP is a place for learning, exchanging and disseminating information about these issues in our community. While thinking globally, we plan to act locally in the following ways:

• Organize seminars/teach-ins to disseminate information widely in the community.
• Increase the visibility of those who want to express their views through vigils, marches and rallies.
• Organize out-reach activities to raise the level of political involvement in the community.
• Contact government representatives at the local and national levels regarding their positions on relevant current issues.

This past year we participated in pro-peace rallies in and around New York City and Washington D.C. We also campaigned for passage of New York City Council’s resolutions condemning the invasion of Iraq and limiting the US Patriot Act I (still pending). We also organized the following teach-ins:

• Discussion on the Current War in Iraq—Colleen Kelly (September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows), Ian Williams (UN correspondent for The Nation), Richard Bulliet (Columbia University History professor)
• War on Terror or Assault on Civil Liberties—Jameel Jaffer and Omar Jadwat (attorneys from the ACLU), Adem Carrol (Community Advocate and 911 Relief Program Coordinator for Islamic Circle of N. America).

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