Activists across the country will be marking A Day Without the Pentagon with rallies and protests at major military contractors, recruiters in high schools, universities with military contracts, and war monuments. Sponsored by the pacifist group the War Resister’s League, organizers hope to highlight the continued militarization of American society despite the end of the Cold War.

At United Nations headquarters in New York City today — where the world body is marking international UN day — activists will present a women’s peace petition of 99,000 signatures to the President of the UN General Assembly. The petition calls for a transfer of funds from military budgets to sustainable development programs.

Meanwhile, Peace Action, the nation’s largest grassroots peace organization, held its 40th birthday party last night. Among the speakers:

Tape:

• Judy Collins, a singer/songwriter and peace activist.
• Cora Weiss, the vice president of the International Peace Bureau and the international representative of Peace Action, the nation’s largest grassroots anti-war organization.

Related links:

• Day Without the Pentagon page