Local Peace Group Active More Than 70 Years With No Signs of Stopping (8/6/09)

Christine Pitawanich

NCC News

The Syracuse Peace Council is a local grassroots organization located in Syracuse. It’s been here since its founding in 1936. In fact, they claim that they are the oldest continuous grassroots peace group in the nation.

Against All Odds
Staff member Carol Baum, acknowledged that it wasn’t the easiest thing for peace organizations to stay afloat. “Sometimes peace groups survive and sometimes they don’t. And why this one was lucky enough to survive all this time, I don’t know,” said Baum. However, she admitted that the area is no stranger to activism, “Central New York is a hot bed for activism for many many years,” said Baum.

They’ve Still Got It
Though the Council has been around for more than 70 years, they haven’t become lethargic. Just today they helped organize a downtown procession in remembrance of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; it was the second event of a two-day-long commemoration. Last night, the Council was busy managing an inter-faith service held at the Everson Museum Plaza which attracted around 75 people.

A Call to Make a Difference
In organizing community activities, Baum hopes to influence people to take a stand. “Part of what we’re about is to say that individuals can do things, but just imagine if you magnify your individual efforts by many other people working together. Then you can really start doing something,” she said. “Social change is about people getting together and making decisions and changing things. And it can be done, I truly believe it.”

After 9/11, the Peace Council shifted their focus towards getting American troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. They are also major supporters of the Onondaga Nation People. In addition, they partner with various non-profit organizations in the Syracuse area. For more information visit http://www.peacecouncil.net/.

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