February 29 – Introducing the Principles of Nonviolence

For our first session, we will explore how nonviolence is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus.  We will look at how Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. utilized the Principles of Nonviolence and how we can apply them in our lives today.  We will also hear from Franciscan sisters and their experiences with nonviolence

March 7 - “A Justice That Heals”  

What is the right thing to do when one young person kills another?  This one hour documentary explores the aftermath of a senseless murder in Evanston, IL of a 19-year-old young man named Andrew Young by 18-year-old Mario Ramos. It centers on Mario’s parish priest, Fr. Bob Oldershaw, as he confronted the reality that this terrible act was committed by a member of his church, and further, that the family of the victim lived in the very neighborhood of the church.  

March 14 - “A Force More Powerful”

“A Force More Powerful” explores one of the 20th century's most important but least understood stories: how nonviolent power has overcome oppression and authoritarian rule all over the world.   We will view a segment from this PBS documentary which is narrated by Ben Kingsley and was nominated for an Emmy.  Afterwards, we will participate in an activity to demonstrate nonviolence responses

March 21  -  “Peace is Every Step”  

In the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. In the film “Peace is Every Step” leading Vietnamese Zen teacher and author Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. The Dalai Lama says of Thich Nhat Hahn: “He shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth.” We will hear from Steve Spring of the Quad Cities who has attended retreats at Thich Nhat Hahn’s Plum Village in France

March 28 – Engaging in Nonviolent Demonstrations

Mike Gayman of Davenport and Lee Mickey of North Liberty will share how their journey in nonviolence led them to engage in civil disobedience at the SOA and their experience of being incarcerated.  The School of the Americas is a combat training facility for Latin American soldiers and operated by the United States Department of Defense at Fort Benning, GA.