Peace & Nonviolence

IJPC’s work for peace and nonviolence is central to our mission; it is the lens through which we look to better understand each of our issue areas, working to uproot the injustices planted deep within each of them.

Our Position:

Promoting and working towards the creation of a peaceful and non-violent society is at the core of IJPC’s work. IJPC understands that injustice in its varying forms is all caused by violence of some sort, and through our core issues, we work to eradicate such violence. IJPC strongly believes that bringing people of diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives together in order to better understand and appreciate one another is vital to the peaceful resolution of conflict. We feel it is imperative that we look at social and political issues with a critical and impartial eye in order to see not who is right but what is right for all stakeholders. IJPC recognizes that the more vulnerable members of our communities often do not have a voice in the policy decisions that affect them, works to center their stories, listen to their stories, and encourage self-advocacy.

Our Work:

• Rethinking Racism, in partnership with YWCA Greater Cincinnati, works to raise Cincinnati’s consciousness and create change to end racism through education, dialogue, and action.
• The NonViolence Alliance of Greater Cincinnati aims to build a broad coalition of peace partners from a wide range of backgrounds and skills to create a more just and peaceful community.
• The Peace Committee works to stay abreast of current national and global conflicts and shares information with the public, emphasizing the need to end or prevent future war. We make regular visits to the offices of local politicians and organize through rallies and demonstrations to advocate against acts of violence and aggression. During the pandemic, the Peace Committee meets irregularly. Sign up for our Peace and Nonviolence emails to receive notifications about upcoming meetings and events. 
• We work collaboratively with other individuals and organizations in Greater Cincinnati committed to peace, including serving on the executive committee of the Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate.

Get Involved:

Keep learning and stay connected to ongoing efforts:

• Sign up for peace, Rethinking Racism, and other specific IJPC email lists.
• Follow the NonViolence Alliance and Rethinking Racism on Facebook.

Plug in and show up:

• Join the NonViolence Alliance and help plan our “Awake and Act” speaker series events.
• Attend Rethinking Racism’s events that stimulate dialogue and open conversation about race.
  • Volunteer to facilitate small group conversations during these events

Take action:

• Support Black-owned businesses in Cincinnati.
• Contact your Congressperson and ask them to divest from war and the military and invest in communities.

Resources:

• Rethinking Racism’s “Race and Racism in Cincinnati” Toolkit explores our city’s relationship with race through the lenses of history, law, and resilient communities of color.
• Listen to Fr. John Dear as he reflects on some aspect of nonviolence on his Peace Podcast.