The Peace Seekers of Washington County

Friday, June 03, 2005

Our History

Founded in 1985 to oppose the war mongering foreign policies of President Reagan, Peace Seekers at that time met to support each other, share information, write letters, and witness publicly.

After 9/11/01, membership grew as a response to the false patriotism, national fear, and talk of a revenge war. Between the wars against Afghanistan and Iraq, or membership increased with people of all ages and occupations attending our meetings and events in numbers of up to 100.

Our organization grew in its different activities. We became more organized, setting up a phone tree and e-mail alert system, newsletter, displays, Steering Committees, and regular events.

We affiliated with Peace Action Wisconsin in 2002, receiving training in organizing and issues and now share resources.

In 2003 we joined Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, a coalition of over 141 organizations.

We now have a newsletter mailing list of over 250 with events and meetings every month. Although we are not affiliated with any church, we use facilities of area churches for our events, which see peacemaking as an obvious part of their ministry.