In recent years, people such as you have done great work challenging militarism in everyday life – in communities, workplaces, schools, universities and political movements. Here in the PPU office, we’ve learnt a lot from these campaigns around the UK.
At the PPU, we support our members and allies to tackle militarism in their own communities. This is about us all learning from each other. We have run online events aimed at supporting our members and allies to build community campaigns and are consulting with members about what online or in-person events of this sort we can hold in the future.
Here’s a sample of the grassroots campaign successes that PPU members and allies have been part of in recent years:
- Members of Leicester for Peace secured a major change in policy from the local authority, so that the armed forces are no longer allowed to invite children to handle weapons at their events in the city.
- A school near Swansea allowed a wreath of white poppies to be laid at last year’s Remembrance ceremony, thanks to the efforts of a sixth former who is a PPU member.
- When York LGBT Pride hosted a military recruitment stand in 2018, members of No Pride in War in York protested so successfully that there was no military element to the event the following year, which allowed a real celebration of LGBT liberation.
- A primary school in Cheshire ended a “military ethos” project after a campaign by their own teachers.
- Glasgow City Council scrapped plans for a so-called "Armed Forces Fun Day" after a local campaign.
These are just a few examples. Please feel free to remind us of others!
Some of these campaigns involved organised local groups. Others were championed by individuals who are keen to challenge militarism and promote nonviolence. To win more campaigns we need to be focused, well-prepared and ready to learn from each other.
That’s what the PPU’s work on Everyday Militarism aims to do. We can provide local groups, members and allies with:
- Campaigning materials such as leaflets, posters and postcards, for use in particular contexts, such as on Armed Forces Day or in resisting a military presence in universities.
- Speakers for your local group, trade union branch, university, faith group or other organisation.
- In-person and online training events.
- A system whereby local groups - whether organised peace groups or more informal groups focused on a particular issue - can register their link with the Peace Pledge Union. We will publish information on these groups, their campaigns and events on our website.
We aim to organise training events in conjunction with local campaigners. This may be a local peace group, faith group, trade union branch or informal group of friends. We're not just imposing ideas from the PPU office!
If you or you group would like support for a community campaign on an aspect of militarism, or would like help with a local event, please get in touch at mail@ppu.org.uk on 020 7424 9444. We are also keen to hear about what you would find helpful more generally.
(Above) Members of Leicester for Peace challenging militarism in their city. Photo credit: Ambrose Musiyiwa/ Civic Leicester
(Top of page) PPU members and supporters in Hackney in London