DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice Collection

The DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice was organized in the spring of 1985 by  representatives from several local churches.  The purpose of the organization was to educate the community about the U.S. role in the civil war in El Salvador, the death squads in Guatemala and El Salvador, and the Contras terrorizing the Nicaraguan countryside.  According to an August 5, 1995 letter found in the collection, the Interfaith Network was formed “by members of several local congregations in order to pool our efforts on issues of common concern.  Our initial focus was on ending U.S. support for the wars in Central America and we continue to raise funds to support victims of these conflicts and the subsequent economic disaster befalling the region, including pre-school children in Managua and indigenous communities on Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast.  Our focus has since broadened to include a variety of peace and justice issues on which we have sought to educate ourselves and the community.  In addition to publishing a Newsletter four times a year, we have sponsored many programs for the public, at times bringing in speakers from around the world.”  The group utilizes a three-pronged approach in carrying out their goal: education, action, and income.  Education activities include networking with national peace and justice organizations, sharing slides and videos in local classrooms and church groups, having programs for the public with knowledgeable speakers, announcing their own activities and summarizing information from other peace and human rights organizations in their newsletter, releasing news releases to local press and radio and appearing on radio talk shows, presenting information and enlisting members and contributors at an annual booth at DeKalb Cornfest (1985-1990), staffing an annual “Peace Table” at DeKalb High School, and presenting a Peace & Justice Award to a graduating senior. The action goal consists of phone calls, letters and visits to editors and political leaders in DC and  Batavia, organizing vigils and marches, presenting petitions to City Council on several issues, including action alerts in church bulletins and their newsletter, and having members of the Joint Committee meet monthly with public school administrators in an effort to diversify local teaching staff. The group raises income through the garage sale they hold annually in August, membership dues, donations given during programs, donations from local congregations, and grants from foundations.  The money supports human rights groups such as the Ogonis in Nigeria, the indigenous people in Chiapas, refugees from the war in Central America, and exploited people in the Philippines, Haiti, Chile, and Guatemala.

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