Rockford Peace and Justice Action Committee Records

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-267

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records for the Rockford Peace and Justice Action Committee (RP&JAC) date from 1982 to 1995 and consist of meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, and newspaper articles. Included in Series I, Organizational Records, is historical materials, by-laws, minutes of meetings, correspondence, and newsletters. Subject Files comprise Series II, and are arranged alphabetically. Among the broad range of topics covered in the series are nuclear power, China, education, ERA, flood control, housing, and the status of women. Most of the files fall within the 1960-1985 time period. Series III contains scrapbooks spanning the years from 1922-1978. They are especially useful in documenting the League's activities before WW II. Series IV, Byron Nuclear Plant Intervention, along with the DAARE/SAFE Collection (RC 212), documents the League’s involvement in the joint plant intervention

Dates

created: 1980-2005
Other: Date acquired: 01/12/2005

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Rockford Peace and Justice Action Committee was organized in 1983 as a coalition of church and secular members who shared a common commitment to peace and justice. The founders included: United Methodist Jerry Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Vincent Holland, Dan Schrader from Dakota, Stanley Campbell, Quaker Peter Reilly, and others. The committee was formed to mobilize opposition to U.S. policy toward El Salvador; address the concerns of the hungry and exploited people of the world; and to oppose the increasing militarization of society. The task of RP&JAC is to be a community of support; educate groups, churches, and individuals; and organize actions to impact public policy. A community of support is achieved by sharing resources, experiences, and concerns to enable people to work more effectively on behalf of peace and justice in churches, in the community and in public policy arenas. Groups, churches, and individuals are educated with films, slideshows, talks and community wide events to increase the public’s awareness of critical peace and justice issues. Public policy is impacted through personal visits, letters, petition campaigns and public vigils to influence senators, congresspersons, Church and civic leaders in the formulation and implementation of public policy. RP&JAC believes that alone their efforts are scattered and wasted. By coordinating their efforts they can do what no one could do alone. Membership is open to all persons in sympathy with RP&JAC’s objectives.

Note written by

Extent

4.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Stanley Campbell

Method of Acquisition

Stanley Campbell, of the Rockford Peace and Justice Action Committee, donated the records for the organization to the Regional History Center on January 12, 2005.