Let's demand a budget that puts people over the Pentagon: Pray-Study-Act!

PRAYER - STUDY - ACTION

Global Days of Action on Military Spending

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Greetings of peace!

Each year, about two-thirds of the United States' budget is spent on militarized responses to societal problems—including the Pentagon, abusive immigration enforcement, and violent policing. Pax Christi USA has a long history of advocating that money from the military budget, if reallocated, could have a transformative impact on things that would actually make our communities healthy, safe, and strong: like education, universal health care, or peacebuilding.

Each April, organizations from around the world participate in the Global Days of Action on Military Spending; this week we join them by demanding Congress "move the money" and "demilitarize the budget".

In his Easter message, Pope Francis stated:

“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nonetheless — and this is scandalous — armed conflicts have not ended and military arsenals are being strengthened. ... That is today’s scandal.”

Below you'll find ways you can pray, study and act in support of reversing this scandal. You can also find graphics, social media messages, study resources, a list of events and more in this toolkit. Check it out and see what you can do to share the message today!

Thanks for all your efforts and peace be with you!

In peace,

Johnny Zokovitch

Executive Director, Pax Christi USA

PRAYER

ELIMINATE THE ARMS TRADE

a video from Pope Francis, his prayer intention in June 2017

"How many resources are spent on weaponry, especially nuclear weapons,

that could be used for more significant priorities such as ensuring the safety of individuals,

the promotion of peace and integral human development, the fight against poverty

and the provision of health care." ~Pope Francis, World Day of Peace message, 2021

Pope Francis' prayer intentions for June 2017: Eliminate arms trade

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> Read and pray Pope Francis's Prayer for Peace, where he enjoins us, "Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace..."

STUDY

PAX CHRISTI USA JOINS 37 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN CONDEMNING THE U.S. RANKING IN GLOBAL MILITARY SPENDING

With the release of the latest data on global military spending from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pax Christi USA has joined with 37 other organizations in condemning the United States’ ranking. The SIPRI data shows that the U.S. is first in military spending, accounting for 39% of the total global military spending, and that the U.S. spends more than the next 12 countries combined. The opening paragraphs of the statement are below and the entirety is posted here on the Pax Christi USA website.

Once again, the United States tops one of the world’s most infamous rankings lists — top military spenders. In 2020, the United States’ spending on the military and nuclear weapons made up 39% of the global total, according to an annual report released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This is the third year in a row that the United States’ spending has increased.

As 38 organizations that work in the United States, we are continually disappointed by the members of Congress and presidents that choose to purchase weapons and wage warfare at the expense of our communities and our children’s futures...

Read the entire statement here.

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> Read this statement that Pax Christi USA signed onto in reaction to the Biden budget blueprint.

ACTIONS

MOVE THE MONEY! DEMILITARIZE THE BUDGET!

TELL CONGRESS: STOP FUNDING WAR & MILITARISM! INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES INSTEAD! As we continue to economically struggle amidst the COVID pandemic, suffer at the hands of federally-militarized police, and fund ICE and their inhumane practices, Congress continues to increase military budgets with our taxpayer dollars. Two actions you can take right now: 1) Click here to sign a petition asking Congress to move the money. Or 2) Click here and write directly to your representative to tell them to cut the Pentagon budget and invest in human needs.

IN DC ON FRIDAY? JOIN THE RALLY TO DEMILITARIZE THE BUDGET! Join us on April 30th at 11:30am ET near the Washington Monument to call on Congress to move our money out of militarism and into communities! Click here for more information to join us!

OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL GROUPS, STATE AND REGIONAL CHAPTERS TO SIGN-ON: Pax Christi local groups, state and regional chapters can sign on to the "Letter to Allies in Congressional Progressive Caucus & House Defense Spending Reduction Caucus" calling for support for a 10-30% reduction in military allocations in the budget. Click here to add your region, state or local Pax Christi group to the letter.