PEACE CENTER ACTIVIST ALERT

APRIL 20th, 2026

Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center

hosts an URGENT half-day conference

MIDDLE EAST IN CRISIS

US & ISRAELI WARS on IRAN, PALESTINE, LEBANON,
INTERNATIONAL LAW & UNITED NATIONS

~ TOPICS & SPEAKERS ~

HORMUZ AT THE HINGE OF HUMAN HISTORY - Helena Cobban,

author and president Just World Educational

WAR ON IRAN AND DECLINE OF US HEGEMONY - Bahman Azad,

Iranian American professor & president US Peace Council 

COST & CONSEQUENCES - Jack Rasmus,

author & economics professor, St. Mary's College 

LAW, POWER, AND THE EMPIRE OF IMPUNITY - George Bisharat,

law professor, author, and musician 

WAR ON INTERNATIONAL LAW - Marjorie Cohn,

Dean of the People’s Academy of International Law   

CHINA: THREAT OR LIFELINE? - Julie Tang,

former Superior Court Judge - San Francisco  

 RESISTING ILLEGAL ORDERS AND WARS - Gerry Condon, former national president of Veterans for Peace.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25th, 1-5 PM

ORINDA COMMUNITY CHURCH

10 IRWIN WAY, ORINDA (VILLAGE SIDE)*

FREE ADMISSION but Registration requested: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

More info?: (925) 933-7850 or info@ourpeacecenter.org 

*Venue is a 17 minute walk from the ORINDA BART station.  FREE ON-SITE PARKING.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE FLYER. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!

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CURRENT CO-SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS include:

Norcal Sabeel, Veterans for Peace, US Peace Council, Just World Education, Voices for Justice in Palestine - Rossmoor, Soul of My Soul Exhibit, and Alameda Green Party.

To add your organization, please contact us at 925-933-7850 or info@ourpeacecenter.org for information. We will include your logo in our event program and provide space for tabling (as available, if requested ahead of the event).

FRIDAY, APRIL 24th, 7 - 9 PM

MCC - EAST BAY,

CONFERENCE ROOM

5724 W. LAS POSITAS, PLEASANTON

Please join us in-person and or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live

Humanitarian Medical Mission:

Healthcare Stories from Gaza with Local Physicians

Through personal experiences, photos, and videos, we will center the voices of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and examine the state of health, education, and shelter during three weeks on the ground. 

About Dr. Mustafa Bseikri

Mustafa Bseikri is a Pediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Physician who was on a medical mission with the non-profit Heroic Hearts this past January. He worked at hospitals in Khan Younis and Gaza City, caring for children and collaborating with local pediatricians. He lives with his family in the Tri-Valley.

About Dr. Greg Shay

Greg Shay is a retired Pediatric Pulmonologist who has served on over 30 medical missions throughout the world, including Syria, Bangladesh, and three separate trips to Gaza. While in Gaza, he helped establish cystic fibrosis care and trained pediatric pulmonologists. He lives in the East Bay.

We will have dinner boxes for sale from IniBurger Pleasanton starting at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for dinner.

Cosponsored by MCC East Bay, Soul of My Soul Exhibit, Jewish Voices for Peace Bay Area, Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center, and, Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle at Asbury United Methodist Church.

We will have a table by Baladna: Palestine Imports, who will be selling Palestinian goods, 20% of all proceeds will be donated to Heroic Hearts



SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH,

5:30-6:30 PM PST

ONLINE DISCUSSION VIA ZOOM

Join us for JVP W*RLD (Watch, Read, Listen, Discuss)

HOW DO WE LIBERATE PALESTINE?

to discuss this presentation by Alain Alameddine and follow up discussion on concrete actions that can be taken to further the One Democratic State Initiative:

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO "How do we liberate Palestine?"

Meant to be watched ahead of online discussion via Zoom at time noted above.

CLICK HERE to register for the discussion

The "One Democratic State" solution is a political vision that identifies Zionism's settler-colonial endeavor as the root cause of suffering and violence in Palestine, and its politicization of identity as a danger to the cohesion and health of societies already plagued with sectarianism beyond the borders of Palestine. Accordingly, it proposes the transition to One Democratic State as the only possible solution.

The JVP W*RLD team

Note: JVP W*RLD selections are picked to stimulate discussion and do not necessarily represent the views of JVP 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29th, 9 AM PST

WOMEN IN CONFLICT ZONES

ONLINE WEBINAR

Women in Conflict Zones webinar will focus on the widening war in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA)/Middle East region launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

UNITED FOR PEACE & JUSTICE (UFPJ) is proud to join other organizations in sponsoring this important opportunity to hear directly from women in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and the West Bank.

Retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Ann Wright will open the webinar with the latest update on U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) activities in the region.

Dr. Jamila J. Ghaddar will talk about her work documenting and archiving the impacts of conflicts across the region.

This webinar aims to create a space for examining the gendered impacts of war and violent conflict for all people who experience gender-based oppression

Please register HERE

In Solidarity, United for Peace & Justice

Are you seeking out

independent media?

Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center is collecting a variety of media including readings, documentaries, and podcasts on the topics of the day, to be read and shared.

Our goal is to educate, encourage discussion, and inspire activism.

NEW THIS WEEK:

PATRICK LAWRENCE: Iran & Ukraine — Two Theaters in the Non–West’s Single War for Parity

"First came news that, on April 8, Israeli jets bombed what is known as the China–Iran railway, a key component of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. Of all the targets the Zionist terror machine might have hit, why a Chinese-sponsored infrastructure project, you had to wonder.

Then on Wednesday came reports that officials from nearly 50 nations — I would love a list of these 50 — met in Berlin to make sure the fires of war against Russia do not flicker out. “We cannot lose sight of Ukraine,” Mark Rutte, NATO’s new secretary-general, declared a little forlornly."

COLONEL DOUG MACGREGOR: US Strategy in Iran NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT (interviewed by Daniel Davis - Deep Dive)

Trump's early lesson learned from Roy Cohn.

ALEXANDER MERCOURIS: Iran FORCES US Navy to Flee as Trump's Tanker Attack BACKFIRES (interviewed by Danny Haiphong)

Alexander Mercouris of the Duran joins to break down the latest escalations in the Iran war as Tehran vows retaliation for US strike and seizure of an Iranian oil tanker. The world is bracing for all out war to restart and we cover this and much in this must-watch stream.

ALAIN ALAMEDDINE: ONE DEMOCRATIC STATE INITIATIVE: How do we liberate Palestine?

The "One Democratic State" solution is a political vision that identifies Zionism's settler-colonial endeavor as the root cause of suffering and violence in Palestine, and its politicization of identity as a danger to the cohesion and health of societies already plagued with sectarianism beyond the borders of Palestine. Accordingly, it proposes the transition to One Democratic State as the only possible solution.

This video is meant to be viewed ahead of the viewer's participation in an online discussion recommended by JVP W*RLD (Watch, Read, Listen, Discuss) to take place on Sunday April 26th from 5:30-6:30 PM PST on Zoom. The presentation is by Alain Alameddine who is seeking to further the One Democratic State Initiative. Registration link for this event is found in the calendar section above.

FROM LAST WEEK:

JOHN MEARSHEIMER: The HORRIBLE NAVAL BLOCKADE in Hormuz Strait

CHAS FREEMAN: World Disorder - Global Nuclear Proliferation Coming

SEYED M. MARANDI: Negotiations Collapsed - Return to War

EMPOWERING IRAN /Alastair Crooke & Lt Col Daniel Davis

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PLEASE READ/WATCH and SHARE!

ARE YOU TAKING ACTION THIS WEEK?

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VOTE NO ON VOTER RESTRICTIONS!

Sign the petition: BLOCK the SAVE America Act

The U.S. House passed the SAVE America Act, an extreme “show your papers” voter suppression bill fueled by far-right propaganda and anti-immigrant conspiracy theories.¹

Trump is trying to force through national voter ID at the polls. He’s demanding proof of citizenship to register to vote. The SAVE America Act will stop millions from casting ballots in the midterms.² Our Senators must oppose Trump’s attempt to shred our constitutional right to vote.

Sign the petition: Block the SAVE America Act

Under Trump’s restrictive bill, people can’t register to vote or update their registrations without a passport or original birth certificate — documents that 21 million people don’t have ready access to. Tens of millions of women who’ve changed their last names after marriage and may not have a passport or birth certificate with their current last name would face additional burdens. And every single voter would need to show a government-issued photo ID with an up-to-date address and current name before casting a ballot.³

The SAVE America Act is yet another Trump attempt to interfere in our free and fair elections. There is no mass “noncitizen” voting that justifies any of this. The 2020 election was not stolen. But Trump, Stephen Miller, and Pam Bondi are counting on enough Republicans and MAGA loyalists to get behind these myths so they can rig the midterms. Steve Bannon even wants to send ICE to “surround the polls” come November.⁴

The Senate must reject the worst voter suppression bill in modern history.

Reject the SAVE America Act now!

Sources:

1. The Associated Press, "House GOP pushes strict proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters ahead of midterm elections," February 11, 2026.
2. Democracy Docket, "New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements," February 7, 2026.
3. ACLU Press Release, "ACLU Condemns House Passage of SAVE America Act as Dangerous Assault on Democracy," February 11, 2026.
4. Democracy Docket, "White House ‘can’t guarantee’ ICE won’t be at polls," February 5, 2026.

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VOTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

FROM PEACE CENTER MEMBER MARTI ROACH of 350 Contra Costa.

This is an important and easy action to support environmental protections, including in Contra Costa County.

BACKGROUND

The Trump administration released plans to open more than 1 million acres of public lands and mineral rights to oil and gas drilling and fracking in Southern California and the Central Valley, Central Coast and Bay Area.

The areas slated by Trump for drilling and fracking are near spectacular public lands, including state parks, national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Oil companies could target land around popular sites like Pinnacles National Park, Mount Diablo State Park, Henry W. Coe State Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.

Draft environmental impact statements and resource management plans from the Bureau of Land Management would allow new fossil fuel extraction across eight counties under the Bakersfield Field Office: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. The Central Coast plan would allow drilling across another 10 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Joaquin.

ACTION

Register your opposition to this action site sponsored by a non-profit advocate group.

Public Lands Need Protection, Not More Oil and Gas Pollution

Last Chance Alliance

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ONGOING WEEKLY LOCAL PROTESTS

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TUESDAY EVENINGS

NOTE SPRING START TIME !!!

5:00 - 6:00 PM

Corners of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road, Lafayette

A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING - THE WORK CONTINUES!

ADDING A WEEKLY FOOD DRIVE TO THE MIX!

Meet Local Activists, Bring your own signs or make one when you arrive.

AND A MESSAGE FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS WEEKLY EVENT:

We are concerned with safety and have a monitor at each corner wearing an orange vest. They will help keep the crosswalks and sidewalks clear for pedestrians. If you have any questions or concerns, please let one of them or Gordon Lake, our main event organizer, know.  

Our mission statement and some norms for our group: .

Mission:

We are meeting to collectively defend democracy and support and protect the institutions which are vital to the wellbeing of all of us, and which are now under attack. Our goals are to meet every week to express our values and ideas, to promote solidarity and mutual support within our protest community, and to encourage other like-minded citizens to join us.

Norms:

We are non-violent in word and deed. We will follow all laws and act in ways that ensure personal safety. We will not block crosswalks or walkways.

We will not respond to those in cars or on the street who express different views. We will contact monitors in orange vests if we have questions or concerns.

LAMORINDA PEACE & JUSTICE GROUP

NEED INFORMATION ON FOOD DONATIONS?

Food collected at this protest will go to the

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR FOOD PANTRY

CLICK HERE FOR SUGGESTIONS

WE THE PEOPLE PROTESTS

taking place on various days

WALNUT CREEK, LAFAYETTE,

MARTINEZ and OAKLAND!

CHECK THE SCHEDULE HERE

Organized by Indivisible ReSisters Contra Costa!

Join us for a rousing honk and wave visibility action.

Bring your signs and raise your voice for democracy and to protect our rights!

This is a nonviolent event. Stay within your rights, don’t break laws, stay safe, stay peaceful, and avoid any risk you don’t feel comfortable with. Don’t obstruct traffic, impede pedestrians, or commit any acts of property damage.

If counter-protestors appear, do your best to ignore them. When people shout from cars, just remember that we are standing for their rights, too. They just don't know it.

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ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA and other MILITARY ACTIONS WORLDWIDE

ACTIONS TO TAKE!

Continue contacting Congress to

demand they pass these resolutions: 

Block the Bombs – Support H.R. 3565

Call on your member of Congress to support the

Block the Bombs Act (H.R. 3565), introduced by

Rep. Delia Ramirez, to stop U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/block-the-bombs-act

RECENTLY RELEASED!

2025 edition of Mapping Militarism

24 interactive maps to highlight

the state of war and peace on our planet.

Each map allows the viewer to spin the globe,

zoom in and out, scroll the timeline back through the years,

or switch from map view to list view. 

TRY IT HERE!

World BEYOND War has

a DIVESTMENT campaign!

About the Campaign

Grassroots-led war divestment campaigns are springing up all over the world, from students organizing to divest university endowments, to municipalities and states coming together to divest public pension funds. Divestment means organizing to remove public and private assets from weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and war profiteers.

Public pension and retirement funds especially are often invested, directly and indirectly, in weapons companies. Teachers and other public servants whose interests lie with promoting human needs have their retirement security tied up with maintaining or enlarging the war industry. Every dollar currently invested in weapons and war is a dollar that could be better spent on job creation, education, housing, healthcare, food security, and so much more.

War profiteering is largely normalized today. We’re working to stigmatize the war machine. World BEYOND War assists divestment campaigns led by our chapters, affiliates, other coalitions, and individuals around the world.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE

This website provides comprehensive information including events & campaigns

CHECK HERE FOR LINKS TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!

Includes a frequently updated

calendar of local events

Peace work in the Quaker tradition

American Friends Service Committee

BOYCOTT

DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!

CHECK OUT THIS HANDY APP!