Members of the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia, joined by Linda Colwall-Smith, President of the
Friends of the Torresdale Library, meet with Congressman Brendan Boyle’s staff member, Scott Heppard. On January 23, 2019 to urge the Congressman to work on implementing a “no first nuclear strike” bill in Congress this year.
Left to right, Ute Simons, Genevieve Gavin, Linda Colwall-Smith, Jean Haskell, Scott Heppard, Lorraine Givnish, Maureen Boehm,
and Lynne Iser.
Friends of the Torresdale Library, meet with Congressman Brendan Boyle’s staff member, Scott Heppard. On January 23, 2019 to urge the Congressman to work on implementing a “no first nuclear strike” bill in Congress this year.
Left to right, Ute Simons, Genevieve Gavin, Linda Colwall-Smith, Jean Haskell, Scott Heppard, Lorraine Givnish, Maureen Boehm,
and Lynne Iser.
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia leads the 2019 Philadelphia Women's March.
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Grannies Genevieve Gavin (in light jacket below) and Jean Haskell (4th from left) joined Indivisible Philadelphia to meet with Numa St. Louis, second from left, District Representative for Congressman Dwight Evans, 3rd District Pennsylvania, to present the progressive agenda and our hopes for the Democratic House of Representatives for the coming year (January 2019)
Members of the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia take part in the Procession for “Bury our weapons, not our bodies”, an exhibit/performance by Israeli artist Yael Bartana. (September 22, 2018)
Members of the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia joined several dozen activist groups to observe Peace Day Philly in Cit Hall Courtyard on Friday, September 21st, International Peace Day.“Listen to Your Grannies” they said as they distributed leaflets calling for Congress to pass the no-first-nuclear-strike bills that have been languishing in Congressional Committees for almost two years.
The Peace Dove appears annually to celebrate Peace Day Philly! (September 20, 2018)
The Peace Dove appears annually to celebrate Peace Day Philly! (September 20, 2018)
Grannies march with Family Belongs Together Philadelphia PA June 30, 2018.
We received, today, a citation from City Council “recognizing and honoring Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia” for their advocacy effort in urging Congress to pass H.R. 669, and S.200, the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017.
A picture of the citation is below. (May 2018)
A picture of the citation is below. (May 2018)
Grannies Lois Durso, Jean Haskell, Reenie Boehm, and Paula Paul met with the legislative representatives of Congressman Dwight Evans to explore ways he can further support the No First Strike bill in Congress, to discuss ways to more widely educate people about the bill and to the dangers of our current nuclear policy. We discussed ways we could work together in the future to foster raised awareness of nuclear weapons issues/funding. They suggested where we should next focus our phone calls and letter writing. As it turned out, Rep Evans' district representative has a strong background in international relations and shares our concern about nuclear weapons and possible nuclear confrontations. We look forward to continued work with them on this issue. (April 2018)
Members of the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia gathered in Philadelphia City Council Chambers on Thursday, April 19, 2018 to support the Resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to urge Congress to pass bills in the House and Senate, the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017 (Jean Haskell and Helen Evelev pictured below at podium).
Braving unusually cold and rainy spring weather, the GPBP held their annual tax day demonstration outside the Broad Street Post office, Tuesday April 17, 2018. Each year the GPBP ask passerby to take part in an informal, random poll of how they would like to see their government spend tax dollars. The results are then sent to local officials and news outlets. Thanks to all who participated!
“Stop the March to War in Korea” was the message conveyed by members of the Granny Peace Brigade
Philadelphia to men and women going into the Central Library to hear a speaker on the future of humanity.
Pictured, from left to right, are Joan Lukas, Elle Alice Rader, Helen Evelev, and Ute Simons. As part of
their campaign to prevent the use of nuclear weapons, Grannies asked library patrons to call Congress
and urge support for two bills---one in the House of Representatives (HR 669) and one in the Senate (S 200)
that will prohibit first use of a nuclear weapon by the President of the United States without a declaration
of war by Congress. We ask everyone to do the same. It’s easy—dial 202-224-3121 and you will get prompts and can
ask to be connected to the office of your Representative or Senator. NOW IS THE TIME!! (February 2018)
Philadelphia to men and women going into the Central Library to hear a speaker on the future of humanity.
Pictured, from left to right, are Joan Lukas, Elle Alice Rader, Helen Evelev, and Ute Simons. As part of
their campaign to prevent the use of nuclear weapons, Grannies asked library patrons to call Congress
and urge support for two bills---one in the House of Representatives (HR 669) and one in the Senate (S 200)
that will prohibit first use of a nuclear weapon by the President of the United States without a declaration
of war by Congress. We ask everyone to do the same. It’s easy—dial 202-224-3121 and you will get prompts and can
ask to be connected to the office of your Representative or Senator. NOW IS THE TIME!! (February 2018)
(Below) The grannies join local peace groups for the Philadelphia Peace Vigil on Friday February 9, 2018 near city hall holding up signs and leading the crowd in singing a peace song.
Members of the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia braved the snowstorm to present
their annual Holiday Sing 2018 (of anti-war songs) at the Christmas Village in Love Park near
City Hall in Philadelphia. The audience was small tho' enthusiastic and the Granny voices
filled the park.
From left to right in the photo: Mark Rader and Helen Evelev in back, front, Lois Durso,
Maureen Boehm, Paula Paul, Sing Coordinator Elle Alice Rader, Jean Haskell, Lorraine
Givnish, and Nancy Cunningham.
their annual Holiday Sing 2018 (of anti-war songs) at the Christmas Village in Love Park near
City Hall in Philadelphia. The audience was small tho' enthusiastic and the Granny voices
filled the park.
From left to right in the photo: Mark Rader and Helen Evelev in back, front, Lois Durso,
Maureen Boehm, Paula Paul, Sing Coordinator Elle Alice Rader, Jean Haskell, Lorraine
Givnish, and Nancy Cunningham.
The Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia was a collaborating group in the development of the exhibit, Philadelphia
Assembled, at the Perelman Museum, annex to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Granny Peace Brigade was featured by the
Museum on Peace Day September 20, 2017.
Assembled, at the Perelman Museum, annex to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Granny Peace Brigade was featured by the
Museum on Peace Day September 20, 2017.
Celebrating Her 80 Years by Lying Down in the Middle of the Burning Hot Street in Protest!
Sylvia was an early member of Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia. She was one of the eleven Grannies arrested at the recruiting Center in June of '06. She has been active in anti-fracking efforts and frequently works as an Escort at Planned Parenthood. Sylvia decided to celebrate her 80th birthday by dressing for and staging a "die in" in connection with a Tuesday's With(out) Toomey event advocating for a single payer health care system. Others joined her by lying down on the hot Chestnut Street pavement.
Sylvia was an early member of Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia. She was one of the eleven Grannies arrested at the recruiting Center in June of '06. She has been active in anti-fracking efforts and frequently works as an Escort at Planned Parenthood. Sylvia decided to celebrate her 80th birthday by dressing for and staging a "die in" in connection with a Tuesday's With(out) Toomey event advocating for a single payer health care system. Others joined her by lying down on the hot Chestnut Street pavement.
Smiling Grannies from Leafleting at The Constitution Center June 29, 2017 as we handed out leaflets about the bill to limit Presidential use of nuclear first strike weapons and fortune cookies with a message.
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia enjoyed the Independence Day 2017 festivities at Independence Hall, then stood in unison to make visible their banner which said, "Listen to your Grannies---No more War!"
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia Mother's Day Stroll protesting the use of bombs and engaging the public on the true meaning of mother's day as an anti-war and peace day of solidarity between the mothers of all nations. (May 14, 2017)
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia presents its history of activism as part of the Fit-C Program at Philadelphia Library, Rittenhouse Square 4/13/17.
(Below) Grannies attend two events in Philly in support of Standing Rock - the below pictures show grannies Paula, Barbara, and Elle at these events. One event is from 2/14/17 and the other is from 2/3/17 outside Wells Fargo on Broad Street. The 2/14/17 event started at Thomas Paine Plaza and, after a speech and lots of chants and songs, moved to three Wells Fargo locations ending at a 4th.
Grannies Barbara C and Ruth V attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Camden for "Waging Peace in a Time of Fear and Surveillance". Jeremy Scahill, author of Dirty Wars and an investigative journalist, spoke about current events and answered questions during the morning session. In the afternoon, Alison Macrina, founder of the Library Freedom Project and an activist, spoke about protecting ourselves on the Internet and on our phones.
Grannies Barbara C and Ruth V attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Camden for "Waging Peace in a Time of Fear and Surveillance". Jeremy Scahill, author of Dirty Wars and an investigative journalist, spoke about current events and answered questions during the morning session. In the afternoon, Alison Macrina, founder of the Library Freedom Project and an activist, spoke about protecting ourselves on the Internet and on our phones.
(Below) Grannies with Philadelphia Mayor Kenney backstage at Women's March 2017 before leading crowd of 50,000+ in singing Holly Near's "Singing For Our Lives".
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(To left) Granddaughter of granny member "pins" Philadelphia Mayor Kenney at Women's March 2017
(On left) GPBP on stage at Women's March 2017 singing "We Will Not Be Silent" |
(Below) Lois Durso represented the Grannies at the Ghost Light Project at Interact theater. The Ghost Light Project is a statement of commitment by the theater community to always be open to diversity, acceptance, and respect for all people. Hundreds of theaters around the country participated at 5:30 pm on January 19, 2017.
(Below) Grannies and friends braved freezing weather to join climate change groups in front of Senator Casey's office, with a march to Senator Toomey's office to protest the Trump nominees for Secretary of the Interior, and to lead the EPA---All climate deniers. 1/9/17
(Below) Braving below freezing temperatures Grannies take part in the Day Against Denial protests across the country, 1/9/17, to block Trump’s climate-denying cabinet picks.
(Below) Granny Peace Brigade on University of Penn Campus supporting students
Left: Dr. Ira Helfand and Kelsey Davenport. He is the Co-President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. She is the Director for Nonproliferation Policy, Arms Control Association.
Center: Rev. Robert Moore, recently honored for 35 years as Executive Director of CFPA and 40 years as an Ordained Minister.
Sister Megan Rice, who spent 2 years in prison for splattering blood and anti-nuclear slogans on a nuclear plant in Tennessee that holds enough highly enriched uranium to make thousands of nuclear warheads.
Center: Rev. Robert Moore, recently honored for 35 years as Executive Director of CFPA and 40 years as an Ordained Minister.
Sister Megan Rice, who spent 2 years in prison for splattering blood and anti-nuclear slogans on a nuclear plant in Tennessee that holds enough highly enriched uranium to make thousands of nuclear warheads.
(Below) Grannies at Standing Rock Army Corps of Engineers Protest 11/15/16
(Below) Granny Peace Brigade Members Elle Bader and Jean Haskell at Veterans Day 2016 standing up for peace
(Below) Supplies for the Water Protectors at Standing Rock
(Below) Peace Day Philadelphia 2016
Tribute to Sonia Sanchez at her Mural Dedication
SONIA SANCHEZ IS A TREASURE
OF PHILADELPHIA. NO MATTER THAT
SHE WAS BORN IN ALABAMA, SPENT YEARS INCLUDING EDUCATION AT HUNTER COLLEGE, NEW
YORK CITY. SHE IS OURS AND NOW IS
A PART OF OUR LANDSCAPE WITH THIS AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL WALL MURAL.
SONIA IS A WALL MURAL TODAY,
OUR POET LAURIATE, AND HAS LONG BEEN A LEADING VOICE OF
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND IN THE MIND OF THE GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE
PHILADELPHIA IS THE PEACE CONSCIENCE OF PHILADELPHIA.
IN JUNE 2006 DURING THE
EARLY BITTER YEARS OF THE IRAQ WAR GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE OF PHILADELPHIA DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR SISTERS IN NEW YORK AND ENTER THE BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA RECRUITING OFFICE AND OFFER OURSELVES FOR SERVICE TO SAVE OUR
CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE.
WE BELIEVED WE HAD LIVED LONG LIVES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE THOUGHT THAT
OFFERING OURSELVES FOR MILITARY INDUCTION WAS A WAY TO DEMONSTRATE HOW WE FELT
ABOUT WAR, THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION OF
RECRUITS, OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
SONIA AND TEN OTHER WOMEN WERE TOLD TO "GO HOME" AND WHEN WE REFUSED TO
LEAVE WE WERE ARRESTED. I RECALL
BEING IN THE SAME PADDY WAGON AS SONIA--THE RECRUITING STATION ASSURED US IT
WOULD BE CLEANED UP FOR US! AND SO
WE WERE CHARGED WITH "DEFIANT TRESPASS".
WHEN WE CAME TO TRIAL SIX MONTHS LATER THE JUDGE TOLD US WE WERE IN THE
RIGHT PLACE TO BE RECRUITED:
CHARGES DISMISSED. WE WERE
A PUBLIC ISSUE IN 2006 AND SONIA RAISED OUR ANTE, SHE WAS
AND IS A LIVING, DYNAMIC
EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC FIGURE, AN AMERICAN LEADER WHO WILL NOT BE UNDERMINED
BY FEAR OR CORPORATE VALUES.
SONIA, GLORIOUS POET, A
NATIONAL LEADER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, IS A SISTER TO
GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE ACTIVISTS.
SHE IS OUR ENCOURAGING VOICE IN OUR STRUGGLES TO MAKE PEACE A REALITY NOT
JUST A VACANT HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD.
THE GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE IS A LOUD VOICE THAT CALLS ATTENTION TO DRONE
WARFARE, A WHISTLEBLOWER SUCH AS PRIVATE MANNING , THE INHUMANITY OF
GUANTANAMO. WE CEASELY URGE ALL OF
US TO USE OUR VOICES, CALL OUR PRESIDENT, OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE, RAISE YOUR VOICE
FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR WORLD.
I WAS BORN IN L922, SONIA WAS BORN IN L934.
SHE HAS USED HER LONG LIFE WITH
HONOR AND ACHIEVEMENT THAT
IS A GIFT TO ALL OF US, AND ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ACTIVISTS SHE HAS
INSPIRED AS SHE HAS THIS WALL
MURAL.
Ruth Balter, June 9,
2013
Grannies Celebrate After Welcoming Occupy Parade at Rittenhouse Square with our Peace Doves on Dec. 31, 2011
Grannies at Mt. Airy Day -Granny Jean Haskell holding up our t-shirt
On May 5th Grannies Paula, Jean, Gloria, Gayl, Tony and Jen spent a wonderful time at Mt Airy Day talking to many, many people, giving out literature and urging everyone to call their Senators encouraging them to fund schools not war
and to work to prevent any military action in Iran. We walked the grounds talking to folks and shared a table with WILFP
where we had T-shirts, buttons, our brochures "Military Recruiters in High Schools-What Counselors Need to Know", leaflet "Fund Schools Not War' and handouts on preventing military action in Iran. We even signed up one new member!
and to work to prevent any military action in Iran. We walked the grounds talking to folks and shared a table with WILFP
where we had T-shirts, buttons, our brochures "Military Recruiters in High Schools-What Counselors Need to Know", leaflet "Fund Schools Not War' and handouts on preventing military action in Iran. We even signed up one new member!
Grannies at City Hall - June 14, 2012
Supporting a resolution to
"Bring the War Dollars Home"
Grannies and the Mummers Parade
Grannies at the Philadelphia Mummer's Parade. Many of us marched down Broad Street with signs and gave out paper cranes to children standing along the street. We had a car in front of us with a big sign "Support Our Troops, Bring the Troops Home".
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