Friends,
 Recently, a 22-year-old interview resurfaced in which one of President Richard Nixon's top aides, John Ehrlichman, admitted that the War on Drugs was a political tool to target black people and anti-war activists. The interview only confirms what many communities like Baltimore and Ferguson already know: The system of drug law enforcement is faulty and devastating by design. Even the current presidential administration is beginning to realize that we must seek a new way forward.
Next week, leaders from around the world will gather in New York to address the global drug problem that contributes to violence and untold misery the world over. A special session of the United Nations General Assembly has been called. FOR will be there, bringing the essential voice of nonviolence. We'll share with others how addiction has its root in spiritual dis-ease and cycles of violence. And we'll point the way toward new policies with compassion and harm reduction at their core.
 We invite you to join us in spirit next week as FOR influences a historic moment in our nation's progress. Take a moment to explore the UN's website on the event and get familiar with side events and the issues at stake, and follow FOR on Twitter as we share special moments from the delegation. You can also follow the Twitter hashtags #stoptheharm and #UNGASS2016. Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you'll be able to view a live webcast of the event on UN Web TV.
Our international delegation will include FOR Executive Director Rev. Kristin Stoneking, International FOR International Coordinator Rev. Lucas Johnson, the American Friends Service Committee's Wage Peace Coordinator John Lindsay Poland, Carlos Martinez of Chile SERPAJ (Servicio Paz y Justicia), Meet the Middle East Director Iman Jodeh -- and me.
Partnering with Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference, one of the nation's most notable associations of Black clergy and churches, we've also produced an interfaith resource that grounds drug policy in our common humanity. Download a PDF copy of this resource.
 Alongside the formal UN program, we will also participate directly with grassroots communities via demonstrations, community events, and interfaith services that seek to uplift themes such as centering youth in international policy and decriminalizing addiction.
It's during times like these that we call upon the moral force of our network of activists across the country, and when we remember connection to our international partners of IFOR. It is in these relationships, centered in a divine source of hope, that we go forward this week to co-create a world in which the humanity of our most vulnerable citizens is affirmed. Thank you for supporting this work through FOR. We covet your prayers and accompaniment.
 Anthony Grimes
Director of Campaigns and Strategy
Fellowship of Reconciliation USA
Images: Demonstration photo from Vocal New York (Creative Commons), drug arrests by the Mexican military in Michoacán (Diego Fernández, public domain), Stop the Harm logo (Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference), rally to end the drug war in Los Angeles (Nikki David, Creative Commons). |
