Nashville Peace and Justice Center, Nashville, Tennessee

AMERICANS UNITED FOR THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

The Nashville Chapter of Americans United acts as a watchdog for violations of separation of church and state to ensure the religious liberty of all. Formed in 2001, the chapter is part of the national organization in existence since 1947. It is a non-profit, 501-(c)-(3) educational organization involved with advocacy, education, litigation, and communication.

Contact: Charles Sumner
Phone: 615-646-9946

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote internationally recognized human rights. We are dedicated to freeing prisoners of conscience, gaining fair trials for political prisoners, ending torture, political killings and "disappearances," and abolishing the death penalty around the world.

Contact: Randy Tatel
Phone: 615-329-0048

BURNT: BRING URBAN RECYCLING TO NASHVILLE TODAY

BURNT works to improve the environment through citizen involvement in government. Program areas include a solid waste management plan, toxins reduction, and urban recycling. Volunteers assist with computer research, publicity, and educational programs.

Email: burnt.tn@gmail.com
Contact: Bruce Wood
Phone: 327-8515

COMMON CAUSE

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, non-profit citizen's lobby founded in 1970 by John Gardner. Members come from every state in the union and all walks of life, united in becoming actively involved in making the public's voice heard by the United States government. We believe that every American can make a difference; that every American should have open and equal access to government; that when people become involved, change occurs; and that democracy should work equally for everyone.

Contact: Oswald Schrag
Phone: 615-321-9072

EARTH MATTERS

Hands on environmental education through practical, neighborhood based, eco- involvement and activities.
We are a dynamic group of environmental educators dedicated to growing healthy communities thru: GRACE - Gardening, Recycling, Activism, Composting, and Education.

Contact: Sizwe Herring
Phone: 615-252-6953

EMMA CENTER

An Integrative center for creativity, learning, and community in urban Nashville. The center is dedicated to the memory of Emma Goldman, 20th century feminist and anarchist, and operates as a collective space in which anyone can teach and anyone can learn. It is structured to carry on the tradition of community action, collectivism, and education.

Contact: Chris Lugo
Phone: 615-262-3366

FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH: SOCIAL CONCERNS & ACTION COMMITTEE

The Social Concerns & Action Committee works on behalf of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville to, in the words of Reverend Mary Katherine Morn, "...help build a world where each person's inherent worth and dignity is affirmed. Where justice, equity and compassion are the guideposts for human relations. Where those who are poor, those who are sick, those who are different have what they need to live a meaningful life. Where human beings do not despise one another because of creed or race. Where we sustain the earth, as it sustains us. Where we and all people live in peace."

Contact: Church Office
Phone: 615-383-5760

FRIENDS MEETING (QUAKER)

The Nashville Friends Meeting is a non-pastoral meeting affiliated with the Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and the Friends General Conference. They worship in quiet waiting upon the Lord, during which anyone who is led by the Spirit to speak is welcome to speak as led. For information on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, contact Pam Beziat at 341-0255.

Worship is held at 10 am on Sunday mornings and at 7:00pm on Wednesday evenings. We meet at 530 26th Avenue N. Nashville, Tennessee 37208. Our phone: (615) 329-2640

NASHVILLE HOMELESS POWER PROJECT

The Homeless Power Project is a group of homeless and formerly homeless working to confront the root causes of homelessness and develop concrete solutions within the Nashville community. Born in July 2002, the Homeless Power Project has:

Organized a key team of 4 homeless organizers: Jerry, John, Howard, and Emma & 2 support organizers, Matt & Mary.
Registered over 300 homeless and low-income individuals to vote in September, 2002.
Hosted a Candidates Forum with candidates for Governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and local elected officials, with over 200 homeless in the audience.
Created a Homeless Memorial Day on December 21st, 2002 with METRO Council
Hosted Homeless Memorial Day with over 150 homeless present and 100 local supporters.
Blocked a Proposed Metro Ordinance that would have further criminalized poor people by making it illegal to sleep in cars.
Collaborated with Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to expand booking services to Downtown. Previously, inaccessible and causing needless arrests and jail time.
Eight news articles in Tennessean and City Paper in 12 month period. Occasional TV and radio coverage.

Attend the Living Room. The Living Room is a weekly discussion group among homeless, formerly homeless and allies of the homeless. We meet from 1pm – 2pm, every Wednesday at the Downtown Presbyterian Church, immediately following lunch. Power Project Meetings follow the Living Room but are closed to the non-homeless. Anyone who is homeless or formerly homeless are encouraged to attend.

Contact: John Zirker

National Organization of Women

Open to people of all ages and genders, NOW's Nashville chapter meets every third Monday at 7pm at the NPJC. Please come!

NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society.

For more information, call the NOW line at: 615-269-7141 or email tennesseenow@comcast.net.

VETERANS FOR PEACE

Middle Tennessee Veterans for Peace, chapter 89 of the international Veterans for Peace Movement, is active all throughout Middle-Tennessee. Whether speaking in high schools doing counter-recruitment, making sure that there is a conscientious vet's voice to contrast the hype about war on the evening news, or making sure that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation cease its activities monitoring peaceful protest activity, the members of chapter 89 have been an invaluable part of the Middle Tennessee peace community.

If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran (there is an auxiliary), call Warren Duzak at 615-292-5608 to join. You can also email Warren at: wduzak@earthlink.net.

Phone: 615.573.6895

WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE

This is the Nashville Chapter of the international organization whose headquarters are in New York, NY.
The War Resisters League is an organization of pacifists who refuse participation in wars; support those who refuse military drafts and other conscientious objectors to war; as well as organize, educate, and direct nonviolent action to oppose war and the economic and social causes of war.

Contact: Karl Meyer
Phone: 615-322-9523

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS