Nonviolence key to abolition of war

Dear Editor:

I would like to submit the following article for consideration as a guest editorial in your newspaper.

Throughout history, ordinary people have resorted to nonviolent struggle not because they were pacifists, but because they felt it was their most effective weapon against social and political oppression. 

There is ample historical and sociological evidence demonstrating that nonviolent struggle can be effective in conflict and defense. Now we should take the next step toward the abolition of war by transforming our military forces into a Mercy Force.

The Mercy Force would be an unarmed service corps, engaged in humanitarian service and strategic nonviolent defense, in service to humanity, predicated on the conviction that war is a crime against humanity, and guided by a moral mandate to protect life, never to kill.

The Mercy Force could act as an international rescue command, prepared to respond to natural or human catastrophes. Mercy Force units would orchestrate medical aid, disaster relief, relocation and reconstruction in areas struck by earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods.

In areas of conflict or unrest, Mercy Force contingentās might be invited to perform peacekeeping duties, such as occupying a buffer zone between hostile factions, observing elections, or monitoring truces.

In some situations, Mercy Force troops could be used for humanitarian intervention. This could take the form of international broadcasting, rescue action, peacekeeping missions, or extra territorial defense, working with an indigenous resistance movement.

The Mercy Force could be started as a new branch of the Department of Defense or as the centerpiece of a new Department of Nonviolent Action. The size and scope of this Mercy Force should be increased gradually, while phasing out the armed services entirely, as part of a national policy renouncing war.

Gary Swing
University of Colorado at Denver student and
1998 Pacifist Party
candidate for U.S. Senate