Riots in England, American credit worthiness diminishing, Pakistani shootings into a crowd of demonstrators, a war continues after 10 years in Iraq, now Afghanistan, Syria and beyond. This isn't just news, it is the voice of people who have had enough and reacting in a massive action worldwide to protest. Why does it have to be in the form of violence and bloodshed. During the week that Martin Luther King Jr. was assasinated, riots broke out all over the U.S. A cruel irony to demonstrate in such a manner for a man who stood for peace. Rioters destroyed billions of dollars worth of property and many lives were lost. The result? Nothing but suffering.

  Violence has never led to anything but more violence. Governments may back down momentarily to placate the rioters but in the end, a gearing up for "the next time" will be emminent. Is a war in the middle east winnable? Was it even considered before thousands of lives were lost needlessly and billions were spent supporting it? Why should I be shot for wearing green or orange in the wrong part of Belfast? Should a woman be stoned to death in Iran for minor infractions to archaic laws?

    Non-Violent protest, like the small but very public peace march we staged in Huaraz Peru after the rioting of December 2010 shares the idea that, while to reason for the protest may have validity, acting against it in violence is nothing more than "selling your car for gas money." 

   Peace is powerful. Massive peace actions have been effective, slower than a riot, but effective all over the world. The solo voice of a million who demand change in a peaceful manner will be heard. Peace doesn't mean acceptance, it means change will be forced to take place but without a shot being fired. It will not come without letters being written to elected officials, mass marches, media interviews, and a forced acknowledgement that change must happen and now is the time. After reading this post, what are YOU prepared to do? ~ Jim Killon