Peace Action of Central New York is a non-profit grassroots organization working to fulfill a vision of a world free from oppression and the threat of war, where resources are directed to human and environmental needs. Our local chapter is part of the New York State Affiliate of Peace Action National, the nation's largest grassroots peace and justice organization.

Today's Peace Action organization resulted from the merger of the nation's two largest disarmament groups: the Committee for the SANE Nuclear Policy (SANE) and the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign. SANE was started in 1957 and was initially led by Norman Cousins, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Schweitzer around the issue of atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. The Campaign for a bilateral Nuclear Weapons Freeze arose in response to the Reagan Administration's drastic build-up of America's nuclear weapons arsenal. It called for an end to all nuclear weapons development, production and deployment.

A major focus of both groups was to build support for the non- proliferation and disarmament regime, working on the local, national and international levels. These two organizations were officially merged in January 1988, and SANE/Freeze changed its name to Peace Action in January, 1993.

Over the years we have worked to educate citizens about the need for nuclear arms reduction and reordered federal spending priorities. We exist to provide up-to-date information to the people of Central New York and to offer an organized structure for grassroots citizen action.

Ordinary people can change the world

At Peace Action we recognize that real change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating and organizing at the grass roots level.

When you join Peace Action CNY you become part of an effective citizen movement. We work hard to keep you informed through our monthly newsletter. You can join our nationwide Rapid Action Network to respond quickly to important legislation, via phone calls or email.

In the right to live without the threat of nuclear weapons

There are over 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world. Even after the end of the Cold War, the US and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons ready to launch in minutes.

The other original nuclear weapons states - Great Britain, France and China - are likewise not disarming; meanwhile Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea and possibly Iran have joined the "nuclear club," with other countries not far behind. The only way to ensure that nuclear weapons will never be used - whether purposefully, or accidentally - is global abolition. We can build a nuclear weapons free world for future generations.

That war is not a suitable response to conflict

Peace Action CNY has worked for an environment where all are free from violence and war. We strongly oppose a doctrine of pre-emptive war and advocate international diplomacy in response to global conflicts, that often require long-term solutions.

We oppose the weaponization of space and the dangerous, destabilizing and ineffective Missile Defense Shield, popularly called "Star Wars." We work to promote a new foreign policy for the US based on support for human rights and democracy, reducing the threat from all weapons of mass destruction, and cooperation with the world community.