The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC) was formed to organize and
mobilize the youth and student response to Bush's open-ended, so-called "war on terror."
This broad-based youth and student led coalition was formed shortly after the tragic events of
September 11, 2024 and has worked to build strategic, long-term opposition of youth and
students to the war, both at home and abroad. We believe that young people have an
important role to play in taking back our democracy-on our campuses, out in the streets, and
at the ballot box. NYSPC believes that the struggle for social and economic justice is key to
the struggle for peace and we are committed to engaging and including youth of color,
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth, working class and other marginalized youth.
See our list of member organizations. Learn about the Books Not Bombs Agenda.
What we do
Since our founding in late 2001 we have worked strategically to develop national campaigns that will
advance youth-led social change through education of our peers and non-violent means of protest.
We are committed to building a well informed and effective grassroots movement of youth and
students that challenge our government's drive for empire and war. In the past we have employed
various methods to educate and mobilize our peers including: March 5th, 2003 Books Not Bombs
National Student Strike NYSPC was key in organizing this historic student strike against the war on
Iraq which included the participation of over 450 college and high school campuses. On March 4th,
2004 we held another "Books Not Bombs" day of action, which focused on linking the domestic issues
of war—including attacks on civil liberties, militarization of campuses, funding for education, military
recruitment, and the prison-industrial complex—with the war abroad.
National Demonstrations
NYSPC has been involved in the organization of several national demonstrations including the April
20th, 2002 demonstration against the War on Afghanistan, the historic February 15th, 2003 "World
Says No to War" demonstrations, October 25th, 2003 March on Washington against the Occupation
of Iraq and the regional demonstrations to mark the anniversaries of the war on Iraq. We're currently
mobilizing the youth and student presence at the national March for Peace, Justice & Democracy in
NYC on April 29, 2006.
NYSPC is also a proud member of United For Peace and Justice and serves on its Steering
Committee. To learn more about UFPJ visit www.unitedforpeace.org.
Educational Work
NYSPC is dedicated to helping provide materials and link activists with resources that will help
organize and inform youth and students. From outlining the details of the "poverty draft" to
highlighting the connection between global justice struggles and the anti-war movement, NYSPC
through its member organizations and affiliates across the country has organized numerous
workshops, panel discussions, teach-ins and other educational events for youth and students
interested in advancing the Books Not Bombs agenda.
Realities of War Speaking Tour
Youth and students around the country deserve to hear the real truth behind the war on Iraq and
learn what they need to do in their communities. Learn about and discuss:
In Iraq: Returning veterans, military families and civilians who have traveled to Iraq will share their
experiences and discuss the devastating reality of war in Iraq.
In our high schools: Young activists will discuss the militarization of our schools and the targeting of
young people of color and working class youth: the "poverty draft."
In our universities: Student government leaders and activists will talk about the budget crises on our
campuses and the impact of the war economy on education.
In our communities: Discuss the attack on our civil liberties, the targeting of Muslim, Arab and
immigrant communities and the repression of dissent.
Participating speakers include: Black Voices for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Muslim
Students Association, National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth, Student Peace Action
Network, United States Students Association, NYSPC, + more.
NYSPC Policy Positions:
NYSPC opposes...
- U.S. military occupation and modern day colonialism including: foreign control of land, water,
agriculture, infrastructure, and governance; as well as U.S. financial and political support of another
government to do thereof (i.e. Vieques, Philippines, and Palestine).
- U.S. military offensives and retaliation against entire nations and groups of civilians in the name of
attacking individual "terrorists" and "terrorist networks" (examples include but are not limited to:
Afghanistan, Palestine, North Korea, China, Iraq, Iran, etc.)
- Ethnic cleansing and genocide-Use of the military to block humanitarian and medical aid for
civilians, block access to press and international observers and to destabilize and destroy
communication systems.
- Defining "terrorism" as exclusively individual attacks on civilians while sanctioning state
ordered police and military terrorism of civilians. NYSPC opposes both state and individual acts of
terrorism and the depiction of whole nations of people as "terrorists".
- Massive incarcerations and detentions of civilians by police and military
NYSPC supports...
- Human rights of all people including their right to live in peace, access to quality healthcare,
education, water, housing, food; freedom of speech, press, information, religion, and mobility; the
right to a fair trial by their peers; and the right of women to control their own bodies.
- The self-determination of all peoples, their right to democratic self-governance, control of public
land, infrastructure and resources, and the international recognition of that governance.
- The right of return for refugees
- International peacekeeping efforts to resolve conflict and restore public infrastructure where it has
been damaged and destroyed.
- U.S. restitution and reparations for policies and military aggression that has damaged the health,
wealth, and well being of its' domestic and international victims.
- The investigation and prosecution of international war crimes
To learn more and get involved, join our e-list by contacting us at NYSPCinfo@gmail.com.
