This page includes historical documents and statements by the Peace Alliance. Most recent items first.
Peace Alliance Statement on Venezuela (11/1/25)
The Chico Peace Alliance is appalled by the U.S. military’s extrajudicial killing of fishermen from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago—whom the Trump administration has labeled as drug traffickers without evidence, due process, or accountability to Congress, and then employed military force without proper authorization.
We call on President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cease their open threats to attack and overthrow Venezuela’s lawfully elected, sovereign government. We call for the immediate withdrawal of US troops now menacing the coast of Venezuela. Reports of a massive naval buildup—including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and cruise missiles—raise serious concerns that the administration is preparing for a war of aggression in Latin America. Such military action opens the possibility of undeclared war on any country named a "bad actor." Venezuela possesses large reserves of oil and gas. The US has waged a covert campaign to destabilize Venezuela and has imposed devastating economic sanctions on Venezuela for many years. The Venezuelan people have suffered enough harm already at the hands of US administrations.
Chico Peace Alliance stands firmly against war and supports all service members who refuse to participate in illegal wars at home or abroad. We urge all Americans who believe that extrajudicial killings are illegal and that it is the sole role of Congress to wage war to stand up against the attacks on Venezuela.
We call on President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cease their open threats to attack and overthrow Venezuela’s lawfully elected, sovereign government. We call for the immediate withdrawal of US troops now menacing the coast of Venezuela. Reports of a massive naval buildup—including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and cruise missiles—raise serious concerns that the administration is preparing for a war of aggression in Latin America. Such military action opens the possibility of undeclared war on any country named a "bad actor." Venezuela possesses large reserves of oil and gas. The US has waged a covert campaign to destabilize Venezuela and has imposed devastating economic sanctions on Venezuela for many years. The Venezuelan people have suffered enough harm already at the hands of US administrations.
Chico Peace Alliance stands firmly against war and supports all service members who refuse to participate in illegal wars at home or abroad. We urge all Americans who believe that extrajudicial killings are illegal and that it is the sole role of Congress to wage war to stand up against the attacks on Venezuela.
A Brief History of the Chico Peace Movement
The Chico Peace Alliance continues the work of the peace movement in Chico, which began in 1962. During the tense Cold War years of the early 1960s, the U.S. military began construction of Titan missile silos and bunkers to house nuclear warheads on Keefer Road in northeast Chico. Alarmed by this development, Chico resident Wilhelmina Taggart made weekly visits to the base to pray. Florence McLane and Helen Kinnee joined in Willa’s efforts, and eventually, the missiles were removed. Together, these three women established the Chico Peace Endeavor and began holding weekly peace vigils in downtown Chico. Over sixty-five years later, the Vigil still takes place at the corner of 3rd and Main, every Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
In the early 1980s, the three founders and others agreed that Chico needed a center where people could meet to organize for change. They envisioned a place where people could come together to access information about peace and justice issues and educate each other on non-violent philosophy and action. The Chico Peace & Justice Center opened its doors in 1982 on Walnut Street and incorporated on September 13th, 1983.
Over the years the Center actively organized to address issues that include nuclear weapons, U.S. militarism, war tax resistance, poverty, hunger, violence, military youth recruitment, racism, sexism, LGBTQ rights, minority and immigrant rights, gun control, the death penalty, Central American and Mexican violence related to U.S. policies, and U.S. military intervention in other countries. Due to a variety of problems, the Chico Peace and Justice Center permanently closed in 2020.
The Peace Alliance was formed in 2022 and is a growing number of people who support non-violent advocacy for peace and social justice--locally, nationally, and globally. We welcome all people who would like to join in efforts to promote peace in our time and in the future.
In the early 1980s, the three founders and others agreed that Chico needed a center where people could meet to organize for change. They envisioned a place where people could come together to access information about peace and justice issues and educate each other on non-violent philosophy and action. The Chico Peace & Justice Center opened its doors in 1982 on Walnut Street and incorporated on September 13th, 1983.
Over the years the Center actively organized to address issues that include nuclear weapons, U.S. militarism, war tax resistance, poverty, hunger, violence, military youth recruitment, racism, sexism, LGBTQ rights, minority and immigrant rights, gun control, the death penalty, Central American and Mexican violence related to U.S. policies, and U.S. military intervention in other countries. Due to a variety of problems, the Chico Peace and Justice Center permanently closed in 2020.
The Peace Alliance was formed in 2022 and is a growing number of people who support non-violent advocacy for peace and social justice--locally, nationally, and globally. We welcome all people who would like to join in efforts to promote peace in our time and in the future.
Chico Peace Alliance Statement on Israel/Palestine
The CPA coordinating committee shares with the global community a great sadness at the suffering and death of many in the war that is raging in Gaza. We call for these steps to reduce suffering and achieve peace and justice in the region:
1st An immediate negotiation for an end to the fighting, with a cease-fire in place as soon as possible, is the first step. An extended war, no matter the political rationale, will result in suffering and death, destruction and increased hostility, in both communities. Seven wars on Gaza in this century have not led to peace. Peacemaking is the only way to end this war and to prevent future ones.
2nd During any continuing conflict, the protection of civilians on all sides is the responsibility of us all. Neither the assault on civilians by Hamas, nor the excessive bombing of Gaza, can be justified under international law since non-combatants are to be protected by all parties. Revenge and disproportionate destruction have no place among civilized communities and are destructive to all, including future generations needing to live in harmony.
3rd An international gathering should be called to address the root causes of the conflict and to develop remedies consistent with international law in order to achieve human rights and security for all in the region. The ending of the military occupation of Palestine will be essential to such remedies, which must be asserted with the full weight of the international community.
4th We will need support for both Israel and Gaza for the rebuilding of structures and communities in the aftermath of the war, to aid in the recovery of normal life and the prevention of future wars.