October 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan. Beginning October 4th, join peace activists from all over the country to mark this occasion during an inspiring weekend of actions, training, and lobbying in DC. Find a comprehensive calendar of events below and please check back for updates.


Tuesday, October 4

1 – 5 pm: Training – Nonviolent Direct Action at St. Stephens Church on 1525 Newton St. NW. 


Wednesday, October 5

1 – 5 pm: Training – Peacekeeping at St. Stephens Church on 1525 Newton St. NW. 

6 – 8 pm: Kickoff EventLet’s Get this Revolution Started at Busboys and Poets 1025 5th Street Northwest ( 5th and K street).

Join Code Pink at the kickoff event, Let’s Get This Revolution Started!, to mark the eve of the October 2011 events in Freedom Plaza/DC. Listen to awesome peace troubadour David Rovics, meet and greet other activists, get up-to-date info from the organizers, and get inspired for the exciting days ahead. We’ll have music, speakers and spoken word, along with a best sign and best chant contest (with “valuable” prizes). Cost: A Hand-made Sign and a Heart-felt Chant.

7 pm: Film Event Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives, The Environmental Footprint of War at West End Cinema 
23rd St, NW (between M and N, Entrance on 23rd).

Join Peace Action staff, members and friends for a screening of a unique, gripping documentary by pro-peace and environment Washingtonian activists Alice and Lincoln Day, that explores the environmental effects of war.


Thursday, October 6

All Day Event – October 2011 at Freedom Plaza located located on the corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. 

Rejecting the decade-old US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, thousands of concerned Americans will assemble in Freedom Plaza to demand just and sustainable solutions to the environmental, economic, and security challenges which confront the United States. 

October 2011 Event Schedule for Thursday the 6th.

9 am: Arrival in Freedom Plaza – registration to receive information and sign up to volunteer, teach classes and join a committee.

12 pm: Concert and Rally – featuring The Raging Grannies, Head Roc and Junkyard Empire, and spoken word artists as well as Rabbi Michael Lerner, Ashley Sanders, Cheri Honkala, Glen Ford and Kevin Zeese.

2:30 pm: Acitivities off Freedom Plaza

6:30 pm: Evening Program – featuring the music of Emily Angell, Emma’s Revolution and Watermelon Slim and Elaine Brower, Jacob George of A Ride Til The End, The Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, Ted Rall and Chris Hedges.

9 pm: Candlelight vigil


Friday, October 7

12 pm: Rally During the Hearings on the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC. Meet at the 14th St. entrance between Pennsylvania Ave. and Constitution Ave. 

The Rally During the Hearings on The Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline is now the biggest environmental decision facing the President before the next election. The rally will kick off one month of escalating actions across the country, culminating in a giant action on November 6th back in DC – one year from the next election – that will try to encircle the White House.

6 – 9 pm: War Voices: Building Community After a Decade of Struggle at Home and Abroad at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church 1830 Connecticut Ave NW, near Dupont.

Through a unique of series of speakers, cultural performances, and art, War Voices will explore the ongoing occupation of Afghanistan. The evening will feature speakers from many perspectives, including Afghan civilians, veterans and military families of the Global War on Terror, as well as a cross-section of social justice advocates, activists, and organizers.

October 2011 Event Schedule for Friday the 7th.

9 am – 12 pm: Workshops and classes (schedule TBA)

12 – 1 pm: Lunch

1 – 3 pm: Activities off Freedom Plaza

3 – 5 pm: Committee meetings

5 – 7 pm: Open mic on main stage

7 – 10 pm: Evening Assembly including music and arts and committee reports. Evening assemblies will be livestreamed.


Sunday, October 9

12 pm: Protest the Illegal Activity of the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland.

If you are concerned and want to stop the shredding of the Bill of Rights, consider protesting the work of the National Security Agency, located at Fort Meade, Maryland. The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance as part of http://october2011.org/ is organizing a protest.