Recent Events

CFPA held it's 45th Annual Commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings on Monday, August 5, in Princeton. About 50 attended the Commemoration, which was keynoted by peace activist, Shiho Burke, and also featured CFPA expert, Jeff Laurenti, peace music performed live by The Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, and Origami crane folding instruction on Hinds Plaza.  There was a moment of silence at 7:15 PM, which was chosen because it corresponded to 8:15 AM Hiroshima time, the exact moment when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The Commemoration closed with candlelight and song.

Scroll below for photos and links to the full video recording and speakers' manuscripts.

CFPA Board Vice-Chair and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Marc Tolo emceed. 

The Solidarity Singers, led by Bennet D. Zurofsky, performed "Soon and Very Soon", "Rainbow Race", "Genbaku O Yurusumagi - Never Again the A-Bomb" and other peace songs.

Jeff Laurenti gave an historial perspective -- from the 1945 bombings, through the nuclear arms race, to the major nuclear arms reductions of the 1980s -- and a 21st century perspective on the challenges we face now, with a new nuclear arms race and the looming expiration of the New START Treaty, the only remaining nuclear arms restraint among the countries that hold nuclear weapons. He also spoke on actions people can take in advocating against the current threats of nuclear technology. 

Peace activist, Shiho (Kikuzaki) Burke, shared her family's experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, including her mother's survival, which both informs and drives her peace activism. 

Ms. Burke has traveled the world to educate people on the devastating effects of the many nuclear tests over decades, and the ongoing threat to humanity and our planet posed by the continued existence of nuclear weapons.

Click here to watch a recording of the Commemoration, and click the closed-captioning button on the video recording, if needed.

Click here for a PDF manuscript of Jeff Laurenti's talk.

Click here for a PDF manuscript of Shiho Burke's talk.

Please click here or on the image below to watch a recording of the Global Justice at a Crossroads? The International Criminal Court's Impact Over 20+ Years webinar, which was presented by CFPA and United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia (UNA-GP) via Zoom on July 31, 2024.

About 60 attended the program, which was moderated by Lana Ulrich, Esq. Panelists were Enid Adler, Attorney; Representative, 1998 - Present, of Philadelphia Bar Association to the NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) and the Washington Working Group for the ICC (WICC); Jennifer Trahan, Clinical Professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and Director of the Concentration in International Law and Human Rights, New York University; Convenor Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression (GIPA); CICC and WICC; Roger Clark, Board of Governors Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University at Camden’s School of Law; Drafting Committee of International Criminal Court Treaty (ICC); and Elizabeth Evenson, International Justice Director, Human Rights Watch; Former Secretariat Director, CICC; WICC. A robust Q&A segment followed.

This event was also co-sponsored by The Philadelphia Bar Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania.

On June 16, 2024, Coalition for Peace Action's Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore, a leader in multifaith peacemaking for over 46 years, preached a sermon titled The Things That Make for Peace at the 10:30 AM Christian Worship Service at The First Baptist Church of Princeton. Click here to view a recording.

CFPA honored three outstanding peacemakers and presented keynote speaker Katrina vanden Heuvel for this year's Program on June 9. About 85 attended in-person. Please see photos and a link provided to view a recording of the event below.

CFPA member Richard Moody (second from left) presented the honor to Sivaram Chelluri, long time Chair for CFPA’s Peace Education Committee,
with CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman and Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore.

CFPA Treasurer, Mark Pepper (second from left), presented the honor to Yael Niv, President of the Good Government Coalition of NJ,
with CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman and Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore.

CFPA member and Princeton University nuclear expert, Dr. Frank von Hippel (second from left), presented the honor to fellow Princeton University physicist,
co-founder and Board President of Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction, Dr. Stewart Prager,
with CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman and Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore.

Keynote speaker, Katrina vanden Heuvel addresses a packed room at Christ Congregation in Princeton.

Katrina vanden Heuvel with CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman and Executive Director, The Rev. Robert Moore.

Click below to watch a recording of Ms. vanden Heuvel's presentation.

Please click here or the image below to watch a recording of the Earth Day Webinar, which was held via Zoom on April 21 with three excellent speakers: Dr. Timmon Milne Wallis, Executive Director of NuclearBan.US and author of Warheads to Windmills: Preventing Climate Catastrophe and Nuclear War, CFPA Board Member, Erica DeKranes, and Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project of New York State. A Q&A segment followed their outstanding presentations.

This event was co-sponsored by CFPA, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the United Nations Association - USA, NuclearBan.US, Sane Energy Project, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Granny Peace Brigade, Philadelphia, and Citizens Climate Education, Philly Chapter.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt and the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, Daniel C. Kurtzer keynoted CFPA's 2024 Membership Renewal Program at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton on April 7, 2024. Nearly 100 attended either in-person or via livestream. A Q&A Session followed. The Program was preceded by a free light lunch for members who had contributed their 2024 memberships. Scroll below for photos and a link to view the recording.

CFPA Board Treasurer Mark Pepper gives an introduction of Amb. Kurtzer.

Amb. Kurtzer presents.

Amb. Kurtzer fields questions from the audience, accompanied by Rev. Bob Moore.

Click here to view a recording of the presentation and Q & A Session.

CFPA Executive Director Rev. Bob Moore and Advocacy Co-chair Kip Cherry co-led a delegation from CFPA, Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction, and Friends Committee on National Legislation that met with Kyle Melander, District Director of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to lobby on peace and nuclear weapon issues at the Newtown, PA office on Thursday, February 1.

Click here or below to view the livestream recording of the 2024 Multifaith Service honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which was held on January 15th at Nassau Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Carla Jones Brown was preacher, and a wide range of faith leaders co-led the Service. A pick-up choir performed a selection of inspirational music throughout the Service.

The event was co-sponsored by Coalition for Peace Action and Princeton Clergy Association. About 250 attended in-person, and about 350 watched either via livestream or by viewing the recording.

On December 14, 2023, CFPA's Annual Holiday Peace Gathering began on Palmer Square with a Vigil for Peace on Earth. About 30 attended.

CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman, joined by her son, Paul, and many others attend the Vigil for Peace on Earth
in front of Tiger Park on Palmer Square in Princeton.

The event then moved across the street, to the Assembly Room of Nassau Presbyterian Church, where more than 40 guests gathered for a potluck meal and a Program honoring Irene Etkin Goldman's 20 years as CFPA Board Chair. A dozen speakers presented, and peace music, including a Sing-A-Long, was performed by David Brahinsky.

(Above) Honoree, Irene Etkin Goldman, holds a Peace Pebble, CFPA's highest honor, presented by Executive Director, Rev. Bob Moore and Rev. Carol Haag.
(Below) Group shot of Program attendees. Photos generously contributed by David Crow.

Click here to see the Facebook album from the Program.

About 400 attended Coalition for Peace Action's 44th Annual Multifaith Service and Conference for Peace on November 12, 2023, either in-person or online. An additional 150 have viewed video recordings of the event as of 11/28/23. The Most Reverend Archbishop John C. Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM, preached, and faith leaders from a wide range of major world religions co-led the liturgy for the 11:00 AM Multifaith Service for Peace at Princeton University Chapel.

Click the image below to watch a recording of the Multifaith Service.

Archbishop John C. Wester preaches at CFPA's 44th Annual Multifaith Service for Peace, at Princeton University Chapel.

In addition to leading the multifaith service in the morning, Archbishop Wester spoke at the afternoon conference, which was held from 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM in-person at Christ Congregation in Princeton, and on Zoom. Our other speakers were nuclear weapon issues expert, Prof. Frank von Hippel, of Princeton University, and co-founder of Princeton's Program on Science & Global Security; Raisa Rubin-Stankiewicz, lead state organizer for the youth-led gun-violence prevention group, March for Our Lives, filled in last minute for Elena Perez; and author and activist, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the women-led peace group CODEPINK. It was an informative afternoon with excellent, in-depth content on the multiple peace crises facing us right now.

Click the first image below to view the video recording of the Conference on CFPA's YouTube Channel.

Prof. Frank von Hippel presents at CFPA's 44th Annual Conference for Peace, at Christ Congregation, Princeton.

Please click on the image below to view a recording of CFPA Executive Director, Rev. Bob Moore's Just Peace Sunday Sermon given at Christ Congregation in Princeton.

CFPA  held a Commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings on Tuesday, August 8, in Princeton. About 125 viewed the Commemoration in-person or on Facebook Live.  The event was co-sponsored and hosted by the Princeton Public Library, which also provided soft drinks and desserts.

Origami peace crane folding in Hinds Plaza.

All were invited for a bring your own picnic dinner in Hinds Plaza where there was paper crane folding instruction. The event included peace music by The Solidarity Singers of the NJ Industrial Union Council, and multigenerational presenters with Dr. Stewart Prager as the keynote speaker.

The Solidarity Singers, led by Bennet D. Zurofsky, performed "Down by the Riverside", "Soon and Very Soon", "Rainbow Race", and other peace songs.

CFPA Board Vice-Chair and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Marc Tolo emceed. 

CFPA summer intern Sofia DaCruz gave an update on the No Wars, No Warming campaign. She was followed by Erica DeKranes, CFPA board member and Allentown, NJ Councilwoman. Dr. Prager, professor emeritus of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University, and an affiliated faculty member with the Program on Science and Global Security (SGS), presented on Opposing the Increasing Peril of Nuclear Weapons.  Dr. Prager's current activity is concentrated on the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction – an organization to inform, engage, and activate physicists on the issue of nuclear threat reduction, of which he is a co-founder.

Erica DeKranes presenting on ways to involve younger generations in advocating against the current threats of nuclear technology. 

Dr. Stewart Prager giving his keynote presentation on Opposing the Increasing Peril of Nuclear Weapons.

The event was also streamed live on Facebook. Click here to watch the Facebook Live recording!

On Thursday, August 3, CFPA spearheaded a one-hour hybrid meeting with Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-3) and his foreign policy advisor Numa St. Louis, with a delegation that included four in-person and five online. Rep. Evans and Mr. St. Louis listened carefully, and the meeting concluded with a list of asks by CFPA on peace and climate justice legislation. Earlier in 2023, CFPA had an in-person meeting with a staffer to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1); and Zoom meetings with Representatives Kim (NJ-3) and Watson Coleman (NJ-12); and staffers to Representatives Houlahan (PA-6) and Scanlon (PA-5).

In addition to those meetings, we advocated with a senior staffer to Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-6) that he co-sponsor H. Res. 77 in support of the UN's Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and steps toward that end, and he did so. Our delegations also requested that in our meetings with Representatives Kim and Watson Coleman, and they also co-sponsored.

After a sold out 1:00 PM showing of Oppenheimer at the Princeton Garden Theatre on Sunday, July 23rd, the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction presented an expert panel discussion including a Q&A, on the current dangers of nuclear weapons use and opportunities to reduce them. CFPA co-sponsored the event, which was also live streamed to the CFPA Facebook page, and can be viewed by clicking here.

Please click here or the image below to watch a recording of the No Wars, No Warming Webinar, Ending Climate and Nuclear Crises for the Next Generations, which was presented by CFPA and United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia (UNA-GP) via Zoom on July 16.

About 70 attended the program, which featured author-activists Dr. Timmon Milne Wallis, Executive Director of NuclearBan.US who wrote Warheads to Windmills, a call to transition from the old economy to a new Green Peace Economy, and Dr. Joseph Gerson, President of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security (CPDCS), Co-chair of the Committee for a Sane U.S.-China Policy, and Co-Convener of the International Peace and Planet Network. The program also included an interview by CFPA's summer intern, Sofia DaCruz with remarkable youth peace champion Okezue Bell, a Nigerian-American student and STEM inventor, and a 2023 Global AI Ambassador. A brief Q&A segment followed.

This event was co-sponsored by NuclearBan.US, Physicians for Social Responsibility, The Welcoming Center, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Greater Philadelphia Branch, and Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security.

On June 17, a CFPA delegation joined many Princeton community organizations and many 100s of marchers in the 2023 Princeton Pride Parade, organized by The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. CFPA sold many rainbow Peace Caps before the parade!

CFPA honored Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and presented keynote speaker Dr. Trita Parsi for this year's Program on June 4. About 80 attended, either in-person or virtually, to recognize Rep. Watson Coleman's persistent, strong peace leadership and to hear Dr. Parsi present Can America Become a Peacemaker Again?  Please see photos and a link provided to view a recording of the event below.

Special thanks to Andrea Kane, for all photography.

At CFPA's Annual Membership Program Sponsor Reception (from left to right), The Rev. Robert Moore, CFPA Exectuve Director; Ed Aguilar, CFPA Pennsylvania Director; Keynote Speaker, Dr. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of The Quincy Institute; Irene Etkin Goldman, CFPA Board Chair; Honoree, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman; Kip Cherry, CFPA Advocacy Committee Co-Chair; New Jersey State Senator, Andrew Zwicker.

Honoree, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman addresses the audience.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Trita Parsi delivers his presentation.

You can view a recording of the presentation and Q & A Session on CFPA's YouTube channel by clicking here. To enable closed-captioning while viewing the video, hover your cursor on the video to reveal the controls, and click on the "Settings" icon (looks like a gear) at the bottom right of the video, then select "Subtitles/CC" to turn them on. Click here to view CFPA's Facebook album of photos from the event. 

In the wake of a surge of mass shootings and gun violence across the U.S., and in conjunction with the 24th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, the youth led March for Our Lives NJ (MFOL) organized — and CFPA co-sponsored — a Rally Against Gun and Police Violence, which took place on April 20 at the NJ State House Annex in Trenton.

The Rev. Robert Moore, CFPA Executive Director, — under which Ceasefire NJ is a Project — keynoted the lineup of nine speakers. Click here to read a PDF manuscript of his speech.

CFPA Director, The Rev. Robert Moore speaks against gun violence.

There were also stations to write letters to legislators in support of the legislation in question and to make signs/posters. MFOL NJ also organized a lit drop at legislators' offices with one pagers focused on bills that would give civilian review boards subpoena power (A1515), ending qualified immunity (S375/A1006), and the New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act (S2937/A2215) [and potentially same day voter registration].

Please click here or the image below to watch a recording of the Earth Week Webinar "Water: Source of Life and Development of the Earth", which was held via Zoom on April 19 with three excellent speakers:  Keynote Speaker, Ingrid Timboe, Policy Director at Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA); Okezue Bell, 2023 Climate Global Ambassador for the United Nations Association, UNA-USA; and Molly Jones, C-Change Conversations, Director of Development and Outreach. A Q&A segment followed their outstanding presentations.

This event was co-sponsored by CFPA, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the United Nations Association - USA, Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, C-Change Conversations, Global Water Alliance, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Please click here or the image below to watch a recording of the CFPA-sponsored webinar, DISTORTED VISIONS: How we ended the cold war but lost the peace, which was held via Zoom on April 11. Through his presentation, Ambassador Jack F. Matlock, Jr. offered deep insight into the mistaken policies that led up to the Ukraine War. Amb. Matlock's presentation was followed by a Q&A segment.

CFPA presented An Insider's View of Setting the Doomsday Clock with Prof. Robert Socolow for this year's Gathering on March 26. Over 80 attended, either in-person or virtually, for a rare opportunity to hear from a member of the prestigious committee at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that decides each year how to set its famous Doomsday Clock. Mr. Socolow's presentation was followed by a robust Q&A session.

You can view a recording of the presentation and Q & A Session on CFPA's YouTube channel by clicking here or on the photo below. Prof. Socolow is a bit soft-spoken, so you may want to use closed-captioning while viewing the video. To enable it, hover your cursor on the video to reveal the controls, and click on the "Settings" icon (looks like a gear) at the bottom right of the video, then select "Subtitles/CC" to turn them on.

Click here to read Prof. Socolow's presentation manuscript.

CFPA's PA Director, Ed Aguilar, pictured above with Miss Global USA 2023, Danielle Alura, President of the UN Association of Greater Philadelphia and CFPA Board Member, Manisha Patel, and UNA-GP Officer and Director of Peace Day Philly, Lisa Parker.

Ms. Alura headlined the 2020 Earth Day Webinar for CFPA, where she highlighted her #NoExcuseforSingleUse campaign, which led to Philadelphia's and other cities' bans on single use plastic in stores. This campaign has been mirrored in movements from the Caribbean to the Philippines!

On Friday, February 24 – the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine – CFPA sponsored a Vigil in Tiger Park on Palmer Square in Princeton, NJ.

About 40 people attended the Vigil, which was held from 12:00 - 12:40 PM and was followed by a short Rally at which CFPA's Executive Director, the Rev. Robert Moore spoke. As part of his Rally speech, Reverend Moore read his recent op-ed "A Diplomatic Surge is Needed to Prevent Endless War and Reduce the Nuclear Danger in Ukraine" and also shared a recently published Letter to the Editor from CFPA member and former fighter pilot, Richard Moody.

Click here to view a recording of the Rally.

CFPA Board Chair, Irene Etkin Goldman with CFPA Executive Director, the Rev. Robert Moore at the Vigil.

Please click here or the image below to watch a recording of the 2023 Sacred Heart Gathering for Peace and Justice webinar, which was held on February 11th by Sacred Heart Peace Community of Camden, New Jersey. Two outstanding scholars presented on the topic: Dr. Mark Doorley, Director of Villanova's Ethics Program, and William O'Keefe, Catholic Relief Services' Executive Vice President for Mission and Mobilization. The presentations were followed by a Q&A segment. Nearly 70 attended via Zoom. 

Please click here or below to view a recording of this timely and educational presentation by Larry Hamm, held on February 7th and sponsored by CFPA, in collaboration with Not In Our Town-Princeton and People's Organization for Progress. About 75 attended the webinar.