About Our Effort
What we're doing
This is an effort to support others in taking small actions against the war in Ukraine. Not all of us can attend demonstrations or devote days to political action or spreading the word. But many of us can do a little, adding our voice to others and sustaining and growing the effort. Our symbols are designed to be visible commitments to small actions, and to helping our communities keep this horrific crisis in mind.
The History of our Symbol
Creation
"The peace sign was created 2/21/58 by British graphic designer and Christian pacifist Gerald Holtom. Holtom was tasked with creating the banners and signs for a nuclear disarmament march in London, and he wanted a visual that would stick in the public's mind."
Design and Meaning
"The design is, in part, modeled after naval semaphore flags that sailors use to communicate. Holtom combined the codes for "N" (two flags angled down at a 45 degrees) for "nuclear" and "D" (one flag pointed straight up and one flag pointed straight down) for "disarmament.""
Thanks to Kusala Bhikshu, resident monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center-Los Angeles, for the illustrations and text for these two paragraphs, from their Facebook post.
Today
Because of its past use, not everyone may see the peace sign as acceptable. But given the reality of the conflict in Ukraine, and the threats made, we think it is a good time to revitalize and reinforce the deep meaning of the sign, both its original specific meaning of nuclear disarmament, and its broader meaning as a symbol of opposition to war.
The illustration is of a nuclear-capable ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) launch during a nuclear drill on 19 February this year, ordered by Vladimir Putin.
Why we're doing this
Throughout history women have mobilized to protest against war and violence, and demonstrate for peace and a more just society. Greenham Common (a protest at a US base in the United Kingdom, in the early 1980s) was a shining example of how nonviolent action can change perspectives, lives, and laws. We all cannot gather, but we all can raise our voices in our communities. We aim to support and continue the work, embodied by the women of the Greenham Common peace camp, and the many similar efforts before, and after.
Why Sunflowers?
Sunflowers are a part of Ukrainian culture, but they are something that unites the Ukrainian and Russia populations. We oppose the war, we see the vast majority of Russian people as victims as well. The sunflower reminds us that it is the war we oppose, not "Russia" as an abstraction or the people of Russia. The war is the responsibility of one man - Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin - President of the Russian Federation..