The Topanga Peace Alliance is a secular, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice on a local and global level. We are committed to seeking peaceful means of dispute resolution throughout the world; preserving life and defending basic human rights at home and abroad; and advocating practical, nonviolent alternatives to war.

If you join a fight for social justice you may win or lose, but just by being
part of the struggle, you win, and your life will be better for it. - Howard Zinn

Film Night


Topanga Peace Alliance presents:

by filmmaker Ron Schmidt, SJ. 

September 3,  2010 at 8:00 pm

 On the Line depicts what happens when a group of activists and celebrities
risk arrest to protest US foreign Policy in Central & South America.

 

 The film features Susan Sarandon , Martin Sheen,  Fr. Roy Borgeois, and John Perkins,  as well as students who were willing to risk arrest. 

  The protest centers around the effort to close the  US army school,  School of the Americas/WHINSEC which trains Latin American soldiers,

 many of whom have been recorded violating human rights after returning from this school  to their countries.

 The film is inspiring in its depiction of the courage shown by people continuing to protest even in the stifling atmosphere for 1st amendment rights post 9-11.

The filmmaker will be present at the screening. 

 He has won the Silver Telly for two of his films. 

Screening at:

Yoga Desa, September 3,  2010 at 8:00 pm

120 N Topanga Canyon Blvd
Topanga, CA 90290
A potluck of light snacks precedes the movie at 7:30 pm in front of Yoga Desa.

Los Angeles to Israel: Building a Bridge to Peace

Thursday September 16
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m

Topanga Peace Alliance presents:

A Forum on Building Peace in the Middle East.

 

At the Topanga Community House from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.  By hosting this event, the TPA seeks to increase awareness and share opportunities for action and education on solutions in Israel and Palestine and to bring to the larger community stories of those who are working for peace, justice, and nonviolent solutions in the region. Select presenters will report on their work to heal the current situation in the Middle East, followed by a facilitated question and answer session and dialogue open to all, focused on actions and solutions toward building a lasting peace in the region.

Among the participants are Americans for Peace Now (Shalom Achshav), the most prominent American-Israeli Jewish grassroots organization working to achieve a political settlement to the conflict, promoting peace agreements and mass demonstrations, and monitoring Israeli settlement activity; LA Jews for Peace, group of Jewish Americans committed to peace in the Middle East through a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, which promotes the human and national rights of the Palestinian people; and Rabbis for Human Rights, which seeks to prevent and redress human rights violations in Israel and to relate this shift to Jewish tradition and sources.

From the Archives:

News

Topangans Rally for Peace

From: Topanga Messenger

By Dan Mazur

Rush hour commuters who found their drive through the Canyon delayed on Friday evening, November 1, can blame it on the Bush administration's aggressive foreign policy. Beginning at 4 p.m. that afternoon, over 200 Topangans lined the shoulder of the Boulevard, waving signs and chanting in a spirited protest against a possible war with Iraq.
VOL.26 NO. 23
November 14 - 27, 2002
NEWS INDEX:

PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER

Topangans join a new Topanga Peace Alliance to demonstrate for peace in front of Pine Tree Circle on November 1.

The rally, which began on a slightly gray and cold afternoon and continued until well after dark, was followed by a forum on issues of war and peace at the Topanga Elementary School auditorium.
The line of protesters stretched from the corner of Old Topanga to Hidden Treasures. It was a real Topanga happening, albeit one sparked by global concerns. There were musical instruments, colorful costumes and hula-hoops. Whole families turned out to express their opinions to the passing motorists with signs that ranged from Vietnam-era favorites--"War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things," to the Gulf War's "No Blood For Oil" and the latest anti-Bush sentiments --"We Need Regime Change--Here in the U.S."
The event was organized by the newly-formed Topanga Peace Alliance. Inspired by the large peace march in Westwood on September 26, a small group of Topangans began meeting in early October to discuss what could be done on a community level to protest the Bush administration's war intentions. The plans came together very quickly.
"A group of us got together with similar interests, being opposed to the resolution that was passed," said Topanga Peace Alliance member Connie Whalley, referring to the Senate and Congressional resolutions granting President Bush authority to use military force in Iraq.
Information was passed by word of mouth and e-mails, and flyers were printed, resulting in the well-attended rally and forum, three weeks later.

General Meeting


Date & Time:    Friday August 20th @ 7:30 p.m.
Location:           Topanga Community House,
1440 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Topanga Canyon 90290


Help with the planning of our two upcoming forums!
Help local high school students find alternatives to the military !

We hope you can join us at our monthly meeting this Friday, April 16th at 7:30 (6:30 for Sing-a-Long) at the Topanga Community House, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.  We will be organizing a forum and salon to learn from and build bridges with the Israeli Peace Movement, a forum on ending corporate personhood with David Cobb, and launching our "opt-out drive" in San Fernando Valley High Schools to provide students with alternatives to military recruitment.  All this and more actions yet to be announced!  Your help is needed!  As always, we hope you can come and help us to make a difference. 


Come early at 6:30 for a sing-a-long with Linnea Richards

Cost:     Donations accepted!

Please bring:  Munchies and non-alcoholic drinks – and an open heart and mind

Contact:  Julie @ (310) 455-9389

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"TPA" is a moderated list allowing its members to send information consistent with the TPA mission statement. Expect on average, including announcements regarding TPA events and actions, about three e-mails per day.
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"TPA-2" is limited to announcements regarding official TPA endorsed events and actions – a total of about three e-mails per month.
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Check out the TPA Library

Come to the New TPA Library and borrow or lend a book or DVD.
See the current PDF lists of titles here:
 

Make a Tax Deductable Donation to the Topanga Peace Alliance

To make an online credit card donation
enter your desired contribution amount.

For donations exceeding $3,000, please email donations@ihcenter.org
Donation Amount

Donations go to IHCenter/Topanga Peace Alliance

Topanga Peace Alliance is a program of International Humanities Center,
a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.