Imagine what will happen when the millions of Americans who oppose the government’s escalating militarism proclaim in unison, WE CHOOSE PEACE! WE’RE BOYCOTTING WAR! … (Homepage 1/2). … a one page website with sub-links…
Why; How; Yes, but … ; Specific concerns; Cost-benefit; Civil disobedience; Some thoughts;
Sample letter; Learn more; Links, resources; OMTFP’s history: scroll totally down;
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Homepage 2/2: … There are many ways to boycott war, including:
- refuse to serve in the military;
- refuse to fund the military;
- fund peacemaking, social justice, environmental, health, and education programs
- be vocal in your community and to your legislators about your opposition to war and desire for peace and social justice;
- refuse to purchase war toys or see movies or shows that glorify violence;
- cut down on fossil fuel consumption;
- use language of cooperation and connection rather than that of competition and separation:
- practice kindness;
- working for campaign funding to be only from public monies
- and more …
One Million Taxpayers for Peace provides resources about one strategy for boycotting war, « symbolic war tax resistance. » What this means is, that one refuses to pay a very small portion–symbolically, $10.40–of federal taxes that fund the military and war. This site discusses why someone might want to do symbolic war tax resistance, how to do it, and answers frequently asked questions, called yes, but.
If you deliberately deduct $10.40 from your tax payment, you will be committing civil disobedience, and following in the footsteps of many courageous Americans whose acts of conscience led the country to positive reforms, such as abolition, women’s vote, and civil rights laws. (The Role of Civil Disobedience in a Democracy)
Deducting a symbolic $10. 40 from one’s taxes seems more possible for peace activists than the customary 50-100% war tax resistance. Boycotting this low amount of money makes a statement of conscience, while being so low an amount that penalties and interest are negligible. Likewise, risk is negligible; one is not at risk for harassment or arrest, nor does it put one’s car, home, or other assets in risk of collection.
War tax resistance is a centuries-old form of civil disobedience regarding taxes. War tax resisters refuse to pay taxes for war, sending their tax money instead to groups working for peace and community social needs. For those not familiar with war tax resistance, the idea is often scary, conjuring up images of jail and homes confiscated. Although such events are extremely rare for war tax resisters, most peace activists continue to pay their war taxes in full, without protesting.
One Million Taxpayers for Peace has not heard of any legal actions taken against symbolic war tax resisters … (full text).