Did you know that global military spending reached 1.75 Trillion US dollars in 2012?
Monday, April 14, 2014 has been declared as the fourth Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS), coinciding with the release by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) of its annual statistics on global military spending. The GDAMS initiative was co-founded in 2011 by the International Peace Bureau and the Institute for Policy Studies.
GDAMS urges global citizens to take action to focus political, public, and media attention on global military spending and the need for new priorities. Military spending stands as the major obstacle to addressing the human needs and environmental crisis globally. Here in the US, Tax Day actions will be held on April 15 and some groups will combine GDAMS actions with those.
How to Participate in GDAMS
Locally: Visit http://demilitarize.org/action-events/ to find an event being organized in a city near you. Post your event to let others in your area join you.
On the Web: Take part in the recently launched “If I Had $1.75 Trillion…” ‘selfie’ campaign to collect your opinion as well as to create public awareness on what the budget currently invested in the military sector could be reallocated to instead. Don't forget to also post your picture to EarthAction's Facebook Wall or tweet it to @EarthAction.
Feeling Motivated?: Gather some friends and fellow activists, find a busy street corner or a public space like a military base, capitol building or town hall and make signs articulating the true cost of military spending. Click here to see the GDAMS effective tools for organizers including posters, facts sheets, and printable leaflets. Tell your local radio station, newspaper, television station or other media agency that you’ll be out spreading the word about your government’s military spending.
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