La'Onf is an organization in Iraq that doesn't make headlines in the United States. It's members advocate for nonviolence and they've been organizing in Iraq's most deadly neighborhoods and cities.
"There is not only violence in Iraq, there is something more," says Ismaeel Dawood, a founding member of the organization, "people are building peace and seeking real change. Today LaOnf exists within the polarized and dangerous political environment of Iraq where if you speak about resistance you are accused of supporting terrorists and advocating violence; but if you speak about nonviolence you are accused of supporting the occupation. La'Onf seeks to create a third way with its message that nonviolence is a tool to resist occupation and terrorism."
The organization just held its third annual Week of Nonviolence in Iraq. Here are a few photos. You can see many more here.
La'Onf event in Sadr City on October 11th. (Photo courtesy La'Onf)
Sadr City, Baghdad, October 11: La'Onf organizers held a nonviolence workshop with women from Al-Sadr City to discuss prevention of electoral violence and the importance of the upcoming provincial elections as a potential process for nonviolent political and social change.
College of Education for Girls in Najaf on October 14th. (Photo courtesy La'Onf)
Najaf, October 14: The Najaf branch of La'Onf at the College of Education for Girls. Organizers hung the La'Onf banner and pasted posters on billboards. The La'Onf table was surrounded by students who asked about the organization. The group talked with the students about elections. Around 250 students gathered around the table. The group presented special materials on La'Onf and its goal of the nonviolence campaign to the Dean of the Education College and to staff and professors and heads of departments and didn't face any problem or opposition. Iraqi media was there. Events were also held at Najaf's schools of management, economics and engineering.
Hanging posters in Diyala on October 15. (Photo courtesy La'Onf)
La'Onf organized games for youth in Mosul on October 16. (Photo courtesy La'Onf)
Mosul, October 16: During the
2008 La'Onf Week of Nonviolence, La'Onf members organized athletic
games for youth at the Amal Club in Mosul. The La'Onf message to the
young people was: "The election box is the best way to erase violence
and terrorism."
La'Onf hands out flowers to public officials in Salahuddin on October 16. (Photo courtesy La'Onf)
Salahuddin, October 16: La'Onf member organizations in Salahuddin ended the Week of Nonviolence with "The Campaign of Flowers." All day, nonviolent activists from La'Onf gave flowers to students, government administrators, police, business owners and other city residents.
