December 1 — International Prisoners for Peace Day
December 1st is dedicated to the Prisoners for Peace Day. For over 60 years, War Resisters’ International (of which P.E.A.C.E. is an associate member) have on this day, announced the stories and names of those imprisoned because of their actions for peace. With the goal of refusing to join the military, many are conscientious objectors. Others have taken nonviolent actions to disrupt preparation for war.
This day provides a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your support for those individuals and their movements, by writing to those whose freedom has been taken away from them because of their work for peace.
December 3 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The International Day of Disabled Persons was established in 1992 by the United Nations. This day has become an annual observance day to celebrate and support the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, to raise awareness when thinking about political, social, economic and cultural life involvement.
In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted, after many years of UN’s work in the field of disability. This convention has furthered the rights and well-being for people with disabilities, through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks, such as the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action.
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is the Jewish eight-day celebration of the wintertime “festival of lights”. This festival is often observed with lighting a ceremonial candelabra called a menorah, reciting special prayers and eating foods such as latkes — fried pancakes made with potatoes or other vegetables.
December 21 — Soyal
On December 21st, the shortest day of the year, the Hopi and Zuni Indians celebrate Soyal: a winter solstice ceremony, The Peaceful Ones. This ceremonial ritual is intended to bring the sun back from its long winters.
Per the website, this ceremony is celebrated over a period of 16 days which starts with prayers and supplications and ends with a feast and Kachina Dance. The Native American name for this important ceremony is ‘Soyalangwul’ from which the term ‘Soyal’ is derived.
December 26 to January 1 — Kwanzaa
