About the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY)
The National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) is a U.S.-based coalition of peace and human rights organizations that works to oppose the militarization of schools and the recruitment of young people into the military nnomy.org+1.
Origins and Purpose
NNOMY was founded in 2004 after the national counter-recruitment conference “Stopping War Where it Begins” in Philadelphia nnomy.org+1. It was created as a decentralized, flexible network to connect local, regional, and national activists, promoting communication, collaboration, and coordinated action against militarism in education nnomy.org.
Its mission is to:
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Raise awareness about the presence of military recruitment in schools.
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Provide peaceful, viable alternatives to military service for youth.
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Demilitarize schools and protect civilian public education nnomy.org+1.
Key Campaigns
NNOMY has organized and supported numerous campaigns, including:
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A National Call: Save Our Civilian Public Education – Addressing Pentagon and corporate influence in K–12 and university education, and advocating for the removal of military programs from schools nnomy.org+1.
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Divest “Your Body” from the War Machine – In partnership with CODEPINK, encouraging communities to divest from companies profiting from militarization and to offer youth alternative service opportunities nnomypeace.net+1.
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Campaigns Against JROTC and Marksmanship Training – Working to end involuntary placements in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and remove shooting ranges from schools nnomypeace.net+1.
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Winning the Peace – A national leafletting campaign to inform youth about the realities of military enlistment and alternatives Wikipedia.
Notable Achievements
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Shut down JROTC firing ranges at 11 California high schools in 2009, with similar successes in Hawaii and Maryland Wikipedia.
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Significant reductions in Marine Corps JROTC enrollment and removal of shooting ranges from multiple schools Wikipedia.
How to Get Involved
You can join NNOMY by:
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Participating in campaigns such as school counter-recruitment drives, public education efforts, Sharing winningthepeace.org on your social media and websites or joining in on divestment initiatives.
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Sharing information and organizing local events to raise awareness nnomypeace.net.
NNOMY’s work is rooted in the belief that providing all youth with peaceful, non-military pathways to success is a sign of a civilized society!