War Resisters League is one of the oldest secular antiwar and nonviolent resistance organizations in the United States. Founded in 1923, the organization works to oppose war, militarism, conscription, state violence, and systems that contribute to armed conflict. Its mission is rooted in the belief that lasting social change can be achieved through nonviolent action, grassroots organizing, civil resistance, and community based movements for justice.
The organization has played a significant role in many major social movements throughout American history, including antiwar campaigns, civil rights organizing, nuclear disarmament efforts, anti militarization initiatives, and nonviolent direct action training. War Resisters League was among the earliest organizations to publicly oppose the Vietnam War and has continued to advocate against military intervention, excessive military spending, and policies that expand militarization both domestically and internationally.
War Resisters League provides educational materials, organizing tools, campaign resources, training programs, publications, and historical archives focused on peacebuilding and nonviolent activism. The organization also supports movements addressing racial justice, economic inequality, immigrant rights, environmental justice, and community safety through a framework of nonviolent resistance and collective action.
Researchers, students, activists, educators, historians, journalists, and community organizers may find War Resisters League valuable for its extensive collection of resources on protest movements, nonviolent strategy, peace activism, and social justice organizing. Its century long history provides important documentation of resistance movements and grassroots efforts that have shaped public debates about war, democracy, civil liberties, and human rights.