November 23, 2025 At a spiritedNo War on Venezuelarally in San Francisco, theUS Peace Memorial Foundationpresented the2025 US Peace Prizeto longtime antiwar organizerGerry Condon, honoring more than five decades of courageous resistance to U.S. militarism and nuclear weapons.

The ceremony, attended by activists from across the country, opened with a stark message: the United States remains a nation deeply shaped by war. In remarks delivered by the Foundation, the audience was reminded that the countrys military footprintfrom the genocide against Indigenous peoples to the post-9/11 bombing campaigns in the Middle East and North Africahas left a trail of destruction unmatched in modern history.

During my lifetime, the U.S. has bombed at least thirty countries, killing millions and maiming tens of millions more, the Foundations president stated. Since World War II, no other country has murdered and injured more people. The speech emphasized that while soldiers and wars are publicly celebrated, Americans who work for peace are often marginalized or vilifiedreinforcing a culture of war that has spiraled out of control.

Honoring Those Who Resist War

Founded in 2005, theUS Peace Memorial Foundationis the only U.S. organization dedicated solely to honoring antiwar activists, documenting their work in theUS Peace Registry, awarding the annualUS Peace Prize, and raising funds to build a future national peace monument.

Since 2009, the US Peace Prize has recognized influential peace advocates including:

• Friends Committee on National Legislation

• National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth

• Costs of War

• World BEYOND War

• Christine Ahn

• Ajamu Baraka

• David Swanson

• Ann Wright

• Veterans For Peace

• Kathy Kelly

• CODEPINK

• Chelsea Manning

• Medea Benjamin

• Noam Chomsky

• Dennis Kucinich

• Cindy Sheehan

This years finalistsGerry Condon, Joseph Gerson, National Priorities Project, and Timmon Walliswere selected from an extensive roster of nominees documented in the Peace Registry.

A Life of Defiance and Dedication

In announcing the award, the Foundation highlighted Gerry Condons lifetime of nonviolent resistance, beginning with his refusal to deploy to Vietnam in 1968. Instead of participating in the war, Condon publicly denounced the draft, deserted the U.S. Army, and became a leading voice in the GI resistance movement.

Over the decades, Condon has written extensively on war abolition, nuclear disarmament, and the fight against genocide; given speeches around the world; coordinated international delegations; and traveled to conflict zones to stand with communities most harmed by U.S. military action.

His leadership roles include serving as president ofVeterans For Peace, president of theGolden Rule Committeewhich coordinates voyages of the historic anti-nuclear sailboat Golden Ruleand decades of organizing with theTask Force on the Americas.

2025 US Peace Prize Citation

The Foundation formally presented the award with the following citation:

For Courageous Resistance to War, Long-term Leadership of Veterans For Peace & Opposition to Nuclear Weapons.

As Condon accepted the award to warm applause, the Foundation emphasized that this recognition is more than symbolic: it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for public resistance to U.S. militarism.

Thank you, Gerry, for your crucial work to end U.S. war, militarism, threats of war, and nuclear weapons, the presenter said. The US Peace Prize will help call attention to and reinforce your important work for peace.

The ceremony closed with a renewed call for Americans to speak out, organize, and challenge a political system where war is normalized and peace remains marginalized.

Ending the U.S. culture of war begins with honoring those who dare to oppose it, the Foundation affirmed. By celebrating these role models, we help spark the cultural shift our nation desperately needs.

Pressenza New York