History
History of Massachusetts Peace Action
From the nuclear disarmament campaigns of the Cold War to today’s organizing for diplomacy, climate survival, and human security, MAPA’s work has grown from a clear demand: choose people over war.
Overview
National roots, Massachusetts organizing
Peace Action and Massachusetts Peace Action share a history rooted in nuclear disarmament, grassroots pressure, and public education.
Peace Action’s national roots
Peace Action began in 1957 as the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy, known as SANE. The Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign began in 1980 in Massachusetts and soon became a national movement. SANE and Freeze merged in 1987 to form SANE/Freeze, then changed its name to Peace Action in 1993.
MAPA’s statewide role
Massachusetts Peace Action began in the 1980s as Massachusetts Freeze, an affiliate of the nationwide Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign. Since becoming Massachusetts Peace Action in 1993, the organization has continued nuclear disarmament work while broadening its focus to peace, diplomacy, social justice, and a smaller Pentagon budget.
Timeline
Key moments
Key moments in MAPA’s evolution from nuclear disarmament organizing to today’s campaigns for peace and human security.
SANE begins
Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy
Peace Action began as SANE, a national response to the nuclear arms race and nuclear testing. This became the foundation for later peace and disarmament organizing.
The Freeze starts in Massachusetts
Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign
The Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign began in Massachusetts and grew into a national movement demanding a halt to the nuclear arms race.
SANE and Freeze merge
SANE/Freeze is formed
The national SANE organization and the Freeze Campaign merged to form SANE/Freeze, joining two major strands of nuclear disarmament organizing.
Massachusetts Peace Action
A broader peace agenda
SANE/Freeze became Peace Action nationally, and Massachusetts Freeze became Massachusetts Peace Action, continuing disarmament work while expanding into broader peace and justice campaigns.
Priority campaigns
Ukraine, climate, nuclear danger, and the Pentagon budget
MAPA established three priority campaigns: Ukraine: A Time for Peace; warning of the twin existential threats of nuclear war and climate change; and Fund the People, Not the Pentagon.
Gaza Israel Peace Campaign
Campaign added in October
MAPA added the Gaza Israel Peace Campaign in October 2023, extending its organizing around diplomacy, human rights, and an end to war.
Organizing today
Grassroots pressure and public education
MAPA focuses on grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and community education, linking peace and disarmament to human needs at home.
Get Involved
Help continue the work for peace
MAPA’s history is built through members, volunteers, donors, organizers, and communities pushing for diplomacy and human security.