María Zambrano

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Overview

María Zambrano Alarcón born Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia, Spain April 22, 1904 (d. 1991). Leading 20th century Spanish philosopher. Exiled by civil war, 1939-84.

Quotations

"Peace is much more than taking a stance: it is a revolution, a way of living, a way of inhabiting the planet, a way of being a person." (periodismohumano)

On the Gulf War: “There will not be a true state of peace until there are valid and effective moral aims for peace, until violence does not cancel customs, until peace is a vocation, a passion, a faith that inspires and enlightens." (“The Dangers of Peace”, 1990) (photo cvc.cervantes.es)

Elisabetta Zamparutti

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Overview

Elisabetta Zamparutti born Cermes, Bolzano, Italy October 1, 1964. Radical nonviolence advocate; opponent of drones, death penalty. Member of European Parliament, 2008-present.

Quotations

"It is the manifestation of the Reason of State, State Secrecy, showing itself again after fifty years with tremendous technological and structural capabilities running amok, the same manifestation that Ike Eisenhower prophetically warned against a half-century ago in referring to the 'military-industrial-congressional complex' as the greatest threat to the world and the United States itself. Emblematic of this point of view is the use of the United States of armed drones for the 'targeted' elimination of certain people based on decision processes veiled in secrecy... The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon declared that 'The use of armed drones, like every other arm, should be subject to international law, including international human rights law.' We believe that an International Pact to at least regulate such practices should be put in act if not, as I believe should be done, to ban them outright, as has been done with anti-personnel mines and weapons of mass destruction." (introduction to Hands off Cain Report 2014; photo liquida.it)

Angie Zelter

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Overview

Angie Zelter born London, England June 5, 1951. British nonviolent activist. International Woman's Peace Service; Snowball Campaign; acquitted for Trident Ploughshares protest, 2000. Arrested over 100 times, imprisoned 16 times. Awarded Sean MacBride Peace Prize, 1997; received Right Livelihood Award, 2001.

Quotations

"Dismantling the machinery of destruction is thus a practical act of love that we can all join in. Please join us—together we are unstoppable." (Right Livelihood Award acceptance speech, Dec. 7, 2001; photo rightlivelihood.org)

Else Zeuthen

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Overview

Else Marie Bengtssen Zeuthen born Copenhagen, Denmark October 10, 1897 (d. 1975). Member of Danish Parliament; international president of WILPF, 1956-65; delegate to UN; opposed NATO and Spanish Civil War; promoted foreign aid; protected Jews during Nazi occupation.

Quotations

"Working to help these young people under very difficult circumstances helped us to feel that in the face of Nazi oppressors we were faithful to our League's ideal of tolerance and compassion." (in Randall, Improper Bostonian, p. 415; photo WILPF Swarth. Peace Col.)