🟪 60 Years of Peace, Anti-War, and Arms Control Organizations

Peace Isn’t Passive: These Groups Made It a Movement

Jul 09, 2025

I began this resource as a personal retrospective—a way to reflect on decades of peace activism.

But in today’s world of escalating wars, record defense budgets, and rising authoritarianism, it’s also a useful tool for action. These organizations—some historic, many still active—show how people have pushed for alternatives to war through protest, diplomacy, disarmament, and grassroots organizing.

As a Baby Boomer whose activism began in response to the Vietnam War, I’ve seen protest evolve, movements rise and fall, and new generations carry forward the call. Many of these organizations I’ve come to know through news coverage, rallies, conversations, and lived experience.

These 50 organizations—local and global, grassroots and institutional, even one government-affiliated—represent the broad, shifting terrain of peace advocacy over the past 60 years. Many groups overlap categories, but each is listed by its primary focus and ordered chronologically by founding or peak influence year within that focus.

☮ Peace & Anti-War Movements

Grassroots and national organizations opposing war, militarism, and violence—often through protest, education, and direct action.

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) (1917–present): A long-standing peace organization with Quaker roots, engaging in anti-war efforts, humanitarian aid, and advocating for social justice and peace. They were particularly active during the Vietnam War era with draft counseling and aid and continue their ongoing work on peace and social justice.

Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) (1915–present): A long-standing interfaith pacifist organization committed to nonviolence and working for peace and justice. They had a strong influence during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War era and continue their ongoing work in pacifism and social justice.

War Resisters League (WRL) (1923–present): A pacifist peace organization with a long history of anti-war activism and a focus on nonviolent resistance. They have maintained a consistent influence in pacifist and anti-war movements throughout various conflicts.

Women Strike for Peace (WSP) (1961-present): A women's peace organization founded in 1961 to protest nuclear weapons testing and later the Vietnam War. While its legacy remains influential, WSP does not appear to maintain an active national organization or website as of 2025.

Another Mother for Peace (1967–present): A women’s peace organization that emerged to protest the Vietnam War and continues to advocate for peace. They had significant visibility during the Vietnam War and saw renewed attention in the early 2000s with the Iraq War.

Grandmothers for Peace (1982–present): A women’s peace organization advocating for an end to war and violence. They have maintained a consistent voice in peace movements, gaining visibility during various conflicts and with symbolic presence at protests.

Peace Action (1987–present): Formed from the merger of SANE and the Freeze Campaign, with a focus on both arms control (particularly nuclear disarmament) and broader peace and anti-war advocacy. They have continued to exert influence on nuclear disarmament and peace advocacy. Washington affiliate in Snohomish County

Seattle Liberation Front (SLF) (1969-1971): A more radical, local anti-war and social justice organization based in Seattle, Washington. It engaged in protests and direct action, often with a focus on local issues connected to the broader anti-war movement. Their influence was primarily within the Seattle area during their active years.

Code Pink: Women for Peace (2002–present): A peace and anti-war organization known for its activism against U.S. military interventions and for promoting peace through nonviolent direct action. They have maintained significant visibility and activism during the post-9/11 wars and ongoing anti-war efforts. Washington chapter in Seattle.

United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) (2002–present): A large coalition of peace and anti-war groups that organized protests against the Iraq War and advocates for a peaceful foreign policy. Their peak activity was in organizing massive protests against the Iraq War in the early 2000s.

Not in Our Name (2002–mid-2000s): A peace and anti-war initiative that emerged in opposition to the U.S.-led “War on Terror” and the invasion of Iraq. It organized protests, public statements, and educational campaigns based on a pledge of resistance to these policies. Their peak influence was during the lead-up to and early years of the Iraq War.

Win Without War (2003–present): A peace and anti-war organization advocating for progressive foreign policy, emphasizing diplomatic and non-military solutions to international conflicts. They continue to promote alternatives to military intervention.

Beyond the Bomb (Mid-2010s - present): A more recent grassroots movement focused on nuclear disarmament and preventing nuclear war, actively engaging younger generations through online activism and advocacy. Their influence is growing, particularly in raising awareness among younger demographics about nuclear risks and advocating for policy changes.

World Beyond War (2014–present): A peace organization advocating for the complete abolition of war and promotion of nonviolent solutions to conflict. They are a growing movement with increasing international engagement.

Reclaim the Streets (1990s) / Occupy (2011–present): Emerging first as direct-action protest movements in Europe and later influencing the U.S., these groups challenged militarized capitalism and government power. The Occupy movement, in particular, raised awareness of global inequality, economic injustice, and the role of militarism in sustaining empire. Their peak visibility was in the early 2010s, with lasting influence on activist culture.

Black Lives Matter (2013–present): While primarily focused on racial justice, the movement also addresses issues of militarization and police violence, connecting to broader peace and anti-war concerns. They have had a significant influence on public discourse around militarization and systemic violence.

☢ Arms Control, Disarmament & Nonproliferation

Groups advocating for nuclear disarmament, international treaties, and policies to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

SANE (National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy) (1957–1987): Focused primarily on arms control, specifically nuclear disarmament, but also engaged in broader peace and anti-war advocacy, particularly against the Vietnam War. They had a significant influence during the Cold War. (Merged with the Freeze Campaign to form Peace Action.)

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (1957–present): Based in the United Kingdom, CND became a global symbol for nuclear disarmament, especially through its use of the now-iconic peace symbol. While not U.S.-based, it influenced U.S. anti-nuclear protests and solidarity efforts, especially in the 1980s, and continues its advocacy for global nuclear abolition.

U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) (1961–1999): A government agency focused on arms control policy and negotiations. They had their peak influence during the Cold War era in negotiating arms control treaties.

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) (1961–present): Works at the intersection of arms control and peace, educating about the medical and public health consequences of nuclear weapons and war, advocating for their abolition and prevention. They were highly influential during the nuclear arms race of the 1980s and continue their work on the health consequences of conflict and environmental threats. Washington chapter in Seattle.

Council for a Livable World (1962 - present): Works to eliminate the threat of nuclear war and reduce excessive military spending. They have exerted influence particularly during periods of heightened nuclear tension and arms control negotiations throughout the Cold War and its aftermath, notably during debates surrounding arms control treaties and in their early years, coinciding with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) (1969–present): While working on a range of science and policy issues, UCS has a significant program focused on global security, advocating for nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, and reduced military spending. They gained significant influence during debates on nuclear weapons and arms control and continue their work on global security.

Nuclear Freeze Campaign (1980s): Primarily focused on arms control, advocating for a bilateral freeze on nuclear weapons production, testing, and deployment, with strong ties to the peace movement. They had their peak influence during the 1980s, significantly shaping public discourse on nuclear weapons. (Later merged with SANE to form Peace Action.)

Arms Control Association (ACA) (1971–present): Primarily focused on arms control, dedicated to promoting public understanding of arms control policies through research and education. They have maintained consistent influence in providing analysis and advocating for arms control policies.

Ploughshares Fund (1981–present): A grant-making foundation focused on nuclear disarmament and preventing the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, while also supporting efforts to prevent conflict and promote peace. They have maintained consistent influence as a funder and advocate.

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (1981 - present): Primarily focused on arms control, providing analysis and advocating for policies to reduce nuclear dangers and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. They have maintained a consistent role in shaping policy debates and informing decision-makers on arms control issues.

Zangger Committee (1971–present): An international nuclear export control group focused on preventing the spread of nuclear materials and technology. It has had a sustained influence on global nonproliferation.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) (1974–present): A multinational initiative that plays a significant role in coordinating export controls to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation.

International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) (1992–present): Primarily focused on arms control, successfully campaigning for the ban on antipersonnel landmines. They reached their peak influence in the mid-1990s, leading to the Ottawa Treaty.

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) (2007–present): Focused on arms control, advocating for and achieving the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. They reached peak influence leading to and following the adoption of the Treaty in 2017 and were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that same year.

Global Zero (2008–present): Primarily focused on arms control, advocating for the global elimination of nuclear weapons through policy advocacy and public education. They continue efforts to build political will for nuclear disarmament in the 21st century.

Beyond the Bomb (Mid-2010s - present): While the group played an important role in engaging younger generations on nuclear disarmament issues, its current status is uncertain. Its website is inactive as of 2025.

🎓 Student & Youth Movements

College and youth-led organizations that energized anti-war activism, especially during the Vietnam War era.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) (1960s): Primarily a peace and anti-war organization, deeply involved in protesting the Vietnam War. They reached their peak influence in the mid-to-late 1960s during the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement on college campuses.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) (1960–1970s): While primarily a civil rights organization, SNCC took a strong stance against the Vietnam War in the mid-to-late 1960s, connecting it to issues of racial and economic justice. Their peak influence was during the Civil Rights Movement, with their anti-war stance gaining prominence later in the decade.

National Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam (1960s): Focused on peace and anti-war activism, organizing large-scale demonstrations against the Vietnam War. They reached their peak influence in the active mid-to-late 1960s during the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Student Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (SMC) (1960s–1970s): A significant national student-led organization that coordinated large anti-war demonstrations and had a presence on many college campuses. They reached their peak influence in the mid-to-late 1960s and early 1970s during the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Vietnam Moratorium Committee (1969): A nationwide protest effort rather than a formal organization, the committee helped coordinate massive anti-war demonstrations across the U.S. on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, 1969. These events drew millions of participants—including on smaller and more conservative campuses—and marked a turning point in broad public opposition to the war. Their decentralized model allowed widespread campus and community involvement.

New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (New Mobe) (1969-1971): A coalition of various anti-war groups that succeeded the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (NMC). New Mobe organized large-scale protests including the November 1969 Washington march and coordinated regional actions around the country. It played a key role in mobilizing students, clergy, veterans, and labor allies during the height of public protest against the war.

GI Movement (1960s–1970s): An anti-war movement within the U.S. military, advocating for peace from the perspective of active-duty personnel. Their activity and influence peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s.during the Vietnam War as an internal military anti-war movement.

✝️ Faith-Based Peace & Justice

Religious organizations that connect nonviolence, compassion, and justice with peace-building efforts around the world.

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) (1943–present): A Quaker lobby in the public interest, advocating for peace, justice, and environmental stewardship through legislative change. They have maintained consistent influence on legislative advocacy for peace and justice, with notable periods during major conflicts and arms control debates.

Clergy and Laity Concerned About Vietnam (CALCAV) (1965-1975): An interfaith organization that brought together clergy and laypeople from various religious traditions to oppose the Vietnam War on moral and ethical grounds. They had significant influence in providing a moral and religious voice to the anti-war movement.

Pax Christi USA (1972–present): A Catholic peace and social justice movement advocating for nuclear disarmament, nonviolence, and racial and economic justice. They were particularly active during the nuclear freeze movement of the 1980s and continue their work linking faith and peace activism.

🎖️ Veteran-Led Organizations

Veterans speaking out against war and promoting peaceful alternatives based on lived experience in military conflict.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) (1960s–present): Primarily a peace and anti-war organization, advocating against specific wars and for peaceful conflict resolution, often drawing on veterans' experiences. They gained significant influence in the early 1970s during the late stages of the Vietnam War and continue to be a voice against later conflicts.

About Face: Veterans Against the War (2004–present): A peace and anti-war organization composed of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who advocate against those conflicts and for peaceful alternatives. They have been a significant voice against recent U.S. military actions.

Veterans for Peace (1985–present): A peace and anti-war organization composed of veterans advocating for the abolition of war and peaceful conflict resolution. They have seen growing influence in opposing post–Cold War conflicts, particularly the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Washington chapters in Seattle | Tacoma | Spokane.

🌍 International Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention

Organizations working globally to resolve conflicts, support nonviolence, and promote diplomacy over war.

The Peace People (1976–present): Founded in Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles, this grassroots movement advocated for an end to violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict through nonviolent civic engagement. Though based outside the U.S., they inspired peace activists worldwide—including many in the U.S.—with their emphasis on reconciliation and community dialogue. Their peak influence came in the late 1970s, when co-founders were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nonviolence International (1990–present): An international network supporting nonviolent movements and disarmament campaigns. The U.S. branch gained influence in the 1990s and continues to work on treaty advocacy, conflict resolution training, and promoting nonviolent action globally.

International Crisis Group (ICG) (1995–present): A global organization working to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts through research, analysis, and high-level diplomacy. Their influence peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s by shaping international responses to regional wars and promoting conflict prevention over military intervention.

🏛️ Government & Legislative Advocacy

Groups shaping public policy and legislation to promote peace, transparency, and a reduction in military spending.

Common Cause (1970–present): Initially founded with a strong “good government” agenda, their early influence included opposing the Vietnam War. Their primary focus later shifted to government accountability and reform.

Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) (1995–present): A nonpartisan think tank analyzing U.S. defense policy and military spending. While not explicitly anti-military, it has provided critical insight into the costs and consequences of strategic choices, contributing to broader arms control and budget debates.

List compiled in April 2025 from personal experience, research, and memory. I welcome suggestions and updates—especially for local or emerging peace organizations doing meaningful work today.