ACT for Disarmament

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ACT for Disarmament, formerly the Against Cruise Testing (ACT) coalition, was originally formed in 1982 in Toronto to oppose the Canadian government's agreement to test U.S. cruise missiles in Canadian territory. It evolved into a broader Canadian grassroots organisation, focussing on peace, ecology, and human rights. In 2004 ACT became known as ACT for the Earth.

The initial protest occurred on February 12, 1983, about 45 hours after the umbrella weapons testing agreement was announced in Canadian Parliament, during ACT networks demonstrated throughout Canada against the agreement. Several similar protests in that year were also organized by the ACT.

ACT evolved into ACT for Disarmament, which began to take on a holistic vision for peace and the environment.

In August 1984, ACT for Disarmament published the first issue of The ACTivist, a monthly newsletter promoting peace and ecology. The Activist was delivered free of charge.

In 1985-86, ACT engaged in continuing protests against the cruise missile testing drawing tens of thousands of people into the streets. In 1986, ACT launched the International Campaign for the Innu and the Earth to support the Innu struggle against NATO's low-level flight-testing in Nitassinan (Labrador).

On September 30, 1988, ACT picketed the Israeli Consulate in Toronto as part of the international day of action to demand the release of Mordechai Vanunu, charged with treason for revealing Israel's nuclear arsenal. ACT then launched the Canadian Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu. During October-November 1988, ACT held election-time rallies and vigils held in support of Innu demands to meet Canadian government ministers.

In 1989, during October 11-14, ACT staged demos, sit-ins and sea actions against the presence of the nuclear-capable USS Constellation in Vancouver. On October 23 1989, ACT co-sponsored the first ever forum on East Timor in Toronto. Members of the ACTivist editorial collective aid in the formation of the East Timor Alert Network (ETAN), and began publishing regular campaign updates in the newspaper.

On February 17, 1990, ACT's "End the Invasion" march in Toronto was joined by independent peace activists from the East bloc for the first time in Canadian history. On April 3-5, Act held a Vigil outside the Federal Court to support an Innu injunction against low-level flying.

In 1991, ACT for Disarmament became a co-founder of the Conscientious Objectors' Registry in response to the Gulf War as part of a joint initiative with Conscience Canada, the Canadian Friends Service Committee and Mennonite Central Committee Canada.

In 1992, ACT for Disarmament and INFACT won a victory in a boycott of General Electric, when on November 23, the company decided to discontinue its manufacturing of strategic nuclear weapons.

From 1993-95, ACT for Disarmament coordinated Annual International Days of Action for the Innu and the Earth. This expanded to an international week of action, from October 12 to 19, in 1996.

In 1998, the ACTivist switched from a newspaper for peace, ecology and human rights to a Magazine format to address the challenges of activism.

In January 2003, The ACTivist Magazine joined the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War. The new ACTivist Magazine Editor staged a 13-day Fast for Peace, calling on the Toronto City Council and the Canadian Federal Government to oppose the invasion of Iraq. In June, the ACTivist became one of the founding member organizations of the Making the Links Coalition, an organization formed to draw attention to the connections between the practices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). On September 9, 2003, The ACTivist, through the Making of the Links Coalition, assisted in organizing a historic teach-in on the WTO and FTAA in Toronto, featuring Naomi Klein, the Yes Men and an audiovisual hook-up to activists in Cancun, Mexico, including Maude Barlowe and Vandana Shiva. On September 26, The ACTivist held Justice Ain't Just Us, a benefit concert, featuring David Rovics, in Toronto. In October, The ACTivist joined the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke.

In January 2004, the ACTivist entered its 20th year. In June 2004, the ACTivist became a co-founder of the War Resisters Support Campaign. Leading up to October 14-16, the ACTivist helped organize Media Democracy Day. On October 22, The ACTivist Magazine held its 20th anniversary celebrations during the culmination of Media Democracy Week.