Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 is the St. Paul, Minneapolis chapter of Veterans for Peace, a left-of-center membership organization of veterans that campaigns against nuclear proliferation and the use of war, while supporting increased funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. ^{1 2}

Background

Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 was established in 1988 as a tax-exempt charitable organization. The group became the St. Paul, Minneapolis chapter of Veterans for Peace, a left-of-center membership organization founded in 1985 consisting of veterans and supporters that oppose foreign intervention, proliferating nuclear weapons, militarizing of law enforcement, and usage of war as a tool of policy. ^{3 4}

Activity

Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 provides engagements in demonstrations, lobbying, and advocacy discussions. The group also produces a quarterly newsletter, hosts guest speakers, and provides table exhibitions at events in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. ⁵

Campaigns

As of 2024, advocacy campaigns maintained by Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 include a campaign to abolish nuclear weapons, a “counter recruitment” campaign to discourage students from joining the military or military programs, a campaign to support the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a campaign to support the Kellog-Briand Pact (an international agreement signed by Germany, France, and the United States following World War One that seeking to outlaw war), a campaign against the use of drones in the military, a campaign for full disclosure of information relating to the Vietnam War, and a campaign to support veterans who have been deported. ⁶

Projects

Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 supports several projects including the Iraq Water Project, which aims to deliver clean water to Iraqi civilians; Peace Bus, a mobile peace house; and Peace Stock, an annual retreat featuring presenters, musical performances, and community programming. ⁷

Newsletter

Veterans for Peace Chapter 27’s newsletter, Veterans for Peace News, provides political opinion articles by members of the organization. The featured article for its Spring 2024 newsletter, “When Occupation becomes Apartheid,” describes the State of Israel’s policies as “ethnic cleansing,” and “apartheid.” ⁸

Partner Organizations

Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 claims on its website to work with left-of-center organizations including the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers, Women Against Military Madness, the Anti-War Committee, Code Pink, and World Citizen. The organization also notes it stands “in solidarity” with other left-of-center groups and movements including Black Lives Matter, First Nation Issues, and 350.org. ⁹

Financial Status

According to its last publicly available filing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 2010, the group had reported $23,232 in revenue, $19,065 in expenses, and $9,929 in total assets. Since 2011, it has filed the IRS e-Postcard, declaring gross receipts of less than $50,000 per year. ^{10 11 12}

1. “Veterans for Peace Inc 27 Minneapolis St Paul Chapter.” ProPublica. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223195286
2. “Who We Are.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.veteransforpeace.org/who-we-are
3. “Veterans for Peace Inc 27 Minneapolis St Paul Chapter.” ProPublica. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223195286
4. “Who We Are.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.veteransforpeace.org/who-we-are
5. “Our Work.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/our-work/
6. “Our Work.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/our-work/
7. “Our Work.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/our-work/
8. VETERANS FOR PEACE NEWS. Spring 2024, volume XXXVII, Issue 1. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VFP-Spring-2024.pdf
9. “Our Work.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/our-work/
10. “Donate.” Veterans for Peace. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://vfpchapter27.org/donate/
11. “Veterans for Peace Inc 27 Minneapolis St Paul Chapter.” ProPublica. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223195286
12. Veterans for Peace, Chapter 27. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2010. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/753009451/202313079349301641/full