Mobilization for Survival
Mobilization for Survival was organized in the fall of 1976 by a small number of U.S. and European World Peace Council activists.[1]
About
The organization had national offices until the close of the Second UN Special Session on Disarmament in the Church of All Nations at 48 St. Marks Place, New York, NY. MFS made its first formal appearance on April 23, 1977, at a conference in Philadelphia led by individuals active within the WPC, Chicago Peace Council, WILPF, WSP, AFSC, CALC and related groups.
Sidney Peck, a former Communist Party USA functionary, explained MFS's origins by noting that the WPC, in cooperation with the ICDP and Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, controlled by the Japanese Communist Party, were "working closely with nongovernmental organizations the world over to create the maximum impact on the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament in late May 1978."[1]
Winding Down
MFS has been to a considerable extent superseded by the June 12 Disarmament Coalition partly to protect MFS's tax-exempt status and for legal considerations since the Coalition was involved in civil disobedience planning. MFS's "educational" role allows it to serve as a communications network for local environmental and anti-nuclear power groups promoting their participation in disarmament activities; and to prepare disarmament information packets for outreach to churches, hospitals and trade unions.[1]
Personnel
Leaders of the organization included British disarmament activist Peggy Duff of the International Confederation for Disarmament and Peace; Sidney Peck; Sidney Lens; Ron Young, AFSC; Michael Klare; Terry Provance; David McReynolds and Norma Becker.[1]