The Peace Economy Project researches military spending, educates about the hazards of an unchecked military-industrial complex and advocates for conversion from a military- to a more stable, peace-based economy. We focus our attention on local weapons manufacturing, arms proliferation and worldwide militarization. We collaborate with other organizations to raise consciousness about where our tax dollars are invested and to encourage others to reinvest in their communities.
As of February 2013, PEP continues to focus on sequestration, advocating for protecting discretionary spending for social programs and cutting the Pentagon budget. They have also brought in Jasmin Maurer to serve as the Executive Director. Sylvester Brown continues to serve as a board member.
In August 2014, the shooting of Michael Brown shook the nation and the city of St. Louis. In the Ferguson aftermath, many organizations increased focus on gun violence, police militarization, racism and other issues highlighted in those protests. The Peace Economy Project was no exception.
Following Ferguson, PEP joined both the Don’t Shoot Coalition and the Drone Free St. Louis coalition to work against increased police militarization, surveillance and armament. PEP also received a small grant from the Deaconess Foundation in 2015 to research youth violence in St. Louis. The research will be completed in Fall 2016.
