The 
Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ), a coalition of 164 member organizations from across the state, will mark its twentieth anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 19, in Madison.
Medea Benjamin, a prominent national antiwar activist who is co-founder of the militant CODEPINK and of Global Exchange, will speak at theanniversary reception Saturday from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., Madison.
Former State Rep. and WNPJ co-founder Frank Boyle also will speak.
WNPJ will also honor the more than 50 people who attended the 1991 founding meeting and are still WNPJ members today. Other attractions include live music by the Raging Grannies, a short video about WNPJ’s history by local filmmaker John Quinlan, unique silent auction items, and posters and pictures from decades of peacework. There will also be food, drink and birthday cake.
The event is free and open to the public.
WNPJ has work groups active on anti-war and anti-militarism issues, immigration justice, prison reform and environmental and energy issues. Its mission is to facilitate activities, cooperation and communications among Wisconsin organizations and individuals working toward the creation of a sustainable world, free from violence and injustice.
WNPJ grew out of statewide grassroots opposition to the first Gulf War. On Feb. 23, 1991, more than 350 people from 60 communities across the state crowded into the Capitol Assembly chambers to oppose the ground war that began that day. Boyle called the meeting. Other WNPJ co-founders and early leaders include State Sen. Fred Risser, Nan Cheney, Midge Miller, Steve Braunginn and community leaders from across the state.