WEEKLY PEACE CALENDAR
October 16, 2026
Monterey County
October 16, 2026
Monterey County
Quote of the Week:
“At a time of existential challenges, including more wars and conflicts than the world has seen in a long time, international law is no longer just a supplement to peace and security. It is an absolute necessity." ~ from the Norwegian Nobel Committee press release announcing the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.
All events are Pacific Time. New items are in blue.
CALENDAR EVENTS
Saturday, October 17, NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY Rallies. National day of nonpartisan voter participation. Over 3,000 rallies planned nationwide. No partisan signs please! MAP.
Aromas Tri-County Rally: 1 pm - 3 pm, The Alameda and CA Highway 156, San Juan Bautista. Sign up at www.mobilize.us/aromastricountyindivisible/event/1041530/
Big Sur Rally: 4 pm – 6 pm, Cooper Cabin Trailhead, CA-1, Big Sur. Sign up www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1043517/
Monterey: 2 pm - 4 pm – Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Blvd. Inspiring Speakers and a March to the Ballot Drop Box-Bring your Ballot! Also, a short performance of “It Can’t Happen Here–Again!,” based on the 1935 political satire and dystopian novel by Sinclair Lewis that will inspire you to VOTE EARLY! If you can, please bring non-perishable foods, hygiene items, and household goods to replenish ALL IN Monterey County's Kindness Closet. Volunteer HERE. Donate HERE. Sign up at www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1036958/
Salinas: 12 pm – 2 pm, Corner of Blanco and Main Street in Salinas (sidewalks along the Star Market parking lot). Sign up www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1034282/
Watsonville Rally: 12 pm - 2 pm, Watsonville City Plaza, 358 Main St., Watsonville. Sign up at www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/1024686
Saturdays, October 17 and 31, Sundays, October 18 and November 1, 9 am – 12 pm, in person, No on Measure H — Canvassing & Voter Outreach. Measure H would repeal Salinas' rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, anti-harassment, and rental registration protections. A NO vote keeps all four in place. Training for phone canvassing shifts provided. Meet at the Teamsters Local 856 (Central Coast Division), 207 N Sanborn Rd, Salinas. Sign up HERE.
Saturday, October 17, 7 pm - 9:30 pm. Hybrid event. Seeds for Liberation (2026) Documentary Film & Panel Discussion with director Matthew Solomon. In-person at SEIU 521 Union Hall, 517 Mission St, Santa Cruz. The film highlights the Free Palestine movement and its connections to Black, Chicano, and collective liberation movements from Gaza and the West Bank to Stop Cop City and anti-ICE organizing. This film has been shown more than 60 times in the US, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. Free RSVP; Suggested donation $15–$30. Reserve tickets HERE. Or register for Zoom at tinyurl.com/RW26Oct17. Film website
Tuesday October 20, 11:30 am - 1 pm, in person, Peace With Iran Rally outside Zoe Lofgren's, Salinas office, 142 West Alisal St. Salinas. "End Funding to this Illegal War". Organized by Peace and Friendship with the People of Iran. Endorsed by Salinas Valley Indivisible and World BEYOND War. Contact MacGregor "Greg" Eddy 831-206-5043
Tuesday, October 20, 6:30–8:30 pm, in person, Saving Walden’s World, Film & Dialog at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula (UUCMP), 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel. Former arms dealer turned peace and climate activist Jim Merkel explores sustainable living and community well-being in Kerala, Cuba, and Slovenia. Organized in partnership with the UUCMP as part of the “100 Rooms. 1 Story” grassroots initiative built around the film Saving Walden’s World. All are welcome. Reserve your spot.
Wednesdays, October 21 and 28, 12 pm- 2 pm, in person, NO on Measure H Postcard Writing at 607 S. Main St, Salinas. Packets of 20 postcards and stamps are $10 (or donate what you can). More info, email georgetriley@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 21 (and every Wednesday), 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Hour of Power weekly protest at the intersection of Harden Parkway and North Main St. in Salinas. Rally for our community and country! Stay visible! Show up with your friends and protest signs. Sign up and find more info. Organized by Indivisible Salinas.
Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, in person, How Immigrants Made the Monterey Peninsula. Stanford historian and lecturer Dr. Carol Lynn McKibben explores how immigrants and migrants shaped the Peninsula’s economy, neighborhoods, culture, and identity. Her lecture highlights the twentieth-century contributions of African American, Central American, Southern European, and Asian communities. Free admission. Register HERE.
Thursday, October 22, 12 pm- 3 pm, in person, NO on Measure H Postcard Writing at the Center for Change, 1238 Fremont Blvd., in Seaside. Packets of 20 postcards and stamps are $10 (or donate what you can). More info, email georgetriley@gmail.com
Thursdays, October 22, (and each Thursday), 8 am – 9 am, Aromas Tri-County Indivisible Castroville Crack of Dawn Bridge Brigade at the Castroville Pedestrian Overpass at Geil Street and Salinas Street, over Highway 156 in Castroville. Dress warmly. More details and sign up for multiple dates HERE.
Friday, October 23, (and every Friday), 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, in person, Salinas Overhead Bridge Protest. Gather at the Overpass Bridge behind Mount Toro High, 330 Sherwood Dr., Salinas. Sign up and find more info HERE. Find rules and protocols at Visibility Brigade. Organized by the No Nonsense Brigade.
Sunday, October 25, 7 pm – 9 pm, in-person, In Concert: Los Hermanos Vega - Son Jarocho, a music and dance ensemble from Veracruz, México. It’s an evening of traditional sones jarochos, “Veracruz Sound” rooted in African musical traditions. Palenke Teen Arts Center, 530 Elm Street, Seaside. Purchase tickets HERE. Proceeds will support programs at Palenke Arts.
Monday, October 26, 2026, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, in person, Moral Monday Peace Vigil at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey. Join Live Oak Friends Meeting (Quakers) and Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting for a silent peace vigil supporting compassion, justice, diplomacy, and the protection of human life in Gaza, Iran, and other regions affected by violence. For October, Live Oak’s usual fourth-Monday vigil in Salinas will take place at Window on the Bay in Monterey. All are welcome.
Friday, October 30, 7 pm – 9 pm, in person, Lightworkers, free film screening at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito Rd. in Carmel. Hosted by Swing Left Monterey Peninsula (Monterey, CA). Thirty-seven diverse activists, celebrities, politicians, and historians confront the problem of saving their democracy from fascism. RSVP on Mobilize
Sunday, November 1, 4 pm – 7 pm, in-person, Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Avenue, Seaside. A free community event with Ofrenda (community altar), live music and dance performances, film, food, and treats. All are invited.
Wednesday, November 11, 12 pm, in person, The 'Monster' El Niño and what it could mean for us here on the Monterey Peninsula. Join the League of Women Voters of Monterey County for a free “Lunch & Learn” at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Rd. in Carmel. Dr. Warren Blier will discuss the active El Niño and what makes it potentially historic. Q&A follows. Doors open at 11:30 am for registration. Lunch at 12 noon. Presentation at 12:30 pm. Lunch (Mediterranean fare) is $25 per person, payable at the door with cash or check. Contact Beverly Bean at beverlygb@gmail.com or (831) 236-1611 to make your lunch reservations by Monday, November 9. Find more details HERE. A video recording will be posted on the LWVMC website, under Videos.
Wednesday, November 11, 6 pm – 8:30 pm, in person, Save the Date for Reclaiming Armistice Day, an observance at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, CA. Speakers, Open Mic, and Community Potluck. Bring a story, a song, a quote, or a poem to read during the open mic segment. Watch for more details. Organized by Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey County. Vfp46.org
Thursday, November 12, 2:45 pm – 4 pm, in person, Operation Northstar, a monthly action in front of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, at the intersection of Sloat Avenue and Ninth St. Organized by Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 to provide moral support and conscientious objector resources to Naval personnel. More info at www.vfp46.org or contact Justin Loza, Justin.Loza.vfp46@gmail.com
Friday, November 13, 3 pm – 4:30 pm, in person and on Zoom, Monthly Meeting of Veterans For Peace, Monterey County Chapter 46. Members and allies are invited to attend at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside - or join via Zoom HERE. Passcode 678017. For more info, contact Chapter President Justin Loza at justin.loza.vfp46@gmail.com. More info at vfp46.org.
Wednesday, November 18, 7–9 pm, in person, Myth Lab Monterey Bay: Community Storytelling Workshop. Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Reimagine our relationship with the ocean through collaborative storytelling exploring coastal resilience, sustainability, and local action. Led by William George Paul. No writing or environmental experience needed. Admission: $5. Information: 831-224-7633. Sponsored by Resilient Communities Network & Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting
Friday-Sunday, February 19-21, A Black History Month Celebration: Exploring and Restoring Our Path to Healing through Empathy and Music, with LaVerne McLeod and Melanie DeMore at Esalen Institute, Big Sur. People of all racial and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations are welcome! Register and find more details at bit.ly/4fGlRZ7 or phone (831) 667-3000. Register soon to take advantage of preferred on-campus accommodations or the reduced rate for Monterey County residents. Contact lavernemcleod@ymail.com
ONGOING PEACE VIGILS
Moral Mondays Movement, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Join members of Live Oak Friends Meeting (Quakers) on the fourth Monday of each month on the steps of the Monterey County Courthouse, 142 W. Alisal Street, Salinas. Gather near U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s office in support of compassion, justice, diplomacy, and the protection of human life in Gaza, Iran, and other regions affected by violence.
Mondays (6 – 8 pm) and Thursdays, (6 – 7:30 pm), English Second Language Classes at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd. in Seaside. No registration necessary. Walk-ins welcome. For more information, text, or phone Catherine Crockett at 831-899-7322.
Wednesdays, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Hour of Power weekly protest at the intersection of Harden Parkway and North Main St. in Salinas. Rally for our community & country! Show up, bring your friends, and your protest signs. Sign up HERE. Organized by Indivisible Salinas.
Thursdays, 24-hour Economic Boycott! Let your economic power send a message to the big corporations that exploit workers, fuel militarism, suppress unions, or abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you must spend, try to shop locally. Resources: WagingNonviolence.org and ChooseDemocracy.us/boycott-central/
Fridays, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Peace Message Fridays at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Avenue in Monterey, organized by the Peace Coalition of Monterey County. Contact Sidney Ramsden Scott at sramsdenscott@hotmail.com
Saturdays, 1 pm - 3 pm, Defenders of Democracy: Protest at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Ave., Monterey. A nonviolent weekly action to protest the policies of the Trump regime. We the People Will Not Be Silenced!
First and Third Sundays of each month, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, Vigil For Peace, Star Market parking lot, corner of S. Main St. and Blanco Rd., Salinas. Join this public witness for peace, grounded in Quaker testimony and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s principles of nonviolent action. Sponsored by the Live Oak Friends Meeting. Email John Silva at roycamp39@gmail.com for more information.
Sundays, 3 pm - 5 pm, No Rest Until Liberation for Palestine, at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Ave in Monterey. Activities include information sharing, art, street protest, music, community, and food. Rain or shine. Organized by Monterey Palestine Solidarity, montereypalestinesolidarity@proton.me
ACTION AND INFORMATION
Voter Guides:
League of Women Voters Quick-reference to CA Ballot Propositions
Friends Committee on Legislation of California - Ballot Proposition Recommendations
ACLU Ballot Measure Voter Guide - November 3, 2026 Election
Courage California 2026 California Ballot Proposition Endorsements
More information on CalMatters 2026 Voter Guide on Propositions
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Article Why We Need to Think Outside the Box This Election by Daniel Hunter, October 16, 2026, for Waging Nonviolence
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Social Justice Calendar, a comprehensive listing of actions and events around Monterey County (and beyond, if virtual). Use it to avoid scheduling conflicts when planning your local actions and events. Contact Anita Crawley acrawley@comcast.net to add your organization’s events to the calendar.
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Local Activism:
Join/Follow Indivisible Monterey Bay and Indivisible Salinas Valley on Facebook for timely notices about local, nonviolent direct actions.
Sign up for alerts from Unite Monterey County, a pro-democracy coalition of organizations and networks in Monterey County - formed to support direct, nonviolent actions to resist the agenda of the current administration.
Stay informed about 50501 Monterey Bay actions at https://linktr.ee/50501Monterey
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Contact your legislators - issue by issue, persistently.
Members of Congress:
U.S. Senators by phone: (202) 224-3121
Congress members by email: Congress.gov
Congress members by mail: Representatives / Senators
Congress members by fax: Representatives
Contact all your officials at once by Resistbot: Resist.bot/officials
The White House and other federal agencies: usa.gov/federal-agencies
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Whites for Racial Equity. To sign up for the e-blast, email whitesforracialequity@gmail.com
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Local Advocacy: The Monterey County Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) welcomes your membership in an international women’s peace organization that has advocated for peace for more than a century. Learn more about WILPF HERE. Download a copy of the WILPF membership application HERE.
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Social Justice Calendar, a comprehensive listing of actions and events around Monterey County (and beyond, if virtual). To avoid calendar conflicts, please check it before scheduling your local actions and events. Contact Anita Crawley at acrawley@comcast.net to add your organization’s events to the calendar.
###
Local Activism:
Join/Follow Indivisible Monterey Bay and Indivisible Salinas Valley on Facebook for timely notices about local, nonviolent direct actions.
Sign up for alerts from Unite Monterey County, a pro-democracy coalition of organizations and networks in Monterey County - formed to support direct, nonviolent actions to resist the agenda of the current administration.
Stay informed about 50501 Monterey Bay actions at https://linktr.ee/50501Monterey
###
Contact your legislators - issue by issue, persistently.
Members of Congress:
U.S. Senators by phone: (202) 224-3121
Congress members by email: Congress.gov
Congress members by mail: Representatives / Senators
Congress members by fax: Representatives
Contact all your officials at once by Resistbot: Resist.bot/officials
The White House and other federal agencies:
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Local Advocacy: Whites for Racial Equity. To sign up for the e-blast, email whitesforracialequity@gmail.com
Local Advocacy: Monterey County Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) welcomes your membership in an international women’s peace organization that has advocated for peace for more than a century. Learn more about WILPF HERE. Download a copy of the WILPF membership application HERE.
PEACE COALITION INFORMATION
The Peace Coalition of Monterey County (PCMC) is a coalition of Monterey County organizations working for nonviolent solutions to world conflicts since 1991. For more information about joining PCMC, contact Co-chair, Sidney Ramsden Scott at sramsdenscott@hotmail.com
The Weekly Peace Calendar is a project of PCMC. The calendar evolved in the early 2000s to facilitate networking among Peace Coalition organizations. The Peace Calendar may be viewed on the Monterey Peace and Justice Center website, peacecentral.wordpress.org.
Please send information about peace, nonviolence, social justice, democracy, and environmental sustainability-related events in Monterey County to Catherine at cm_crockett@sbcglobal.net.
The Weekly Peace Calendar is dedicated to the memory of Joyce Vandevere, who compiled and published the calendar for many years, up until she died at the age of 94 on February 17, 2021. She is remembered for her lifelong peace and justice activism. She was active in the leadership of the Monterey County Branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Monterey Peace and Justice Center until her passing. Representative Jimmy Panetta delivered a tribute to Joyce on the floor of the House of Representatives on April 8, 2021. View it HERE
MONTEREY PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER
The Peace and Justice Center at 1364 Fremont Boulevard has reopened and is staffed on Wednesdays, 1 pm to 5:30 pm. The Peace Center is available for meetings and events. Capacity is 60. Wi-fi, audio-visual equipment, including a projector and screen, and other resources are available. Contact Catherine Crockett at (831) 899-7322 to arrange venue scheduling.
Volunteer Opportunities: Leave a message about volunteering at 899-7322 or email montereypeaceandjustice@gmail.com.
History: The Monterey Peace and Justice Center was envisioned and founded by Valori George in 2004 as a venue to support the activities of the Peace Coalition organizations. Since then, it has been a networking hub and resource center for those groups and other social and environmental justice advocacy groups. MPJC moved to its present Seaside location at 1364 Fremont Boulevard in 2008.
The mission of the Monterey Peace and Justice Center is to inspire and mobilize the people of Monterey County to cultivate peace, social justice, nonviolence, democracy, and environmental sustainability in our community and the world through education and advocacy. MPJC presents a wide spectrum of topics on critical issues facing society. We aim to stimulate civil discourse on the issues and encourage participants to become engaged as change-makers for a just, equitable, and healthy society.