A Message to Our Members

2025 was a difficult year for peace. Continuing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, a vicious war against immigrants in our cities and towns — with ICE agents and expanding detention centers — and mounting nuclear threats defined the moment. The 2026 Doomsday Clock stands at 85 seconds to midnight, as humanity edges ever closer to catastrophe.

Founded in 1972, Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace has been advocating for peace and justice for over 50 years. 2025 called on that entire history. We organized emergency rallies within hours of breaking news, built new coalitions across Livingston County, stood with immigrants, stood with Palestine, and elevated our voices in local and national media.

This document is a record of that work — the events, the victories, the community built, and the causes that called us into the streets throughout 2025. We are deeply grateful for every member, ally, and newcomer who showed up with us — sometimes on very short notice.

In peace and solidarity,
Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace

---

2025 at a Glance

The year broke into distinct seasons of activism, each shaped by the national and local political landscape:

• January – February: Nuclear weapons awareness; TPNW 4th anniversary action with Veterans For Peace
• March – April: Rapid-response rallies opposing authoritarian overreach; Geneseo street actions
• May: Paula Henry Peace Award (8th annual); sticker design contest
• June: Anti-war surge following U.S. bombing of Iran; No Kings Day across Livingston County; WHAM 13 coverage
• July – August: Dansville rally (175 people); Lima rally (150+); 51st annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki vigil; WXXI appearance
• September: Make Billionaires Pay rally in Livonia; SunDay climate action; nuclear disarmament on public radio
• October: No Kings Rally with strong Livingston County turnout
• November: Rally to Remove the Regime; six-org Solidarity Rally planning
• December: 42nd annual Buy Peaceful Toys; Solidarity Rally in Avon; Time’s Up for Tenney action announced

---

Rallies & Direct Action

Spring (March – May)

April 5, 2025 — Geneseo

Hands Off Rally on Main Street

GVCP organized a rally at noon on Main Street, Geneseo as part of the national “Hands Off” day of action. Covered by the Livingston County News with an interview featuring founding member Dr. Arnold Matlin.

April 19, 2025 — Geneseo

Day of Action on the Insurrection Act

GVCP and Indivisible allies organized a rally raising public awareness about the administration’s potential invocation of the Insurrection Act — which would authorize use of the military against civilians.

May 8, 2025 — Geneseo

8th Annual Paula Henry Peace Award

At the GVCA Annual Members Exhibit opening, GVCP presented the 8th Annual Paula Henry Peace Award to ceramic artist Louise Michaud. Her piece spelled “PEACE” in the NATO phonetic alphabet — Papa, Echo, Alfa, Charlie, Echo — with the caption: “If we want the military-industrial complex to understand peace, we have to spell it out so they’ll understand.”

---

Summer (June – August)

June 14, 2025 — Livingston County

No Kings Day — Three-Location Rally

GVCP and partners held simultaneous rallies at Leicester (11 AM), Lima (noon), and Geneseo (2 PM) — over 200 participants total. Listed on nokings.org. Dr. Arnold Matlin interviewed by WHAM 13 (ABC Rochester).

June 23, 2025 — Avon

Emergency Rally — U.S. Bombing of Iran

Within 24 hours of the U.S. bombing of Iran, GVCP called an emergency rally at the Avon Traffic Circle. Over 50 community members turned out despite last-minute notice and 98-degree heat.

June 28, 2025 — Geneseo

Hands Off Iran March

About 75 community members marched from Geneseo Village Park down Main Street — closed to traffic with Village Police support — to the Livingston County Courthouse. Mary Lester led singing of “This Land is Your Land” and “Down by the Riverside,” accompanied on guitar by Felicity Thomas. Partner groups: Rochester Chapter 23 Veterans for Peace, GVI, 5&20 Alliance, and Hemlock Rising. Amber Clark and Rev. James Swarts spoke.

July 17, 2025 — Avon

Good Trouble Rally

GVCP supported the Indivisible-organized Good Trouble Rally at the Avon Traffic Circle, honoring the legacy of Congressman John Lewis.

July 26, 2025 — Dansville

“Liberty and Justice for All” Rally

Approximately 175 people gathered in Dansville despite blistering heat, organized by GVCP and three Livingston County Indivisible groups. Speakers included Rev. Laurel Nelson and Dr. David Breen. Mary Lester’s performance of Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee” moved several in the crowd to tears.

August 6, 2025 — Avon

51st Annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki Candlelight Vigil

GVCP’s 51st consecutive annual vigil, co-organized with Rochester Chapter 23 Veterans For Peace — a tradition unbroken since 1974. The 2025 vigil fell 80 years after the bombings. Rich Kronert and Mary Lester sang. Attendees sent over 30 postcards to Senator Gillibrand urging support for S. 192 to prevent a U.S. nuclear first strike. Photos by Gayle Mosher. Covered by Rochester Channels 10 & 13 and the Livingston County News.

August 23, 2025 — Lima

Rally Against Tyranny

Over 150 people gathered at Lima 4 Corners, co-hosted by GVCP with 5&20 Alliance and Hemlock Rising, standing for the U.S. Constitution, democracy, and human rights.

---

Fall (September – October)

September 18, 2025 — WXXI Public Radio

Nuclear Disarmament on “Connections with Evan Dawson”

GVCP members Holly Adams and Rev. James Swarts joined international disarmament activist Timmon Wallis on WXXI’s flagship public affairs program to discuss nuclear weapons.

September 20, 2025 — Livonia

Make Billionaires Pay Rally

GVCP joined partner organizations for a rally focused on economic justice and accountability, deepening coalition work with regional Indivisible groups.

September 21, 2025 — Geneseo

SunDay Climate & Peace Action

GVCP supported Peace Action Geneseo — a student sister organization at SUNY Geneseo — reflecting GVCP’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of organizers.

October 18, 2025 — Livingston County

No Kings Rally

GVCP organized a No Kings Rally building on June 14th momentum. The post-rally report described an “incredible turnout in Livingston County.”

---

Immigrant Rights & Palestine Solidarity

Standing Up for Immigrants

Throughout 2025, GVCP stood up for immigrants in the streets and through direct contact with representatives. We protested ICE’s terrorizing and disappearing of friends and neighbors — locally and across the country — at the Batavia Detention Center, the Federal Building in Rochester, and Rep. Claudia Tenney’s office in Canandaigua.

Standing Up for Palestine

GVCP joined allies in Stand Up 4 Palestine in the streets throughout the year. We also helped support and host riders for the Ride Against War on GAZA (RAW GAZA) USA Tour, amplifying the call to end the war in Gaza.

---

Winter (November – December)

November 22, 2025 — Geneseo

Rally to Remove the Regime

GVCP organized a local alternative to national “Remove the Regime” rallies, keeping Geneseo connected to a coordinated national day of action.

December 6, 2025 — Geneseo

42nd Annual Buy Peaceful Toys

GVCP’s 42nd annual Buy Peaceful Toys rally at Gateway Park, Geneseo (20A & Volunteer Road), 10:00–11:00 AM. Santa attended. One of GVCP’s longest-running holiday traditions, encouraging peace-promoting gifts for children.

December 13, 2025 — Avon

Six-Organization Solidarity Rally

Six activist organizations co-sponsored a Solidarity Rally at the Avon traffic circle, demonstrating collective strength and shared determination to defend democracy.

January 6, 2026 — Canandaigua (announced Dec. 26)

Time’s Up for Tenney — Honk & Wave

GVCP announced a honk-and-wave action outside Rep. Claudia Tenney’s Canandaigua office on the January 6th anniversary, holding her accountable for her actions surrounding that date.

---

Media Presence & Public Voice

2025 marked a notable expansion of GVCP’s media visibility:

---

Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy

Nuclear weapons abolition remains a cornerstone of GVCP’s mission. In 2025, the organization sustained its multi-decade commitment through vigils, public education, and coalition work.

January 2025

TPNW 4th Anniversary Action

GVCP and Rochester Chapter 23 Veterans For Peace co-organized a public action celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (entered into force January 22, 2021). A GVCP member also traveled to the United Nations in New York City to attend the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty (3MSP), bringing our community’s voice to the international stage.

August 6, 2025

51st Annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki Vigil

Held every year since 1974. The 2025 event fell 80 years after the bombings. Over 30 postcards sent to Senator Gillibrand urging support for S. 192 to block a U.S. nuclear first strike.

September 18, 2025

WXXI Public Radio Appearance

Holly Adams and Rev. James Swarts brought GVCP’s nuclear disarmament message to a regional public radio audience alongside international activist Timmon Wallis.

---

Coalition Building & Partner Organizations

A defining feature of GVCP’s 2025 work was its deepening integration with regional Indivisible groups and advocacy organizations:

• Peace Action New York State (PANYS)
• Genesee Valley Indivisible (GVI)
• Hemlock Rising Indivisible
• 5&20 Alliance Indivisible
• Rochester Indivisible
• Wyoming County Indivisible
• Rochester Chapter 23, Veterans For Peace
• Peace Action Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo)
• Stand Up 4 Palestine / Rise Up for Palestine
• Alianza Agricola
• Warheads to Windmills
• Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network
• Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA)
• Rev. Leah Ntula & the Batavia ICE-resistance network

This coalition infrastructure allowed GVCP to mobilize rapidly — calling emergency actions within hours of breaking news — and to participate in nationally coordinated days of action including No Kings Day and Remove the Regime.

---

Looking Ahead to 2026

The organizing energy of 2025 carried directly into the new year. By January and February 2026, GVCP was already mobilizing against ICE enforcement actions, co-sponsoring a Batavia memorial vigil, and organizing carpools to rallies in Geneva. The No Kings movement continues to grow, with Geneseo on the national nokings.org map and a major rally planned for March 28, 2026.

The work of peace — in Livingston County and around the world — goes on. Thank you for being part of it.

Steering Committee

GVCP is guided by a dedicated volunteer steering committee that meets regularly to plan and troubleshoot our many demonstrations and activities:

• Holly Adams
• Susan Bailey
• Suzanne Blackburn
• Keith Blackburn
• Mary Lester
• Dr. Arnold Matlin
• Davies Nagel
• Chris Norton
• Maryann Reissig
• Judi Salsbury Taylor
• Rev. James Swarts