On Saturday, April 13, Shenandoah Valley Taxes for Peace held its third annual war tax redirection event. Members of 18 households, many of whom are members at Community Mennonite Church and Shalom Mennonite Congregation, both of Harrisonburg, Virginia, donated $5,888 to six nonprofit relief and peace organizations, including the MC USA Church Peace Tax Fund. Of these donations, $1,766 came from federal taxes withheld out of conscience against paying taxes for war. According to the War Resisters League, a secular pacifist organization, 45% of the 2025 U.S. Federal Funds Budget will pay for current and past military costs. (Photos by Stan Godshall.)
By Tim Godshall, member of Shalom Mennonite Congregation and event organizer.
Captions (Clockwise from left):
- Herb and Sarah Myers, members of Shalom Mennonite Congregation, read their letter to their elected officials, explaining their conscience against paying for war.
- Johann Zimmermann and Sue Klassen, members of Community Mennonite Church, lead singing.
- Event participants singing.
Photos by Stan Godshall.