Fall 2025 Semester Recap: The PAFNYS Campus Organizing Program
Sarah Lawrence College students tour the UN.
The Fall 2025 cohort of the Peace Action Fund of New York State (PAFNYS) Campus Organizing Program carried out a number of important initiatives on their campuses, spreading awareness about ongoing peace and justice issues. Our 12 chapters that completed the semester continued focusing on the genocide in Gaza, the mass deportations of undocumented people and ICE presence in their own communities, the cutting of SNAP benefits during the nation’s longest government shutdown, nuclear weapons and the expiration of New START in 2026, and more. Each chapter developed their own innovative ways of educating their peers on these issues and providing opportunities to participate in acts of resistance.
In September, we gathered in New York City to celebrate the annual William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Peacemaker Awards. As a part of this ceremony, we awarded Syd Kellogg of Peace Action Le Moyne (PALM), for the chapter’s incredible work in the 2024-25 academic year. Syd was able to speak about the several demonstrations and events which took place on Le Moyne’s campus to bring attention to Palestine, immigrant rights in the US, and the boycott of companies complicit in genocide. We also honored alum Nabiha Subzwari with the Holly Maguigan Peace with Justice Award, for her contributions as a student organizer at Macaulay Honors College.
A major highlight of the fall semester was our two-part Upstate Campus Tour, during which we are able to visit campus and community chapters in their own towns and connect with people outside of virtual spaces. Over two weekends, we traveled to Syracuse, Buffalo, Geneseo, Niagara, Ithaca, Albany, Bronxville, and even had the chance to sit down with students from Columbia University and St. John’s University in Manhattan. You can read more about the tour here (Western tour) and here (Eastern tour).
Chapter Highlights
Buffalo State University
As a new chapter, the student organizer spent most of the semester conducting outreach and working to gain campus recognition. After tabling at the club fair and then delivering a presentation to the Student Government Association on the mission of the chapter and what kinds of projects they intend to carry out, the chapter was approved.
As their final event for the semester, the chapter held a “good news only” event where attendees gathered to deliver good news in light of so much tragedy in the headlines. Students shared news about both personal achievements and global good news.
Canisius University
The chapter continued working on initiatives that educated students about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Utilizing PAFNYS merch, the chapter held a trivia night of peace and justice and gave away tshirts, totes, pens, and buttons as prizes for students.
In collaboration with the Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC) of the Western New York Peace Center, they facilitated a discussion about ICE and Immigration Courts as part of the ongoing fall series on immigration, justice, and community response at a Peace Coffeehouse event.
Columbia University
The chapter at Columbia was revitalized after a 2-year long hiatus, and they sprung into action with an outreach campaign primarily geared towards underclassmen. During various meetings, the students presented on ongoing peace and justice issues and how they connect to the Harlem community.
One of their most successful events was a collaboration with the Puzzle Club, where they created a peace and justice-themed crossword puzzle.
The chapter finished the semester with a bakesale benefitting a local community center in Harlem.
Columbia students test their peace and justice knowledge with a crossword puzzle.
Cornell University
Members engaged attendees at the No Kings protest in Washington Park to gather signatures for a petition urging senators to support the renewal of the New START Treaty. They explained the importance of nuclear arms control and the role of New START in reducing global nuclear risk. Conversations focused on connecting nuclear disarmament to broader themes of peace, democracy, and accountability raised at the protest.
A Cornell professor delivered a talk examining how environmental degradation can increase the risk of conflict and instability both within and between countries. The presentation highlighted how cross-border resource scarcity, climate-driven migration, and economic stress can exacerbate tensions between states. The speaker also discussed how coordinated economic and environmental policies can reduce these risks by improving resilience and cooperation.
Fordham University
As a new chapter, students leveraged existing networks to get out into the community while educating people about peace and justice. As a first major event, students went to a community center for children to honor Latin Heritage month with a celebration of books by Latin authors. Volunteers were assigned a table with 3-6 children, all ranging from elementary to middle school ages, to read to them and also encourage them to be curious about culture. In addition, Latin artists and authors came to discuss their experiences and career paths.
In collaboration with the Society for Ethical Culture and Pedro Arrupe Volunteers, students fundraised and handed out fresh groceries to families in the local Amsterdam Housing complex during the week of Thanksgiving. This event was aimed to target food insecurity in the local neighborhood and promote more community engagement for different organizations. The event was a wonderful success, overall feeding over 1,100 families for this holiday season.
Fordham students hand out turkeys and Thanksgiving items to families in need.
Le Moyne College
Peace Action Le Moyne (PALM) organized a collaborative event alongside multiple Le Moyne club groups, including El Progreso, Spanish Club, and Students for Justice in Palestine. Representatives from the sponsored clubs introduced themselves and talked about what immigration means to them. Students ate from a wide variety of food options including halal chicken over rice catered from Over the Cuse, and spanish desserts like tres leches. Towards the end, “I Stand With Immigrants” t-shirts and Salt City Coffee gift cards were raffled off to students who attended.
PALM led a trivia night focusing on information about Palestine and Sudan, awarding Palestinian themed prizes, including Kuffiyehs purchased from a local Palestinian business owner.
Peace Action Le Moyne students lead a discussion on immigration and how it impacts the local community.
Niagara University
The chapter continued work with the Justice House, a hub of social and political campus clubs. There, the chapter can collaborate with other organizations, host events and meetings, and work closely with faculty members on peace initiatives.
One of their main events was hosting a workshop on identifying alt-right dogwhistles in various forms of media, with a special focus on Internet memes and social media.
The president of Peace Action Niagara joined Emily and Margaret on Vicki Ross’ radio show out of Buffalo State, where she was able to talk about the challenges and successes of organizing at Niagara during the current political era. You can view the episode here.
Sarah Lawrence College
As part of the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days between Sept 21-Oct 2, the club tabled and gave out resources to students on taking action to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence, free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. They aimed to also educate SLC students on the work of PAFNYS, important historical movements centered around peace, and formative activists over the years.
The chapter held a Halloween-themed fundraiser to support UNRWA. All the money went toward helping the agency continue providing essential aid, education, and healthcare for Palestinian refugees despite recent budget cuts.
Towards the end of the semester, several members of the chapter traveled down to Manhattan for a guided tour of the United Nations Headquarters.
Peace Action Sarah Lawrence tables for the Campaign for Nonviolence.
Siena College
The chapter held a crafting night with painting and food, where they discussed the work of PAFNYS, the chapter, and the history of the peace movement in general.
In collaboration with the organization Damietta, which focuses on identity and dialogue, students organized a presentation examining real-world conflicts alongside those portrayed in fictional and fantasy films. These comparisons were used to spark questions and encourage discussion.
St. John’s University
As a revitalized chapter, Peace Action St. John’s held an event where they introduced what the chapter is about, what PAFNYS is about, and what their advocacy goals were for the semester. After the introduction, a slideshow was presented that went into detail about the origins of the military industrial complex, the influence it has on both American political parties, and the negative consequences both domestic and abroad.
In collaboration with the Palestinian Solidarity Committee, they facilitated a Wheel of Fortune game in which students guessed the names of prominent peace leaders of the last century. After each name was guessed, they gave a brief description of who each person was/what they did. Afterwards, held a focus group discussion with the audience, gauging their perspectives on the current state of international/domestic politics.
Stony Brook University
During their first meeting of the semester, Peace Action SBU collaborated with SB Socialists for a discussion on the current state of ICE and U.S. immigration nationally and locally. They covered the foundations of ICE, the protests in L.A. that occurred over the summer, “Alligator Alcatraz”, and other relevant topics, such as personal experiences with concerns with ICE with our members as well. They then provided resources such as red cards and instructed how to effectively and safely document ICE sightings.
SBU Peace Action and SB Socialists also held an in-depth community teach-in and discussion on the history of Palestine and the ongoing genocide against its indigenous people through the lens of anti-colonial resistance and survival.
Throughout the semester, the chapter hosted multiple art auctions selling screen-printed apparel, handmade jewelry, henna art, baked goods and other handmade crafts which went to support Chuffed.org, an initiative directly supporting Palestinian families.
In collaboration with a chapter of one of the largest Filipino leftist youth movements, Anakbayan Queens, they hosted a teach-in and discussion on corruption, fascism, and resistance in the Philippines.
SUNY Geneseo
Peace Action Geneseo, in collaboration with Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) and Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace (GVCP), hosted a “Sun Day” rally to bring attention to the importance of sustainable energy practices and how sustainable energy can bring environmental peace.
At “What Happens At a Peaceful Protest? PEACE101”, students led a seminar on peaceful protesting and organizing, geared towards people who were interested but nervous, or wanted to know more about the club.
In collaboration with YDSA at Geneseo, students ran two food drive collection dates. The food and money collected went to Lakeville Community Pantry and Geneseo Groveland Emergency Pantry. They were able to raise $900 worth of non-perishables, $150 worth of hygiene products, and $200 in cash donations.
The student organizers faced incredible challenges this Fall, but were determined to lead their campuses in critical discussions and actions. They exemplify the mission of the Peace Action Fund of New York State, and we are looking forward to another great semester in the Spring.
