Peace Presentation - Reflection Paper

"Food Not Bombs"
Keith McHenry
22 Sept 11

Keith McHenry is the founder of an organization called "Food Not Bombs", dedicated to providing food for the needy around the world through promoting the spending of the majority of taxpayer’s money on healthcare and food rather than towards the United States Military. He was raised in a military family and took part in protests against nuclear power in the 1980’s. He then obtained a job as a produce worker and eventually became an Organics expert in which he was responsible for disposing of undesired food in which he decided to give to the needy rather than letting it go to waste. Keith McHenry eventually decided to quit his job as an Organics expert and dedicate his life to providing food to those in need and educate people on the issues of the world through literature and street theatre.

He then began to feed protests against bombs around the United States and on August 15, 1988 he was part of a 9 arrest protest which marked the beginning of the era of the organization, “Food Not Bombs”. These arrests were published in the newspapers and Keith McHenry’s dedication was heard around the U.S. and more members appeared as more arrests followed. It seems that these protests were seen as “Political statements” and deemed as a threat, in which police, as well as the government, believed were grounds for arrest. The “Food Not Bombs” organization was simply responsible for providing free food for those in need and felt they were not doing any harm in their existence, therefore, their movement continued. Waves of arrests inspired the beginning of chapters all over the world. Due to his drive and relentless attitude, promoting his belief that the United States government must help those in need rather than the Military, Keith McHenry is now on the FBI’s terrorist watch list and considered one of the top 100 terrorists in the United States. However, “Food Not Bombs” was the main disaster food relief for 8 months for hurricane Katrina victims and continues to inspire those willing to provide support for the needy around the world. Keith McHenry has dedicated 26 years of his life to peace and Anti-war movements and shows no sign of stopping!