The Fierce Nonviolence Pilgrimage: A Journey Toward a Nuclear-Free World
In a time marked by ecological crisis, rising authoritarianism, and the persistent threat of war, The Fierce Nonviolence Pilgrimage emerges as a bold and visionary response. Taking place from July 28 to August 7, 2025, this ten-day immersion offers a rare and transformative opportunity to study the spirituality and strategies of nonviolent social change while bearing witness to the stories of those most impacted by the U.S. nuclear weapons program.
Set against the dramatic landscape of the Pacific Northwest—land both beautiful and scarred by the legacy of nuclear development—the pilgrimage brings together a diverse community of learners, activists, and spiritual seekers. Participants will hear from Indigenous leaders of the Spokane and Yakama nations, members of the Marshallese community, and atomic bomb survivor Norimitsu Tosu of Hiroshima, whose firsthand account lends urgency and gravity to the program's mission.
At the heart of the pilgrimage is a deep exploration of the question: How do we create the more beautiful world we so deeply desire? Through daily rituals, contemplative practice, storytelling, and training in nonviolent action, participants will not only gain tools for social transformation but also cultivate the inner resilience and compassion required for the work of peacemaking.
The pilgrimage is facilitated by a remarkable team of organizers and educators:
Fumi Tosu
A second-generation hibakusha and founder of Dandelion House Catholic Worker, Fumi brings decades of experience in community organizing and spiritual leadership.
Te Martin
A ritual artist and song-keeper, Te leads participants into the healing power of communal singing and ancestral connection.
Mark Yaconelli
Author and founder of The Hearth, Mark draws on his life’s work at the intersection of storytelling and spiritual formation.
Clara McGill
A gifted nonviolence trainer and political organizer, Clara brings a passion for racial and economic justice rooted in the activist tradition of Oakland, CA.
Norimitsu Tosu
Norimitsu is a survivor and scholar, whose presence offers a living link to the history we are called to reckon with and transform.
Through reflection, dialogue, and the possibility of a collective action at the Trident submarine base, the pilgrimage equips participants to return home not only with new knowledge and skills, but with a renewed sense of vocation: to be fierce practitioners of peace in their own communities.