Since 1915, The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FORUSA) in the United States has led campaigns to obtain legal rights for conscientious objectors, win civil rights for all Americans, end the Vietnam War, oppose U.S. intervention in the Third World, and reverse the superpowers’ arms race. An interfaith pacifist organization, the FOR has members from many religious and ethnic traditions. It is part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, with affiliates in 40 countries.

Louisville Chapter (LFOR) was founded on Armistice Day in 1975 by tireless peace and justice activists George and Jean Edwards. The chapter has organized rallies, marches, boycotts and nonviolent civil disobedience to work for de-militarization, racial and economic justice and LGBT equality. 

Through the FOR’s Third Thursday Lunches, monthly newspaper FORsooth, annual youth Peace Essay Contest, and ardent protests often singing, puppets and poignant posters, the Louisville chapter has resisted wars from Central America to the Mideast, supported Rubbertown Emergency Action’s efforts reduce pollution in the city’s West End, backed spiritually-based Peace Communities in Colombia and worked for restorative criminal justice and civilian review of police. FOR members and others on the chapter steering committee have risked arrest and often stepped up to the front lines around the world to work for a just settlement of the Mideast conflict, to oppose death squad tactics in Central America and to battle the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

Members also support with their dollars Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable products.