"Common Defense is the largest organization of progressive veterans in the US, they seek to amplify the voices of veterans pursuing a more just future. Veterans, in poll after poll are the most trusted demographic in the US.

Join Jose Vasquez and Naveed Shah for a discussion of their work, and how amplifying the voices of those touched by American war-making can help us work more effectively toward a more peaceful future."

Jose Vasquez (he/him) is the Executive Director of Common Defense, a diverse grassroots organization of U.S. veterans and military family members. Jose served 15 years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 2007. Jose has experience in education and research, nonprofit management, organizing, and philanthropy. He lives in New York City.

Naveed Shah (he/him) is a Veteran of the U.S. Army and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from Springfield, Va. After serving on active duty for four years, including a 12 month tour in Iraq, Naveed returned to his hometown for undergraduate studies and began volunteering with veterans groups. This led to a legislative and advocacy fellowship with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in 2012. In 2016, the First Lady invited Naveed to attend Pres. Obama’s final State of the Union address, in recognition of his years of work on Veterans Issues. In 2018, Naveed worked with the Virginia Democratic Party’s Mission First initiative, to get veterans and military families involved in the political process. For the past 9 years, Naveed has been involved in building political power for veterans across the nation. He holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia where he studied Political Science.

About NHPA’s bi-weekly Zoom Peace & Justice Conversation Series: 2020’s upheavals brought us to a new moment of reckoning and possibility. How do we want to live in the world? What do we value? How can we make the changes we’ve been yearning for? NH Peace Action has been engaged in working for change for decades. We’d like to bring you into these conversations about issues and options for the future.  There is no charge to attend, but your contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated.