The Peace, Conflict and Coexistence Program and the Chaplaincy opened a registry for those morally opposed to war Thursday following a program celebrating the life of Mohandas Gandhi and the nonviolent style of activism he championed.Advocates for nonviolence from around the region spoke to a crowd of about 25 people in Gluck Lobby in the Usdan Student Center.

Lewis Randa, the founding director of the Peace Abbey activist retreat in Sherborn, Mass., unveiled the registry, which will allow members of the Brandeis community to declare their support for nonviolence by signing their names in the presence of two witnesses.

Randa said he believes the registry will reinforce the importance of nonviolence in the minds of those who sign it. "Every time we go public with what we believe in, there is a tendency to measure up to our beliefs," he said. "Our choices can't violate our conscience."

Several students signed the registry. One signer, Tatiana Tripp '10, said "Signing my name in a book with witnesses attesting to my renouncing violence publically was very meaningful to me."

The registry reads: "Because of my deeply held beliefs about peace, justice and nonviolence, I am opposed to the use of violence. Furthermore, I choose to make public my decision not to participate in any group, organization or agency that would require from me acts of violence."

The event also featured the presentation of a nine-foot-tall bronze statue of Gandhi, which was donated by the Peace Abbey and will remain on campus for one week.

Gandhi fought for civil rights for Indians living in South Africa.

Prof. Sarita Bhalotra (Heller), a native of India, praised Gandhi's contribution to the Indian independence movement and his commitment to nonviolence. Bhalotra described her childhood experiences living in the country that had only recently gained its freedom and of the violence that followed its independence.

"The path that Gandhi chose is a very difficult path to follow, since it's not safe to challenge the status quo," Bhalotra said.

John and Carrie Schuchardt from the House of Peace in Ipswich, Mass.-a shelter for victims of war from over 30 nations-spoke about how the Catholic perspective on violence discourages war.

John Schuchardt spoke about his refusal to participate in the military conflicts in Vietnam and Cambodia while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Schuchardt said he was able to obtain conscientious objector status and was discharged from the Marines as a result.

Prof. Gordon Fellman (SOC), the chair of the Peace Program, who hosted the event, discussed the importance of pacifist activism. "Nonviolence is not a cover for cowardice, but a supreme virtue of the brave," he said.

Rev. Walter Cuenin, the University's Catholic chaplain, spoke of a disconnect between Jesus Christ's original "impulses" of nonviolence and the Church's current views on war.

"We should do whatever we can to build a world of peace and justice, since it's getting more and more dangerous, more and more complicated," Cuenin said.