To Bob Graf, conscience is the key.
Born in 1943, Graf is a lifelong protester and pacifist. A former member of the Society of Jesus, Graf has campaigned against violence, racism, and poverty since the 1960s. A member of the Milwaukee 14, Graf helps lead ongoing protests against Marquette University’s ROTC program, coordinating the protest group Breaking the Silence.
Though Graf has faced consequences for his convictions—including a year in prison—his beliefs are unwavering.
“I do what I’ve got to do,” Graf said. “If you have a conscience that says to you, ‘This is what you should do,’ then you’ve got to do it.”
Though Graf has faced consequences for his convictions—including a year in prison—his beliefs are unwavering.
“I do what I’ve got to do,” Graf said. “If you have a conscience that says to you, ‘This is what you should do,’ then you’ve got to do it.”
In the 1960s, Graf demonstrated against segregation, institutional racism, and the Vietnam War. On Sept. 24, 1968, Graf joined 13 other priests and laymen to stage a dramatic protest against the war. That day, the protesters would burn over 10,000 draft records from a Selective Service office in a protest which would become known as the Milwaukee 14 action.
Graf would spend a year in prison for his actions that day, missing the birth of his son while incarcerated in Waupun, Wisconsin. It is a period Graf does not regret.
“The way I can describe the [Milwaukee 14 action] is that I felt like I was saving someone from drowning and pulling them to shore,” Graf said, adding that he would do it again. “Your life depends as much upon it in the moment as theirs does.”
Graf would spend a year in prison for his actions that day, missing the birth of his son while incarcerated in Waupun, Wisconsin. It is a period Graf does not regret.
“The way I can describe the [Milwaukee 14 action] is that I felt like I was saving someone from drowning and pulling them to shore,” Graf said, adding that he would do it again. “Your life depends as much upon it in the moment as theirs does.”
For Graf, that conviction is a deeply religious one that springs from the "silence of the heart." A devoted Catholic, Graf studied to become a Jesuit priest but parted ways with the order after seven years of study.
The values he learned from that education, however, would become lifelong principles for the Milwaukee native, who is particularly inspired by St. Ignatius off Loyola.
“I had a lot of Jesuit education, and it’s all very oriented toward action,” Graf said. “Love is expressed, St. Ignatius said, in actions more than words, and I try to follow that example.”
Today, Graf is doing just that as a protester in multiple causes, including the ongoing protests against Marquette University’s ROTC program. Coordinating Breaking the Silence, Graf leads leafleting campaigns, marches, and other demonstrations on Marquette’s campus.
Though Graf has been arrested for his activities and has faced resistance from university officials at times, he remains strident in his belief that, as Pope Francis asserts, “faith and violence are incompatible.”
“The military has moved in the direction of anonymous killing of people,” said Graf, referring to drone strikes and ‘reflexive killing.’ “It’s against every Christian value of our gospel or the social teaching of our church that we were brought up with.”
The Selective Service draft, Graf believes, forced people to choose whether to “kill or be killed” in warfare. “It is that simple why I resisted the draft and ROTC,” Graf explained. The “kill or be killed” tradition continues today in the form of ROTC programs, such as that of Marquette University, he argues.
The values he learned from that education, however, would become lifelong principles for the Milwaukee native, who is particularly inspired by St. Ignatius off Loyola.
“I had a lot of Jesuit education, and it’s all very oriented toward action,” Graf said. “Love is expressed, St. Ignatius said, in actions more than words, and I try to follow that example.”
Today, Graf is doing just that as a protester in multiple causes, including the ongoing protests against Marquette University’s ROTC program. Coordinating Breaking the Silence, Graf leads leafleting campaigns, marches, and other demonstrations on Marquette’s campus.
Though Graf has been arrested for his activities and has faced resistance from university officials at times, he remains strident in his belief that, as Pope Francis asserts, “faith and violence are incompatible.”
“The military has moved in the direction of anonymous killing of people,” said Graf, referring to drone strikes and ‘reflexive killing.’ “It’s against every Christian value of our gospel or the social teaching of our church that we were brought up with.”
The Selective Service draft, Graf believes, forced people to choose whether to “kill or be killed” in warfare. “It is that simple why I resisted the draft and ROTC,” Graf explained. The “kill or be killed” tradition continues today in the form of ROTC programs, such as that of Marquette University, he argues.
Graf is quick to assert, however, that he is merely one of many anti-war protesters, rather than a singular leader.
"It's not about me," said Graf. "[Officials at Marquette] want to make it seem like that. But it's about the message. And I'm not the only one."
In coming years, Graf hopes to continue protesting and writing, putting down his views in his “Diary of a Worm” at his site, www.nonviolentworm.org. Rejecting the term “activist” for its historical misuse, Graf strives instead to become a “contemplative in action.”
“For as long as I can, I want to be contemplative – hopefully until I die,” said Graf. “If by activism you mean your ability to do what you believe in your conscience, hopefully I can do that for a while.”
"It's not about me," said Graf. "[Officials at Marquette] want to make it seem like that. But it's about the message. And I'm not the only one."
In coming years, Graf hopes to continue protesting and writing, putting down his views in his “Diary of a Worm” at his site, www.nonviolentworm.org. Rejecting the term “activist” for its historical misuse, Graf strives instead to become a “contemplative in action.”
“For as long as I can, I want to be contemplative – hopefully until I die,” said Graf. “If by activism you mean your ability to do what you believe in your conscience, hopefully I can do that for a while.”