Intern Spotlight: Elias Lyman

Each month, we share the stories of World BEYOND War volunteers and interns around the world. Want to volunteer or intern with World BEYOND War? Email greta@worldbeyondwar.org.

Location:

Madison, WI, U.S.

How did you get involved with anti-war activism and World BEYOND War (WBW)?

I was raised as a Quaker in a politically active household where protests, campaigning, and anti-war events were a regular part of my upbringing. This early exposure shaped my activism, culminating in the 2011 Wisconsin protests. Marching alongside tens of thousands of working-class people reinforced my belief in collective action.

At the time, I felt invincible—convinced our solidarity would bring real change. But as momentum faded, I learned two key lessons: protests foster connection and passion, but systemic barriers make immediate victories rare. Activism isn’t just about winning; it’s about shifting public consciousness, inspiring others, and challenging dominant narratives. These events plant seeds of change, galvanizing hearts that yearn for justice and peace. For a time, I felt disillusioned by that experience. But a year ago, at a WBW film screening, I reconnected with the deeper lesson of those protests—the power of solidarity in working toward a common cause.

What kinds of WBW activities do you work on as part of your internship?

Since joining World BEYOND War (WBW) last year as a student activist I have helped organize a range of activities, including lobbying state representatives, organizing protests, hosting film screenings, and facilitating roundtable discussions. Each of these actions serves as a reminder that peace is not a partisan issue, it is a fundamental human right. My hope is that through these actions, people learn how to get involved and make a difference when, for many, these issues feel unapproachable. Since founding our WBW club on campus, we have worked to understand and expose the pervasive yet overlooked influence of the military-industrial complex. It is embedded in our economy, politics, and educational institutions, shaping our world in ways most people don’t realize. My goal is to create a space on campus where students can critically engage with these deeply ingrained and emotionally taxing realities.

What’s your top recommendation for someone who wants to get involved with anti-war activism and WBW?

This question recalls a bumper sticker I once saw: “The world is decided by those who show up.” My advice to anyone looking to get involved is simple—start small. Find a local WBW chapter, attend community events, and begin building relationships around these issues. Change happens through collective effort, and solidarity is the antidote to apathy. This is especially true today, as polarization and the isolation it breeds stand in the way of collective action and change.

What keeps you inspired to advocate for change?

What keeps me inspired is the growing momentum within the movement. The solidarity I experienced during the 2011 protests is globally palpable in the modern social climate, as a response to worsening economic inequality and rampant militarism over the past decades. This shift in public perception of the integrity of our bureaucratic structures is maintained by communities coming together to understand and defend their shared rights. In the face of unprecedented political turmoil, solidarity in the pursuit of peace remains our strongest safeguard for the hearts and minds of the people.

Posted February 19, 2025.