On September 20, 2007, the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) and The Declaration of Peace, along with the Baltimore Pledge of Resistance, Peace Action Montgomery, and others, carried out solemn, powerful nonviolent “Die-In” actions inside the U.S. Capitol Crypt (below the Rotunda) and outside the Capitol building on the west (Front) steps.
The actions, as part of The Declaration of Peace DAYS of DECISION campaign (September 14 - 21, 2007), bore witness to the tragic reality in Iraq, and called upon the U.S. Congress to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq and support a Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq.
Thirty-four anti-war activists were arrested in the Capitol Crypt action.
Two were arrested in the House Gallery.
Thank you to all the committed, beautiful people who participated in these actions, organized them, and supported all of us through the actions, arrests, and police processing.
The following are photos and reports from several organizers and activists who participated in these actions.
Peace and blessings,
Timothy Baer (Campaign Coordinator, The Declaration of Peace)
Capitol Crypt “Die-In” Action Photos: http://www.jonahhouse.org/Rivers.htm
West Steps “Die-In” Action Photos: http://www.iraqpledge.org/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/13953762@N04/sets/72157602177056262/
West Steps “Die-In” Action Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnFlih7w5Y
From Max Obuszewski (Baltimore Pledge of Resistance):
Friends,
To see some great photographs of the die-in in the U.S. Capitol crypt, go to http://www.jonahhouse.org/Rivers.htm
Of the many good things that happened during the action, there was the presence of the middle school students. Who knows what effect Speaking Truth to Power might have on them?
Kagiso, Max
June Eisley, long-time Peace activist/ anti-war organizer in Wilmington, Delaware wrote:
“Yesterday was the most emotional action I’ve ever participated in. I am so emotionally drained today and maybe this will help me.
When we had “died in” and were lying on the floor and someone started the wailing (I heard it was some Code Pink women who started it), it enveloped my soul and I still can’t get it out of me. … It was the saddest and most agonizing sound. It was like our hearts were all crying out for the nightmare of Iraq. Even when we were standing in line waiting to go out of the Capitol, I was still crying. I’ll never forget it. And I hope I can soon think of it without starting to cry.
I thought the ones who arrested us were very sedate and quiet, and I wonder if our overwhelmingly emotional action passed on to them in some way.”
See David Swanson’s report at: afterdowningstreet.org/node/27002
From Pete Perry (Washington Peace Center, NCNR)
Hello friends, Thursday was a powerful day for the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance and Declaration of Peace.
We began trickling into the Capitol Building around 9:30 am, individually and small groups. We had to pass through the security building, whereas usually this is reserved for the tour groups only, before ascending three flights of marble stairs to the House Gallery. Some Code Pink women joined us, one confessed to me that they were trying to provide some sort of distraction for us, but I was nervous that it just raised their awareness that something big was going to happen. We finally got into the gallery after many of us had to check in our bags and cameras. Andit was amazing, the House chamber was full — which is generally unusual!
They were taking a vote on adjournment (maybe some wanted tostart the weekend early), but the motion failed. There was about 40 of us in the Gallery. We waited and watched.
The evening before, the Washington Peace Center had secured a meeting space for us at Capitol Hill church as we did final plans for our action, and went over a few legal ramifications. It was so good to see so many familiar faces, and a few new ones. My friend Don from Alaska was with us. And there were four folks who were participating in nonviolent direct action for the first time.
At 11 a.m., Max O. from Baltimore stood, and then I stood and we made our way out of the gallery. Most followed us, but three or four were seated in a different section and didn’t notice until late. And two of us remained on purpose, because they wanted to speak out loudly against the continued illegal and immoral war and occupation to the House members present. And there were a lot of them. For a couple minutes, I noticed David Obey (Wisconsin) who had screamed and insulted myself and Marine mom Tina Richards shuffling around on the floor. I was told later the two who spoke out were arrested and removed quickly, but not before they sent a clear message, and the chamber became quiet as many listened.
With our group, we gradually made it down two flights of stairs, and I forgot that was the crypt level, not the Rotunda level! We made our way into the crypt, pass a group of media cameras (I wanted to say something to them, but we were all on edge and we didn’t want to be stopped in the halls).
When we got to the crypt it was filled with school groups and tour groups. However, Max O. had a quizzical look on his face and I wanted to make an attempt to make it to the Rotunda, I knew that just a few feet back the way we came there was a staircase that would get us to our intended destination, so I circled back, Max and Malachy followed, then gradually so did the rest. I began climbing the curving staircase — Malachy then sprinted past me as a policewoman started shouting for us to stop. Max and I stopped, but Malachy made it into the Rotunda (he later said that there were not nearly as many groups in the Rotunda as their were in the Crypt) before circling back again and joining us.
We returned to the crypt, and those participating in honoring the dead in Iraq, removed their outer shirts to reveal the blood splatters … Then the reading of the names, the mentioning of massacred towns, the reminders that the Congress continues to fuel this war and occupation through funding … Then they began to fall to the floor, lifeless and the police quickly moved in. Students from the school groups watched, transfixed. Some pictures were taken. I am still unsure if there was video taken.
The police demanded that those of us not directly participating must leave the crypt, as must the tourists and school groups. As I made my way down the stairs to the west lawn of the Capitol, two women were talking about the protest. “Did you see them?” “Yes, they were covered with red — like blood.” “They are going to get arrested, but good for them.”
When I made it outside, I immediately saw the Buddhist monks drumming,and someone had a peace banner. It was a wonderful site. About a half an hour later the outside die-in occurred with VFP and IVAW joining us with a color guard. That was also a powerful action with the use of red fabric, for the Rivers of Blood theme, but no arrests. David Swanson of Afterdowningstreet participated and wrote an account.
Next steps? I think we need to continue with presences in the House and Senate Galleries. Mike and Linda were the two who spoke out — and I think this was effective — especially when you have such a full chamber.
peace & solidarity, Pete
Anthony Teolis wrote:
See the new YouTube vides and share widely.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnFlih7w5Y
Watch more VFP 16 YouTube at: www.youtube.com/profile?user=tokyo73
Thursday 9/20/07: IVAW was joined by VFP to serve as honor guard with the same guidons as last Saturday.
The honor guard was backed up by another group of regular folks showing their support. Dressed in their IVAW and VFP t-shirts and standing at Parade Rest the honor guard gave notice to those entering the Rayburn House building.
We proceeded in marching procession to the US Capital and stood in front of the Capital for about 20 minutes. The march then took off again for the Senate Dirksen building. Along the way we proceeded past the Jena 6 rally, around the Dirksen building and then again through the rear of the Jena 6 rally.
Following that we were met at the rallying point by Peace Action Montgomery which led to the action presented in the videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnFlih7w5Y
I’m not going to get personal here (that will be for the book) but this was a powerful, humbling action. It followed the arrest of several people who performed an even greater action in the Rotunda. I don’t have details but I hope those that do will share them.