The Declaration of Peace - Report of DoP Event

August 10, 2008: Reports from "Witness Against War" Action at Fort McCoy, WI ~ 13 Arrested

Timothy Baer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:34:22 -0500

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More information on “WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul”

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See other photos from “WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008”

Slide Show of witness at Fort McCoy

1. Witness Against War August 10th Press Release

2. Report from Jeff Leys (Voices for Creative Nonviolence)

3. Report from Joy First (Madison Pledge of Resistance, NCNR)

4. OPEN LETTER TO THOSE SERVING AT FORT McCOY AND TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Witness Against War Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 10, 2008

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Dan Pearson 312-286-8535 or Erin Cox 773-391-0040

13 ARRESTED AT FORT MCCOY IN IRAQ WAR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Fort McCoy, WI - On August 10, thirteen people were arrested at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. They attempted to enter the military base to talk with National Guard and Army Reserve members regarding the Iraq war. Base security prevented this entry and the thirteen were arrested by federal law enforcement on trespass charges.

The thirteen sought to deliver an open letter that began: “We today come to Fort McCoy to seek an end to the war in and occupation of Iraq by the United States. We come to Fort McCoy because of its key role in training National Guard units deploying to Iraq-a training that should end immediately with the commitment of the U.S. to keep National Guard units home and wi thdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq….

The letter concludes: “…the strain upon service men and women and their families continues unabated with repeat deployments to Iraq. The Washington National Guard’s 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq for the second time this fall. The 32nd Red Arrow Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard will deploy to Iraq in 2009. This will be the largest deployment to combat of the Wisconsin National Guard since World War II when it logged the most days in theater of any U.S. Army unit. We call upon the United States to keep the National Guard at home in the U.S. and to end these repeat deployments abroad.

“We come to Fort McCoy to, in some small way, act in solidarity with members of the military who choose to nonviolently resist this war by refusing to be deployed to Iraq. We encourage members of the active duty military, Reserve and National Guard to cons ider refusing deployment orders and to be in contact with the GI Rights Hotline regarding their rights within the military at 1-800-394-9544.”

Fort McCoy provides training to National Guard and Army Reserve units being deployed to Iraq. 3400 members of the Washington National Guard will begin training at Fort McCoy on August 18 prior to being deployed to Iraq. This will be the unit’s second tour of duty in Iraq. In 2009, over 3000 members of the Red Arrow 32nd Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard will deploy to Iraq. The Red Arrow trains at Fort McCoy and this will be the second tour of duty in Iraq for many of its members.

The action was organized by several social justice organizations and involved people who traveled previously to Iraq. Members of the following organizations participated: Christian Peacemaker Teams; Voices for Creative Nonviolence; Witness Against War; Pledge of Resistance ; and Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Those arrested include: Kathy Kelly, 54, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for her work in Iraq; Jeff Leys, 44, of Watertown, Wisconsin; Joy First, 54, of Madison, WI; John Bachman, 56, Eau Claire, WI; *Brian Terrell, 52, of Des Moines, IA; Renee Espeland, 47 of Des Moines, IA; Kryss Chupp, 49, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Chicago; Ceylon Mooney, 33, Memphis, TN; *Eileen Hanson, 34, Winona, MN; Joshua Brollier, 25, Clarkesville, TN; Lauren Cannon, 38, seminarian at Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL; Alice Gerard, 51, of Grand Island, NY; and Gene Stoltzfus, 68, of Ontario, Canada.

All of the 13 were released by 3 PM Sunday except Kathy Key who is being held at the Monroe County jail on charges realted to prior peace activities.

This action is part of the Witness Against War campaign, a 450 mile walk from Chicago to Saint Paul to end the U.S. occupation o f Iraq. The walk began on July 12 and will arrive in Saint Paul on August 30 for the Republican National Convention.

Witness Against War 2008: From Chicago to St Paul

A Project of Voices for Creative Nonviolence

1249 W Argyle St; Chicago, IL 60640

Phone: 773-878-3815 Email:

General email: Website: www.vcnv.org

13 Arrested at Fort McCoy for Opposing Iraq War

By Jeff Leys

August 10, 2008

http://vcnv.org/waw-blog/13-arrested-at-fort-mccoy-for-opposing-iraq-war

August 9 was a day of preparation for Witness Against War. Preparation for the act of nonviolent civil resistance to take place the following day.

We gathered at the Lafayette Town Hall just north of Sparta. Our host’s family goes back 7 generations on this land. His aunt and uncle donated the property on which the town hall now sits.

The nonviolence workshop was to begin at 2:00 p.m. At 1:50 p.m. we looked at the clock on the wall and wondered aloud whether anyone would be coming. Only our friend Steve Carlson from Trego, Wisconsin had arrived by that time. The surrounding hills and bluffs prevented our cell phones from receiving signals, so we had no way of knowing whether those we expected to arrive were 30 seconds away or 30 minutes away (or stranded on the side of the road).

Then, as if they were waiting together just down the road and around the curve, all our colleagues began to arrive within minutes of each other. Christian Peacemaker Teams arrived with the 15 people currently training to become team members or reservists for CPT. Brian and Renee arrived from Des Moines. Ceylon and Christine arrived from Memphis. Joy from Madison and John from Eau Claire. The Lafayette Town Hall was transformed from the grouping of Witness Against War walkers to a near overflow gathering of committed social justice advocates.

Planning progressed for the following day’s action at Fort McCoy as we began to put flesh on a fairly skeletal action concept. By the end of the evening plans were in place for the following day.

Sunday, August 10, began with breakfast at the home of Dick and Violet, our hosts. We arrived at Tunnel City, our starting point that day, at 9:30 a.m., in time to meet with Sheriff Pederson to discuss the day’s walk. We explained that we intended to walk on the shoulder of the road facing traffic, as required by state traffic laws. He explained that he’d met with his officers and with officers of the Wisconsin State Highway Patrol that morning. Their intent was to ensure that the walk was able to proceed safely, and not to interfere with the walk’s progress. Indeed State Patrol and County Sheriff patrol cars accompanied the walk as it processed from Tunnel City to the edge of Fort McCoy and onward. One patrol officer turned on his vehicles flashing red and blue lights to slow traffic down along the highway (with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour and a fairly narrow shoulder), keeping a health distance form the front of the walk and backing up on an even pace with the walk.

We began walking at about 9:45 a.m. The first question mark of the day arrived three miles into the walk. At that point Highway 21, on which we were walking, enters Fort McCoy with a yellow sign informing motorists that they are “Entering a Military Area.” We were relatively certain we’d be able to proceed without any difficulty since we’d received a letter from Colonel Daniel Culver of the base advising us that normally the only time the base law enforcement would get involved along Highway 21 is if the operations of the base were being interfered with. Since we were walking on the shoulder, we were relatively certain we’d be fine. Yet, the question mark remained: would there be a change in the base’s position now that the walk had arrived? Would we be met by Fort McCoy security determined to prevent us from crossing the base?

The answer was “No”. Fort McCoy’s command would not block the progress of the walk. We would keep on walking forward, never turning back.

Witness Against War aimed to engage in civil disobedience / civil resistance at the main gate of Fort McCoy. A flashing traffic control sign located along the highway near the entry to Fort McCoy advised incoming traffic that the main gate was closed and directed traffic elsewhere.

Had Fort McCoy decided to wait us out? To allow us to engage in a vigil on the entryway into the base, without allowing us onto the base? Since our intent was to remain in order to gain entry into the base to talk with soldiers about the war, the question began to be raised: How long would we have to wait to gain entry?

Witness Against War arrived at Fort McCoy at 11:45 a.m. We gathered along the shoulder of the highway, across from the main gate. Those of us intending to seek entry into the base-and to risk arrest in doing so-gathered together. We thirteen crossed the highway together when a break in traffic made it safe to do so.

Fort McCoy had placed wooden horses across the driveway entrance to the base. Two officers from the base security were present. As we approached, and began to pass the wooden horses, Fort McCoy’s law enforcement engaged us in conversation. The officer advised us that if we went beyond the horses and continued to walk up the driveway towards the entrance that we would be subject to arrest. He asked if there was any communication which would like to present to him for him to relay to the base commander. We replied that we sought to distribute an open letter regarding the Iraq war to those currently serving on the base and to engage in dialogue with those on the base.

The letter we sought to deliver began:

“”We today come to Fort McCoy to seek an end to the war in and occupation of Iraq by the United States. We come to Fort McCoy because of its key role in training National Guard units deploying to Iraq-a training that should end immediately with the commitment of the U.S. to keep National Guard units home and withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq….”

The letter concluded:

“…the strain upon service men and women and their families continues unabated with repeat deployments to Iraq. The Washington National Guard’s 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq for the second time this fall. The 32nd Red Arrow Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard will deploy to Iraq in 2009. This will be the largest deployment to combat of the Wisconsin National Guard since World War II when it logged the most days in theater of any U.S. Army unit. We call upon the United States to keep the National Guard at home in the U.S. and to end these repeat deployments abroad.

“We come to Fort McCoy to, in some small way, act in solidarity with members of the military who choose to nonviolently resist this war by refusing to be deployed to Iraq. We encourage members of the active duty military, Reserve and National Guard to consider refusing deployment orders and to be in contact with the GI Rights Hotline regarding their rights within the military at 1-800-394-9544.”

We stated that we intended to move forward to deliver the letter to those on the base and that we understood the potential consequences of doing so. He said he understood what we intended to do and moved aside as we processed up the driveway.

Then a “swarm” of officers from Fort McCoy emerged from the garage at the base entry point. We were walking slowly and deliberately towards them. They were walking slowly and deliberately towards us. It was clear that we would meet somewhere in the middle but that neither felt intimidated by the other nor that either side felt as if it was necessary to try to intimidate the other side.

We thirteen were arrested, processed and released in short order on the offense of trespass to land. We’ll be notified at some later time the date on which we are to appear in court. Those arrested include: Kathy Kelly, 54, Co-Coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence ; Jeff Leys, 44, of Watertown, Wisconsin; Joy First, 54, of Madison, WI; John Bachman, 56, Eau Claire, WI; Brian Terrell, 52, of Des Moines, IA; Renee Espeland, 47 of Des Moines, IA; Kryss Chupp, 49, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Chicago; Ceylon Mooney, 33, Memphis, TN; Eileen Hanson, 34, Winona, MN; Joshua Brollier, 25, Clarkesville, TN; Lauren Cannon, 38, seminarian at Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL; Alice Gerard, 51, of Grand Island, NY; and Gene Stoltzfus, 68, of Ontario, Canada.

All but one were released the same day. Kathy Kelly was detained on an outstanding warrant that dates back over ten years to an act of nonviolent civil resistance at Project ELF. ELF was the Navy’s old transmitter system, closed in 2004, that played a key role in the nuclear first strategy of the United States (ELF was the bell ringer to call U.S. nuclear missile subs to the ocean’s surface to receive precise launch orders for a nuclear first strike against another country). It’s expected that she will be transferred to Ashland County to appear before the judge on the warrant. Arrest warrants have also been issued for several others previously arrested and convicted for acts of resistance to Project ELF who refused to pay fines.

Witness Against War continues westward to La Crosse later this week and then begins its northwestward trek along the Mississippi River, aiming to arrive in Saint Paul on August 30, in time for the Republican National Convention. Emphasizing that the issue is not about Democrat or Republican; that it’s not about Left or Right; but rather that it is about what is Right and Wrong-Witness Against War began its trek in Chicago, site of the 1968 Democratic Convention and will end in Saint Paul, site of this year’s Republican Convention. It truly is a matter of challenging the powers-that-be within both political parties and holding both accountable for ending the Iraq and Afghanistan war.

Fort McCoy Action – Sparta Wisconsin

August 10, 2008

by Joy First

I was honored and awed joining with other activists in a nonviolent direct action at Fort McCoy near Sparta, WI on Sunday August 10, 2008. The action was organized by Witness Against War, a campaign of Voices for Creative Nonviolence (http://www.vcnv.org ). Witness Against War has about 10 activists walking 450 miles from Chicago, the location of the 1968 Democratic National Campaign, to St. Paul for the start of the 2008 Republican National Campaign. They are interacting with local communities along the way, raising awareness about the role of both political parties in continuing the war and occupation of Iraq, and calling for an immediate end to our government’s illegal and immoral actions in Iraq. They spent two days in Madison at the end of July and I was happy to be able to join up with them again for this action.

A training/planning meeting was planned on Saturday afternoon near Sparta. I was able to get a ride from Erin and Ron, who were driving up from Chicago. As we gathered at a small town hall in a beautiful setting in rural Wisconsin on Saturday for training and action planning, I was humbled to be in the company of this dedicated and inspiring group of people. Looking around at the pastoral lands, it felt like we were truly in the heartland of the country. Also joining in were others from Catholic Workers and Christian Peacekeeping. As I looked around the room with about 45 people present, I realized that I had been arrested with about eight of them in the past. Many of the individuals in the room had spent time in Iraq and surrounding areas and have first-hand knowledge of the carnage going on in the middle-east. They are committed to doing all they can to bring the suffering and devastation to an end.

We spent about four hours in intense training and planning for our action the next day, talking about the goals of the action, logistics, and how the action would be carried out following the principles of nonviolence. Twelve individuals stated that they planned to risk arrest the following day at Fort McCoy.

At 6 pm we went to the farm of Dick and Violet, where we would be spending the night camping out. We had a few working groups who still had to complete tasks that evening, making posters, doing media planning, planning singing for the vigil, and discussing details of the action for those risking arrest. After a delicious dinner provided by Dick and Violet, we spent another couple hours discussing the action for the next day.

When we finished our planning, I had a chance to relax a little and appreciate the beautiful landscape. The sun was going down and it was gorgeous there with the rolling wooded hills and fields. The night sky was beautiful without the light pollution from the city and I was able to see some meteors streaming across the sky from the Perseid meteor shower. This was a very relaxing place to be the night before an action. Unfortunately Alice Cooper was giving a concert about a mile away at Fort McCoy and we could hear the music blasting until almost midnight.

I woke up early the next morning feeling anxious about the action, but stayed in my sleeping bag. At 6 am I heard the revelry playing at the military base and got up. It’s always very stressful putting your safety on the line and risking arrest. We were not certain what would happen during this action, but expected we would be held overnight either being taken to Madison to be arraigned at the federal courthouse or being held overnight in the Monroe County jail. We also always know that it is likely to be very uncomfortable physically, being handcuffed with little or no access to bathrooms, water, or food. However it is a risk that we feel compelled to take as we continue our resistance to our government’s illegal actions. When I am feeling anxious about doing this, I think about the suffering of the people of Iraq and of the US soldiers and their families, and then it feels like a small sacrifice to make.

After breakfast and last-minute details to work out, we were shuttled to Tunnel City where the walk would begin. The plan was to walk on State Highway 21 three miles to the boundary of the base. Then those risking arrest would take the lead and we would walk three more miles to the main gate of Fort McCoy for the action. That morning we were joined by several other people who would be there in solidarity with us and so we had about 50 people walking along the highway to Fort McCoy.

It was an incredible day with a blue sky and about 76 degrees. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. As we walked the three miles in the military base, it felt like we were walking through a national forest rather than through a military base with the beautiful pines lining the road and ponds with cattails. Breathing in the scent of the pines was grounding and gave me strength as we continued to walk towards our destination.

The beauty of what we saw along the road was really an illusion, hiding what was really happening at the base. In our hosts garage the night before I saw an aerial photo of part of Fort McCoy along the river that runs through the base. It was barren and marked with craters from weapons used during the military exercises that they have there. It was a reminder of the destruction that is being carried out in Iraq in our names.

I usually don’t walk six miles at a stretch and I was getting very tired and sore. I was glad when we saw the military base ahead, but also apprehensive. There was a big electronic sign stating that the main gate was closed and sawhorse type roadblocks across the entrance. The fifty walkers lined up along the highway across from the entrance, holding our signs, some of them saying, “Support the troops. End the war”. We began to sing.

Then the thirteen of us who were going to risk arrest walked across the street continuing to sing. We approached the roadblock and an officer told us that we could not go any further. Jeff Leys, co-coordinator with Voices for Creative Nonviolence, told him why we were there. Jeff said that we came with an open letter to those on the base and we would like to enter and talk to those on the base. He also said that we were calling on the government to end the war, bring all military personnel home, take care of our returning soldiers, and support Iraq in its reconstruction. Jeff said again that we wanted to enter the base to talk to soldiers who may be deployed Iraq soon and let them know their rights. The officer said that we could not enter. Jeff said that some of us are choosing to enter in a peaceful, nonviolent manner in spite of the warning. At that point the 13 of us proceeded across the line. Immediately about twice as many US Army police officers swarmed out of the building and came towards us. They were very polite as they began to handcuff us and lead us into a large garage type area for processing.

Those arrested included: Kathy Kelly, 54, Chicago, IL; Jeff Leys, 44, Watertown, WI; Joy First, 54, Madison, WI; John Bachman, 56, Eau Claire, WI; Brian Terrell, 52, Des Moines, IA; Renee Espeland, 47 Des Moines, IA; Kryss Chupp, 49, Chicago, IL; Ceylon Mooney, 33, Memphis, TN; Eileen Hanson, 34, Winona, MN; Joshua Brollier, 25, Clarkesville, TN; Lauren Cannon, 38, Chicago, IL; Alice Gerard, 51, Grand Island, NY; and Gene Stoltzfus, 68, of Ontario, Canada.

We were kept in handcuffs the whole time we were being processed. They asked us for our personal information, wrote out citations, took our picture, fingerprinted us (the cuffs were temporarily removed, but we were recuffed immediately), and we waited to be transported. We were each given a citation for trespassing and were told that we would be mailed a date for a mandatory court appearance in federal court in Madison.

It must have been about an hour before the first group of 3 or 4 was taken away in a police van and maybe 90 minutes before I was put into a police van, still cuffed. I asked where we were going and the officer told me they were dropping us off on the edge of the base where our friends were waiting for us. I was surprised and thankful to hear that we were being released so quickly.

It was a couple of minutes down the road and I saw the peace bus and all of our friends waiting for us. What a wonderful sight! They welcomed us with hugs, water, and food. We waited for the last group to come and were surprised that Kathy Kelly was not among those released. Lauren Cannon explained that the officers discovered that Kathy had some old outstanding warrants in Wisconsin so she was likely going to be transported to the Monroe County jail.

This was a much easier experience than I was expecting. I didn’t think I would get home until Monday. Stephania was with the group waiting for us, having driven from Madison on Sunday to be there in solidarity with us. She wanted to get on the road and get back to Madison, and she offered me a ride home which I was happy to take. I’m always anxious to get home after an action and it was nice to have the chance to talk to Stephania on the way home and process the experience.

As I continue my resistance to our government’s actions, I constantly question what I am doing and why. I know that what I am doing will not stop the war today or tomorrow. I know that we need many more people to be involved in civil resistance. But for today, I know that I must continue my resistance. I have to continue to do all I can in speaking out against the illegal and immoral actions of our government. I believe that what we do does make a difference.

OPEN LETTER TO THOSE SERVING AT FORT MCCOY AND TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

We today come to Fort McCoy to seek an end to the war in and occupation of Iraq by the United States. We come to Fort McCoy because of its key role in training National Guard units deploying to Iraq—a training that should end immediately with the commitment of the U.S. to keep National Guard units home and withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq.

We seek the following commitments from the United States government:

· the complete withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq;

· an end to all U.S. military action within and against Iraq, whether that action be air, ground or naval;

· full funding for the highest quality health care for veterans and for all who live within the U.S.;

· an end to “stop loss” orders; and

· full funding provided by the U.S. for the reconstruction of Iraq after 18 years of economic and military warfare.

Already the U.S. has spent over $600 billion to wage the Iraq war. The total cost of the war will almost certainly come close to $1.4 trillion by 2018, even if somehow total troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are reduced to 75,000 troops by 2012.

Virtually no money remains appropriated to be spent for the reconstruction of Iraq. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has repeatedly reported on the misspending of reconstruction funds by the U.S. The U.S. has an obligation to provide funding for the reconstruction of Iraq following these past 18 years of economic and military warfare.

Neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama is calling for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq any time soon. Senator McCain speaks about basing troop levels in Iraq upon “conditions on the ground”, without further defining what he means. Senator Obama talks about withdrawing 1 combat brigade per month while leaving a “residual” force behind to train the Iraqi military and police; to safeguard the U.S. embassy; and to engage in “counter-terrorist” activities. Most likely this “residual” force would be in the range of 30,000 to 60,000 U.S. troops remaining in Iraq indefinitely.

Meanwhile the strain upon service men and women and their families continues unabated with repeat deployments to Iraq. The Washington National Guard’s 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq for the second time this fall. The 32nd Red Arrow Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard will deploy to Iraq in 2009. This will be the largest deployment to combat of the Wisconsin National Guard since World War II when it logged the most days in theater of any U.S. Army unit. We call upon the United States to keep the National Guard at home in the U.S. and to end these repeat deployments abroad.

We come to Fort McCoy to, in some small way, act in solidarity with members of the military who choose to nonviolently resist this war by refusing to be deployed to Iraq. We encourage members of the active duty military, Reserve and National Guard to consider refusing deployment orders and to be in contact with the GI Rights Hotline regarding their rights within the military at 1-800-394-9544.

Sincerely,

Witness Against War

http://www.vcnv.org

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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9 Arrested in Chicago Making Delivery to Congressman: July 22

Timothy Baer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:21:22 -0500

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August 5, 2008

CHICAGO, IL: CPTers Deliver Iraq War “Death & Destruction” to Congressman; nine arrested

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) http://www.cpt.org

On 22 July, CPTers carried symbols of death and destruction into the Chicago office of U.S. Congressman Rahm Emmanuel (D-IL), who has consistently voted in favor of funding the Iraq war. “We are delivering what Rahm Emmanuel has ordered through his votes,” said CPT training participant Paul Horst.

Horst, dressed in a delivery uniform, began to check off items on an order receipt as others filed into the office and deposited automobile parts, decimated household goods, broken toys, damaged medical supplies, small coffins, large photographs, and boxes labeled with additional types of war-torn debris, all to the steady beat of a drum. Then, participants representing dead or traumatized soldiers and civilians laid down their bodies amidst the rubble.

“Delivery Person” Horst informed the office staff that the group could not leave without Congressman Emmanuel’s signature, either on the order receipt or on a pledge to vote against future Iraq war funding measures. They presented a peace lily with the pledge, urging the Congressman to choose an alternative to war. The staff declined to fax either document to the Congressman’s Washington, DC office, so the die-in continued.

Outside the office, CPTers and supporters stood under a large banner that read, “Stop Funding Death and Destruction in Iraq.” They sang, beat drums, distributed leaflets and encouraged passing cars to honk for peace.

Shortly before 5:00 p.m., Chicago police arrived and arrested nine CPTers inside the office on charges of trespassing. Officers used degrading language and rough physical tactics including kicking against participant Andy Oliver, who remained limp in his role as a fallen U.S. soldier.

Most of those arrested were released from jail by 9:00 p.m. However, three of the women were held until 6:30 the next morning with no explanation. All nine will appear in court on 15 August.

CPT organized the witness as part of the Occupation Project—a Campaign to Stop Iraq War Funding initiated by Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Hundreds of groups around the U.S. have occupied the offices of Senators and Representatives urging them to vote “NO” on the Bush administration’s requests. Many, including Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, have changed their votes and no longer support funding for the war in Iraq.

Members of CPT’s Summer 2008 training group who organized the witness were: Lyn Adamson (Toronto, ON), Karen Arnold (Suquamish, WA), Dennis Bricker (Iowa City, IA), Christine Downing (Breton, AB), Gladys Gómez (Bogotá, Colombia), Esther Mae Hinshaw (Newberg, OR), Sophia Hochstedler (Chicago, IL), Paul Horst (Chicago, IL), Daniel Huizenga (Peterborough, ON), Sam Nichols (San Diego, CA), Craig Kite (Waldorf, MD), Chris Knestrick (Cleveland, OH), Andy Oliver (Tumwater, WA), Hilary Scarsella (Bloomington, IN), Margaret Sumadh (Toronto, ON).

CPT’s MISSION: “Getting in the Way.” What would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war? Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict.

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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"IRAQ 2008" Town Hall Meeting (Bloomington, IN) with Cliff Kindy‏ on April 24, 2008

Timothy Baer — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:44:58 -0500

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PRESS RELEASE: April 23, 2008

For more information, contact: Timothy Baer

CLICK HERE for Report and News Coverage of the “IRAQ 2008” event.

“IRAQ 2008”

Town Hall Meeting with featured speaker Cliff Kindy

An Evening of Education, Inspiration, and Discussion on Iraq and Ending the U.S. Occupation

Thursday, April 24, 2008 ~ 7:00 p.m.

First United Church ~ 2420 E. 3rd Street

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana Students Against War and Bloomington Peace Action Coalition are pleased to present an evening of education and inspiration with Cliff Kindy, and offer the public an opportunity to come together to speak out about the war and military occupation in Iraq.

Cliff Kindy, an organic farmer from northern Indiana, pacifist, and long-time member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, has recently returned from Iraq. He will open the Bloomington Town Hall Meeting by speaking about his experiences living and working with the people of Iraq, and give an eyewitness account of life under U.S. military occupation.

Following Mr. Kindy’s presentation, those in attendance will have an opportunity to speak out – To ask questions, to voice an opinion on U.S. involvement in Iraq, or to suggest ways to move forward in resolving the conflict.

During the past five years, the U.S. Congress has approved the spending of more than 560 billion dollars for war and military occupation in Iraq. Since the United States launched the March 2003 invasion, hundreds of thousands of lives have been destroyed in Iraq. Now Congress is considering the appropriation of another $170 billion to continue the U.S. occupation of Iraq into the year 2009, with a decision expected in early May 2008.

The continuing U.S. military occupation of Iraq not only raises serious issues of U.S. national security. In addition, billions of dollars are being spent on war and occupation that could instead go into much needed domestic programs for health care, infrastructure and education, and into programs addressing global climate change and peaking world oil supplies.

For years, a majority of Americans has wanted the occupation to end. But, so far, even a Congress controlled by a Democratic majority has not moved to put an end to the occupation of Iraq.

How can this nation move forward on resolving the conflict in Iraq?

We invite your participation in this important discussion.

All 9th District Congressional candidates, current Indiana members of Congress, and the media have been invited to this important meeting. Bloomington’s Community Access Television Services (CATS) will be filming and broadcasting the event.

Join us on April 24th for a Town Hall style gathering with featured speaker, Cliff Kindy.

Sponsored by Indiana Students Against War and Bloomington Peace Action Coalition http://www.BPAC.info

Timothy Baer Campaign Coordinator, The Declaration of Peace http://DeclarationofPeace.org
Organizer, Bloomington Peace Action Coalition http://www.BPAC.info
(812) 988-1917

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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March 19, 2008: Three Wisconsin Peace Activists Arrested at Recruiting Station

Timothy Baer — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:36:20 -0500

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Press Release: March 19, 2008

Contact: Joy First (608) 239-4327

THREE PEACE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AT MADISON MILITARY RECRUITING STATIONS

Madison, WI – On the 5th anniversary of the war and occupation of Iraq, nine peace activists went to the military recruiting stations at East Washington and Theirer Road in Madison at a little before noon on Wednesday March 19. They formed a circle on the sidewalk outside of the stations and began reading names of US soldiers and Iraqis who have died in the war and occupation.

Within a few minutes, a recruiter came and told them that they must leave or the police would come and they would be arrested.

Five individuals continued the vigil outside, while four of the activists went inside to talk to the military recruiters. The activists tried to talk to the recruiters about their concern with our young people being put into harms way by joining the military. They asked the recruiters if they had seen any of the Winter Soldier testimony.

The recruiters said again that the activists must leave or they would be arrested when the police arrived. “This is a public office, paid for by taxpayer money,” said Judy Miner from Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, “Why can’t we be here?”

When the police arrived and told the group they must leave or be arrested, a few individuals left the office. Joy First said, “I can’t leave. My conscience is calling me to stay here. It is my responsibility to call for an end to the military recruiting that provides bodies for the illegal war and occupation.”

The police arrested Joy First, Bonnie Block, and David Nordstrom, charged them with trespassing, which carries a $424 fine.

After the arrests, Joy, Bonnie, and Dave were required to leave the property, but the other activists were allowed to stay on the private sidewalk in front of the recruiting station and continue their vigil for peace.

This action was organized by Madison Pledge of Resistance, a member group of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Photos, Video, & Reports from Bloomington, IN "5 Years Too Many" Event‏‏ ~ March 19, 2008

Timothy Baer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:15:42 -0500

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Report, Articles, Photos, and Video of the Bloomington ”5 Years Too Many” March 19, 2008 End-the-War Event

More than 280 people participated in Bloomington, Indiana’s ”5 Years Too Many” End-the-War Event on March 19, 2008.

Temperatures hovered in the upper 30’s to lower 40’s with drizzle to light rain throughout.

Nearly 180 people marched from Sample Gates to the Courthouse Square.

Twelve or thirteen people participated in the Die-In at the Indiana National Guard recruiting office. Five activists remained in a blocking posture at the doorway for nearly 1 ½ hours in the rain, until after the office closed and the police left the scene. No arrests occurred.

About 80 people processed to Showers Plaza, in front of City Hall, to hear U.S. Congressional candidates speak. Democrats John Bottorff and Gretchen Clearwater, and Libertarian Eric Schansberg all spoke about ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

More than 200 hand-written postcards calling for an end to the war were delivered to Congressman Baron Hill’s District Director John Zody and other staff.

Thank you to all who spoke, marched, wrote messages, acted, served as ‘Peacekeepers’, organized, and in whatever way participated for Peace, in Bloomington on March 19th.

Let us all continue to work together for Peace in Iraq!

~ Timothy Baer

Organizer, Bloomington Peace Action Coalition

Campaign Coordinator, The Declaration of Peace

Below are:

1. Excellent photos from the March 19th Bloomington event are at BloomingtonOnline.net

2. Video from the Die-In at the Indiana National Guard recruiting office

3. Comments from Indiana Students Against War organizer, Alex Smith

4. Announcements of the event appeared in The Herald Times (Bloomington’s daily newspaper) on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18 & 19, 2008

5. Coverage of the event in The Herald Times on Thursday, March 20, 2008

6. Videos at H-T website

7. Coverage of the event in the Indiana Daily Student (Indiana University’s newspaper) on Thursday, March 20, 2008

8. “On the Fifth Anniversary” remarks by David Keppel

1.) View 200 excellent photos from the March 19th Bloomington event at BloomingtonOnline.net http://www.bloomingtononline.net/
The “5 Years in Iraq” Photo Album page is at: http://www.bloomingtononline.net/album/main.php?cmd=album&var1=peacedemo03-20-08%2F&var3=0

2.) Video from the Die-In ~ March, 19, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/v/0Kb1MUWrQD8

3.) Comments from ISAW organizer, Alex Smith (3-20-08):

I want to thank everyone who participated in the protests of the 19th! We had an incredible turn out considering the cold and rain - at least 50 people from IU, and 200 to 300 on the courthouse square. The event went well, but we can’t stop here! Ending US imperialism and the war on terror will take a social movement on a scale far larger than what we saw yesterday, and it will require continuous commitment and effort from everyone involved. Right now more and more people are saying that they want a change; we have to give them the opportunity to make that change a reality through protest, education, and nonviolent direct action.

I put together a video of the die-in in front of the national guard office that you can view here: http://www.youtube.com/v/0Kb1MUWrQD8 Photos of the event are being posted online by BPAC, and I will try to let you know when they become available.

Thanks again for coming out in the rain to demanding an end to this terrible war!

Alex

4.) Events scheduled to protest Iraq war anniversary

H-T Report March 18 & 19, 2008

Come Thursday, it will be five years since the United States and allied forces invaded Iraq. As the war continues there, protests continue here.

A number of events, billed as “5 Years Too Many — PEACE NOW!,” are planned in Bloomington Wednesday to mark the war that started March 20, 2003.

4 p.m.: Indiana University, gathering between Ballantine Hall and Woodburn Hall for a peace march to Sample Gates. Bloomington High School South “Panthers Against War” will join the IU student march.

4:30 p.m.: At the Sample Gates, Hilary Scarsella, a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, will speak about the power of nonviolence.

4:40-5 p.m.: Procession to courthouse square. “5 Minutes for 5 Years — Freeze Action” at the National Guard Recruiting Office on Kirkwood Avenue.

5 p.m.: Rally with speakers at Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street. Greeting and passing of the peace with Sura Gail Tala. Speakers Scott Russell Sanders and David Keppel address nonviolence and U.S. policy on Iraq. People are encouraged to write messages to Congressman Baron Hill about ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Reading of the names of Indiana soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed in Iraq during the war and occupation.

5:45 p.m.: Procession to Showers Plaza/City Hall, Eighth and Morton streets

6-6:30 p.m.: Congressional candidates to speak. Delivery of postcard messages to Congressman Baron Hill’s office. Invited members of the U.S. Congress and 9th District Congressional candidates will speak about ending the war and U.S. troop withdrawal. Democrat John Bottorff, Democrat Gretchen Clearwater and Libertarian Eric Schansberg have confirmed their participation.

5.) Protest marks five years of war in Iraq

By Brady Gillihan 349-1420 | The Herald Times March 20, 2008

Peace signs, bullhorns blaring slogans, students staging deaths in front of armed forces recruiting stations: the stuff of the ’60s, and the stuff of Bloomington Wednesday night when almost 200 demonstrators marched in the “5 Years Too Many — PEACE NOW” rally through downtown.

“It wasn’t much different,” said Jerry Williams, a Vietnam veteran, who said he was never quite sure where he stood on that war. “This war seems cleaner now, but that’s only because we’re in it. Wait till we look back. But the marches, the rallies, I went to a lot of them. And you know what? Only the faces have changed.”

Williams wasn’t holding a sign and he wasn’t chanting, but he did walk with the others, who were marching in conjunction with rallies held across the country Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the United States’ and its allies’ invasion of Iraq.

The group started near Ballantine Hall on the Indiana University campus, marched to the Sample Gates, then west on Kirkwood Avenue, where many were ushered repeatedly back onto the sidewalk by Bloomington and IU police.

In the doorway of the National Guard recruiting building on Kirkwood, a “5 Minutes for 5 years — Freeze Action” was held as several marchers lay on the wet sidewalk perfectly still and quiet. Some of the demonstrators attempted to walk into the recruiting office, but the door was locked. The office is usually open until 6 p.m.; a soldier in uniform inside refused to talk to press or demonstrators.

The crowd then moved to the Monroe County Courthouse, where they were addressed by local speakers and encouraged to write anti-war messages to U.S. Rep. Baron Hill on postcards, which were then scheduled to be delivered to Hill’s office at the end of the march.

6.) There are two good but, brief videos at The Herald Times website. There are also three photos, including one from the Die-In which didn’t make it into the print edition. (Unfortunately, you must be an H-T subscriber to have access to these.) See: http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2008/03/20/news.qp-7035690.sto?1206230249

7.) Community protests Iraq War as it reaches the 5-year mark

By Sarah Brubeck Indiana Daily Student | Date: 3/20/2008

http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=49770&comview=1

Protesters fell onto the sidewalk in front of the Kirkwood Avenue National Guard recruitment center Wednesday, representing fallen soldiers as they participated in a voluntary “die-in” protest marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War.

Students and Bloomington residents marched across campus and through the town to protest the war in Iraq, despite the rain and freezing conditions.

The protest was one of many across the country Wednesday that marked the five-year anniversary of the war in Iraq, which began March 19, 2003.

“My friends and myself feel this war has gone on much too long, or we never should have gone in the first place,” said senior Eoban Binder. “Today is a good day to protest our presence in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.”

The protest started at Ballantine Hall with Indiana Students Against the War and the Democratic Socialist group leading the protest. They soon headed to the Sample Gates at the intersection of Kirkwood and Indiana avenues, holding up signs that read “five years too many,” “say no to war” and “five minutes for five years of war.” Protesters also spoke through megaphones and banged on plastic drums.

“The first time I ever did this was five years ago when I was 16,” said senior Kyle Andis, speaking of a protest in Indianapolis. “We knew it was going to happen, so we met in the center of the city.”

The Bloomington Peace Action Coalition joined the protesters at the Sample Gates along with students from Bloomington High School South. Students and residents joined the protest as it carried on.

“I was hanging up posters for another event,” said junior Melissa Roth, who joined the protest at Ballantine Hall. “I had no idea this was going on. More people than this are interested, and it’s important to spread awareness.”

After protesting in front of the Sample Gates, the marchers made their way down Kirkwood Avenue to the National Guard recruitment center. Protesters participated in five minutes of silence to represent the five years in Iraq.

IU police officers were also present to make sure the protesters stayed out of the streets.

“This protest is in conjunction with a series of larger protests nationwide,” Binder said. “There are larger protests in larger cities … We try to coordinate local protests with protests going on throughout the country.”

Protesters continued to march down Kirkwood Avenue until they reached City Hall, where they continued to demonstrate. Prior to Wednesday’s events, Indiana Students Against the War collected postcards from the public asking the government to take action and stop the war. The postcards were delivered to 9th District Rep. Baron Hill’s office at the end of the protest.

“At least we let them know that there are people around the world against the war,” said graduate student Sandrine Catris. “We want to be visible and show the Iraqi people we want to be out of there.”

Some students also wore black ribbons to represent the people who have died in the war.

“You have to look at history because it doesn’t just take internal disagreement,” Binder said. “We would have been in Vietnam a lot longer if there hadn’t been such an outcry. There hasn’t been such an outcry because we don’t have a draft.”

8.) On the Fifth Anniversary …

By David Keppel

Five years ago, we gathered on this Square to express our shock and sorrow and our strong opposition to the United States’s invasion of Iraq. For months, we had been trying to prevent it. Only a few weeks earlier, a small group of us had met with Senator Richard Lugar, who deserves credit for his accessibility. As a final question, one of us asked whether the attack could not be postponed to give inspections a chance. No, he said: We have troops on the border. They have families. They need to get the job done so they can come home.

Indiana’s junior Senator, Evan Bayh, a member of the Intelligence Committee, regularly asserted he had secret information about the Iraqi threat. Now we know the classified intelligence report actually undermined the Bush administration’s allegations about Iraqi weapons. Justifying the U.S.’s invasion, Senator Bayh said in a speech in December 2002: “The best defense is a good offense.” At Nuremberg, the allies prosecuted Nazi war criminals for that doctrine.

It is almost impossible to know the number of Iraqi children killed and injured in this war built upon lies: children hit by a bomb, children dying in dilapidated hospitals, children stepping on an American cluster bomb, children who watch as soldiers or mercenaries shoot their parents in the front seat of the car, or a young girl whom American soldiers shot last week when they saw a “suspicious looking woman who seemed to be signaling something to someone.”

Almost 4000 Americans have been killed in this war, and 20,000 injured. Far more have suffered trauma that will haunt them and their families. Hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed. Four million are displaced – half within Iraq, half outside their country. Last week, President Bush told a group of religious broadcasters that his invasion of Iraq was and always would be God given.

Yet even many who admit the invasion was a terrible mistake argue we are locked into endless war. We broke it, they say, and now we have to fix it. As if we could. As if that were the real purpose of the occupation.

Any occupation lives in unhealthy co-dependency with the local collaborator government. In order to destroy Iraqi nationalism, the Bush administration empowered a sectarian government. Sectarianism unleashed a civil war at the same time that our occupation provoked an insurgency. Our Iraqi dependents in the Green Zone owe their country no allegiance. Government revenues flow to foreign bank accounts, not reconstruction. Basic services such as electricity are in ruins, and cities choke in garbage and sewage. But the Bush administration cannot stop that, because its real priority is permanent military bases and an oil law favoring American companies. Having empowered a Shiite government close to Iran, the United States is now paying and arming Sunni militias.

John McCain suggests the United States stay in Iraq a hundred years. But with our nation deeply indebted to foreign creditors, that is a flat impossibility. The question, therefore, is not whether there will be strife when we leave. The question is whether it will be better – or worse – if we stay longer; if we continue to back a puppet government that one day will be on the first plane for London, Zurich, Los Angeles, or Tehran; if we continue to arm both sides of the civil war; if we prove to the entire Islamic world that our only interests are oil and empire.

This war has already cost half a trillion dollars in Federal spending and – in full accounting – a great deal more. Here in this Congressional district, the money we’ve spent in Iraq could have provided 250,000 people with health care, or three-quarters of a million homes with renewable electricity, or 14,000 elementary school teachers. The United States spends $88 on the military for every dollar it spends to stop global warming. Our economy is in recession and is at risk of depression. Congressman Hill, what are your priorities?

In 2002, Congressman Baron Hill voted to authorize the war. He now admits the war is a mistake, and to his credit he says it must end. Yet when the President forces him to choose, Congressman Hill funds more war in the name of supporting the troops.

We do not know who the next President will be. We do know that two of the major candidates, John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton, supported the invasion and have refused to give a timetable for full withdrawal. So we need to know when Congress will stop this charade, by exercising its constitutional authority to cut off funding. Let money go only to an orderly withdrawal and humanitarian assistance. Let true diplomacy – with everyone at the table – begin now. All American troops and military contractors must leave Iraq.

We the people have power if we use it. Please sign a pledge to vote for candidates for President and Congress who will get out of Iraq and stay out of Iran. Incidentally, you can register to vote or update your registration at MCPL on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from now until April 6th (excluding Easter - Sunday, March 23rd).

Last week, President Bush forced the resignation of CENTCOM Commander Admiral William Fallon, who reportedly opposes bombing Iran. We should have learned that just because something is insane, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Let us insist that Congress pass legislation that would bar the President from attacking Iran without specific Congressional authorization. Let us support only those candidates who would curb nuclear proliferation in the one realistic and fair way – by working toward the global abolition of nuclear weapons, including the U.S. first strike arsenal. And let us never reward those who seek to profit from the politics of fear.

Friends, this is a sad and shameful anniversary, but it is also a time to draw strength from the fierce urgency of events and from the hope that we always feel when we gather together to work for peace. We are no longer a minority. Let us reach out to each other, to our fellow citizens, to Americans who have served in Iraq, to Iraqi refugees and those remaining in that wounded country, and to all with whom we share this planet. Peace, like justice, is a universal human right. We demand it now. [Thank you.]

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Ghosts of the Iraq War Shut Down the Senate - March 12, 2008

Timothy Baer — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:43:50 -0500

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Ghosts of the Iraq War Shut Down the Senate

By Max Obuszewski

See it on video here!

On March 12, 2008, members of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR] again went inside the U.S. Capitol with a message to end the funding of the Iraq War.

NCNR activists and their supporters gathered in the gallery of the U.S. Senate. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) was speaking, and Senate Budget Chairperson Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) was managing the debate for the Democrats over the budget resolution. Acting President Pro Tempore Sen. Ben Cardin (D-M.D.) was also present.

Following Kennedy’s oration, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) was speaking at 2:20 PM, when Eve Tetaz stood up wearing a We Will Not Be Silent tee shirt and a gauze shroud over her head and said, “I am a ghost from the Iraq War. While I died needlessly, I am here to demand an end to the funding of the war so that others do not have to die.”

As she was removed, the ghost of Tim Chadwick with a We Will Not Be Silent tee shirt and a gauze shroud stood up. I would be the third ghost. Eventually, ten Ghosts of the Iraq War would haunt the august Senate chamber.

We subsequently found out that after we were removed, Sen. Lincoln praised our passion and indicated she was just as passionate to end the war. Our ghostly voices were captured on C-Span.

Two of our supporters, Janie Stein and Martin Bates from Salina, Kansas, were in Sen. Sam Brownback’s office awaiting an opportunity to meet with him. Since the TV was tuned to Fox News, they asked a staff person to turn on C-Span. When our voices were heard, they applauded, as did some members of the Republican senator’s staff.

Once the ghosts were in custody, we were all handcuffed and held in a hallway. The others were Maria Allwine, Ellen Barfield, Joy First, Judith Kelly, Art Landis, Linda Letendre and Manijeh Saba. While in the hallway, we continued to condemn the funding of an immoral war. Various media representatives were straining to interview us, but the Capitol Police intentionally kept them away. While I was being cuffed, the officer yelled out to keep the press away.

Each one of us would continue to speak out as we were escorted by a Capitol Police officer to one of two police wagons. We were transported just a few blocks away to a Capitol Police precinct behind the Senate office buildings.

I was with Tim, who walks with a cane because he had a knee replacement about a month ago, and Art, a senior citizen who shuffles along with a cane. Art was handcuffed in the front which allowed him to use his cane. Tim, though, had his cane taken away and was cuffed in the back.

Since Tim, Maria, Joy, Judith and I were convicted for the NCNR crypt action in September, we were prepared to serve our suspended jail sentences. Art was convicted in January for crossing the line last November at the School of Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. He is awaiting an order to report to jail to serve his 30-day sentence. Ellen and Eve are familiar faces, so they inevitably are held over. Linda accepted the stet offer issued after her arrest at the Supreme Court on Jan. 11 calling for the closure of the prison at Guantanamo. However, a condition for the stet was that she would not be arrested for six months.

So almost all of the arrestees recognized the possibility of being held in jail. We were all experienced activists, and dedicated in our desire to continue to act against this awful war, regardless of the consequences.

Because Art has had a series of mini-strokes, he takes an aspirin a day. The police would not give him a pill, but during processing they took him to George Washington Hospital.

The gathering of personal information for each defendant was conducted in a small office. While there I was handcuffed by one wrist to a wall. We could have been processed in a few hours, but efficiency is not the order of the day in most police stations. Around 9 PM, the remaining six prisoners were to be transported to Central Cell Block for identification checks. Officer Wilson was in charge of the precinct, and he placed the cuffs on us. Our complaints that the cuffs were biting our wrists were disregarded. Earlier that evening, he told me that he served two tours of duty in Iraq, the first in Desert Storm, the second in the more recent invasion. He added that we should protest the incarceration of soldiers convicted of torture at Abu Ghraib.

Once at the entrance to Central Cell Block, Eve, who suffers from glaucoma, asked if a police officer could apply her eye drops. Instead, she was taken to George Washington Hospital.

Once we were in CCB, the cuffs were removed and we had the opportunity to drink some sugar water. This would be the first fluids we consumed since entering the Capitol. Tim and I shared a cell, and the women were taken to the other side of the jail. One by one, we were taken to be fingerprinted and photographed. Today, this is done by computer. While in the room, I was asked what was going on. Once I explained STOP-LOSS CONGRESS, the jailers were very sympathetic to the idea that Congress should not go on vacation until all the troops were home.

Prior to our release from CCB, Art returned from the hospital. He looked much better, as he was provided with intravenous fluids, an aspirin and a sandwich. Later, we heard that there were 28 other arrests that day. Those activists were taken to the Capitol Police mass arrest garage.

Our citation release called for us to be arraigned at 10:30 AM on Mar. 13 in Superior Court, facing a charge of disorderly conduct/disruptive conduct, which carries a possible sentence of six months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

The next day in court was agonizing; at 11:30 AM we were told our cases would not be heard until the afternoon. Jack Baringer, an attorney, discovered that Ellen, Joy and Linda—whom we hadn’t seen since they were arrested—were in custody. Eve was not in lock-up. By 5 PM., she was.

The government called every other case, at least 75. The intent was to clear the courtroom before our cases were called. There were eight marshals in court when Linda was brought in at 6:20 PM, followed by the other three women.

The judge authorized stay-away orders from Capitol Hill for the defendants. He set up a status hearing date of May 27. A number of us are scheduled for trial that day for the Close Guantanamo action at the Supreme Court.

The six of us given citation release were then called up. At 7 PM, outside the courtroom, the Ghosts of the Iraq War were reunited. Those held over were perplexed to find out the others were released. It made no sense.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Columbia has been trying to clamp down on the antiwar resistance movement. The government can jail the resisters, but not the resistance.

Max Obuszewski, a member of the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore, is involved with the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Account & Video of "Ghosts of the Iraq War" Action in the Senate Gallery

Timothy Baer — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:30:59 -0500

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See the brief C-SPAN 2 video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BsJdy11Fc&eurl=http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=

Ghosts of the Iraq War Action in the Senate Gallery

by Joy First

March 17, 2008

I went to Washington, DC on Monday March 10, 2008 to participate in the “Ghosts of War” action on March 12. This was a planned action of nonviolent civil resistance, following the nonviolent principles of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, organized by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance. The plan was to do this action in the Senate gallery where we could directly address the Senators, demanding that they stop funding the war. All of us who would participate have spent hundreds of hours calling, writing, and visiting our Senators and Representatives asking them to end the funding for the war. We have participated in marches and rallies, written letters to the editor, talked to families and friends, and taken many “legal” actions to try to end the war and occupation of Iraq.

I knew that by participating in the “Ghosts of War” action, I would be risking arrest and could face jail time. I knew I would likely at least be held overnight because I had a pending case, a trial in May for an action on January 11 at the US Supreme Court with Witness Against Torture. I am on 6-month probation from a September 20, 2007 action in the crypt of the Capitol, with a 10-day suspended jail sentence for that action, so I knew could potentially be a longer stay in jail.

The night before I left for Washington, my husband Steve and I were lying in bed and talking about what I would be doing. We were both feeling very sad that I had to leave again. I said that I hoped he understood why I had to do this. He said he did. He also said that he hoped that others really understood that I didn’t do this because I want to get arrested. He said that he knew that what I was doing was right, and that I shouldn’t get arrested for it. I thought, wow, he almost gets it better than I do. I continue to carefully think about my work, and slowly, layer by layer, I am coming to a deeper understanding of what I do and why. What I am doing, speaking out against an illegal and immoral war is not breaking the law. What I am doing is right, and I should not be arrested for it. We must do everything we can, nonviolently working for peace. As my actions continue to become more difficult and the risks continue to become greater, I am feeling more committed than ever to continuing this work.

I arrived in DC late Monday afternoon and went to a nonviolence training for the Stop-Loss Congress group at St. Stephen’s Church that evening. Stop-Loss Congress is a group of mostly young adults in their early 20s, many who are doing nonviolent resistance for the first time. There were about 50 young people at the training and it was so good to see these young people with all their positive energy getting involved in activism. The government continues to deliver stop-loss orders to members of the military in Iraq, telling them they cannot go home even though their contract with the military has expired. These brave young people were going to deliver stop-loss orders to all members of Congress, telling them they could not take breaks or vacations until all the troops were safely home.

On Tuesday, I met with aides in the offices of Rep. Tammy Baldwin and Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl and talked to them about what it would take to bring the war to an end. I continue to be extremely frustrated with Senator Kohl as he continues to vote to fund the war. I joined the young people in delivering the Stop-Loss order to Nancy Pelosi’s office and was so impressed by them and honored to be with them.

About eight of us from the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance met on Tuesday night at St. Stephen’s Church to discuss the “Ghosts of War” action. Linda brought cheesecloth that we would be using for a head covering during the action. The cloth was cut into squares and distributed. We talked about details of the action. We expected about 10 people to participate in the action and risk arrest, all of us seasoned activists who have done this kind of thing before.

On Wednesday morning, March 12, those involved in the “Ghosts of War” action met at 11:00 am at Union Station to finalize plans. After working through final details, we dispersed to take care of personal matters and then met up again at Upper Senate Park at about 12:30 or so. We walked across the street to the Capitol in groups of two or three with our Senate gallery passes in hand. We did not want to arrive in a large group and arouse suspicion as we went through security at the Capitol.

It is always very stressful when we have to go through security for an action. I know that what I am doing is right. I know that I am nonviolent and not there to hurt anyone. But I always feel very nervous about getting in so that I can participate in the action. During the action, we would have to quickly take the cheesecloth out of our pocket, get it over our head, stand up, and get our message out before the police stopped us. The cheesecloth was very sticky, difficult to open up, and I was worried about getting it all done.

Maria and I successfully made it into the Senate gallery, and sat down together. Senator Ted Kennedy was speaking when we arrived. I think there were about 5-10 senators on the floor. We looked around and were reassured to see others from our group.

At somewhere around 2:00 pm, Eve stood up, put the shroud over her head and announced that she was a ghost of the Iraq war and said that she wanted the unnecessary killing to stop. She demanded that the Senate stop funding the war.

Then Tim stood up with the shroud over his head, giving the same message, and then Max stood and spoke. Maria and I both stood almost together and said that we were a ghost from the Iraq war , that the war was wrong and we had to stop killing innocent people. The others, Ellen, Linda, Art, Manijeh, and Judith also stood and spoke. Ten of us were arrested in the gallery.

The acoustics are incredible in the Senate chamber and our voices were loud and clear. Senator Blanche Lincoln was on the floor speaking about funding to help the vets when they came home when Eve stood and began the action by standing and speaking. Everyone on the floor stopped dead and all eyes were on us as the action continued. The Sergeant at Arms shouted to restore order in the gallery. We were there trying to restore order in Iraq by stopping the illegal occupation. As we began speaking, many other visitors in the gallery began clapping for us.

The police came and took us by the arm and led us out of the gallery as we continued to speak out against the war. We were lined up in the hallway outside the gallery and still continued to speak. The police were trying to keep the press away from us. Max said that we were with the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance and he asked others to join us. We were handcuffed and taken down the elevator. As I was led out on the main floor, I continued to speak as we passed many tourists and Senate staff people. I said that we should not be arrested for what we had done, that Bush was the real criminal and should be in jail. I said we must stop funding the war and occupation that is killing so many innocent people. I heard others also continuing to speak and get our message out as they were led through the Capitol building in handcuffs.

We were taken to the main Capitol police station and I saw familiar faces there, officers that I remembered from previous arrests. There is an officer, Officer Wilson, that I have had several conversations with and he jokingly welcomed me back, said he was sorry to see me back, but also that he understands why I need to do this.

We were only in handcuffs for about thirty minutes. The processing and paperwork takes an incredibly long time. I was in a room with a young officer about the age of my own children. We talked a lot about the war and why I needed to do this. I told him that all my children were very proud of what I was doing. I asked him how he would feel if his mom did this, and he said she would probably join us. Officer Wilson came in and told me that the computer check showed I had a pending case and was on probation so I would be held overnight. He asked why a nice lady like me had to keep putting herself in this difficult situation. I told him why and he said he knows, but he just wishes I could stay home with my kids and grandkids. How can I do that when I know what’s going on and I know I have a responsibility to do everything I can to stop it?

We meet many officers who seem like kind and caring people, who seem to understand what we are doing and why. We are also in contact with some officers who are not very nice at all. It is a complicated relationship between us and the officers. There can be kind individuals, but the system they are involved in is corrupt. To understand what is going on it helps me to think about living in a patriarchal system where women are oppressed on so many levels. So, though there are many good men who I know and love, I still live in this oppressive patriarchal system, and it is very hurtful to me. In the same way, there are some good police officers, but they are involved in a system that is corrupt, that is hurtful and oppressive because one person has power over another person.

After processing, the seven women who were arrested were put in a holding cell together for a few hours. At about 9:00 pm, Ellen, Linda, and I were called. We were cuffed again, put in the back of a police van, and driven to Central Lockup. It took about an hour to get us fingerprinted and get our mug shots. We were offered a baggie with a bologna sandwich and a processed cheese sandwich and a glass of a sugary drink and taken upstairs to our cells.

I hadn’t had anything since breakfast and I hungrily ate the 2 pieces of white bread with the processed cheese and drank the juice. I gave the other sandwich to my new roommate. She was a 26 year-old African American woman, pregnant for the 7th time. Three of her children died at birth, and the three surviving children were living with her foster mother. Monique told me she was in jail charged with burglary after being found sleeping in an abandoned building. We talked for about an hour and then she went to sleep. I climbed onto the top bunk and tried to rest. We had a bare metal slab to sleep on with no mattress, blanket, or pillow. At least it was warm and I could take off my jacket and use that for a pillow. I drifted in and out of sleep all night long. The bright lights are kept on all night and every hour or so, the guards would walk through the cellblock shouting out something to someone.

The only way you know what time it is, is if you ask a guard and they tell you. At about 5:30 in the morning, the guard brought another baggie with two sandwiches and a glass of the sugary drink. I gave my bologna sandwich to Monique because I don’t eat meat. I told myself I should try to eat the other sandwich because it would likely be the only food I would get until I got out of jail later in the day. I took one bite and I just couldn’t eat any more, but I did force myself to drink.

At about 7:00 am, they took us out of our cells to take us over to the courthouse for our arraignment. I saw Ellen, Linda, and Eve, and we wondered where the other three women were. We had heard their voices late the night before, but we hadn’t seen them since we were all in a cell together at the Capitol police station. We also wondered where the three men were, but knew it was less likely we would see them because the men and women are carefully separated once arrested.

At the courthouse, we were shackled around our ankles, as we walked to a holding cell. The federal marshals yelled at us to walk with our hands behind our backs. Ellen, Linda, and I were put in a cell with about 15-20 African-American women. Eve was in a cell across the hallway from us. It was then that I started hearing more stories about why the women were there. For so many of them, they were there for crimes of survival, stealing money for food, stealing money for drugs so they could self-medicate because their lives felt so hopeless. Many of them had a long history of abuse. It was there that I thought about all the work we need to do on reforming our system. Most of the women there are stuck in a system that does not support them and does not give them any way out. My cellmate, Monique, had told me that while she was pregnant, she was not allowed in the homeless shelter or in the drug programs. There has to be a better and more humane way to take care of our brothers and sisters caught in a cycle of poverty and prison.

Soon after we were put in the holding cell, jail staff asked us to provide a urine sample. Ellen, Linda, and I refused. All of the other women complied because they are lied to by the jail staff and told they must do it, that they would get out sooner if they did. The twenty of us were then moved to another holding area and we didn’t see Eve again until about 4:00 that afternoon.

I could hardly walk because of the shackles around my ankles that were painfully digging into my ankle bones. Our new location did not have a toilet. The next several hours dragged by painfully slow. We were denied food and water during the day and had limited access to a toilet. In order to go to the bathroom, we had to get the attention of a federal marshal and a female marshal would take us to a cell with a metal toilet. There is no privacy when you go to the bathroom while in jail. I went to the bathroom at 6:00 that morning and then not again until 2:00 pm. As I walked back to the holding cell, I asked the guard if he could loosen my shackles because they were very painful. He just said it wouldn’t help and told me to get into the cell.

We had a long day to share our stories about our activism with our fellow inmates and to hear their stories. We tried to keep our spirits up and support each other as we anxiously awaited our time before the judge. We were able to peek into an office across the hallway and see a clock. It was nice to be able to know the time throughout the day. As has become the pattern in DC courts for the peace activists to be the last ones brought before the judge to be arraigned. It was 7:00 pm before we were called.

The federal marshals took us down the hallway to the courtroom, yelling at us to keep our hands behind our back. I walked slowly and painfully as the shackles cut into my ankles after over 10 hours of wearing them. Again, it was such a surreal experience walking from the jail hallway into the courtroom. Everything is grey and dirty in jail. It’s like walking from black and white into color.

Later Malachy told me that there were three marshals in the courtroom all day, but when they brought us in, there were seven marshals. Is that because we are so dangerous? The marshals yelled at us to keep our hands behind our back and not to look at the spectators. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see many friends and supporters sitting in the courtroom giving us the peace sign. Tears of relief and comfort fell. The marshals told our supporters to put their hands down or they would be put out of the courtroom. Eve, Ellen, Linda, and I stood facing the judge. The marshals formed a wall behind us so that our friends could not see us. I was feeling very anxious wondering if I would be held over, but also remembering why I continue to do this work in spite of the risks.

We were in front of Judge McCarthy who I have been in front of a number of times in the past. He is generally fair and somewhat sympathetic to our cause. I thought there was a possibility I could be released that night. The government prosecutor asked the judge that the four of us all be held over in jail. The judge refused this request. We pled not guilty and were given a date for a status hearing and a stay-away order from all of Capitol Hill. He then sternly admonished us, saying that if it would have been any other judge in the courthouse, it would have been a different outcome and we would have been held over. He said that we had been doing this long enough and we had gotten our message out. He said that we would have to stop or the system would eat us up.

The marshals unlocked our shackles and we were free to go after signing papers to return for the status hearing on May 27. The matter of breaking my probation is still unresolved. A notice was sent to Judge Keary, and I may hear that I must return to DC to deal with that.

I went out into the sweet and loving arms of the community waiting for us there in the courtroom. I was shocked when I began to hear and realize that six of the ten arrested were released at about midnight the night before. All day we assumed they were somewhere in jail, and it felt like my sense of reality was turned upside down. There seemed to be no reason they were released and we weren’t, but I was glad we all didn’t have to spend the night in jail. Some of the ones released were also on probation and had pending cases, and so you can never predict what will happen.

My friend Malachy was our jail support person and I found out that the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police at Central Lockup lied to him the night before and told him they had no idea where we were. Malachy called them several times and went to the stations in person to try and make sure we were there and that we were ok, but he could not get any information. At 7:30 am on Thursday morning Malachy was able to get in touch with Ann Wilcox, an attorney who supports us. She called the jail, and they immediately told Ann where we were, and Malachy could finally know we were safe.

Judge McCarthy’s remarks telling us that we had to stop doing this or the system would eat us up have been bothering me. He has no right to tell us to stop speaking out against the war and occupation. It is my patriotic duty to continue to do this work. Innocent people are still suffering and dying everyday in Iraq. I cannot and will not stop. The Nuremberg Principles state that we must speak out when our government is acting illegally. I believe that what I am doing is right and just. What I am doing is upholding the law. The real criminals who are responsible for the death of over a million people are walking free while those of us willing to demand an end to the injustice are locked in jail. What kind of world are we leaving for our children and for their children?

Right now we have a system where we are wrongfully arrested as we attempt to hold our government accountable and uphold international law, such as the Nuremberg Principles and the United Nations Charter. We are painfully handcuffed and shackled, and deprived of sleep, food, and water. We are dehumanized as we are called by numbers rather than by our names. The important thing to me is to keep pushing – to continue the resistance and let our government know we will not accept their actions, we demand that they stop breaking the law. We are arrested for upholding the law, but George Bush is the one who should be arrested for genocide and tried at The Hague.

What continues to drive me is the incredible human suffering that our government is causing. The mainstream media does not show us what is really going on, but we can look at alternative media sources on the internet and see what is happening in Iraq. We can listen to the brave soldiers who spoke out during Winter Soldier and understand the horrible depravity of what our government is doing. We, the people are the only ones who can bring a change. We must act.

I am doing the only thing that I can do. Once you know, you can’t not know, and you must act. I must continue this work in speaking out strongly against my government’s actions. I could not sleep at night, and I could not live with myself if I did not. Please, anyone who reads this, please think seriously of joining those of us who are nonviolently resisting the actions of our government. If the people would rise up against the government, and demand change, and take risks for change, then I believe change would come.

A quote by peace activist Daniel Berrigan continues to inspire me:

We have assumed the name of peacemaker, but we have been, by and large unwilling to pay any significant price. And because we want peace with half a heart and half a life and will, the war of course, continues, because the waging of war, by its nature, is total, but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, is partial….We cry peace and cry peace and there is not peace.

There is no peace because the making of peace is at least as costly as the making of war, at least as exigent, at least as disruptive, at least as liable to bring disgrace, prison, and death in it wake.

There is a youtube video from C-span of the action in the Senate gallery at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BsJdy11Fc

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Photos from the Sept. 15, 2007 Bloomington, Indiana DAYS of DECISION Event

Timothy Baer — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:25:39 -0500

Body:

Bloomington Peace Action Coalition and The Declaration of Peace – Bloomington presented an educational and compelling program called “Supporting A Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq”, and carried out a powerful and moving nonviolent “Die-In” action in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, September 15, 2007.

See photos from the presentation and the “Die-In” action at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13953762@N04/sets/72157602238744502/

See a news article and organizer report of the September 15th Bloomington, Indiana event here.

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Photos from Sept. 21st Chicago "Die-In" Action at Federal Plaza

Timothy Baer — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:22:36 -0500

Body:

Photos from the Sept. 21, 2007 “Die-In” Action at Federal Plaza in Chicago, Illinois.

70 people lay their bodies down in solidarity with Iraq war victims, and to say, “Not One More Dollar! Not One More Death!”

See: http://flickr.com/photos/13953762@N04/sets/72157602179239656/

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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Reports and photos from Sept. 20th U.S. Capitol "Die-In" Actions‏

Timothy Baer — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:50:39 -0500

Body:

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.

Your Name: Timothy Baer

Your Email Address: timothybaer2003@hotmail.com

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