The Declaration of Peace - Washington

9/30 - Local Acivists Arrested at Congressman Rick Larsen's Bellingham, WA Office

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:03:31 -0500

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A 76-year-old activist arrested at a sit-in in Washington State’s Rep. Rick Larsen’s Bellingham office yesterday. The action had been planned for weeks by a group of local peace activists.

According to a witness, “Several people were there sitting-in waiting to find out from Larsen (through a local staffer) why he had not signed the Declaration of Peace Pledge. The deal was that the congressional members sign it by the 21 of Sept [Int’l. Peace Day] or there would be non-violent actions. They got the run around from the office and were told that maybe they would have some info by tomorrow (Friday).”

The arrest of the older woman was made because of refusal to leave before she had gotten an answer at closing time.

The rest of the group returned to Larsen’s office on Friday to wait for the promised responses to their questions. A district staffer from his Everett, Washington office was there and informed the group that Larsen did not intend to sign on the the Declaration of Peace. Another activist was arrested while on an office telephone speaking to a Larsen D.C. staffer after closing time.

A touch of humor: the group had a banner in front of the office that said “Free Rick Larsen”. The explanation was that Rick voted against the war authorization in the first place but has been supporting it ever since so apparently is being held hostage by someone.

Your Name: Gene Marx

Your Email Address: ejm2@comcast.net

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Naval Magazine Indian Island Protest

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:18:11 -0500

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A Protest was held at Indian Island on the Olympic Peninsula across the Puget Sound from Seattle. We protested the War, The use of Depleted Uranium, the use of Indian Island to Ship Weapons, and support of the Declaration of Peace. Some 300 attended and 36 of us chose to be arrested. The event was Very Peaceful, the Authorities Gentle, and all in all it was a POWERFUL PROTEST!

Those of us arrested were held only for a half hour or so and booked for “Disorderly Conduct”. Bail forfeiture is $250 but the fine will surely be less.

All in all, it was a Grand Protest. It spoke clearly of our Peaceful Intentions and Strong Feelings against the Current Militarism.

See Seattle Indymedia photos!

Your Name: Steve Durfee

Your Email Address: steve.thedurfees@cablespeed.com

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Events to mark International Day of Peace - The Olympian

staffuser — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:57:37 -0500

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The Olympian

Events to mark International Day of Peace

A number of public Declaration of Peace events will take place Thursday, on the International Day of Peace.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, activists will present pledges and petitions to staff at Rep. Brian Baird’s Olympia office for the 3rd Congressional District at Union Avenue and Washington Street. Baird will be asked to call on the Bush administration to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq.

At noon, a minute of silence will take place in support of the Olympia City Council proclamation to participate in the United Nations International Day of Peace.

At 6 p.m., an Indian Island Awareness Campaign will take place at First Methodist Church at Boundary Street and Legion Way. Participants will learn about the largest U.S. military ammunitions site, including nuclear, on the West Coast of North America. A follow-up demonstration will take place Saturday near Port Townsend. A charter bus will leave from the Martin Way Park and Ride at 8 a.m. Saturday, returning about 7:30 p.m. Cost is $18.

At 7 p.m. there will be a drumming vigil at Sylvester Park.

At 8 p.m., the movie “PEACE ONE DAY” will be shown in The Olympia Center, Room B. Suggested donation is $7 to $10 to support the Beyond Hiroshima Coalition.

For more information, go to www.declarationofpeace.org.

Your Name: Ken Butigan

Your Email Address: kenbutigan@paceebene.org

Link to Published Item: http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/NEWS01/609200344&SearchID=73257777556566

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Police arrest 35 at Indian Island war protest

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:05:55 -0500

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September 24, 2006
Peninsula Daily News
by Jeff Chew

INDIAN ISLAND — Thirty-five war protesters were arrested Saturday afternoon after 22 Jefferson County deputies greeted them at the gates to Naval Magazine Indian Island.

“I thought it was really lovely,” said Liz Rivera Goldstein.

She and her husband Dan were among those arrested — many of them smiling — and taken away in two Jefferson Transit buses to the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock.

All were to be charged with disorderly conduct said Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry.

They were to be cited there, and then released Saturday night, he said.

More than 200 people marched almost four miles to the entrance of the Naval Magazine, a military ammunition depot and the only such facility of its kind on the West Coast.

Earlier in the day, an estimated 500 attended a Peace and Justice Festival earlier in the day at H.J. Carroll Park in Chimacum.

There, they enjoyed music and looked over the Arlington Northwest exhibit of white memorial markers to American soldiers who have died in Iraq.

Aside from a long line of booths promoting anti-war and nonviolent causes, rap and blues performers sang anti-war songs.

The event drew representatives from anti-war groups across the state, including the Port Townsend and Seattle Raging Grannies and the Clallam County Peace Coalition.

The Jefferson County sheriff’s contingent, which included reserve and animal control deputies, was joined by 10 Washington State Patrol troopers, who stood on state Highway 116.

Some directed traffic past protesters who chanted anti-war slogans and carried signs as they stood across the highway from the Naval Magazine entrance at South Indian Island County Park.

“It was powerful,” said Rob Goldstein, 19, who watched as his mother and father were led away in plastic handcuffs.

“I’m really proud of her,” he said of his mother.

Your Name: Jo Walter

Your Email Address: littlesproutsps@comcast.net

Link to Published Item: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sited/story/html/264352

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Vancouver (WA) Peace Camp

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:05:41 -0500

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After several weeks of activity focused on Declaration of Peace and on our three Congressional representatives, Vancouver For Peace held our Peace Camp for eight hours on September 21.

We set up at a busy intersection, near three Congressional offices. We had three canopies and dozens of flags, banners, and signs. Over seventy people came to be with us. We had DoP pledge forms and our own postcards to our Congresspeople. We had music, both live and recorded.

We visited the three offices, dropped off letters and cards, and invited staff members to come to our Peace Camp. At one point, two state legislators, one candidate, and three Congressional staffers were at our Camp at the same time. The two state legislators joined our sign-waving, and one signed the DoP. Throughout the windy day, we interacted visually with thousands & thousands of citizens, most of whom gave us positive feedback. It was a spirited and resolute event. As we packed up, setting sun and rushing clouds teamed to give us an amazing light display, a smiling sky to end one day’s work.

Your Name: Den Mark Wichar

Your Email Address: deedub@webtv.net

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Declare Peace at Indian Island, Washington - 37 arrested

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:39:09 -0500

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Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006, Port Townsend, Washington

View More Photos (photo by Jane Ramirez)

37 people were arrested at Indian Island, a naval base near Port Townsend, Washington. The arrests were witnessed by over 350 supporters who participated in a 4 mile peace march to the navy base, which is the main weapons shipping depot on the west coast.

The day began at 7 am, as members of Veterans for Peace began setting up “Arlington West”, a memorial to the nearly 3,000 service people who have died in Iraq. As people began to arrive at HJ Carroll Park, they were met by the sight of rows and rows of crosses and grave markers with the names of those who have died in the war and occupation. It was a heartbreaking and sobering sight, which set a thoughtful tone for the day. While those gathered smiled and listened to music, they were reminded of the loss of so many fine people, and the death of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

Over 22 organizations shared information at the peace and justice festival, while local musicians Raven and Hawk, along with the Raging Grannies, sang songs of protest. Those interested in being arrested in a nonviolent direct action at the military base gathered with supporters to discuss nonviolence, legal issues, and to plan their action. People had come from across Washington State, and many had never met before. Press reporters recorded video and took pictures of the discussion. Liz Rivera Goldstein spoke of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., and their writing that teaches that we are not in a battle with law enforcement, or even military service people. She said their presence at the navy facility is meant to shine a light on the immorality and illegality of the Iraq war, and to increases awareness of the environmental destruction and danger posed by the base to Jefferson County and the entire Puget Sound. “We know we won’t end the war this weekend, but we will send a message to our elected officials that we want to war to end, and I think our actions will encourage more people to speak out against war.” said Rivera Goldstein.

After reciting a pledge from the national Declaration of Peace to follow guidelines to remain nonviolent, the four-mile march to Indian Island began. Children, dogs, seniors with walkers, students and those who had marched in protests during the Viet Nam war marched under warm skies, assisted by peace keepers and a Kinetic Kop, and even a sheriff who made sure crossing roads was done safely.

After over an hour of walking, the marchers reached the bridge to Indian Island. The sheriff’s department stopped all car traffic, and the marchers crossed the bridge. The bridge was filled rail to rail with people, and the front line was young people and students- including a young boy around 8 years old, joined with teens and others near twenty, carrying a huge sign that read, “End the occupation of Iraq - Bring the troops home”. People ask, where are the young people are in the peace movement? Today, they were here, leading hundreds to the base.

In a little park across from the navy base, those prepared to be arrested linked arms in 5 lines of 7 or eight people. Chanting together “We are war resisters”, they took one step forward. Repeating that line, they moved up the road to the base. Over 22 officers stood in front of locked gates to the base. The chant changed to “We are peace promoters”. One man stepped forward and walked right up to the gate-, which meant he crossed the “blue line” and was technically on the base - even though he was outside of the gate. He quietly held the bars of the gate, and the other protesters turned their backs to face the supporters below, across the road in the small park. But the supporters weren’t across the road. They had moved up to a grassy area near the road to the base entrance.

Protesters sat down and waited. When Anna Bachman was arrested before the war began, she had to sit alone on the road for almost a half hour before a truck came to the base. Arresting authorities said that technically Bachman wasn’t blocking the road if no one was driving on the road. There was no traffic on the road while the protest occurred. A sheriff announced that the group had 10 minutes to decide to be arrested or to clear off the road. Protesters began to sing, “Last Night I had the Strangest Dream I ever had before. I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war.” Steve Durfee, a local performer with the arrestee group, led the song like Pete Seeger - saying the next line so everyone could sing together. And hundreds sang, and when they got to the line about joining hands, everyone held hands together on the road.

In this beautiful setting on Puget Sound, the bay was glittering, Mt. Rainier was in the distant background, and the trees and mountains were peaceful. “It seems such a shame that the military is here, shipping death and horror to Iraq and around the world.” said one of the protesters.

The sheriff asked if protesters wanted to be arrested sitting or standing, and most protesters stood up. The police first handcuffed two members of Youth Against War and Racism in Seattle, who were the youngest protesters in the group. Then the others were handcuffed and led to two Jefferson Transit buses, to be taken to the Jefferson County Jail. Before the buses left, supporters were blowing kisses and thanking arrestees.

Those arrested where given a citation for disorderly conduct, with a fine of $250. Arrestees are considering going to court to contest the citation. They were also given a “ban and bar” letter from the base commander. Several protesters thanked the arresting officers for handling them with such care and respect. Arrestees returned the park where the day began, to hear a concert by Joe Breskin and David Rovics.

Read the Declaration of Peace Washington blog

Your Name: Jo Walter

Your Email Address: littlesproutsps@comcast.net

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Notes: Photos coming

9/22 - United Press International - Activists demonstrate against Iraq war

staffuser — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 16:21:38 -0500

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Original published on United Press International
Vigils for peace were staged in dozens of U.S. cities Friday launching a week of activities calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

A Dance Action for Peace was planned for San Diego while a mass bicycle ride to protest the war in Iraq was scheduled in San Francisco, The Washington Post reported.

Ministers, veterans and peace activists attempted to deliver a “declaration of peace” to the White House Thursday, resulting in the arrest of 34 people for disorderly conduct after they refused to leave after trying to speak directly with U.S. President George Bush.

The peace document had been signed by thousands of people online as well as thousands more whose signatures were gathered in petition campaigns across the country.

The declaration was the work of a coalition of religious and antiwar groups including the Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and United for Peace and Justice.

Also published in:
Washington Times, DC
Political Gateway, FL
DailyIndia.com, NY
Malaysia Sun, Malaysia

Your Name: Christy Hogan

Your Email Address: christylpg@earthlink.net

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