Pinellas Park FL
Local members of Veterans for Peace sponsor a vigil against the Occupation of Iraq at intersection of US 19 and Gandy/Park Blvd. We hold signs in silence focused to bring “Our troops home” for rush-hour commuters, as a reminder of the terrible human and financial costs of this war. Many respond with honks and waves.
Chicago
On July 18, Chicagoans gathered at the Heartland Cafe for musical performances by Stuart Chaseman and Summer of Love, and poets Michael Watson, host of Wordslingers on WLUW 88.7 and Buddha309, creator of the poetry zine, Finite Machine. Visit www.myspace.com/artagainstwar for information about upcoming shows. Contact artagainstwar@gmail.com for more info.
Brunswick GA
GlynnPeace held its 11th Iraq Moratorium Vigil outside the Post Office where our Congressional representative, Jack Kingston (R-1) has an office.
Gualala CA
We have been holding a one hour vigil on Highway 1 in front of the Gualala Post Office (Mendocino County, 0.5 miles N of Sonoma/Mendo line EVERY FRIDAY (Noon - 1 P.M.). I am pleased to inform that we have a small but dedicated group of peace activists ranging in age from late 30s to late 70s! The response from passers-by has changed drastically over the weeks and months. We used to have hostile arguments, people swearing at us (as they drive by quickly in their trucks). Now we rarely have a negative response and we are having more and more open meaningful dialogue with pedestrians and travelers. But the war goes on. So shall we. Whatever it takes.
Sewanee TN
Here is a photo from Sewanee's Anniversary Vigil, July 18, marking one year since we held our first Iraq Moratorium event. A young family passing through town stopped when they saw our signs. The husband, wife, and two small children joined us in hoisting anti-war signs, flashing peace signs, and waving at cars and trucks that honked for peace. People I had never seen before wandered up and asked for signs, with our numbers swelling to more than thirty over the course of the hour.
Duluth MN
We had a spirited gang of 20 folks show up for a one hour vigil at the intersection of London Road and 21st Ave. E. in Duluth, MN. We got a great response from passing motorists!
Hayward WI
Almost 40 people turned out for Iraq Moratorium day #11 in Hayward Wisconsin. The event, sponsored by Peace North and Veterans for Peace Chapter 153, featured a "No War With Iran" theme, which was called for by the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, which is an affiliate of United for Peace and Justice.
In spite of a busy summer schedule people continue to turn out for public displays of opposition to the war in Iraq, and now a possible war in Iran. Once again motorists passing by stopped to express their appreciation and to join us for a few minutes while on their way home from work. The American people want an end to this war, so let's keep the pressure on in August!
LaCrosse WI
Berkeley CA
We had 20 folks on the corners of University and Acton, and in the median with signs saying "out of Iraq, stop the occupation, end the war, do not attack Iran." Classic peace songs with guitar and vocals. Much less traffic than usual. Guess folks aren't driving as much. Yeah! But still great enthusiasm from both drivers and walkers by!
Norwich CT
We stood vigil in about 90 degree New England humid heat for two hours trying to remind others that we are still occupying Iraq and Afghanistan. We got a lot of thumbs up from folks driving by in their A/C cars and we wondered if those who blankly stared at us understood that we weren’t “enjoying” ourselves in the heat (we did bring a few gallons of water to ensure peaceful safety). We have been standing vigil in the frigid winter and sweltering summer doing what we can to end these nightmare wars.
We actually had one man stop his vehicle and get out of his A/C to walk over to our group(s) and talk to people. He thanked us for what we were doing; we invited him to join us. He said maybe next month. His stopping and speaking did a lot for our morale
I got almost everyone (save the cameraman) who endured the sauna out there for one picture to post here.
After the vigil, a few of us took a drive up to Willimantic where at The Wrench In The Works (www.wrenchintheworks.org) they were premiering the documentary film, Winter Soldier II: Iraq It was a DVD well worth viewing, and truly brings new meaning to why we vigil. Our troops have been asked to do unthinkable things in our name; they too want this war to end and to bring their “brothers” home. We must support and show our love for all the members of the IVAW (www.ivaw.org).
To all you peacefolk out there who remain steadfast in your mission to see peace prevail, we not only salute you, we support you all in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the great efforts and good works!
Norwich CT
The DVD showing of "Improbable Collapse" on Thursday night, before Moratorium day, was a success with at least 18 people in attendance. It certainly sparked discussion afterwards to the point that the Library was closing and had to ask us to leave.
Our hope remains that more within our community will want to do something, and the Iraq Moratorium on the Third Friday of each month is something everyone can and should do.
End the War Now, No War on Iran!
Silver Spring/Takoma Park MD
We were at the Silver Spring Metro this month, with new signs and a new leaflet -- we gave out all of the 300 we'd made. And we were joined by an activist who is collecting signatures on a huge banner (on the ground in the picture) that apologizes for the suffering the United States has caused the Iraqi people; he is planning to bring it to Baghdad.
Colorado Springs CO
We bannered on the pedestrian overpass of the Intestate 25 that goes from Denver through Colorado Springs to Pueblo and New Mexico. A great positive response from drivers traveling under us.
You can see more of our report here.
Pasadena CA
Twenty-five people participated in Pasadena on July 18. The group shown in the photos is on Lake Ave. and the 210 freeway during rush hour traffic in front of a Mobil gas station showing regular gas at $4.48 per gallon. We held our Moratorium in solidarity with the call by United for Peace and Justice to add to our messages: No war on Iran. Our messages were: Bring the troops home now, stop funding the war, End the war on Iraq, No war on Iran, Save Our Economy - Cut the War Budget, Iraq War costs 7.4 million per hour!, Honk for Peace, and Remember Don White - a local Iraq Moratorium organizer and peace and justice activist who died suddenly last month. The honks in support were steady and deafening!
San Francisco: Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood
After warm weather for our May and June vigils, our July peace vigil had typical San Francisco summer weather–foggy and breezy. We were again pleased to have a mix of new and returning advocates for peace:
Marko Harps brought an amp and played live music to supplement our recorded anti-war and peace songs.
William from Food Not Bombs once again supplied us with healthy, delicious food.
We again had positive responses from passing motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
More pictures from our June vigil and from past vigils can be seen here
Charlottesville VA
July 18 demonstration in Charlottesville, VA.
Brunswick GA
Several folks came out in the rain to vigil for peace.
Same place, same time. More honks and waves than curses and dirty looks!
Fort Atkinson WI
Manitowoc WI
Members of the Lakeshore Peacemakers have maintained this vigil every week since before the war began in March of 2003. We usually have about six of us on the corner from 4:30 to 5:30 every Friday. Last March we had over 30. We end each week by reading the names (top photo) of all of the Wisconsin young men and women who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Janesville WI
Milwaukee WI
It takes all kinds to end this war, so we mobilized a variety of people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and even the Prez himself and a self-styled cigar-smoking fat cat who stole someone's Harvard shirt. Perfect picketing/vigiling weather in Milwaukee for once, and lots of honking horns from cars, county buses, trucks, and even a bicycle bell.
