The World Can't Wait - End the War NOW!

On March 18, 2006, Traverse City once again saw a mass of men, women, students and children protesting the invasion and three year war on Iraq. 250 people, and about 10 progressive dogs, gathered at a local church to hear short speeches on the illegitimacy of the war, the growing movement of “no money for war” tax resisters, a call for developing a strategic plan to bring the Michigan National Guard home from Iraq, a tribute to Rachel Corrie who was killed three years ago by the Israeli Defense Force as she fought for justice in the Palestine and a memorial to Tom Fox on his dedication to peace with justice as a Christian Peace Team worker in Iraq. 200 The World Can't Wait/End The War NOW bumper stickers were distributed.

Then, carrying banners and signs, beating drums and shouting anti-war messages, the group marched to the American Legion park where several members of the Veterans for Peace read out loud the names of the seventy eight Michigan soldiers killed in Iraq. This was followed by comments by a local Iraqi woman about the humanitarian disaster brought upon Iraq by the US and a moment of silence for the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi victims. From there the activists went to the post office to hear a speech detailing the bankrupt and illegal polices of the Bush administration. The speaker stood on the steps of the post office. A postal supervisor told him he could not stand there. The first warning was ignored. The second warning was met with a dozen other demonstrators joining him on the steps. The next stop was outside US House Representative David Camp’s office, where a speaker bemoaned the disconnect between US popular opposition to the war on Iraq and our representatives', both Republican and Democrat, blind ear to our concerns.

Finally, the 250 demonstrators lined a half mile of Grandview Parkway with the community's trademark Black Ribbons honoring all the men, women and children who have lost their lives during this war. We were greeted with many cars honking their horns in support. The group then returned to the church to share soup, bread, comments and ideas. 57 new people signed up the the JustPeace listserve.

Demonstrations are being held throughout Michigan, the US and the world this weekend. We understand that demonstrations do not prevent or stop wars. Demonstrations bring us together, rejuvenate us, and show the public face of the opposition. This all is good. But the war makers need to pay the price of their actions before they succumb. 2300 U.S. soldiers is a price. A drop in military enlistment and re-enlistment is a price. Soldiers refusing to return to service would be a price. Michigan citizens demanding and accomplishing the bringing our National Guard home would be a price. Michigan citizens not paying war taxes would be a price. Electing representatives who support impeachment proceedings would be a price. Electing representatives who openly call for the immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal of US troops would be a price. Inflicting those costs on the US government requires us to pay a price. A price of time, energy, money and commitment. Join with us to carry on the work of building an effective, on-going movement that will bring this war and all wars to an end. To a better world!" A date for a follow-up Anti-War meeting will be set and announced. All newcomers and the "usual suspects" are invited to attend and get involved in getting about the business of getting the US out of the war business.

Photograps By Gary Howe here

The World Can't Wait - End the War NOW!

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