Reports from the Field: Aug. 15 actions

If yours isn't listed, please email your report,

photos, and videos.

LaCrosse

Again just two of us at the Moratorium at Cass Street bridge. We depart the northern climes in November, so there will be an activist moratorium for this event through October ... upon our return in April we shall see what has occurred during our absence:-)

Hayward

Ages ranging from a few weeks old to over 75 made up the nearly 30 diligent anti-war protesters rallied on the usual corner this past Moratorium event from 4-6 PM. We had new “Take the Pledge” flyers complete with the new logo to hand out to passers-by. Two of those gathered took a handful of flyers and walked down busy Main Street talking and sharing with tourists while a prominent local business owner stopped by with a two boxes of cookies for us as a treat. There were new signs voicing “Health Care Not Warfare.” This event is sponsored by Peace North and Veterans for Peace Chapter 153 and we are anticipating a good turnout for next month’s Moratorium anniversary.

Waupaca

Waupaca had its first Iraq Moratorium action this month, a short vigil with signs and a banner on the square in the heart of downtown. The Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, which has nurtured and spread the Moratorium in Wisconsin, was holding its board meeting Friday in nearby Amherst. So a handful of "outside agitators" on their way to the meeting teamed up with a few members of Waupaca's People for Peace. Responses were generally friendly, although this is one of the state's most conservative counties. One family, a couple and child on their bikes, stopped to say that the father was headed for Iraq soon, but they were appreciative of ouor efforts. People for Peace is discussing moving its monthly action to the Third Friday to join those marking the Iraq Moratorium across the country. We're hoping they'll begin that next month.

Rice Lake

The People for Peace in Rice Lake held their first Iraq Moratorium event this afternoon from 4-6 pm. Just over 20 spirited activists gathered at the corner of Knapp and Main streets in the center boulevard among the petunias to wave at passing motorists and to demand an end to the war in Iraq. Unfortunately our photographer did not show, but we'll have two next month so that we have a back-up.

We were pleasantly surprised when a couple of young people pulled up next to the curb in a Jeep and handed us a bag filled with cans of soda pop and bottled water. Said the young woman behind the wheel, "We can't join you today but it looks like it's hot out here. We got you all something to drink!"

A couple of young men also came by and expressed interest in helping to organize next months event. It was a great start and we look forward to expanding our numbers next month!

Milwaukee

Milwaukee's 3rd Friday rally and vigil was very well-received, again. Lots of horn-honking, friendly waves and "V" peace signs. One of this month's highlights was "Puppy for Peace."

August 15 events: Iraq Moratorium #12

Your event not listed? Email us the information.

DePere. The public is invited to an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Iraq, Friday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Chapter Room, St. Norbert Abbey, 1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, WI. For more information, please contact Br. Steve Herro, 920-337-4345, email steve.herro@snc.edu.

Duluth, MN: This month's Iraq Moratorium picket will be on Friday, Aug. 15. We'll be holding a one hour picket in Canal Park from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. We'll be gathering in front of the DeWitt Seitz Building on Canal Park Drive and Buchanan Street. Join us in holding signs and handing out fliers against the ongoing Iraq war. We'll have extra signs on hand, though feel free to bring your own. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! http://northlandantiwar.blogspot.com/

Dodgeville. Courthouse Vigil. The Grassroots Citizens for Peace, a group that has members from Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Spring Green and Barneveld, will hold its monthly vigil in front of the Iowa County Courthouse from 4 to 4:30 PM. The vigil will be followed by our monthly meeting to plan educational activities and intergenerational events.

Hayward. Iraq Moratorium Vigil for Peace, sponsored by Peace North and Veterans for Peace Chapter 153, from 4 to 6 p.m. in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day #12. We'll be at the corner of Highways 27 and 63 in beautiful downtown Hayward. Please come, bring a friend and a sign as well, and lets continue to show our opposition to this war!

Janesville: 4 p.m. Rock Valley-Fellowship of Reconciliation and friends will gather on the corner of Blackbridge Road and Milton Avenue for an Iraq Moratorium vigil (#8 for us.) This area of town is very busy all the time, but more so on Friday afternoon. Our focus is Stop the War! We have signs but feel free to bring your own, but please join in our focus. Thanks. Sue Nelson snelson@habiba.org

LaCrosse. We will be meeting (vigil style) the afternoon/evening of the 15th from 5-6 on the corner of 3rd and Cass. Bring peace signs, wear arm bands against the war in Iraq.

Manitowoc. Peace Vigil. Lakeshore Peacemakers hold a weekly vigil for peace, and on the Third Friday for the Iraq Moratorium. August 15, 4:30 p.m., 8th Stret & Maritime Drive.

Milwaukee. Peace Action Wisconsin, Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace sponsor a vigil and rally at downtown's busiest corner, with signs, flags and banners. We leaflet pedestrians to tell them about the Iraq Moratorium and invite drivers to honk their horns in support, with a good response. Join us for all or part of the hour. Peace Action 414-964-5158

Rice Lake. The People for Peace in Rice Lake will stand for peace for two hours on Friday, August 15th, from 4-6 pm at the corner of Knapp and Main streets on the north end of town. The stand is in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day # 12.

Stevens Point. Weekly Demonstration, downtown, by the Shopko parking lot, 3:30 p.m., sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Stevens Point.

Waupaca. A first Iraq Moratorium event in Waupaca, on Friday, Aug. 15 from 3 to 3:30 p.m., across the street from Chez Marche at 108 S. Main. People for Peace and Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice board members, who are meeting later in Amherst,will vigil together. Contact: xofferson@wi.rr.com

Woodruff. Prayer vigil for peace, Pax Christi Northwoods. This is an hour of silent prayer for peace held weekly in a small chapel at the church. Noon to 1 p.m., August 15, Holy Family Chuch, Highway J.

Reports from the Field: July Moratorium

Your event not listed? Email us the information. Photos/videos, too.

Duluth

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

Almost 40 people turned out for Iraq Moratorium day #11 in Hayward. 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 and end to this war, so let's keep the pressure on in August!

LaCrosse


Our small but intrepid crew at the Cass Street Bridge.

Fort Atkinson

Rock River Peace Group in downtown Fort Atkinson, to protest the Iraq War and plans to attack Iran. In terms of future vigils we will be on hiatus in August to return in September. Looking forward to sharing a table with Walk Against War folks at 'Obamafest' in Lake Mills on July 24.

Manitowoc


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


Eighteen of us gathered for Rock Valley-FOR's Iraq Moratorium in Janesville. We moved from peace walking at the mall to a more lively set: Milton Ave. and Blackbridge Road at 4 p.m. Our “Honk for Peace” signs brought a ton of honks plus some new people. We agreed to continue outside for the coming months and evaluate the possibilities when the weather cools.

Milwaukee



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.