Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Reports from the field: Sept. 19 actions

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Hayward

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Encouraged by a recent letter to the editor in our local paper reminding readers that the Iraq Moratorium is for all and any groups opposed to senseless war, (and tireless networking and phone calling) the Iraq Moratorium continues to grow and succeed in the small town of 2100 in northern WI. 40 protesters crammed the sidewalk over the 2 hour vigil from 4-6 PM. That is the beauty of the Moratorium - it is an umbrella for all groups. Of course, in an election year, people are infused with the need for change in Washington therefore a number of Obama supporters were present with their signs. Everyone is welcome as must work together to make real change in our country. We will keep at it for a energy infused event in October.



Duluth, MN/Superior WI


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The Northland Ant-War Coalition had our biggest Moratorium event ever last week (except for the 2007 Strike for Peace)-- 20 folks at a picket at Memorial Park on Grand Avenue in West Duluth. We'll had signs demanding "Bring the Troops Home Now!" and handed out fliers highlighting how much the war in Iraq is costing, and what that money would buy if it were put towards providing health care, or other social services. Still not as big as Hayward, but we're gaining on them! We had a lot of new folks from University of Minnesota-Duluth Students from Peace, some University of Wisconsin-Superior students, and some folks from the Network of Spiritual Progressives that we've been reaching out to more lately.


DePere

The Peace and Justice Center at St. Norbert College held a Candlelight Prayer Vigil for peace in Iraq on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008. Photos submitted by Patti Cole.


Madison

Freeway Blogging on September 19

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Larry, Judy, and Steve enjoying all the honks, waves, and peace signs from passing motorists!!


Rice Lake

Iraq Moratorium Stand for Peace. Almost 20 enthusiastic "People for Peace" came out to stand for peace at the corner of Knapp and Main streets in Rice Lake, in observance of September's Iraq Moratorium day. The highlight of the afternoon was when we were approached by two men who told us they were veterans, one from the Vietnam war and one from the Iraqi war. They were initially pretty upset at what we were doing and told us so. The Iraq war vet was wounded in action and said that seeing us out on the boulevard made him feel like what he did was for nothing.

Many of our group came over to talk with the two men, and thanked them for their service to their country. We told them we felt the best way to support the troops is to bring them home, and I told the young Iraq vet about how the Iraq Veterans Against the War marched in Denver to protest this war. By the time we were done talking we were all shaking hands, and they both said they'd look at the websites of Veterans for Peace and IVAW. This alone made the event worthwhile. If we can win over people even one at a time our efforts are worth it. See you in October!


Milwaukee



Beautiful weather for a street corner protest, and about 50 of us gathered in downtown Milwaukee, at a busy intersection during rush hour, to call for an end to the war and occupation. As usual, a very positive response from drivers and passersby. We were joined by folks from the Wheels of Justice, a bus tour with speakers on Iraq and Palestine, which is in Milwaukee for the weekend. As the vigil ended some of the participants, including a contingent from Progressive Students of Milwaukee, gathered for a group photo, above.



LaCrosse

Only two of us again. Will promote Iraq Moratorium at tomorrow's UN International Day of Peace event. The two of us will continue to do this through October; ct then we go south. See what happens during the winter and then??? Be safe, may peace, joy, and love fill your life - and those you love. do

Monday, September 1, 2008

September 19 Moratorium Actions

Your event not listed? Please send us the details.

Chippewa Falls: Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 am Weekly Peace Vigil, in honor of the Iraq Moratorium, at the corner of Bridge and River. Contact: lagoclam@aol.com

DeKalb (IL): Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice. Join us for a special Iraq Moratorium Peace Vigil at Memorial Park on the corner of North First Street and Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb. Friday, Sept. 19, 5 to 6 p.m., Memorial Park, North First Street and Lincoln Hwy.

DePere:The St. Norbert College Peace and Justice Center will host an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Iraq at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept.19. The service will be held in the oratorium of Old St. Joseph Church, St. Norbert College, 100 Grant St., De Pere. Parking is available in the lot across from the Church on the river side of the campus. For more information, contact the St. Norbert College Peace and Justice Center, 920-403-3881, email pjc@snc.edu
Duluth (MN): The Northland Anti-War Coalition will hold a picket on Friday, September 19 from 4:30-5:30pm at Memorial Park on Grand Ave. in West Duluth. We'll have signs demanding "Bring the Troops Home Now!" and handing out fliers highlighting how much the war in Iraq is costing, and what that money would buy if it were put towards providing health care, or other social services.

Fort Atkinson Rock River Peace Group vigil as part of the nation-wide Iraq Moratorium. Bring a friend if you can. Sept. 19, 5 to 6 p.m., Downtown, South 3rd & Main Streets. Info: email http://www.blogger.com/oggc@psly.net

Hayward: On Friday, September 19, Peace North and Veterans for Peace Chapter 153 will observe Iraq Moratorium Day #13. We'll be gathering from 4-6 pm to stand for peace at the corner of Highway's 27 and 63 in downtown Hayward. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. Good times. Great parking. Come and join us!

Janesville: September 19, Friday, 4 pm Iraq Moratorium Rally and Vigil. Meet on the corner of Blackbridge Road and Milton Avenue. This area of town is very busy all the time, but more so on Friday afternoon. Sponsored by Rock Valley-Fellowship of Reconciliation. 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 at 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.


Madison: Madison Pledge of Resistance will hold an action on Monday Sept. 15, at noon at the Federal Building at the corner of Doty St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There will be a meeting prior to the vigil at 11:30 a.m. at Scott’s Pastry Shoppe, 19 W. Main St. on the Capitol Square. We’ll formulate our plans on who wants to do what, and then walk over to the vigil corner at noon to begin chalking and leafleting. Some individuals may be moved to risk arrest during this action. Signs relevant to the action are welcome. “We’ll be chalking the outlines of loved ones……—trying to put a human face on the pain and insanity of war.” Cassandra Dixon, turning 50 this week. Cassandra is one of the recipients of the 2008 WNPJ Peacemaker of the Year Awards. Contact Joy First, jsfirst@tds.net

Madison:Monthly Peace Vigils at the Malls, for the Iraq Moratorium. East Towne mall this month: Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m.,intersection of East Washington and Thierer Rd. Call Helena (608) 249-2097 for details.

Manitowoc. Peace Vigil. Lakeshore Peacemakers hold a weekly vigil for peace, and on the Third Friday for the Iraq Moratorium, at 4:30 p.m., 8th Street & Maritime Drive. Contact: huntel@comcast.net

Milwaukee: Benefit concert for the Iraq Moratorium Sunday Sept. 14, 7:00pm at The Coffee House, 631 N. 19th St. Singer-songwriters David Kaye (with Chuck "The Electric Moustache" Floading) and Brett Kemnitz. Suggested $5. A good cause and a lot of fun, occasionally topical, occasionally silly music. Hope to see you there. http://www.the-coffee-house.com/

Milwaukee: Peace Action-Wisconsin and Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace sponsor a rush hour vigil in the heart of downtown, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue. There are signs, flags, banners, music, pets for peace, leafleting, and interaction with drivers and pedestrians. Join us as we start our second year. The universities will be back in session, which should swell the ranks. The Wheels of Justice bus tour will join us for the vigil, then hold a 7 p.m. event at Friends Meeting House, 3224 N. Gordon Pl., with eyewitness accounts from Iraq and Palestine. Info: Peace Action 414/964-5158 or email IraqMoratorium@wi.rr.com

Rice Lake: Come join the People for Peace in Rice Lake for our September Iraq Moratorium Stand for Peace. We will be standing at the corner of Knapp and Main streets at the north end of downtown, from 4-6 pm, on Friday, September 19th. Please bring a sign if you have one. Everyone is welcome!

Viroqua: Peace Vigil in Support of the Iraq Moratorium, in Viroqua, at the Post Office on Jefferson St. Come for all or part of the hour, standing witness to the human and economic costs of the war. Friday, Sept. 19, Noon to 1 p.m.

Watertown: Watertown peace vigil will be joining in the Iraq Moratorium on Friday, Sept. 19, and will join all the other cities around to vigil. We will be at Main & Church Streets at 500 pm. Contact: Watertown peace committee

Woodruff:A silent prayer vigil from noon to 1 pm will be held in the small chapel of Holy Family Church, Woodruff. All are welcome to join in this weekly witness for peace. crossings@holycrosssisters.org