Six years of war sparks dozens of actions this week

Thursday marks six years since the "shock and awe" invasion rocked Iraq and the US kept the world safe from Saddam Hussein's non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

Dick Cheney continues to insist we "won" the war in Iraq because there is a new democratic government there. There's also a new Democratic government here, and that, too, is in large part a result of the invasion and occupation.

The Obama administration isn't talking about a 100-year war, as John McCain did. Right now, it's not quite three more years until all US troops leave -- and move to Afghanistan.

So why are the antiwar groups demonstrating? Are they never satisfied?

Well, I'm not, and I hope you're not, either. We need to keep the pressure on, to speed the Iraq withdrawal that currently plans to leave 50,000 troops there, and to stop the escalation in a guaranteed losing effort in Afghanistan. Events across the country this week will mark the anniversary itself on Thursday. Friday is the Iraq Moratorium observance held on the Third Friday of every month, and Saturday is the day for marches in Washington, California -- and Milwaukee.

Wisconsin is a hotbed of antiwar activity, and organizers have planned at least 23 events that I know of, and others that I don't.

Join them if you can:

Ashland: ::: Chequamegon Coalition for Peace and Justice Vigil - Peaceful Demonstration Friday, March 20 3:30-5pm, Ashland Post Office.

Chippewa Falls: :::Iraq Moratorium Vigil for Peace 3-21-09 11, Corner of Bridge and River Streets in downtown Chippewa Falls. Veterans for Peace and their supproters will gather for an hour in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day. Bring a sign or two and a friend or three.

Dodgeville: ::: March 20, Grassroots Citizens for Peace Monthly Vigil. Third Friday of each month, 4 p.m. in front of the Iowa County Courthouse. Join us for our monthly vigil, followed by our monthly planning meeting in which we organize public education programs, music and poetry nights and family events. Become part of the growing movement for a more just and peaceful world!*

Eau Claire: ::: Voices for Peace Institute. Stand for an end to the Iraq Occupation. Some signs will be provided but feel free to bring your own! On Fri., Mar. 20, we will be standing on the corner of Bracket Avenue and Business US Hwy 53 (right next to Jimmy Woo's) on the third Friday each month from 4 to 6 PM. Please come and stand with us when you can, between 4pm and 6pm, for as long as you can. If at all possible, bring a sign (small or large). Show Eau Claire that we want to bring an end to this war. Hope to see you there! E-mail. *

Elm Grove: ::: 3/19, Thursday, 4–5 pm, 6th anniversary of the Iraq War. Peace Service at Notre Dame, 13105 Watertown Plank Road: 4-4:30 p.m. prayer service in APR Room (near the lobby entrance); 4:30-5 p.m., public witness on Watertown Plank Road. Pease join us in praying and advocating for PEACE. Contact: S. Lillia Langreck, at llangrec@ssnd-milw.org

Green Bay: ::: March 20, Friday, 7 pm Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in Iraq. West Side Moravian Church, 1707 S. Oneida St. The service will be held to mark the six year anniversary of the Iraq War. For more information, please contact Rev. Marian Boyle, 920-499-4433, or Email.

Hayward: ::: Peace North will sponsor an Iraq Moratorium vigil for peace on Friday, Mar. 20, from 4-6 pm on the corner of Highway 27 & 63 in downtown Hayward. Bring a sign and a friend and some warm clothes! Good parking. Great people.

Janesville: ::: (Updated!) Rock Valley Fellowship of Reconciliation continues to hold an Iraq Moratorium vigil which is held on the Third Friday of every month. Meet at 4 p.m. on the corner of Blackbridge Rd. and Milton Ave. in Janesville with signs, including "Honk for Peace" signs. Email us for more info. *

LaCrosse: ::: ::: War Moratorium/Veterans for Peace Peace Vigil, March 19 & 20, 2009 4-6:00pm (16:00-18:00 hrs) Cass Street Bridge (Corner of Cass St & 3rd Ave). Bring signs, wear black(if possible) or black armbands. Hit'em in the pocketbook...BUY NOTHING for 3 DAYS: 19th,20th,21st, BOYCOTT WORK & SCHOOL. Contact Duane Teschler or Cathy*

Madison: :::Saturday, Mar. 21, 11 am - noon. Monthly Peace Rally at the Mall, sponsored by Madison Area Peace Coalition.. This is an informational picket - held the third Saturday of each month - that calls for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring signs or borrow the ones provided. This is an exciting and empowering event that is appropriate for all ages. Help us count the “Honks for Peace!” East Towne Mall this month, West Towne in April. Email Helena White at hspw@att.net

Madison :::3/19 Thurs 5 pm Town Hall Meeting and Potluck; Obama: Wrong on Afghanistan & Torture. Madison. At the SCFL Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home Coalition. Please join us on the 6th anniversary of the Iraq invasion. The program will begin with a potluck supper, followed by a panel discussion to include what actions you can take such as the upcoming rally on April 4. This event is co-sponsored by the Madison Area Peace Coalition and Veterans for Peace #25. Please contact Buzz Davis at 608-239-5354 if you would like to co-sponsor or help with the food.

Manitowoc: ::: Peace Vigil. Lakeshore Peacemakers hold a weekly vigil for peace, and on the Third Friday for the Iraq Moratorium, 4:30-5 p.m. , 8th Street & Maritime Drive. Contact: huntel@comcast.net *

Menomonie: ::: Iraq Moratorium/Healthcare Not Warfare demonstration, 3-20-09, 4-5 pm. In front of Menomonie Market Coop, 521 2nd St. East. The Red Cedar Peace Initiative will be standing for Healthcare Not Warfare in observance of the March Iraq Moratorium Day. Bring a sign, a friend and your enthusiasm.

Milwaukee: ::: Postcards from the Front: Impact of the War on Our Community." Thursday, March 19, 10-11:30 a.m.,MATC Milwaukee Campus, Main Building, M616, 1015 N. 6th Street. Panelists: Aimee Davis, MATC faculty, Veteran, Iraq War; Becky Quesada, MATC staff, military family member; Vera Roddy, Veteran, Mental Health Technician, Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Maurice Sprewer, MATC student, MATC Veterans Club. Sponsored by: MATC International Student Organization, ESL Department, and Office of Student Life, in cooperation with MATC Veterans Club and Latino Student Organization. Free and open to the public .

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 the Third Friday of every month at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue. There are signs, flags, banners, music, pets for peace, leafleting, and interaction with drivers and pedestrians. Join us. Peace Action 414/964-5158 or email IraqMoratorium@wi.rr.com*

Milwaukee: :::Saturday, Mar. 21, rally and march to mark the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, sponsored by Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace, which includes Iraq Moratorium-Wisconsin. Rally at 1 p.m., Civic Square/Clas Park, 10th & Wells, on south side of court house. Part of national "Yes We Can: End U.S. Occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Fund Human Needs at Home. March to follow.

Minocqua: :::Northwoods Peace Coalition, Saturday, March 21, 10:50 a.m. until noon, in Minocqua, at the junction of highways 51 and 70. It is the day after the third Friday, Wisconsin’s declared day of the month to demonstrate for peace as part of the national Iraq Moratorium.

Rice Lake: ::: The People for Peace will be standing at the corner of Knapp and Main St's on the north end of downtown Rice Lake on Friday, Mar. 20, from 4-6 pm. Please make a small, or large, sign if you can, and BRING SOMEONE ELSE WITH YOU! Join us!emailto:botmrung@centurytel.net

Ripon: :::Peace Vigil every Third Friday of the month on the square. 4:30-5:30pm. Bring yourself! E-mail.*

Sheboygan: ::: Vets for Peace Peace/Anti War Concert, March 21 6:30 pm at EBCO, 1350 Erie Ave (Hwy 23) at Water Street. This is our fifth annual with 15 presenters featuring Peter Tracy from Santa Monica, Cal. Ten musicians, poets, Sapphire Spirit Dancers, John Heckinlively as Billy Bob Far-right of Racine, etc for only $8 at the door or $6 advance. E-mail: efilemyr@hotmail.com

Superior: ::: Iraq Moratorium Picket for Peace, 3-20-09, 4-5 pm, Corner of Broadway and Hammond Avenues. The Grandmothers for Peace will be standing for peace on March 20th in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day.

Viroqua: ::: Friday, Mar. 20, 12 noon weekly peace vigil 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. Info :amz1357@frontiernet.net *

Waupaca: ::: Monthly vigil for peace. Downtown, on the town square. 3rd Friday of each month, in support of the Iraq Moratorium., 5-6 p.m. All welcome. For more information, contact People for Peace at bonni@waupacaonline.net or see http://wpfpmeetings.blogspot.com/

Woodruff: ::: 12 noon - 1 pm . Silent Prayer Vigil for Peace, Holy Family Church, in the small chapel. Contact: Sr. Ann Wittman atcrossings@holycrosssisters.org . All are welcome to join in this weekly witness for peace.