This is by no means a comprehensive roundup of coverage in the media just a handful of articles I rounded up to augment the self-reporting by dozens of groups and individuals here.
In downtown Palo Alto, people were encouraged to write postcards to their congressional representatives and phones were provided for anyone wanting to call the nation's capital. Michael Predmore did just that. "Bring our troops home now. Please don't worry about a veto proof majority all we're asking you to do is to stop funding the war and bring home our troops now," said Predmore.
Friday's vigil was sort of a coming-out party for the local chapter, which took wing in February. SDS member Nick Martin said the chapter recently elected to join in the Iraq Moratorium, a national monthly time-out of sorts for those opposed to the Iraq War to take action and make their opinion heard whether by protesting, calling an elected official or just putting a sign in their window.
The students, members of a campus organization called Partners for Peace, formed a human peace symbol from 11:10 to 11:50 a.m. to bring attention to the national Iraq Moratorium movement, which is calling for an observance the third Friday of every month.
Holding placards saying "U.S. Out of Iraq Now!" and "No War," about 50 protesters gathered in Market Square on Friday as part of the calling for withdrawal of U.S. forces.
David Diamond of Seacoast Peace Response said activists hoped to make the third Friday of every month special with larger-than-usual turnouts and signs calling to end the war. The events will be sponsored by Seacoast Peace Response, Iraq Moratorium and United For Peace and Justice.
A few dozen people gathered in front of the building at from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., wearing black arm bands and holding signs.
Local organizer Ajamu Dillahunt said the local events offer a way for people to get involved without traveling to Washington for national protests.
# 48
Everywhere!
US
Reports started doming in within ten minutes of this part of the website going live. And many scheduled events are still to come, and we hope, still to be reported.
In the meantime here are some things folks signing the pledge in the last 24 hours said they'll be doing today: I will post a sign on my office door every third Friday. I work at a college, so lots of people will see it.--Lisa, Morro Bay, CA
I'm a disabled blogger and will make this a regular entry every third Friday.--MRS, Houston, TX
I'm on a small island. I'll be down at the ferry landing for as many of the ferry arrivals as I can make, with a sign and handouts.--Brian L, Shaw Island, WA
I am handicapped and 71 years old so I plan to set aside 30 minutes to pray and read Scripture to ask God to end this war!--Teresa S., Cicero, IL
As a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War I can bring particular attention to the cause.--Jennifer H, NY, NY
# 9
Conway
AR
US
The Iraq Moratorium started out really well for the University of Central Arkansas. The United Leftist Front, a chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists, handed out bracelets all over campus. The bracelets were handmade yellow and black: the black representing the need to bring the troops home while yellow retains the meaning of supporting the troops. There was a great response from people. Those who were reached and got bracelets were very supportive and wanted to know what more they could do. We are going to make sure there is more publicity about the Iraq Moratorium on campus. This event will be the start of many more to come! # 83
Bay Area
CA
US
The night before I painted up a bunch of signs: I used an overhead projector, cardboard from a dumpster and about a dollar's worth of paint. On Moratorium Day I drove around the Bay Area putting signs up over and alongside freeways. I hit overpasses, guardrails, signbacks, fenceposts... anything that could be easily seen but not too easily reached. Using bungee cords, binder clips and hammer and nails, I was able to place and secure safely each of these signs in under fifteen seconds.
Between noon and sunset I placed a total of 27 signs along a hundred miles or so of the 101, 80, 580, 99 and 50. When I drove back this morning at least half of them were still up.
We distributed as many as 500 ribbons and pledges at Mountain View, California Avenue, Palo Alto, Redwood City and San Carlos. Reception was very supportive and encouraging, many were ready to take action. We had several conversations with people with relatives in Iraq. They thanked us and took extra pledges to give to colleagues and put on notice boards at work. We are certainly ready to do this again on October 19th and want to cover all the stations between San Jose & San Francisco - including Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Hillsdale, and Millbrae. # 33
Benicia
CA
US
IM #1, SEPT. 21, In Benicia, CA (SF Bay Area) a group of us stood on a downtown street in front of cafes at lunch hour; we wore black, held IM signs, and handed people a flyer with congressional call numbers, a sample letter, and a black ribbon attached with a safety pin. After the vigil, we used cell phones to call Congress. We intend to spread the word over the month about this campaign and then repeat again on 3rd Friday, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, etc. (hoping to stir up interest in local schools, churches, etc.). # 45
Berkeley - East Bay Gray Panthers & Strawberry Creek Lodge Tenants Assoc.
About 80 to 100 people gathered at the intersection of University and Acton to vigil, sing, chant & hand out arm bands. We distributed about 200 pieces of information to folks in cars driving by and advertised our vigil will happen on every 3rd Friday. Enthusiastic response from the people driving by. # 17
We had about 20 people show. Ages ranging from 4 to 74. Street Peace meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and will now add the third Friday of every month to the weekly vigils.
Health care workers and supporters handed out leaflets to their co-workers at LAC+USC Medical Center near downtown Los Angeles on Moratorium Day. Five hundred copies of the leaflet, "Healthcare Not Warfare" were handed out. The response was excellent -- practically every worker took one and some workers took additional leaflets to give to co-workers. The leaflet decried the senseless killing for a war based on lies, and pointed out that California taxpayers have already paid $60 billion for the war while health care services deteriorates for lack of money. The leaflet then pointed out that the budget of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is just under $3 billion, and adding just $1 billion from the money wasted on the war in Iraq could be used to hire more health care workers, buy better medical equipment, improve services to patients and improve the pay and benefits of health care workers. Some workers also took stickers printed by US Labor Against the War that said: "Stop the War, Bring all Troops Home Now, Hands Off Iraqi Oil."
I finally got this photo sent to me by the September 21 Iraq Moratorium vigil in Los Angeles at Fairfax and 3rd Street -- Elizabeth Kucinich, Dennis Kucinich's wife, joined the Iraq Moratorium event there! She is in the center behind the Iraq Moratorium banner. Perhaps this can be added to the Sept. 21 events...or in some other creative way. Others present include representatives of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Coalition for World Peace.
# 130
Monterey
CA
US
Replaced two of my websites Home Pages with a page supporting the Moratorium...and also added a link to Moratorium.org too...
www.enflow.com www.ebuildingpermits.com
hope millions of others Join Me/Us...
cj... # 8
Monterey
CA
US
Saturday Morning... We have put back our regular Home Pages but if anyone wants to see our Iraq Moratorium Web Home Page Replacement Page it is at this URL address...
http://www.enflow.com/IWM.htm
We will still use it every 3rd Friday from now on as our replacement Home page... on two large business web sites...
If anyone wants that page and that image as a download to replace THEIR Home page on the next Moratorium day in October it is listed on the Tools link in the top menu.
Wish you guys would make this Moratorium EVERY Friday instead of every third Friday of the month...
If we could get the WHOLE internet to have a web page LIKE our replacement HOME page that would be a HUGE statement and a HUGE hit to business... please consider organizing around that idea too along with everything other event idea you have...
Imagine if Daily Kos, Huff Post, etc... simply had this shutdown replacement page instead of their usual Home Page... and every other site too... rather than the usual yada yada blah blah text... !!
Maybe the Org could add my replacement Home Page download to your tools area..? (ed. Done! Thanks!)
We will also be making a donation...
thanks for the Org... # 31
Moraga
CA
US
The International Center organized a vigil for dedicating a multi-lingual peace poll for the campus. After prayer and a song, I was asked to share about the Iraq Moratorium Campaign. When the vigil ended all 20 of my ribbons with 1/4 sheets were taken by interested students and faculty. There was even more interest for them but I was out, so they took the 1/4 sheets and I got a number of email sign ups. I made a number of student contacts for future events and one invited me to come offer this information as an action opportunity after their Oct. 21st Peace vigil. Another faculty member suggested we set up a table on Fridays near where we were on campus to offer ribbons and share information about the Iraq Moratorium. It looks quite viable to have momentum building events on St. Mary's Campus!
The Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club had eight people at the Rockridge BART from 7AM - 8AM and fourteen from 4PM - 6PM. We distributed 1200 fliers, 150 ribbons, and around 100 wristbands. Three of the those attending came because they saw our event on the IM website. # 70
A group of community members including West Oakland residents, Oakland teachers, and members of community, labor and religious organizations leafletted during morning and evening commute hours. They distributed about 500 black bibbons and 800 additional flyers calling on commuters to take action for peace. Several commuters who learned of the moratorium in the morning were wearing ribbons on their return trip and had called Congress during the day. There are plans to return to the West Oakland BART on Oct. 19. # 71
Environmentalists and peace activists united under the umbrella group, "Environmentalists Against the War," to hold a vigil on one of the busiest streets in Pasadena, Lake Ave. at the 210 Freeway, during rush hour from 5 pm - 7 pm. They estimated that several thousand people saw the vigil and their signs, and the response was hugely supportive. Participants came from the Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Move On, No War No Warming, Foothills Peace Coalition, Coalition for World Peace, United for Peace and Justice, US Labor Against the War, and Code Pink. The were joined by promoters of the new film about the Iraq War, "In the Valley of Elah," and they passed out postcards advertising the film. The Iraq Moratorium vigil passed out leaflets to passersby and cars stopped at the red lights titled, "Fight Climate Change, Not Wars for Oil," produced by No War No Warming. People honked their horns in support, waved, gave thumbs up, and the peace sign. At times, four, five and more horns were honking at once. Twenty people participated in the event during the two hours. At 6:50, the vigil ended and some people went to a near-by theater to watch the 7 pm show of "In the Valley of Elah," a searing indictment of what war does to people, brilliantly illustrating the popular bumper sticker, "War is not the Answer." Participants said they are ready for Iraq Moratorium 2 on October 19.
# 43
Pleasant Hill
CA
US
We had a front yard gethering of about 10 families from the neighborhood to pass out flyers, ribbons and spread the word...we pledged to continue every month and add more events, get more peole involved. Thank you to everyone to came! We are inspired!! # 32
As soon as set up the table in the Quad at Diablo Valley College, 4 people came over to look at the materials. All of them put down their contact info, and one of them even said he wanted to help us organize future events at DVC. We handed out a few hundred of those over the course of the day, and around 30 people put their names down to be contacted for the next Moratorium event, including 2 teachers.
About an hour before we were planning to pack up and leave, 2 army recruiters walked by us, then did a double take and came back to talk to us. Surprisingly (to me), their main question for us is whether or not we supported the actual American troops in Iraq as people, and not why we were against the war in general. Both of them had been in Iraq themselves, but not in combat zones. About an hour later, we packed up.
Overall, I think it went quite well. I think that next time we should definitely do more of an event, and maybe try to get some speakers and live music for it. I think that would draw a lot of people, especially if we got out the fliers relatively soon and got an article in the college newspaper. # 72
There were about 50 people gathered at the federal building in San Francisco at a noon time rally including representatives of the postal worers union,state and federal employees ,and State Senator Carole Migden wearing a black ribbon.
# 11
San Francisco
CA
US
Reports of Bay Area will continue coming in later this evening. In the meantime, here's a shot of the ribbons handed out to San Franciscans earlier in the week to build for today!
Demonstration/vigil at Federal Bldg in SF Civic Center (450 Golden Gate Ave). 40-50 people held "Cost of War" vs. "Cost of human needs" banners and peace flags. Two TV cameras were there; an organizer was interviewed. Carole Migden spoke and an El Salvadorian man spoke among others.
Later, Temple United Methodist Church held a peace service (which I helped organize). 27 people attended. At a reception afterwards, opportunities were presented for positive action: writing representatives, contributing to central asian relief projects, etc. # 24
At 10:00 AM, about 40 people gathered on the steps of the UU church and Rev. Gregory Stewart, along with speakers Rooshin Razani, Jeff Paterson, Michael Tsukuhara, and Stephen Funk, and MC Amy Moses, Ministerial Student, gave spirited insights into the war in Iraq and announced the goals of the Iraq Moratorium. The names of the dead American military and Iraqi civilians were read and information on contacting our representatives was provided. # 73
We had about 25 people on the corners of Cortland and Andover from 6-7 PM on September 21. The reception from passersby was extremely positive and we have exposed a fair number of them to the Moratorium concept. We also received a great deal of attention (friendly) from the police who were apparently having a slow day. We will do it again next month, exact time and place to be determined. # 74
San Francisco
CA
US
We held a banner on Cesar Chavez Street (big off-ramp from the freeway) for 1 hour, saying
No War, No Warming iraqmoratorium.org
We chose that slogan because we think these two critical movements should merge. We're therefore doing 'no war, no warming' actions on Moratorium days.
We also handed out arm bands in the geosciences department of SF State University (where we are affiliated). # 76
San Mateo
CA
US
Peace Dove descended on the City of San Mateo! Declaration of Peace (San Mateo)organized the event and it was supported by ten other local groups including the Raging Grannies Action League. Event was covered in the San Mateo County Times. Click for Photos # 46
An evening vigil and march in downtown San Mateo, with about 120 people taking part. Names of the Bay Area dead, and names of Iraqi children, were read. The Peninsula Raging Grannies opened the vigil with song, and the local folk group Atkinson Kincheloe concluded the evening. # 58
Boulder
CO
US
For the Iraq Moratorium CU Boulder Young Democratic Socialists decided that the most democratic way to express disinterest in the war would be for the people of our school to get their voices out by opening up and expressing their opposition to the Iraq War by placing their name on a graffiti wall. The wall was labeled "CU Students against the Iraq War". This wall was great for several reasons: 1) It was cheap, 2) It was quick to make and 3) all of the students that have bottled their frustrations with the war had a chance to show the school that they do not support the war in a simple way. The YDS chapter members wore black arm-bands to symbolize support against the Iraq war. We passed out our literature against the war and table about the Iraq Moratorium.
Besides the wall our group had wanted to do a fundraiser selling anti-war buttons- or political buttons, but the button machine that we had rented for the day did not work, and had to be repaired. The fund raiser would have gone to either a local group that does a vigil against the war or a Colorado based anti-war organization. This will be postponed until another time. Next time we would like to go a little bigger, but this was a good start to the year. # 80
St. Joseph/St. Aidan's Church/Southsiders for Peace
We had a late-night peace vigil at St. Joseph/St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Blue Island, IL. About 20 people came from churches and local peace groups. We sang, prayed, and gave testimony about the evils of this war. We talked about how we must work together to end it. We had times of silent prayer followed by a reading of the names of soldiers who have died in the war. We prayed for their families, as well as for the families of Iraqis who have been killed. We completed our vigil with a Mid-Night Mass for Peace. Thank you for organizing this Iraq Moratorium.
The Rev. Rod Reinhart St. Joseph/ St. Aidan's Episcopal Church Blue Island IL # 27
Chicago
IL
US
AFSC and Peace Pledge Chicago hosted a DIE-IN at Chicago's Federal Plaza. There were 72 people in attendance.
Well, living in the far south suburbs of Chicago, and having worked in Chicago for so long, I didn't know of any activists in my area. So, what to do? Well, I made a poster (using the Front Page and doctoring it a bit), then had posters made up, then made a flyer. Passed some out at the Farmer's Market and Midwest Art Fair a weekend ago in my community. Bought some material and stickers from the good people at (Chicago) Lincoln Park Neighbors United for Peace, made about 100 armbands, made up more copies of posters, flyers, etc. and this past Thursday, distributed about 300 pieces of posters, flyers, 100 with armbands and stickers. On Friday, against my wishes, I had to drive to Chicago – I enlarged the black ribbon symbol with Iraq Moratorium written on it, attached it to the backend of my car, attached a black ribbon to the side view mirror, wore an armband with the numbers of dead Iraqi and dead soldiers written thereon. Traffic was horrible, but good for Iraq Moratorium! # 49
During the Iraq Moratorium a campus organization had a special discussion entitled “Buddhist Perspectives in Peace.” YDS Butler University President Dakota Denzel Manuel handed out the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition “Books not Bombs” buttons. The YDS chapter is looking to co-sponsor future events with other like-mined groups around the Iraq Moratorium Project. # 138
Wichita
KS
US
Wichita State Young Democratic Socialists took part in the Iraq Moratorium by wearing black arms bands with "Books not Bombs" on them. Over 30 students and 5 members of the community participated in the event. An Iraq war veteran from the YDS chapter also wrote a letter to the school newspaper about the event which generated talk on campus about what the Iraq war really means to people, and what effects it has on people around the world. # 79
Salem
MA
US
Students of Salem for Peace, from Salem State College, celebrated International Day of Peace on Sept. 21 by setting up a table in front of the Campus Center. We painted peace signs on people's faces and handed out magnets with peace quotes that we hand made. We also made braided wrist bands and handed them out to people walking by. We did what we could to spread the word of peace to all of the students and faculty of SSC! # 66
The September Iraq Moratorium rally in Takoma Park took place at one of the busiest intersections in town. The rally featured speeches from State Senator Jamie Raskin and Iraq war veteran Adam Koresh from Iraq Veterans Against the War. Following the speeches, participants lined the streets with a variety of antiwar signs including a twenty-person sign giving the total cost of the war (at that moment) from www.costofwar.com. The October rally will take place at the same location.
# 87
East Lansing
MI
US
At Michigan State University the Young Democratic Socialists members stayed after one of our meetings to make the arm-bands with the peace slogan "Books Not Bombs." We wore them around to our classes, work, and out in public on Friday, September 21st. Members promised to talk to people about the Iraq War if they were asked about why they were wearing the armband. The chapter kept it pretty simple at this time; however this was just the kick-off and events will get more serious. The group had a pretty good discussion after that and came up with some other things they could do in the future. Because we are located in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, we’ll be able to do something at the capitol building or at the Congressional representative’s downtown offices # 82
Michigan State University Young Democratic Socialists members stayed after a meeting to make the arm-bands with the peace slogan “Books Not Bombs.” They wore them to classes, work, and out in public on Friday September 21st. Members promised to talk to people about the Iraq war if they were asked about why they were wearing the armband. The chapter kept it pretty simple this time; however this was just the kick-off and events will get more serious as time goes on. The group had a pretty good discussion afterwards and came up with some other ideas they could use in the future. Because they are located in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, they’re able to do some pretty big actions at the capitol building or at the Congressional representative’s downtown offices. # 140
Oscoda
MI
US
Maybe next time I won't be alone here in my little town, but I wore my armband all day. I was a little late finding out about the moratorium. # 52
Duluth
MN
US
MORNING WORKSHOPS
-Counter-Recruitment, 9:00 AM, Building for Women
-We've Been Hijacked, 10:00 AM, Building for Women
-Slides and Stories from Iraq, 10:00 AM, Building for Women -------------------------------------------- MARCH & RALLY Gather at the Clayton, Jackson, McGhee Memorial [2nd Ave. E and 1st St.] at 11:30am for a march to the Civic Center, where there'll be a noon rally. -------------------------------------------- AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
-Engaging the Christian Right, 1:30 PM, Building for Women
-No War, No Warming, 1:30 PM, Building for Women
-How to Make a Revolution, 2:30 PM, Building for Women
-Network of Spiritual Progressives, 2:30 PM, Building for Women
-Resisting Illegitimate Authority, 3:30 PM, Building for Women
-Organizing Sustainable Community, 3:30 PM, Building for Women
-Impeachment, 4:30 PM, Building for Women -------------------------------------------- FUNDRAISING CONCERT
7:30-11:00 PM, Building for Women -------------------------------------------- # 10
"What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!" rang out once again through the streets of downtown Duluth on Friday, Sept. 21 as protesters called for an immediate end to the Iraq war. Over 300 people interrupted their normal routines to take part in the Strike for Peace, which included events throughout the day aimed at opposing the war and creating a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.
The wet start to the day didn't deter dozens of activists from taking part in morning workshops held at the Building for Women on opposing military recruitment, stories from an Iraq War veteran and threats to the Constitution. At midday, over 250 gathered for a march from the Clayton, Jackson, McGhee Memorial to the Civic Center, where an energetic rally was held. Featured speakers included labor activists, an Iraqi-American, a Gulf War veteran and Univ. of St. Thomas professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. The audience was also treated to a performance by the Raging Grannies, a high-class chorus of mature ladies who've had it with war and with the Bush Regime. They also provided home-baked cookies to the crowd.
After the rally, a group of activists continued the protest at the Federal Building by delivering banners to Jim Oberstar's office with signed messages demanding an end to the war. Ten were arrested and charged with tresspassing for blockading the entrance to the building when they were no longer allowed entry.
Workshops at the Building for Women continued throughout the afternoon, addressing such topics as engaging the Christian Right, spiritual progressivism, resistance to illegitimate authority, revolution, sustainable community and impeachment. The day was rounded off with an evening concert that featured local artists Rachel Kilgour, Sara Thomsen and Max Dakota.
Most of the day's events were sponsored by the Northland Anti-War Coalition. The civil disobedience action was planned by the ad-hoc Direct Action Working Group. NAWC holds regular monthly meetings on second Sundays at 2 PM at the Chester Creek Café, with a special upcoming meeting on Sept. 30; visit www.northlandantiwar.com for more information. # 57
St. Louis
MO
US
We laid out a coffin with an American flag, a U.S. Army jacket, and a pair of boots to recognize those lives that have been lost. We also posted up the current number of US casualties along with "Support the Troops - End the War" yard signs. All in front of a giant Veterans For Peace flag! # 3
Las Vegas
NV
US
The Iraq Moratorium was a huge success at Meadows High School. The New Left, a chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists, was able to distribute 122 armbands on Friday September 21st in addition to a huge amount of literature during the week prior to the event. # 84
The Iraq Moratorium was a huge success at Meadows High School. The Young Democratic Socialists chapter was able to distribute 122 armbands on Friday September 21st in addition to a huge amount of literature during the week prior to the event. # 142
Hello All, the press conference in Buffalo happened with limited press. However, there were 1199 members there along with a State Senator, a city council member, Western NY Peace Center, local ministers, international photo artist Milton Rogovin and his son, CodePink membership, the Coalition For Economic Justice, representative from a NYS assembly member's office MoveOn membership and more.
In two targeted nursing homes, staff who are members of 1199 had stickers on from morning for the rest of the day. Our fliers were distributed and we got out the word for the Iraq Veterans Against the War rally in Syracuse on the 29th.
What's the man say...peace out!
# 37
East Harlem, "el Barrio"
NY
US
A candlelight vigil was held in front of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in East Harlem this past Friday evening. Over 20 people gathered to share their experiences and grievances about the overwhelming presence of Army recruiters in Harlem and Washington Heights since US occupation in Iraq. The vigil was the first action in Harlem to demonstrate solidarity with the Iraq Moratorium, scheduled to take place on the Third Friday of every month.
Several members of Veterans For Peace, Code Pink, Long Island Counter-recruitment Committee and Pax Christi vigiled between 4:00--5:00 pm at the Armed Forces Plaza on Route 347 in Hauppauge, NY, the place where we have been vigiling each month on the second Saturday since January of last year. # 78
New York
NY
US
At 12:05 AM, I dropped this in the mailbox at my local post office, just a few blocks from my house. I was thrilled when this fake poll/real fundraising letter from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee showed up in the mail earlier in the week, giving me a way to start the first Moratorium Day that feels really good. If politicians keep funding the war, it’s time to stop funding them!
# 2
New York
NY
US
A vigil in front of the Army Recruiter Center in East Harlem, 6:00 - 7:30 PM today, Sept 21. Sponsored by the East Harlem - El Barrio for Peace and Justice. The vigil will begin organizing for the October 27th regional UFPJ protest in NYC. # 13
Students for a Democratic Society, New School University
At 12pm Students and Allies from the New School University and a dozen other schools in the tri-state area rallied in front of the 65 5th Avenue building before heading uptown along 5th avenue to picket the Empire State Building, home of Lockheed Martin, and the Times Sq. recruiting center. We're happy with how our action went, but we won't be truly be satisfied till this occupation is over! Lookin' forward to next month!! SLDRTY! (ed. Google doesn't allow access from another server to the pictures. I'm contacting to get a way to get the photos to show.)
# 30
New York
NY
US
At Stuyvesant High School in New York City the Young Democratic Socialists wore “Books not Bombs” buttons. We sent out emails telling their friends and classmates about the Iraq Moratorium. We’re looking forward to future events and working with the New York City peace movement.
The Stuyvesant High School Young Democratic Socialists wore their “Books not Bombs” buttons. They sent out emails telling their friends and classmates about the Iraq Moratorium Project and they are looking forward to future events and opportunities to work with the New York City peace movement. # 139
New York, Bklyn, Bx, Queens
NY
US
Organized by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, hospital workers at Mt. Sinai, St. Vincents, Presbyterian, North General, Cabrini (Manhattan), Montefiore (Bronx), Jamaica (Queens), Methodist, Brookdale, Mary Immaculate & Community Hospital (Brooklyn) wore stickers saying "HEALTHCARE NOT WARFARE", "WE SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS, BRING THEM HOME NOW" and "STOP FUNDING THE WAR IN IRAQ". We held brief speak-outs and gave out flyers calling on people to call their Senators and members of Congress to tell them "NO MORE MONEY FOR THIS WAR!". # 19
Staten Island
NY
US
Here's a video of some of the street organizing Students for a Democratic Society did on Staten island during the last month to build for the first Moratorium Day. # 14
Bowling Green State University - Firelands Young Democratic Socialists made posters and flyers about the Iraq Moratorium Project and plastered them all over their campus. The chapter also posted the information on the university calendar under multiple listings and sent an email blast out to the faculty, encouraging them to speak out about the war. They also handed out many National Youth and Student Peace Coalition “Books not Bombs” buttons to students; many of whom are still wearing them on campus. # 136
Last Friday, September 21st, People for Peace and Justice of Sandusky County held the first monthly peace rally at the corner of Front and State, downtown. More than two dozen people gathered including veterans, community leaders, clergy, and activists. Rush hour traffic was booming with support, cheers, and horns honking for peace!
This overwhelming support reflects national polls that show seventy-one percent of Americans are now against Bush's war in Iraq. The stigma of either being... "With us or against us" has been lifted, and a growing number of Fremonters are now against the war-but FOR the warriors!
Better still, last week's rally made the front page of the local News-Messenger, which also has great photos of the rally. View Photos Here
# 67
Wooster
OH
US
On the day of the event we wore the black armbands and buttons with “Books not Bombs” written on them. We ran out of buttons in group, so we used a white out pen to write the message on the rest of the armbands. We made some armbands at the meeting before the event so our members would already have them. Then on that day we tabled and passed out the armbands, the Democratic Socialists of America’s stance on the Iraq War, and a self-produced piece about the true meaning of peace and violence. Then at 1 Andrew Porter gave a speech to further explain why we wear the armbands, and what peace means to a Democratic Socialist. The tabling continued that night and by the end of it we were out of fabric, which was impressive since we started out with 3 yards. The event went very well and many people were interested in the Iraq Moratorium. # 85
I marched back & forth in front of the Federal Bldg with my signs, and handed out self-made fliers offering alternative sources of news about Iraq war. Did not try to engage people, tho did talk to a disabled Vietnam vet who took info and sd he wished he'd had alt. sources of info back then. Got many thankyou's for being there. Felt the event was successful at getting folks to think about it. Being alone & having peaceful energy seemed to catch people's attention. # 59
Silverton
OR
US
At 12:15 I was having lunch with a friend. I excused myself and stood outside the restaurant on the sidewalk with my hand over my heart in silent meditation. I breathed peace into all those I loved, admired and dispised. Afterwards, my heart was lighter and full of hope. # 20
About a dozen of us gathered in the center of campus, professors and staff and members of the community. We put on black armbands and had an impromptu organizing discussion about how to make this much bigger next month: speakers, usiong our historic Protest Tree, signs and banners, and above all, locating some student leadership to get the word out among the student body. We will be back! # 4
Lancaster SDS hosted a vigil that brought out 70 folks, most of them high school students. Support from passerbys was almost unanimously in support. Bigger and better things will come next month!
Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace, Student Peace Coalition
Here's a group shot of our 50+ demonstrators on the only busy street corner in Sewanee on Friday. After two months of "Third Friday" events sponsored by the End Iraq Occupation Committee of the local Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace, this month students from the Student Peach Coalition had a sign-making get-together and marched from the University of the South to join us in sponsoring our third IRAQ MORATORIUM Peace Vigil. Many thanks for everything you all you folks at IM Central are doing to inspire increasing local opposition to this despised war! Count on us to keep up the message here.
# 42
Small Town
TN
US
asked everyone I knew all over the country if they had called their senators today and supplied them with the phone numbers and step by step information on the process # 7
Iraq Moratorium at UTEP Black arm bands and ribbon were given out in rememberance. Also had a memorial display. People wrote on the arm band a name of a soldier or Iraq civilian who has died. # 89
Port Townsend
WA
US
I wrote this tonight to the manager of our local movie theatre:
Dear Rocky--
Just a short note to explain why i missed tonight's opening-night screening of 'Paprika' at the Rose Theatre. Ordinariy I would have been there.
i'm taking part in an 'Iraq Moratorium' project. Today was the inauguration--the third Saturday of every month will be devoted to people volunteering nationwide to take various actions to help stop the war, bring the troops home, perhaps impeach Bush and Cheney,
Many of us will be wearing black armbands as I did today. Some will wear black ribbons.
One of the 'options on the menu' of tactics is not spending any money on these third Fridays.
That's what I did, thus missing your opening of 'Paprika.'
i went around to the other places in Port Townsend where I spend money on a regular basis, and explained to baristas, clerks, or business owners what I was doing and why. To some I handed bookmarks that I'd made, IMPEACH on one side along with the url http://www.impeachbush.org, and the impeachment clause of the Constitution on the other side. I also donated an 'Addicted to War' comic book to the Boilerroom [a teen center]; they loved it.
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for all I know you do to promote education, understanding, and peace in our community.
Peace, Tenzing [the Buddhist name I go by mostly]
Iraq Moratorium-- my armband as black as the dreams of the dead
http://www.iraqmoratorium.org
# 22
Seattle
WA
US
14 folks handed out literature countering military recruitment at 23rd & Jackson under a banner saying "Don't Die for Lies" and IraqMoratorium.org. We had our black armbands and will return next month on the 3rd Friday. Join us. Info at standupseattle.org
About 80 people came to an exchange of views at King's Books in Tacoma between Prof. Sid Olufs of Pacific Lutheran University and Prof. Steve Niva of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Niva argued there is a "critical disconnect" or "fundamental contradiction" in U.S. policy that makes the realization of its goals impossible: the essence of the struggle in counterinsurgency warfare is political, but U.S. policies are at odds with the political interests of the Iraqi population. Olufs reported the results of an analysis that suggested the rationality of American "surge" policy is predicated on the notion that an Iraqi life has only 1/130 (or less) the value of an American life. After their presentations, the two academics fielded questions from the audience for about an hour. # 25
Fort Atkinson
WI
US
Around 40 of us came out for vigil organized by the Rock River Peace Group. # 62
See a photo of our Madison noon gathering at Click here! Some there had participated in the Vietnam Moratorium in the 60's - noting the powerful effect that movement had on ending the war in Vietnam. Madison had other events going on throughout the day..... # 28
Over 100 people gathered for the Iraq Moratorium at the main intersection of downtown Milwaukee today at 5pm. Very enthusiastic response from passersby!
Our event for Iraq War veteran Jason Moon on Sept. 20 at MATC was a huge success! The room was packed -- we had a standing-room-only crowd of almost 100. In addition to students and faculty, there was also community and labor participation. Jason Moon served a year in Iraq. He told the story of the commanding officer who ordered his convoy: "Do not stop, do not swerve, do not slow down." When Jason asked what to do if there were Iraqi civilians or children in the road, the commander repeated: "Do not stop, do not swerve, do not slow down."
Since his return, Jason has actively spoken out, and recently joined Iraq Veterans Against the War. He supports the Iraq Moratorium, also endorsed by Local 212, and encouraged students to take part. # 77
We held the first event for the Iraq Moratorium in conjunction with the International Day of Peace. Our strong core showed up and we have a plan of actions for the next six months! Pictures!
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