Posted on 01/16/2005 5:56:44 AM PST by clyde asbury
Published on: Sunday, Jan 16, 2005
On the one-year anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, hundreds gathered in Fayetteville for what some called the city's largest peace rally since the Vietnam War.
Even more people are expected for the second anniversary.
A rally set for March 19 at Rowan Park is being advertised nationally by United for Peace and Justice. On its Web site, the group is promoting a ''major regional protest in Fayetteville, N.C.''
The day after the rally, Iraq Veterans Against the War plans to hold its national convention here. Mike Hoffman, a former Marine who lives near Philadelphia, is the group's national coordinator.
''People talk constantly about numbers and strategy,'' he said. ''They're forgetting the individual stories of people.''
Organizers said the highlight of last year's rally was the stories from veterans and military families. Chuck Fager said he expects veterans, military families and perhaps even active-duty soldiers to give talks this year.
Fager is director of the Quaker House, an organization that helps soldiers who want to leave the military. It helped plan last year's rally. This year, the Quaker House and Fayetteville Peace for Justice decided to invite people back. Other groups sponsoring the rally include the North Carolina Peace and Justice Coalition, North Carolina Council of Churches, Military Families Speak Out, Bring Them Home Now and Veterans for Peace.
Lou Plummer, co-founder of Fayetteville Peace for Justice, said one of the main reasons he supports the rally is that he has friends and family serving in the military.
''This is my hometown; I grew up here,'' he said. ''This war is not something abstract I read about in the newspaper. It touches my life in a small way every day.''
Plummer and Fager said this year's rally will be similar to last year's. It will start with a march and feature speakers, music, poetry, art and dancing. Fager is hoping for a celebrity speaker.
Last year, many people were scared to come to Fayetteville, Fager said. But the rally - and counterdemonstration across the street - passed without incident.
''People who wanted to come last time but were too nervous to do it probably won't be so nervous this time,'' Fager said.
Fager said it is difficult to measure the rally's influence, but he and other war protesters receive support whenever they are out.
They held their last Fayetteville peace vigil in November.
''We had the same reaction then that we've had since the summer of 2003,'' he said, ''more favorable responses than unfavorable. That reinforces our sense that there are a growing number of people uneasy about the war.''
Plummer said last year's rally was effective because it gave people a voice.
''It was not effective in that we're still in Iraq,'' he said. ''If this rally doesn't help stop the war, we'll have one next year, but I hope not. I want this to be the last one.''
Staff writer Allison Williams can be reached at williamsa@fayettevillenc.com or 323-4848, ext. 331. Copyright 2005 The Fayetteville (NC) Observer
I need some one to design it...with all the info...I will also place it as an ad in several newspapers! I really need help with the flyer lay out..once I have a copy I'll get going!!!!! CHARGE!
Rrrod, Here is the flyer of the event from DAWN (the group that BillF mentions):
http://www.dawndc.net/m19/bragg.pdf
http://www.dawndc.net/m19/bragg2.pdf
Perhaps you will find some inspiration here (not), ha!ha!
The Chapel Hill and NCState kids will be anxious to pass out a flyer on campus.
:-). Belly dancing gets attention.
It was nothing.
I didn't originate the term cANSWER, but I'm pretty sure that a FReeper came up with it.
Upchuck and I will test Paltalk on Wednesday morning. If it works, we'll schedule a group meeting for Friday and maybe Saturday.
We'll ping everyone to the details of the meeting, asap.
Can you put me on the ping list, please? Looks like the McDonalds may be coming.
Shouldn't it be "how 'bout them Dawgs?"
Nah, because those DAWGs don't hunt. :)
If I'm not mistaken, we are going to be in the same spot that we were in last year which is across the street from the park. I have ordered 15 red megaphones, of which 5 have arrived and the rest should be here before the rally. I went over to DU and kept following links about their rally here. It looks as if they are meeting at the health dept. and marching to the park. They will not be out in what I would call public view until they negotiate one block of Hay St and make the turn onto Woodside to come down that street to the park. I think it would be more impressive for us to be waiting for them. Particularly, if we have a good turnout. I have pasted what I found on their site. As they are meeting at the health dept at 11 and then leaving for the park at noon. I would suggest also that we just meet at our site at 11 am so that we can get everything setup. I can also make arrangements for us to have a place to meet afterwards for talk and FOOD and DRINK. I would probably need to have an idea of a head count.
SATURDAY MARCH 19 MARCH AND RALLY LOGISTICS
March and Rally to Rowan Street Park, Fayetteville, NC.
Bus drop-off and Gathering at: Cumberland County Health Center, 227 Fountainhead Lane, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
Buses and marchers arrive starting at 10:00 am.
A brief rally will occur at 11:00 am
The march will leave at 12:00 noon.
The Rally lasts from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
BUS DROP OFF, PARKING, and PICKUP:
Buses will drop riders off at the Health Center. Driver and Bus captains will be given directions to the parking near Rowan Street Park, where they will collect riders after the rally.
INDIVIDUAL PARKING:
Cars can park at the Health Department Parking lot. If it gets filled up, there will be overflow parking by the Amtrak station, which is on Hay street just past the Airborne Museum. There will not be individual car parking at Rowan Street Park - Buses will be given priority for this limited space.
DISABILITY ACCESS:
The march route is accessible to wheelchairs, but has some hills. Rowan Street Park is suited for scooters and large wheeled chairs, but lacks sidewalks. There will be handicap-accessible port-o-potties.
NO PETS:
We're sorry, but our rally permit does not allow for pets to enter Rowan Street Park.
MAPS:
A full map of the sites will be online soon
FACILITIES:
There will be port-o-potties at both the march gathering site and Rowan Street Park.
RALLY SITE:
The march ends at Rowan Street Park at the corner of Rowan Ave and Woodside, located one long block north of Hay Street on Woodside. It is on the right and very long, with a stream, covered stage, and grassy hill from which to listen to speakers and entertainers.
FOOD:
A variety of food vendors will sell lunch, including Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, and Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican cuisine. There will be vegan, vegetarian and meat options available. Due to Health Department requirements, individuals and groups will not be allowed to sell food or drinks without acquiring a Vending Permit. Please contact Debbie Liebers, (910) 425-6036, debbieddl@aol.com
TABLING:
Organizations that have paid the required tabling permit fee will have literature and merchandise tables set up. Tabling fees are: $10 for literature tables, $20 for merchandise tables. If you wish to pay on the day, you MUST pre-register by notifying us at info@ncpeacejustice.org , by March 15.
ACTIVITIES:
There will be a variety of family activities and opportunities for kids, including war memorial painting and games. Contact Ginger Rain, (910) 323-3967, gingrain@aol.com
Organizing and Planning
We formed a strong committee structure and steering committee that would move us towards these goals coming out of the meeting. See below for committee contacts. Contact someone either a) in your region or city, or b) on a committee that youd be interested in (see below), and get involved with us. If you would like to join our planning listserv or conference calls, email us.
http://www.ncpeacejustice.org /
On the Second Anniversary of the War and Occupation of Iraq,
Show Real Support for the Troops: Bring Them Home Now!
Money for Jobs and Education, not War and Occupations
March and Rally
Saturday March 19th, 2005
11:00-4:00
Fayetteville, NC
Home of Fort Bragg
http://meetup.radicaldesigns.org/calendar_display.php?s...
United for Peace and Justice
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Says OUT NOW! Bring The Troops Home!
Saturday, March 19th 2005 1:00 PM
The numbers of U.S. soldiers & Iraqis' being killed & maimed is rising. Bush is about to ask Congress for another $80-100 billion to fund the war against the people of Iraq, on top of the $147 billion that has already been spent. Meanwhile, jobs
are disappearing, unions are under attack, and budgets for healthcare, housing, and education are being slashed. It is vitally important for antiwar, labor, and community
organizations to join together to stop the war against Iraq and the the war against working people.
Charlotte Says OUT NOW! Bring The Troops Home!
Sunday, March 20th 2005 1:00 PM
Join us as we take part in a worldwide day of actions protesting the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We have a responsibility to respond with renewed determination and commitment in the face of the Bush administration's launching of a new phase of the war against the Iraqi people. Bring signs, puppets, etc
http://www.answercoalition.org /
Current & Past Actions
Against War, Racism & Exploitation
March 19, 2005
Global Day of Coordinated Actions
on the 2nd Anniversary
of the "Shock and Awe" Invasion of Iraq
initiated by antiwar organizations worldwide
including the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition in the United States
Local & Regional AntiWar Actions in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Fayetteville & in hundreds of other cities around the country and the world.
To list your city click here
Democratic Underground Forums - Viewing topics in North Carolina
If anyone needs directions, please Freepmail me and tell me where you are coming from. That will help me know how to have you come the most direct route into town.
D,
Can you correct the above post to clarify that the rally logistics that you posted are for the leftist rally, and not ours. I would hate to see some newbie FReeper dropped off at the Cumberland Health Center under the impression that busloads of other FReepers would be meeting him there.
Looks like the mid-staters will have to zip back for the next counter-protest the next day!
The theme of our event will be an "American Day Picnic".
We will have a "Handling the Press" seminar at about 10am on Saturday for those who are interested in 'media advocacy'. I need to find a room for that as close to the park as possible.
Please don't forget your picnics, your water, your sunscreen and your blankets.
As soon as all of our details are in place, I will start a new thread using Rrrod's flyer and Taxchick's graphics announcing our Freep. We will simultaneously launch our advertising campaign.
What!!!! No puppets???? Where are the puppets????
And what is this about painting war memorials? Are they going to have their kids deface war memorials in Fayetteville????
Oh wait. A war memorial to them is probably hanging a U.S. soldier in effigy like they do in California. What was I thinking.
Is there a leftist demonstration on the 20th as well? I'm a little confused...I've not been following this stuff lately. Also, is there any information I could pass to the CR at UNC-Chapel Hill? Some of them may be interested.
Unfortunately, I have no extra bedrooms, so I can't board anyone that night. However, I'm happy to make some breakfast, snacks, or whatever. I'm Italian, and what can I say, we like to feed people.
I spoke with the Chapel Hill kids last night, and they are excited.
As soon as Taxchick and Rrrod have their flyer ready, we will get them to you(?) to get over to the CR's at Chapel Hill.
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