Posted on 02/06/2003 2:51:34 PM PST by rface
Columbia’s (Missouri) peace activists are readying themselves for war.
The day after the United States attacks Iraq — if it does — the activists plan to call in “sick of war” to work and school, wear black armbands and pass out anti-war leaflets. They also plan rush-hour peace demonstrations, a march to Rep. Kenny Hulshof’s office, prayer services at Sacred Heart Church and a Peace Community Dinner.
It’s all part of the Day of Resistance for Peace. The Columbia Peace Coalition, which comprises 19 organizations, is sponsoring the daylong demonstrations.
“We want to make a statement by not participating in our normal activities to show that it won’t be business as usual for us,” said Mark Haim, director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks. “If you are able to take the day off, you will be able to participate in peace activities and focus needed attention on peace concerns.”
Ads for the Day of Resistance are now being spread through e-mails, fliers and newsletters, but an actual date for the event is missing from every announcement. The only time given is “the day after the war starts.”
Peace groups across America are planning day-after protests like Columbia’s. International Answer — a national anti-war group — is planning to gather in New York’s Times Square once bombs start to fall, spokesman Tony Murphy said.
Larry Brown, chairman of the Interfaith Peace Alliance of Mid-Missouri, said he hopes to participate in all of the local activities.
“The primary objective is to get the United States of America to change its course and find alternatives to killing people in Iraq,” said Brown, who is also geography instructor at MU. “If the Day of Resistance comes on a day I have classes, I will cancel my classes and encourage my students to participate.”
Although the Bush administration has not set a date to attack Iraq, local peace activists said they need to be ready.
“You don’t wait until your house is on fire to buy a fire extinguisher,” Haim said. “It’s worthwhile to be prepared should Bush go ahead and begin this illegal and immoral war.”
Mark Robertson, a member of the Green Party of Central Missouri, said he will attend whatever events he can.
“What’s imperative is that we show our solidarity of peace,” Robertson said. “Vietnam was drawn out until there was a mobilization against it, until 50,000 Americans came home in body bags. In this case, we already have a mobilization.”
Such mobilization was seen on Friday when the Hickman High School Peaceworks, a member of the Columbia Peace Coalition, held its first peace demonstration. The organization is planning to take part in the Day of Resistance for Peace, said Victoria Sights, Hickman High School Peaceworks co-founder.
But Jon Todd, a senior at Westminster College, said he had reservations about the planned demonstrations.
“I support things like this, but I don’t know if I would participate,” Todd said. “I’m scared they’re becoming trendy, especially in a college town where college students just like to demonstrate.”
AXLE GREASE.
And if you cancelled one of my kids classes, I'd demand a refund from the University.
You know, the irony of all this is that this concept of eliminating the danger allegedly doesn't apply as an analogy in regards to Iraq... I guess we would have to wait for Iraq to actually start a world fire, and inflict needless casualties and damage, if THESE clowns were running the place..
Kind of a preemptive strike in other words, eh?
Babbling moron.
Look, Mark, nobody blames you for wanting to spend an extra day away from the Fry-O-Lator - but don't politicize it.
Which is strange, because I could SWEAR that the US does NOT make Mirage F-1, or Mig fighters, or TU-55 and 72 tanks, but I could be wrong....
Also, Michael Medved had a good comment on this as well to a caller whining along the same lines...
"If I give you a gun, and you go and shoot someone with it, whose fault is that?"
The caller "uh...uh...uh...uh'd" himself literally to death.
"Uh, you want fries with that?"
Curious, because that was different time and different circumstances. Oddly enough that is now the leftie line when Clinton's remarks on attacking Iraq and getting rid of Saddam from 1998 are brought up.
Which is strange, because I could SWEAR that the US does NOT make Mirage F-1, or Mig fighters, or TU-55 and 72 tanks, but I could be wrong....
ssshhhhh....that's the super secret military industrial complex plan...licensed labeling.
Guns and ammo set if commie-pinkos start protests in America.
Well... THEN!
I think I'll go cry boohoooo!
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