On this anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, I am reminded of the birth months before of our anti-war movement. Let's not forget that for the first time in history, tens of millions of protesters took to streets around the world demanding peace before the war started.
Bush went in anyway, but the peace movement has persisted and broadened and held people accountable relentlessly. He will be gone in a few months and the peace movement will continue.
Last Thursday night in Austin I was lucky enough to get into the Body of War showcase during SXSW. More about this amazing story and the soldier who turned a bullet in his spine into a movement to end the war below the fold...
Body of War is now showing in limited cities. If you want to be moved by a brave soldier, don't miss this story. His entire family is amazing. The anti-war movement they have created is undeniably powerful.
Rolling Stone did a great job of catching the tone of the showcase in their video interview of Serj Terkian and Tom Morello and soldier Tomas Young.
Eddie Vetter could not be there, but Billy Bragg, Ben Harper, Kimya Dawson, American Bang and many others came to sing songs from the soundtrack.
The closing tune was "This Land Is Your Land" including the censored verse. You can see hundreds of people jumping up and down at the end of the RS video. I learned two new verses:
The verse I was never taught in elementary school choir:
"One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief Office I saw my people --
As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if
This land was meant for you and me."
And the officially censored verse:
"Was a big high wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted, said 'Private property.'
But on the other side it didn't say nothing.
This land was made for you and me."
This is why I light a candle tonight: for those who hope and love, for those who have served, for the innocent dead, for a better tomorrow, for peace and persistence.