While we are denied an open forum at Town Hal meetings, our soldiers still die in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraqis and Afghans still die because of our presence there.
While we speak out with our words, pictures and videos to expose the thuggish behavior of teabaggers and freepers, some speak out with their feet and expose themselves to arrest in an effort to save lives and end illegal war. They walk for peace for us all.
As rain threatened, the walkers made little fanfare of their mission, listened to some advice and instructions and began a three day walk and workshop in nonviolence from the gates of Camp Williams to the main gate of Fort McCoy in central Wisconsin, where some may choose to risk arrest.
Similar to the 35-year campaign that concluded when the Navy shut down its nuclear first strike transmitter Project ELF in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, organizers plan to continue this campaign of nonviolent resistance at Fort McCoy until U.S. aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan is brought to an end.
Though I took a nice photo of the decorative and well-lighted monument at Camp Williams' front gate, I dare not show that here. I was sternly warned by a guard clad entirely in black, who hustled out to warn me that taking any pictures of the camp, even from outside, was not allowed. I was amazed she could walk so well with all the gadgets dangling from her well-equipped waistband.
While my snapshot is hardly a security risk, anyone can view the entire camp from this Terraserver USA image, "courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey". Camp security, however, had no problem with photographing the peace gathering, and with a real cannon of a lens compared to my little pea-shooter. I dare not show you the picture of our pictures being taken either.
With no official recognition, high security or military precision, the group began it's journey through the Wisconsin countryside. Who needs military discipline when you have peacful cooperation?
The walk will conclude on Sunday, when the peace walkers will conduct a vigil outside the main gate of Fort McCoy.
Fort McCoy plays a key role in the mobilization of Army Guard and Army Reserve units deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. In the spring and summer of 2009 several units are scheduled for mobilization training prior to deployment.
Last summer, Voices for Creative Nonviolence organized "Witness Against War". Part of this walk was the first act of nonviolent civil resistance to take place at Fort McCoy since 1991. This action resulted in the arrests and convictions of 13 people seeking to enter the base to talk with members of the National Guard.
This summer’s Walk for Peace will conclude at the main gate to Fort McCoy on August 9 and will include another act of nonviolent civil resistance.
I would give you a link to donate to Voices for Creative Nonviolence, but I haven't found one. Funding, apparently, is not what this group wants; peace is. Please check this list of participating organizations and see what you can do to support their work for peace.
And wish these courageous people well on their journey. The weather has turned wet with wide temperature swings in Wisconsin for the next few days, but sunny weather will break through the cloud cover long before we will have a breakthrough of peace in this world.
I thoroughly admire those who will not just sit back and wait for better times.
Peace.