Get Your Peace On

Mona Shaw does a fine job with her blog Witness from the Fence over at the Press-Citizen. She does me the favor of summarizing some of the many events that are happening in the area relating to peace today and this weekend. To wit: Today, Thursday, September 20, 2007The UI Antiwar Committee Die-in Pedestrian Mall (Dubuque and Washington streets) 6-8 p.m. The purpose of the action is to give a fraction illustration of the lives lost in the Iraq War. A literal illustration of war's human loss would require more than everyone from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor to participate. It will be powerful. Tomorrow, Friday, September 21, 2007 Cost of War Rally and Delivery of Petitions to De-Fund the Iraq War 10:00 to Noon Downtown Cedar RapidsFirst Ave and First ST NE (Tree of Five Seasons Park)Rally at 10:00Press Conference at 10:30Delivery of petitions at 11:00Women for peace Iowa has collected hundreds of signatures (and still counting) for its petition to de-fund the Iraq war, bring our troops home safely, and put the money to better use here at home. Members of the group will illustrate the astounding impact of this war by presenting the community with a list of programs that the cost of just ONE DAY in Iraq would fund.The event will culminate in the presentation of the petitions to the offices of Senator Grassley, Senator Harkin, and Congressman Loebsack. The event is co-sponsored by American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). International Peace Day Observance Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City10 S. Gilbert Street (corner of Gilbert & Iowa) 7:00 pm Why: To promote peace through peaceful means Who: All are welcome! This event observes the UN International Day of Peace and seeks to promote peace through peaceful means. This is a nonsectarian, interfaith and multi-generational observation of this important day. The purpose of this event is to promote peace through connection, words, song, ritual, and meditation. Anyone who would like to offer a short reading promoting peace, is invited to bring it. Cedar Rapids 19 Support ConcertThe Mill 8:00 pm The “Cedar Rapids 19” are a group of peace activists who sat-in, were arrested and charged with criminal trespass at the offices of Senators Harkin and Grassley last July in protest over their votes to continue funding the war in Iraq. Enjoy a showcase of diverse music, something for everyone, no matter the age or taste. Cover charge is $5. All proceeds from this event will go into a fund for the legal fees and fines of the “Cedar Rapids 19.” Performers include:Drew Hayward – native New Yorker and alt-rocker turned acoustic folksinger.Greg and Jean Thompson –master songwriter Greg and folk diva Jean take the cliché out of “perfect harmony” and mesmerize with songs that speak to our collective soul.Pigs and Clover – "post-cool" duo specializing in acoustic swamp-folk Kate Kane –solo performance by rising star and singer/songwriter/guitarist for Lipstick Homicide Marv "there’s no W in peace" Hain, Jr. – political protest singer/songwriter and humorist.Matthew Grimm & The Red Smear –-rattling rock meat-grindered with hefty doses of power pop, punk and habaneros. Saturday, September 22, 2007 Peace Concert on the Ped Mall Noon Singer-songwriter Jerry Leggett will sing out for peace at a free concert. Traveling across the US on a year-long mission in a vintage RV christened "The Peace Bubble," Leggett will perform classic peace standards by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Tracy Chapman, along with original songs.Leggett describes his tour as "a nonpartisan effort to celebrate the ideals that make for peace in the heart and peace in the world. What if we all paused for a moment of peace at noontime and pondered another world? What if the world we imagine is possible?" Besides singing, Leggett has been collecting interviews with people that share their vision of a more peaceful world.This local concert is being organized by the PEACE Iowa and Faith United Church of Christ.