Hell No We Won't Go: Protesters Protest Protesting?

I love being part of the progressive community, I really do. I marvel at the many voices in it and the heartfelt sense of right and wrong that people have.

For instance, this week there will be a pair of protesters making their way through Iowa on their way to Washington. People are looking forward to this and coming out to support these intent folks at the weekly vigil at the edge of the Pentacrest.

Locally, we are no slouches either. We have anti-war folks who are willing to be arrested to end the war in Iraq, some stand in silent vigil, some hold signs (needlepointed, printed, or hand-scrawled), and some bang drums or fill plastic pop bottles with coins and shake 'em. There has been a substantial amount of flack on the ICProgressive listserv about method of protest and people are seemingly mad as hornets. THIS IS GOOD!

If people don't feel free to express their opinions, how are we ever going to arrive at a place of real peace, let alone end this insane war? It is exciting to see more people come out on the war and it is important that people find a way to do it that fits their core beliefs. For some folks headcount matters, for some folks expressing their feelings about their sons and daughters who are serving is why they are there. Everyone has a reason, everyone has a method, but most importantly everyone agrees on one CRUCIAL point, this war must end.

If you feel this way, put aside your differences (or bring ear plugs, like I will) and be a presence for peace. This is too important.

Come to the corner of Clinton and Washington at 5:15 on Friday 7/27 and support those who are just passing through.

UPDATE

The U.I. Anti-War Committee and Iowans for Sensible Priorities invite you to attend a weekly vigil to protest the Iraq War on Friday night at 5:15 on the corner of Washington and Clinton in downtown Iowa City.

This will be a great chance for you to both raise your voice in a call for peace in Iraq and to welcome the 3 members of the March For Peace who are walking across America this summer. They will be coming into downtown I.C. along with marchers from the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area who will meet them on the corner of Hawkeye Park Rd. and Melrose Ave. around 3pm. It would be fantastic if a large contingent of people will be at the vigil to show our solidarity with them in their efforts in service of nonviolent resistance to war.

If you have any questions about the weekend's events, please reply to this e-mail or contact me at timothy-gauger@uiowa.edu. You reach me by phone at 319-936-2307.

Transportation for March for Peace Events

Here is some information about transportation and parking for the two marches in Iowa City this Friday and Sunday in support of the March For Peace. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Michael Christoffersen at http://commcenter.mchsi.com/wmc/v/wm/46A78AB5000CFE48000011A1219792676103010CD2079C080C03BF0E9901070B9DCC0A089B?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=alphaproxy%40msn%2Ecom&sid=c0 or 319-351-2265.

Friday's March: The meeting place to get on the Cambus to go out to Hawkeye Park Road and Melrose Ave. is on the corner of Washington and Capitol St. on the Schaeffer Hall side of the street, along that half-block stretch with all the old wood-slatted benches. The route is 'Hawkeye-Interdorm' and the bus leaves at 2:11 and 2:41. It should take approximately 25 minutes to get to the meeting point with the March For Peace. One block from this bus stop is the corner of Washington and Clinton where the Anti-War Vigil will take place at 5:15 on Friday. We are hoping to march from West Iowa City into downtown in time to take part in the vigil. Hopefully, we'll have a crowd waiting for us when we arrive.

This is the MapQuest link to the downtown Hawkeye-Interdorm Cambus stop:http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=E%20Washington%20St%20%26%20S%20Capitol%20St&city=Iowa%20City&state=IA&zipcode=52240&country=US&geodiff=1

The staging area for the march into downtown I.C. is at the corner of Hawkeye Park Road and Melrose Ave. We are hoping to be ready to go by 3pm, so please get there early if you can. However, if anyone is running late or need directions, don't hesitate to call Tim Gauger at 319-936-2307.MapQuest link to march staging area:http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=Melrose%20Ave%20%26%20Hawkins%20Dr&city=Iowa%20City&state=IA&zipcode=52246&country=US&geodiff=1

For anyone who wants to join the march into downtown I.C. at the halfway point, just go to the corner of Melrose Ave. and Hawkins Dr. To take a bus, go to the same bus stop at Capitol and Washington near Schaeffer Hall as indicated above and take the Red Route Cambus at 3:28. It's a 7 minute ride directly to the Hospital bus stop, and a one block walk from there to the Melrose & Hawkins Dr intersection.MapQuest link to Melrose Ave. and Hawkins Drive:http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=Melrose%20Ave%20%26%20Hawkins%20Dr&city=Iowa%20City&state=IA&zipcode=52246&country=US&geodiff=1

As indicated above, if you have any questions about transportation and parking, please contact Michael Christoffersen at http://commcenter.mchsi.com/wmc/v/wm/46A78AB5000CFE48000011A1219792676103010CD2079C080C03BF0E9901070B9DCC0A089B?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=alphaproxy%40msn%2Ecom&sid=c0 or 319-351-2265. Any responses to this e-mail will be forwarded to him. More e-mails covering details about the event at the Wesley Center on Saturday and the march on Sunday morning will be sent out in the next few days. Don't hesitate to e-mail questions about any of the events to this address, or call me at 319-936-2307.