February 17, 2003

World and Peace SymbolRegardless of the mainstream media blaring news of the inevitability of war, people all over the world are coming up with creative and heartfelt ways to make their opposition heard. Here are a few responses to the email letter (see below) that I sent out recently.

Thanks for the Spark. Putting all the sparks together can make a very bright light… Here is another website you may be interested to visit and include in your resources: US Action
Carol
Michigan
 
An addition to your great list of web sites: Poets Against the War — started in response to the Mrs. Bush’s cancelling a celebration of the poets Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman (I guess no one told Laura Bush they were all queer) when the live poets invited started to show anti-war sentiment (who could guess that poets would be anti-war?) — now it has over 2000 poems for peace….
Elana
California
 
We walked our labyrinth on February 9th to join in the prayer for peace and also sent our rice to George – I agree that every act counts.
Marge
New Mexico
 
I’ll be here at the Antarctica’s Peace Rally, Sunday 1:30pm at the McMurdo Sea Ice Transition.
Anne
Antarctica
 
I sent lentils instead of rice.

Here we are on the street. Pre-emptive Peace Vigil “Women In Black Stand for Peace”, reads our banner. Women vigil every Wednesday at 4:30 on Gulfport Blvd in order to maintain a visible presence against WAR. Women in Black stand in solidarity with women all over the planet in their desire for those in power to find alternatives to violence to solve political problems. Women in Black Is an international network of women who oppose every form of violence: war, terrorism, fundamentalism and the violation of human rights. Most of the women pictured here are Gulfport, Florida residents. We engage in grassroots diplomacy and the participation of women in negotiations. We build links with women in areas of conflict and all those who work for a future free of war, violence and poverty. We invite all women to join us.

I will carry that women energy with me knowing that you are in the street as well.
Edie
Florida

(I also march with Women In Black. I find walking in silence
with many women (and women-loving men in our group)
dressed entirely in black very powerful.)

 
Thanks for such valuable information, and thanks for your untiring activism, so important at times like these.
Sherron
California
 
Please take time to read Senator Byrd’s speech on 2/12 and pass it on to others. www.commondreams.org/views03/0212-07.htm
Ginny
Virginia
 
Thanks for you encouraging message. Glad to hear from you. I also sent rice and did the Spoonbenders exercises which has made a difference for me personally as well.
Mimi
Missouri
 
Thank you for your email with the website addresses. A contingent from this UU congregation will be going to the Civic Center right after church. (And I did say a prayer for peace from the pulpit on 2/9). I’ll be there in spirit with them, and with you and everyone else who keeps saying that there are other ways beside war to solve world problems.
Marcia Olsen, Interim Minister
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City, CA
 
Thank you for your sparks. We’ll be in NYC on Saturday, February 15.
Marsha & Kath
New York
 
Hope seems a slender thread to pin the future to, but your message reminds me of how immense — limitless — hope can be, especially when it is shared by so many. Here’s hoping that the hopeful can prevail.
Marty
 
Thanks Margie. We’ll be marching in Sacramento on the 15th.
Lisa
California
 
I am sending this on to a number of sisters who are weary of the “march to war”. We will not go quietly, in fact we will not go at all!
Catherine
Oregon
 
so glad to hear from you that you, too, have mailed your rice, had your “prayerful/intentioned” moment(s), and will continue to march/rally with the rest of us who refuse to sit passively by while our world is charging toward ireevocable and devastating change… thank you for writing your message and including me…sometimes i feel alone in my endeavors to spark hope. keep the light going!
Janet
California
 
Thanks for continuing to spread the belief in peace and justice for everyone on this planet. My desktop screen is now your ” Envision peace on earth, and security for all”. I love the peace sign over the earth. Thanks, and I hope it’s o.k. with you that I cut and pasted it onto my screen.

We are entering a new phase of human development on this planet. We’ve botched it up long enough. It’s time to move into heaven on earth. It’s a collective choice we’re making.
Kathy
California

(Please feel free to drag and drop that image. It is copyrighted by
Lucilledesign and TheAvalonProject)

 
Here in Indianapolis, in we are having regular marches for peace. The group is an interesting mix of humans ages 2-92, women and men with and without children, long hair to no hair, gay, lesbian and straight. Marching and listening to speakers together. Many signs. Oh … And lots of snow this year! We will be marching again this coming Sat, 2-15-03 in downtown Indy.
Sarah and Rita
Indiana
 
Thank you Margie, for starting so many brushfires in your time!
Audrey
California

(My favorite thing!)