Event in the San Juan Islands

SAN JUAN ISLAND EVENT

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Peaceful peace vigil in Friday Harbor March 11

Both sides demonstrate in Friday Harbor

Letters about the possibility of war with Iraq

Resolution issued by the San Juan Board of County Commissioners

Peace vigil in Eastsound part of global movement

Contributed by Kate Jewell

posted 03/17/03
"All we are saying, is give peace a chance." This silent message and other quiet prayers for peace were sent from the Eastsound candlelight vigil at Waterfront Park Sunday night.

About 150 Orcas Islanders gathered to show their support for peace as well as for the troops. They formed a circle of candlelight to join other vigils taking place around the world.

River Malcolm and others organized Eastsound's vigil. The effort was part of an international effort through globalvigil.com. Its aim and message was to "replenish the peacemaker's gifts of compassion, cooperation, courage, curiosity, and creativity, gifts we hope will prove stronger than war."

Candlelight vigils set for Sunday

posted 03/15/03
Local citizens will hold candlelight vigils at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2003 in Waterfront Park in Eastsound, at the county Courthouse in Friday Harbor and on the lawn in front of the Lopez Community Center. A vigil will also take place on Shaw Island. The global vigil for peace is scheduled on the eve of an anticipated UN Security Council vote. Local organizations have responded to a call by Win Without War, the nation’s mainstream anti-Iraq war coalition, and its million-member affiliate www.MoveOn.org to join with citizens of over 90 countries in over 3000 cities around the world.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa added his voice to the global call yesterday: "On Sunday evening people in every corner of the globe will shine beacons of light throughout the world. May our candles rekindle the light of reason and hope so that war will be averted in Iraq and peace will prevail in the world."

Many faith-based organizations in the US and abroad have responded with an unprecedented set of protest vigils set to begin in New Zealand on Sunday night and to continue sequentially in time zones all over the world.

Participants can register on www.MoveOn.org.

Members of Win Without War include: National Council of Churches, MoveOn.org, Sierra Club, NAACP, National Organization of Women, American Friends Service Committee, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Working Assets, Veterans for Common Sense, Greenpeace, Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, Women's Action for New Directions Universalist Association of Congregations, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, Council for a Livable World, TrueMajority, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Leadership Conference, Global Exchange, NETWORK - A.

Tuesday's peace vigil
will move outside Memorial Park

posted 03/10/03
Islanders have been gathering at an informal candlelight peace vigil at Memorial Park from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings for the last few months. Last Tuesday, (March 4, 2003) several members of the American Legion showed up and expressed their displeasure at the location of the protest.

Sixteen-year-old Megeara Noland was at the vigil and was confronted by the Legionnaires. "It was interesting. I understood the obvious confusion and hurt behind it," she said. "We are not trying to desecrate. We just don't want more people to die. In some ways it is the most fitting place. We are hoping more don't die."

Peter DeLorenzi wrote a letter to the editor explaining the Legionairres opposition. "Please find another suitable place to demonstrate your politics. This place is already reserved for matters of a higher calling. Our county has a number of our "sons and daughters" out there in harms way to insure your freedoms remain in place. Thank you for respecting one little spot on our soiled ground."

Peace demonstrations on Lopez

Standing for Peace takes place from 5 to 6 p.m. every Friday 0 in front of the Love Dog Restaurant on Lopez Island.

Tuesday night peace vigils take place at Circle Park

posted 01/13/03
A candlelight "Peace Vigil" is being held by a group of concerned citizens every Tuesday from 5-7 pm. at Memorial Park (Circle Park) in downtown Friday Harbor.

Everyone who has concerns about the government's march toward war in Iraq is invited. Bring a candle as a symbol of protest against violence and war. The candle is a protest against darkness. It says, "I beg to differ."

As of Sunday, March 9, 2003, the peace vigil participants who were in the park last week have decided to move to the outskirts of the park for the next vigil in order to avoid diverting from the real message: peace. Deputies will be on scene.

Sheriff Bill Cumming speaking to the Friday Harbor Town Council said, "It is the sheriff's office job to ensure everyone's right to free speech. There are ongoing public statements that give rise to different opinions. It gets fairly emotional. It is the sheriff's office's job to make sure people stay safe and their rights are protected."

Leaflets promote peace and Virtual March

Contributed by Kate Jewell

Pictured left to right: Dacia Youngren, River Malcolm, Rina Patty, David Morgan and Kate Jewell.

posted 02/24/03
"Inspections Work, War Won't" was the message delivered to Eastsound merchants on Saturday. Leafleters, organized locally by River Malcolm, went business to business offering a variety of flyers and information regarding the impending war against Iraq, including the Resolution issued by the San Juan Board of County Commissioners. They also issued an invitation to participate in the Virtual March on Washington scheduled for February 26, 2003.

"On that day, every senator and the White House will receive a phone call and/or fax every minute throughout the day, protesting war against Iraq," said David Martin.

The local leafleting was part of a nation-wide project sponsored by www.MoveOn.org to publicize the Virtual March.

Friday Harbor leafletted Saturday

posted 02/24/03
Bob Weimer of Friday Harbor organized a group of people to hand out leaflets promoting peace and the upcoming Virtual March on Washington scheduled for February 26, 2003. Elaine Fleming, Lisa Craig, Jan Osborn, P.L. Morningstar, Jeannetta Noland, John and Louise Dustrude, Agnes Vadas, Thrinley DiMarco, Marshall Davis and Colleen Bennett spoke to people at the Post Office and Market Place on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003.

editor@sanjuanislander.com

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