[Peace Presence Journal]
... waging peace in Grand RapidsBy The Numbers Part 1
2008-07-15
By The Numbers Part 1
by
Mark Luxford
On three of our recent gatherings at the corner of Fulton and Division in downtown Grand Rapids I've stood on the corner with a yellow pad and ink pen in hand instead of one of our protest signs. I did that to track the responses to our presence and activity, and I'd like to share my findings with you at this time.
I'll start out by outlining my definitions and methods. Signs of positive support included the honking of vehicles horns as well as other signs of support such as verbal honks or comments, a peace sign, thumbs up or wave. Then there are the negative responses such as verbal comments or debates, insults, thumbs down, and obscene gestures ala the old one-finger salute. If there was both a honk and another sign of support such as a peace sign or thumbs-up gesture, I counted both. If I observed a mixed response, like the wife/girlfriend who tried to hold down the drivers hand as he attempted to give us and obscene gesture, I counted both a positive and a negative.
Now, (drum roll please.....) the results:
May 12, 2008
Honks 234
Other Signs Of Support 55
Total Signs Of Support 289
Negative Responses 2
May 19, 2008
Honks 312
Other Signs Of Support 37
Total Signs Of Support 349
Negative Responses 3
June 2, 2008
Honks 473
Other Signs Of Support 73
Total Signs Of Support 546
Negative Responses 3
Three Week Total
Honks 1019
Other Signs Of Support 165
Total Signs Of Support 1184
Negative Responses 7
Total Responses 1191
Pretty impressive, huh? But, with a little bit of number-crunching, the positive response to our presence and activity is even more encouraging:
---The number of positive responses came to 99.4122586% of the total responses.
---The number of negative responses was 0.5877414% of the total responses...that's just over one-half of one percent, folks.
---For every negative response that was directed at us, we received 170.1425871 positive responses.
The figures are certainly impressive. However, it must be pointed out that it is possible there was more horn-honking going on in the first couple of weeks that I wasn't able to pick up on. But by week three I became more skilled at differentiating between honks, and thus able to register a more accurate number. And, of course, there's the fact that perhaps not all of the honks were expressions of support for us and our activity. Maybe some were directed at the @!#$%&!!!! who cut them off in traffic or were slow in hitting the gas when the light turned green. I believe it's safe to say, though, that there are far more people in the community who appreciate what we're doing and support our activity, than who disagree with us and what we're doing.
Well, that's all folks...for now. I plan on standing on the corner with pen and paper in hand again soon, as well as in October to gauge how the support for our activity changes over time, especially as the election approaches. So, look for Part 2 in late August.
Grassroots IMPEACH Action A28
2007-04-30
There was a nation-wide action day for Impeachment this past Saturday. It probably went by unnoticed by most Americans--so much of the antiwar and peace efforts do go unnoticed without any mention in the press or media. A28, a grassroots group, organized this day to spell out IMPEACH for our government, the premise being that Bush and Cheney have committed impeachable crimes. Articles to impeach Cheney were introduced last week in Congress. April 28 was the day intended to follow the call, and advertise this effort in cities across the United States.
Considering that Grand Rapids is such a republican nest, it sure was surprising to see the turn out. I came to the blue pedestrian bridge where there was a huge IMPEACH sign made from sheets. I could see at least three bridges with signs on them. There are some extremely creative people who are willing to make a statement to the mainstream population and get the message out. Some of us really think that Cheney and Bush have been so dishonest, untruthful, secretive, misleading, misinformed, shamefully deceitful, self-serving, abusive of authority and unaccountable to anyone, much less unavailable to the populace, that they should be "fired." Some of us think independent of political party lines and simply look at the immoral and unethical abuses involved in all aspects of "covering" the truth of the war in Iraq. This is encouraging.
Grassroots efforts are alive and well. The conversations were inspiring. We talked passionately on the pedestrian bridge where the noise of the road could not compete. This was beautiful. People who care about the truth of the matter and are not afraid to stand up for it. Chat. Chat. Chat. Over the quiet flowing waters of the Grand River. How peaceful! Sign painters extraordinaire got down on the ground with supplies to work on their artful renderings. Free speech. Yes!
After some quiet bliss over the water, we walked over to join the others on the busy car bridge, through the Grand River boardwalk. There the action took on another feeling. We were at least 60-70 on the street at a very busy time. Hustle and bustle indicated that the downtown hive was humming. Understood, we found out that GVSU was graduating students at the arena. So that's why there was so much traffic....someone made a "Honk for Impeachment" sign and we started getting the honks. Someone else played patriotic songs on an electric guitar. I started handing out information about the Monday Peace Presence Vigil in downtown Grand Rapids. I had few takers because the families were walking with their graduates and generational tension could be felt. Most people simply stared. Many took pictures with their cell phones. A few took the fliers. Some even signed the petition for impeachment.
I truly was impressed by all the honks. I was also amazed at the grassroots effort that brought us together to make a statement that something is very wrong in this country. I keep thinking that there has been such a manipulation of public awareness of the war lies that this is a phenomenon that should be assigned a "term" or "name." Could it be called "Misleading America?" Does this massive redirection of the truth and the lack of contesting it, the lack of questions, the lack of dissent, indicate that we are in a new era of closed minds and hearts. Where is the dialogue, the debate, and the uproar of the people who have been duped? A28 brought some of this to the streets and there will be more. I see and feel it coming.Major Peace Demonstration in East Grand Rapids
2007-04-21
Well, guess what: George W. Bush came to East Grand Rapids yesterday to speak to the World Affairs Council--at the East Grand Rapids High School--no less. We all thought this a strange choice of venue, especially while the kids were still in school. He came to further speak of his Iraq policy or lack thereof framing it with lottery drawn students and most likely canned Q & A. It was advertised to be a major policy announcement but he only spoke the same rhetoric, you know, the untruths behind our invasion of Iraq. None of the original reasons for war stand any more. No creative change coming our way. No inroads into this stubborn man's mind. Of course not.
The creative response came from the demonstration. We had a giant beautiful antiwar demonstration in Collins Park on the shores of Reeds Lake. When I say giant, it was big for the Grand Rapids area. The media claimed there were 1000 to 2000 protesters. When I say beautiful-this was such a truly beautiful cross-section of the American public. There were students, teens, couples, grandparents, every age represented. There were poor folks and wealthy established folks, at least one Spanish sign, one in German and other ethnic groups I am sure. This was the American public extraordinaire!
Gathered together peacefully to get a message to the president, the representative Americans lined up obediently along the motorcade route. We were to stay there according to security. The signs were so colorful and diverse. Most were handmade. They were pro-peace and antiwar messages, many protesting torture, protesting crimes such as killing innocents, violating the constitution, abusing government authority and power, loss of civil rights, the crimes and lies of this administration. Some said impeach Bush and Cheney. People chanted "no war" and beat drums and shakers. We waited to give our president a "peace" of our minds.
Ray McGovern, former CIA Officer turned Political Activist, spoke to the protesters about the governments war crimes. It was a lovely day for peace; sunny, warm and wonderfully peaceful. Participants radiated pride. Their voices made them proud. Their creativity made them proud. Their courage made them proud. Standing up for their rights made them proud. I felt the power of the people.
I couldn't help but think of the flip side of this beauty--the Iraqi reality where 50,000 per week are leaving the country for their safety, fleeing their own country to save themselves from the death and destruction. Living without services and without healthcare (according to the International Red Cross, ordinary Iraqis are in dire and dangerous circumstances). Their daily life is one as refugees in their own country living in fear of death squads, bombs or English speaking soldiers. They live with civil war every day now.
The motorcade never passed by. Bush was rerouted. He was shielded from his own people, from the messages of his public. He would not see all of our signs lined up as we stood along the walk close to the road. He entered the auditorium of "yes crowd" and avoided those outside, once again eliminating any need to think or question. No courage there-only isolation.
When everyone realized he was inside we started marching down the sidewalk to the school. People stood in the East GR commercial square. Then we split up and some went around the building to the other side. There was the presidential limo. Security was tight. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the school windows. 2nd story windows were covered with art. Peace signs and peace messages were everywhere. It was really breathtaking to see this expression of peace in the same building where the president delivered his war message. I felt this tremendous hope and faith in these young people. Wow!
At about three o'clock the session ended and participants left through the front door. The president left that way too, but I didn't see his exit. He must have seen some of the demonstrators. The World Affairs Council sure did. They couldn't avoid it. The contrast between the war and peace messages must have been rather unnerving. So it was, the president was whisked away in the motorcade with reinforcements every which way. I heard on the news he went on to lay flowers on Gerald R. Ford's grave, a kind gesture for the Grand Rapids area. A president who allows torture paid his respects to a president who would never. A President who begins wars with fervor laid flowers at the grave of a President who ended war and healed the country from war's divisions. If only George W. Bush had learned something from Gerald R. Ford before his passing.
Thus ends a long day of protest. Thanks to all the beautiful people who came out to stand up for their combined consciousness. George W. Bush does not care what we think. But this could be the beginning of the end. One cannot continue to represent a democratic people without facing the truth. George may no longer avoid his people. The majority is against his policies. The majority is growing.
Well, guess what: the peacemakers in the street made the greatest news story of all. Their message was the strongest, most courageous. They had a message of truth. And their truth will win out. Peace--not war--will be won!Baghdad, April 18, 2007
2007-04-18
Four large bombs exploded in the Shiite area of Baghdad killing at least 178 and wounding scores. This is the deadliest day since the U.S.-Iraq crack down began. The deadliest car bomb exploded in a market crowded with workers t in central Baghdad. The nearest hospital confirmed that 122 persons were killed and 148 were wounded from this car bomb alone. This was confirmed by a policeman who did so anononmously because he was not authorized to release the information. See article by Sinan Salaheddin, Associated Press Writer, Yahoo news.Do the Peace Honk
2007-04-18
Monday, April 16, we stood in the sun together holding our signs. Some of our regulars are missing. A stranger came by earlier to drop off a flyer on the April 28 Impeach Bush action. I share this information with others as we banter about. The honks for peace begin. I hope for at least one "horn chorus." A horn chorus is when numerous cars honk in unison and do so intentionally. One day we had three of them. Somehow honking together for peace and against war is invigorating. It feels so right; we feel the energy on the street.
I wonder what the car protesters are thinking. They honk for peace, that's sure. They too are fed up with the death and destruction of the war. The factual reports are everywhere, if you do the research. The lies and misrepresentation of this war insult our democracy. Maybe they know a lot of this or maybe they are simply tired of the killing. Could there be anger about how much money this country has wasted on war and war profiteers (Blackwater et al.) instead of getting Bin Laden? Could they simply want our troops home safe? Do they see the dead-end mentality? How many insurgents can we kill to end the violence? Really. What percent of the Iraqi population will that be? Really. How many women and children do that include? Really. How many innocents? Really.
And who knows a soldier they want to ask to sacrifice their life for war without end? Who will hold the soldier who has lost his limbs for this? What do we say to American families who send their sons and daughters out there to... what is it again...Fight the good fight? Liberate Iraq? Where is plan B, anyway? And whose country is this? How would we feel if a foreign force came over and occupied our country, took our guns away, broke down our doors at gunpoint, said they were in charge, shot at people just for running....all this in a language we did not understand. How would we feel? How could this possibly be in the interest of democracy??? I wish horns could speak. The horn chorus energizes us and sends energy to fellow honkers.
What about the silent passers by? Are they unsure of what to do? Maybe they read our signs and don't get it. Of course, the conservatives see George Bush carrying a sign that says "Let's solve problems the old-fashioned way...kill people" and they probably think how unpatriotic. But they are reminded there is a war on. We won't let them forget that. Most of them look and turn away. Some flip the bird. Now and then someone yells out the window "get a job" or "go home." The insults don't work with us. We are exercising our sacred right to dissent. It is still a democracy last I looked...on paper anyway.
This time, we had quite a few vicarious participants. Students and young folks passed through us. We always have the 5:00 walkers out of work. But a few young people came by, picked up signs and milled about. Two girls on bikes were very confused. One kid became a counter-protester and held up a note-pad "Liberals go to Canada." We could have ignored him but it didn't go that way. We always hope for constructive conversation. And some of us are trained in nonviolence response to conflict. Thankfully, we were able to diffuse the situation without any incident. This will always be our goal. After all we stand for peace and nonviolent solutions. So we must be the example our government is not. Please come down and honk for peace. Flash those peace signs out the window. Get on board the peace train in Grand Rapids!
Vigil Journal Introduction
2007-04-17
Week after week, the Iraq War continues. Week after week, we gather in downtown Grand Rapids to stand for peace and the loss of it. I started coming down in February to join those regulars who have been there since the war began four years ago. A "new joiner" I am learning the ropes and routine. My first vigil I was so distraught and angered by the war that I couldn't hold back tears. I was relieved. This was action. This was doing something. I wanted the world to know how much I hated this war. I was tired of raging at home, sick of talking out loud to the TV and radio, yelling. My conscience brought me to this place where I could stand up for peace.
Each Peace Presence vigil, I grew stronger. I had to go down every week now. I made friends. I brought one. I would go every week like I was going to "street church." The service was out in the open, a call for peace and nonviolence. Soon there were additional events to attend, speakers, other protest marches. I wrote to the newspapers, called congress and made peace buttons. I was becoming an "artisan of peace," an activist.
We are all living this war whether we like it or not. Each American soldier has a first hand story. Soldiers live the war primarily by choice, and are deeply and irreversibly changed by it. Each Iraqi lives the death, destruction and displacement in their towns, cities and countryside. Their stories are as numerous as the population and are generally not known to us. Finally, American citizens seem rather oblivious, but every one of us lives this war whether we like it or not. The ostrich hole only goes so deep. The criminality of war will be our burden for generations. The wrongful occupation of another country will beat us down unless we stand up for peace.
As the war remains a given--it is after all a Bush War--it is also ever changing. The vigils follow the war. They change as well. Today we begin the Peace Presence vigil journal to tell you how our peace story changes through time. Please join us on the street. Join us online, if you can't make it.Created with ShoutPost
