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Beyond Red vs. Blue: A March for Peace in the Heart of Georgia
an article by Charlie
As the dust from the presidential election settles, many are focused on the deluge of maps dividing the nation into red, blue, and purple. But even in the reddest of red states, a culture of peace is being built in small ways.
The exit polls from Georgia, available online, show President Bush winning the state over John Kerry by 17 points. A ballot initiative in Georgia amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, called Amendment 1, passed easily by a margin of 3 to 1. Yet on Saturday, October 30th, mere days before the convincing victory of conservatism and intolerance, citizens from Gainesville and the surrounding area congregated for the fifth annual March For Peace.
Started by a group of young people concerned about gang violence in schools, the march has evolved into a celebration of diversity, solidarity, and democracy with a prominent quote on the march's web page now reading "your voice counts and wants to be heard." During the last five years, the march has covered issues relating to five of the eight keys for a culture of peace as it has been used to protest racial profiling, advocate government for more parks and recreational spaces, and rebuke a planned march of the KKK.
The march also draws from religious faith, although distinct from the brand of faith that drove voters to support Amendment 1 only days later. A major supporter is St. Michael's Catholic Church and the millenial theme was "Many Faces in the City of God." The event is not free of corporate sponsorship however. Local businesses have helped to keep the event afloat as well as Target, Inc. and even a company with a questionable human rights record: Coca-Cola. Despite this backing, the event has stayed true to it's grassroots, You can learn more about the event at www.marchforpeace.com.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
Can a small, grassroots response make any real difference?,
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Another Peace Vigil
In 1991, before and during the first Iraq war, a fair-sized group of citizens in and around Concord, Massachusetts demonstrated against the war at the town green and along a major highway. Passing motorists were about equally divided between support and opposition to this demonstration. Shortly after that conflict had ended, a few people decided to create a peace vigil which would bring attention to the human costs of war, partly motivated by the terrible destruction inflicted on the Iraqi people. Vigil participants walk slowly in a circle around the town green, while two in rotation hold the poles of a banner which says “We walk with all who suffer because of war.”
For a long time the vigil was held the first Friday of each month, from 8 to 9 am at the peak of the morning commute. Hundreds of vehicles view the message since Concord Center is a crossroads. All are welcome to join, and periodically one of the participants writes a letter to the local paper drawing attention to the vigil. Since the current Afghanistan and Iraq wars, participants have decided to conduct the vigil every Friday. Over the years there has been a gradual change in motorist sentiment – they are now expressing support by about 20 to 1. . ...more.
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