My pal Dorothy of the Tucson Peace Grannies forwarded a message to ONOVOX in late June, alerting us to the Granny Peace Brigade planned actions for July 2006, in Baltimore, and Washington. I thought it was a great fit for Yoko's IMAGINE PEACE message and immediately contacted her office to see if they could share some spare buttons. Yoko immediately agreed to send in about 700 handout posters and a whole load of buttons!
Since 2003, the veteran activist newest pro-peace message has been seen on signs, newspaper adverts, posters, postcards , badges and in gallery and museum events.
In the tradition of John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's legendary 1960s War Is Over campaign, IMAGINE PEACE billboards have been installed in New York City, Minneapolis, London, Tokyo, and an advert version was published in the Sunday NY Times, LA Weekly , Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post & NY Village Voice, and other mass circulation papers. One can also find free DIY files of the message on the Internet, ready made to be printed on t-shirts - instant action art! -- as suggested by the artist.
In addition to their own banners and buttons, the Granny Peace Brigade and their friends carried and distributed hundred of those free buttons and signs donated to them. Here is background info, links and a long 5 pages report by Mikihiko Hori who accompanied the activists on this tour.
Enjoy!
"If you`re on the East Coast in the next few days, be on the lookout for the Granny Peace Brigade as they distribute hundreds of Yoko's IMAGINE PEACE buttons and posters One of The tour highlight is in Washington on July 3rd, where they will meet Cindy Sheehan -- Cindy will have her last meal that night, before starting 'Troops Home Fast ' a 2 month fast!tour:
- Wilmington on the 29th,
- Princeton on the 30th,
- Baltimore July 1, In Baltimore, scheduled to be at the York Road Military Recruitment Center at 4:30 pm, and at 6:30 pm at the American Friends Service Committee Building - 4806 York Rd., until 9:00 pm.
- Maryland suburbs of DC July 2, 3 and 4.
- Meeting Cindy Sheehan At 2 pm at Dupont Circle In Washington on July 3.
Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 Report (almost) from the Road Number One
By Granny Joan Wile / Director, Grandmothers Against the War, and proud Granny Jailbird
GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE NERVOUSLY PREPARES TO MAKE PEACE TREK FROM NEW YORK CITY TO WASHINGTON DC Support the Grannies
We grannies await with a combination of anticipation and apprehension the start of our Granny Peace Trek from New York City to Washington two days from now, Saturday, June 24. We are anxious to try to influence public opinion to protest the occupation of Iraq. But we are after all -- to put it diplomatically -- no longer 25 and worry a little that the rigors of the journey will tax us to the max!
We have been non-stop busy attending in much too short a time to all the myriad of details, big and small, that have had to be managed in order to make the trek possible -- finding accommodations in approximately 7 different locations for 18 grannies plus our esteemed attorney, the great civil liberties champion Norman Siegel, a few of our essential supporters, and a documentary film crew of approximately 10 people; arranging as many events along the way as possible for us to present our message; rehearsing our Granny Chorus Line dance for occasions when we will perform; making banners; renting 5 wheelchairs, and all the other specifics involved in arranging a road tour. For grannies, there are special issues that arise -- for instance, the need for proximity to bathrooms in the host houses to accommodate a strange habit acquired in maturity -- an overwhelming compulsion to pay one's respects to that space frequently during the night.
We have had many planning meetings which have often resulted in heated exchanges, passionately voiced pleas for particular points of view, and general frustration and discouragement. A few days ago, when all of us were feeling particularly disheartened as to whether we could not only pull it off but ENDURE the trip, we got a beautiful email from actor-author Malachy McCourt, which lifted our spirits and inspired us to go on no matter what. He wrote: My dear rebels for peace: As I will not be in NYC at the start of your great quest for peace and justice I want you to know that I'll be with you in spirit every step of the way. If there is a God then she will surely shower your pilgrimage with a surplus of blessings and hosannas in the highest. America has tried the man way of doing the nation's business and it has failed abysmally. Now it is time to do it the Grannies way -- all the way and to try in court all the men responsible for the slaughter and rapine in Iraq and elsewhere.
To all you pilgrims for peace may the sun shine gently on your greying heads, may your shoes have wings to lift you when the going gets tough, may your hearts be filled with love all the way and may all the birds and all the people of this glorious land raise their voices in a paean of praise for your courage and sacrifice and a prayer for the restoration of these United States and its constitution to the people where they belong. Come triumphant bearing the cup of democracy overflowing with freedom, liberty and peace. Thank you from Malachy McCourt
Who could resist such a stirring call to arms? It's almost as if Henry the Fifth were emboldening his army to fight in Agincourt. So, the Trek is on full blast, and we will go out to urge the largely apathetic public to take to the streets and demand an end to this unspeakably wrong-headed and destructive misadventure in Iraq. Notice I don't use the word "war" in referring to the Iraq debacle, because the war ended officially in March 2003 when Bush declared "Mission Accomplished," didn't it? (unless he was lying -- what, Bush lie?) It is now an occupation, and a totally unjustified one at that.
Those of you who live in New York City and vicinity may perhaps like to see us off -- we will have our kick-off this Saturday, June 24th, 2006 at the Times Square Recruiting Center at Broadway and 43rd Street at 11 a.m., and will hear from a distinguished group of speakers, including Oscar-winning actress Barbara Barrie, Congressman Charles Rangel, Air America Radio morning talk show host, Mark Riley, National Coordinator for United for Peace and Justice Leslie Cagen, an Iraqi war veteran, and many others.
Those of you along the way -- Newark, Trenton, Princeton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Dover (yes, we will visit the air force base there), Baltimore, Montgomery County MD, Washington and points in between -- please watch for announcements of our arrival and come join us. We need you!
Troops Home Fast
Wednesday, June 28th, 2006
Dear Friends,
GSFP and Code Pink are sponsoring a hunger strike for peace which begins July 04, called Troops Home Fast
Some of us like Dick Gregory and Diane Wilson will be fasting until the troops come home from Iraq, and some, like me, will be fasting for a specified time. My fast will begin on 7/04 and end on the last day of Camp Casey: 09/02.
We are announcing the fast from Washington, DC on 07/04 and having our last supper on 07/03 in Lafayette Park.
If you can join us in DC on the 3rd and 4th, or fast in solidarity with us on that day, or any other time, please let me know. Also, Jodie Evans is throwing me a birthday party at Bus Boys and poets on the 3rd of July from 9pm to 11pm....our last food will be before midnight that day....please come to my party, if you can!!! Love and peace soon,
Cindy
SOME GOOD LINKS :