Watching and waiting

1 thought on “Watching and waiting”

1. As I expected, the 2,000th soldier died today. Staff Sergeant George Alexander (who was 34, the same age as me) will be missed by his friends and family.

   Here is some information about North Carolina’s response:

   For many, this is a sad and solemn day. Last night, legendary civil rights activist Rosa Parks passed away. And today, CNN reported the grim news: 2,000 Americans soldiers have now died since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. The death toll of Iraqi civilians is likely to be at least 100,000, with women and children being frequent victims (reported by the Lancet, a British medical journal). More than 15,000 American service members have been wounded in the conflict, many maimed for life. It’s time for us to publicly honor the fallen, the maimed, the traumatized. to remind the public that people are dying every day in the quagmire of Iraq, and ask, “How many more?”

   On Wednesday, October 26, hundreds of North Carolinians will vigil across the state to commemorate this sad news. Then we will carry on with our determined effort to end the war by lobbying, marching, educating, preaching, learning, organizing, and taking action for peace and justice. Thousands of North Carolinians have been increasingly active in calling for an end to the war: 2,000 participated in events with Cindy Sheehan and the bus tour from Camp Casey; 1,500 of us marched in Washington on September 24, dozens lobbied every NC Representative and Senator to close permanent US bases in Iraq and create a timeline for withdrawal. On the November 4 weekend, faith-based activists will gather in Fayetteville for the “Seek Peace and Pursue It” conference, and youth most affected by military recruitment in the schools will participate in the “Not Your Soldier” youth camp at Camp New Hope in Chapel Hill. See below for details.

   VIGILS TO COMMEMORATE THE 2000th U.S. MILITARY DEATH IN IRAQ
   (Most are Wednesday, October 26)

   So far, there are 8 scheduled events across North Carolina to commemorate this sad news. Please visit the following websites for materials, vigil guides, signs to print, and other information or to post another vigil:
   http://www.afsc.org/2000/
   http://www.unitedforpeace.org
   http://political.moveon.org/iraqvigils/materials.html

   Asheville, NC

   Location: Fountain at Pack Square
   Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 PM
   Susan Oehler

   This will be a candlelight prayer vigil around the fountain at Pack Square
   in downtown Asheville. Time will be 7 PM to 8:30 PM. This will be a
   peaceful, non-violent event that is mostly silent. Please do not bring signs
   with politicians names on them.

   Charlotte, NC

   Corner of Trade and Tryon, in uptown Charlotte, NC
   Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 PM
   Maggie Davis

   We expect the vigil to be Tuesday night. But check back to this site for
   updates. The Trade and Tryon intersection is the center of the city of
   Charlotte. It is the corner where the four statues sit on each of the
   corner, near the headquarters of Bank of America and the Blumenthal
   Performing Arts Center.

   Durham, NC
   Location: Durham Central Park
   Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 PM
   Lanya Shapiro

   This event is sponsored by Traction (www.getTraction.org) and will coincide
   with the MoveOn.org vigil. As I’m typing this, we think it will take place
   on Tuesday but watch this site for info:
   http://political.moveon.org/event/iraqvigils/5815.

   Greensboro, NC

   Location: Guilford College
   Wednesday, October 26, 6:00 PM
   Laura Registrato or Ann Lennon

   Corner of Guilford College Rd and Friendly Avenue – exit 13 off of I-40.
   Bring candles, signs, posters, whatever you like.

   North Wilkesboro, NC

   Location: Corner of D St and CBD Loop
   Wednesday, October 26, 6:00 PM
   Sally Ferrell

   Acrossfrom KFC in downtown North Wilkesboro. We will come close to the day
   after but maybe not exactly, by holding 2 vigils on Wed Oct 26th at 6pm and
   Saturday Oct 29th at noon. sponsored by Wilkes County Friends

   Raleigh, NC

   Location: Boylan Avenue bridge
   Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 PM
   Betsy Kane

   Bridge portion of Boylan Avenue is south of Hillsborough Street and north of
   Western Boulevard near downtown Raleigh. Parallel park on nearby streets.

   Winston-Salem, NC

   Location: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
   Wednesday, October 26, 12:00 PM
   The Rev. Hal Ley Hayek

   Winston-Salem, NC

   MARCH starting at 5 Points Intersection

   Friday, October 28th, from 5 to 7 pm.
   Cary Clifford & Jonathan Milner, caryclif@hotmail.com

   Marchers will meet at the field beside the 5 points intersection, and then
   march down 1st Street, turn right on Cloverdale, right again on Oakwood, and
   finally right again on Stratford to make a loop back to 5 points. Most of
   the speakers, including the Hon. Larry Womble, will speak after the march at
   about 6:30 in the field beside 5 points.

   Remember to:
   a.. E-mail an invitation to your friends, family and coworkers about the
   vigil.
   b.. Alert the media about the vigils.
   c.. Bring candles
   d.. Print and bring some placards.
   e.. Make sure somebody takes some digital pictures and sends them to
   info@ncpeacejustice.org, VigilPics@moveon.org, afscinfo@afsc.org

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