Iowa Statewide Peace Rally
by Paul DeatonAbout 100 people rallied at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines on Saturday to demonstrate support for an end to U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Speakers included Ed Flaherty – President, Iowa Veterans for Peace, Reverend Chet Guinn – Iowa Methodist Federation for Social Action, Kathleen McQuillen – American Friends Service Committee, Brian Terrell – Maloy, Iowa Catholic Worker, Mary Hanson-Harrison – Des Moines Chapter of Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Roberta Rosheim, – Iowa National Education Association Peace & Justice Caucus and Cody Ryan – Students Beyond War .
The event was organized by the Iowa Chapter of Veterans for Peace and people from around the state were invited to mark the beginning of the 9th year of the war in Iraq, asking the question, “why are we continuing the two longest wars in American history?” Members of the media were present, but it seemed few outside those present were listening.
At the rally, Raging Grannys led the group in songs, Des Moines Area Community College student Zac Couture arranged for free vegan food, and people brought musical instruments to play after the rally at the plaza. Organizers circulated a petition stating, “We, the undersigned, support: Withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, beginning NOW at the rate of at least 5,000 per month, with all US troops out by 12-31-2011; a swift withdrawal of US armed forces and military contractors from Afghanistan, which must include a significant, sizable reduction by July, 2011; and an immediate reduction of 15% in the Pentagon budget for the rest of FY 2011.” One is never sure petitions will have an impact.
Later
during the day, paying little heed to World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War veterans assembled with others in Des Moines, United States and NATO forces launched missile strikes
against Libyan military installations in an effort to enforce a no-fly
zone in the country and suppress government military forces.
For a couple of hours at Nollen Plaza, people waged peace instead of war… and the work goes on. ~Paul Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend editor of Blog for Iowa. E-mail Paul Deaton
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