New York State March for Peace Report Back
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"New York State Marches for Peace" was more than a ten-day peace walk through Upstate. The project aimed to strengthen bridges between anti-war activists and members of the military and their families in the struggle against the illegal and unconstitutional occupation of Iraq. Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) were involved in planning the walk, along with activists from New York State Direct Action for Peace. The audiences for this bridge-building effort were rural Upstate New York communities along the walking routes from Rochester, Ithaca and Utica heading north to Fort Drum. Spontaneous participation from community residents was amazing and inspiring.
Another aim of the Fort Drum walk was to reach out to active duty soldiers and their families on the base. Members of IVAW helped strategize publicity and advised the walkers on how the "average soldier" will best receive civilians bringing an anti-war message to Fort Drum. An IVAW member advised, "they will enjoy seeing American flags, the more the better"… avoid "IMPEACH" signs directly attacking their commander in chief and don't draw out homophobic dismissals of the anti-war message with the rainbow flag.
As with many activist efforts, some of the most important opportunities and impacts emerged unexpectedly. Thursday morning as the marchers prepared to leave Pulaski for Adams Center, they received reports that Major General Oates was on the morning television news welcoming the peace walkers to Fort Drum, saying they may come on the base and that soldiers are free to walk with the march as long as they are not in uniform.
After Thursday's fifteen mile walk, the group strategized regarding Oates' invitation to come on base. After considering an on-base visit to raise concerns about lack of care for soldiers, it was decided to instead invite Oates to meet with veterans from among the walkers at a location of his choosing. Several IVAW members were among the walkers and they expressed practical reasons why attempting to go on base would be difficult at the last minute and could be a distraction from the message and goals of the walk's culmination in Watertown.
Russell, a Viet Nam veteran from Buffalo, described the IVAW members as "brilliant" and "perfect" in how they strategized and responded on spot to an important opportunity during the Armed Forces Day Parade. General Oates had apparently gone out of town, but his second in command, Colonel Riddle, presided at the parade grand stand. Before approaching him with a request to meet with a delegation of veterans regarding mental health care for soldiers returning from Iraq, Rochester IVAW member Mike Totten ensured the media cameras were rolling. Totten's sincerity and ability to communicate drew a sharp contrast with the Colonel's awkward and unsuccessful attempt to dismiss the veterans – the interaction was broadcast as part of a feature story on the Armed Forces Day Parade in Watertown. Channel 10 Watertown also covered the event
After the military parade in Watertown, Different Drummer Café hosted a gathering featuring music and brief talks by members of IVAW and MFSO. Each individual spoke powerful words that reinforced collective efforts to end the war, take care of soldiers and begin reconciliation in the Middle East.
The crowd gave a prolonged ovation recognizing the brave contribution of IVAW member Adrienne Kinne when she said she hoped recent Whistleblower testimonies before Congress would offer protection since she just "told the whole world on Democracy Now what I did" as a military intelligence officer listening in on American journalists and aid workers. Just a couple days earlier, Kinne told Amy Goodman she had seen the Palestine Hotel on a list of American military targets in 2003, and had been rebuffed by her commanding officer for pointing out that journalists were telling their loved ones they were safe at the hotel. The hotel was attacked by the U.S. military in April, 2003, killing two journalists. Colin Powell apologized for the "error".
TJ Buonomo (formerly from Rochester) was one of the IVAW members who testified before members of Congress at the Whistleblower hearings on May 14, the day before many other IVAW colleagues testified in "Winter Soldier on the Hill" hosted by members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Another Speaker, IVAW member Sgt. Matthis Chiroux, made news last week with a courageously straightforward refusal to return to Iraq.
It's probably an understatement to say momentum is building in IVAW.
The blog sections of www.nysmarchesforpeace.org show the outpouring of support for walkers and the many interesting personal encounters with ordinary people throughout rural New York State. Mainstream news coverage of the walk, especially the voices of the younger veterans, was good.
Cortland Standard
Ithaca Journal
Watertown Daily Times 1
Watertown Daily Times 2
Mary Adams, May 20, 2008
