Contributed photo Local residents marching for peace included (from left) Shelia Dugan of Milanville, PA, Joey DiPane of the Beechwoods, Ellen Meyers and daughter Hope Reichbach of Lake Huntington, Moselle DiPane and Tracey Gass Ranze (in mask), with son Leif, of Milanville. (Click for larger image)

American patriots march for peace

By TRACEY GASS RANZE

Last Friday evening, I and four traveling companions drove south out of our quiet mountains and river valley and headed into the rainy night of a Washington D.C. suburb. The next morning we joined the October 26, 2002 March for Peace that was organized by a proactive group called A.N.S.W.E.R., Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. Some of our group were vintage members of the Peacemaker Players. Two were teenagers, one a grandmother. We were compelled to go and knew we were on the road with thousands of other democracy seekers, sharing the same intention.

After a short night’s rest at a friend’s home, we rode the Metro to D.C. and joined as many as 200,000 people at the Vietnam Memorial. This was the first anti-war protest of this proportion since the Vietnam era and it felt very appropriate to be there.

Americans of all ages, races, faiths, and occupations marched, their thoughts held high on homemade signs. The consensus of the protesters was clear: “No Attack on Iraq,” “No Blood for Oil,” “Create Jobs Not War” and “Drop Bush Not Bombs.” Others read “Stop Mad Sheep Disease,” “Soccer Moms for Peace,” and “Who Would Jesus Bomb?” University students were out in force, as well as Veterans for Peace and religious groups.

Similar sentiments ran strong among the speakers as speeches rang out from stage for more than three hours. Most notably were Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clarke, Rev. Jesse Jackson, actress Susan Sarandon, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s. Their words stirred us to high hopes.

Susan Sarandon assured us that “this is what democracy looks like.”

She said, “I am tired of being frightened to speak out” and questioned, “how will the bombing of Bagdad, a city of five million people, create a regime change in Iraq?”

This sparked a loud roar of agreement from the crowd.

She further said, “I am here today as a mother frightened for my children, your children and the children of Iraq. Let us hate war in all forms. Dialogue is the opposite of war. We are here as dialogue to encourage non-partisan courage. We are here today to take democracy back!”

As the sun beat down and temperatures rose into the seventies, we pealed off our layers of clothing and listened to Rev. Jesse Jackson offer a prayer for the family of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, who died in a plane crash the day before with his wife, Shelia and daughter. Then he said, “Dr. King’s heart would be lifted today to see so many lifting their hearts for peace, so many young people energizing the peace movement. People say you are the future, but I say you are right now! When young America moves, the whole world moves!” He said that “Saddam Hussein is a matter for criminal courts not a matter for bombing Iraq.”

He encouraged us and said, “Let us embrace democracy, not empires; let us embrace leading, not ruling, and study war no more.” Calling for a “regime change in Congress,” Rev. Jackson concluded, “The silent majority is on our side. Americans do not want this war. I love you.”

Then former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clarke charged us up by saying the break-down of our Bill of Rights and Constitution and the disregard for international law “are impeachable offenses!”

We roared in affirmation. He said, “The people don’t have the rule here. Wealth rules. The corporations rule.” He called for us to “liberate the U.S.A., to stand for decency everywhere and reach out in friendship.” He then led us in a “No More War” chant. Finally Clarke reminded everyone that “respect for the rights of others is peace.”

When the speeches were done we turned and marched to the White House and back.

With chanting, singing and performance art, we peacefully spoke our hearts. We, the people, were walking to call on a man the Supreme Court deemed president. A man who was not home. We shouted at the back door of an empty white house, “This is our house, George Bush!”

And it is.