Demonstrators Should Emphasize Peace, Not Violence

By Gil Brady, 8-31-07

“Recent march on Vice-President Cheney’s home”/photo by Gil Brady

Dear Editor:

I took part in the Aug. 11 protest-peace rally and march in Wilson.

As a child of the ‘60s, I believe a well-conceived and executed presence is a powerful form of exercising our rights.

My co-marchers and I have mixed feelings about the day. Upon hearing of the march, we knew we wanted to participate. Subsequent to deciding to take part, we learned of the existence of a Dick Cheney effigy that might or might not be:

A) Dragged in the dirt
B) Toppled
C) Beheaded
D) Detonated
E) Boiled in oil
F) Hung
G) All of the above

I feared such displays would become the focal point of the event; so be it. The use of props like the Cheney effigy is not nearly so effective as a peaceful presence and well-conceived speech. Well-conceived speech was largely absent; props were abundant. Peace signs have a central spoke at their base; the signs showing marchers where to park were missing that bottom spoke. On display were Mercedes-Benz symbols.

Next time:  A few hundred of us holding candles, standing under the stars in Peace Sign formation, without words and without props.  A light for every American life lost in this war.  And it IS a war. 

That sounds good to me. 

Tammy Christel
Jackson, Wyo.

(To view a short film on the rally & march on the vice-president’s residence, click here & watch courtesy of thesnaz.com)