March 20 Peace Vigil/Rally a Rousing Success

March 20 marked seven long bloody years since the US invaded Iraq. Bloodshed and instability continue there even as some US troop are pulled out, most shifted to Afghanistan.

There was a march and rally in Washington to mark this tragic anniversary, but little public notice was taken in this region.

Not so in Fayetteville, where Quaker House organized a vigil and rally downtown. Quakers from Durham joined in, as did Vets for Peace, and just plain veterans; NC Stop Torture Now and Code Pink were also represented.

In recognition of National Women's Month, the event featured woman participants reading the names of the more than 120 women US servicemembers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan thus far.



There was also special notice taken of the death toll among civilians in these wars: plausible estimates for Iraq range from a low of 95,000 to over a million. (Not counting about four million Iraqis made refugees, half inside and half outside the country.)

The vigil was favored with wonderfully warm and sunny weather. This combined with the infectious and insistent rhythms of Original Nature, a renowned local drumming group, to attract many newcomers from the surrounding downtown area.



“We faced a lot of hostility when we started our vigils about Iraq, seven years ago,” Quaker House Director Chuck Fager said. “But now we get many more positive responses from people going by than negative ones. A great many people here are sick of these wars. The troops and their families have paid a terrible price – and for what?”

The rally ended with a loud chorus of “War –What Is It Good For? Absolutely Nothing!” joined in lustily by those on hand.

News of the rally turned up in a photo in the Sunday Fayetteville Observer, and on Channels 11 and 14 news shows. Not bad for our small but intrepid band.

Here's the URLs to the TV clips and transcripts:
Channel 14 News Carolina.

and Channel 11 ABC News.

And next March? Roberta Waddle, president of the Fayetteville NOW chapter, said she hoped to hold another rally, to mark a definite end to the war.

For Heaven's Sake-- Join Us On March 20!

March 20 Peace Rally: Come As you Are!

Exciting drum group "Original Nature" to highlight Fayetteville Peace Rally Saturday March 20.
1-4 PM at the Market House downtown -- Spread the Word!

Favorites of Fayetteville's "Fourth Friday" evening festivals,ORIGINAL NATURE makes music for the heart, the mind, and the soul. This “eclectic orchestra” utilizes drums, flutes, blocks, chimes, and a variety of other indigenous instruments to invoke the ’natural ’ spirit of music.

ORIGINAL NATURE’S performances are enlightening, motivating, and inspiring, with each song being created in tune with the moment and emotions of the group. Therefore, each performance is different, and each song has the distinction of being made just for you---the audience. The nature of the performance is presented in its purest form, thus the performance is truly “Original.”

Great Weather, great music, and standing up for peace.

March 20: A Tragic Anniversary

A shameful photograph

It was before dawn on March 20, 2003 when the US invasion of Iraq began.

Seven years ago.

We will mark this tragic anniversary with a vigil & rally at the Fayetteville Market House on Saturday March 20, 2010, 1-4 PM, rain or shine (but the weather forecast is for sunny & warm). We invite all sympathetic persons to join us.

Since then, more than 4400 US troops have been killed. Estimates of Iraqi civilian deaths due to the war vary widely; but none is small. Here are some of them:


Iraqi casualties March 2003 to...

Iraq Family Health Survey: 151,000 violent deaths. June 2006

Lancet survey: 601,027 violent deaths out of 654,965 excess deaths. June 2006

Opinion Research Business survey: 1,033,000 violent deaths as a result of the conflict. August 2007

Associated Press: 110,600 violent deaths. April 2009

Iraq Body Count: 94,902 – 103,549 violent civilian deaths as a result of the conflict.
December 2009

(Source: wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Iraq_War )

Approximately 4 million Iraqis have been made refugees, about half inside and half outside Iraq.

The cost of the war to the US Treasury is estimated to be at least $1.9 trillion

Our position has been that this war is illegal and immoral. The best support for US troops is to bring them home now.

Peace Vigil/Rally March 20, 2010 - Fayetteville

Who Says the Peace Movement Is Dead??

Not Here!

Quaker House announces a vigil-rally for peace:

March 20 2010, 1-4 PM
At the Market House, Market Square, Fayetteville.

Rain or SHINE!
(The Market House has a covered atrium to keep us dry if need be.)

Spread the WORD!
REAL Support for the Troops -- Bring them HOME Now!

On the 7th Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion
Call for an end to the Iraq Occupation & the Afghanistan-Pakistan war

Join a Peaceful, legal vigil/rally at Market Square-Fayetteville NC
Bring Your Friends, Your Spirit, Your Signs,
Your Demand for Peace --
(Leave the Teabags at home)

Plenty of parking nearby. See a MAP here.

Visit our Facebook page here

See you there -- and
Spread the WORD!