Iraq Moratorium in Milwaukee

Friday was the fifth time that people all over Wisconsin took action to stop the war in Iraq.  People took action both big and small, both as individuals and collectively.  The effort is part of the growing Iraq Moratorium, which encourages everyone to do something to help end the war in Iraq.  Friday there were about a dozen events throughout the state including three new communities:  Janesville, Ripon and Superior.  OWN attended the event in downtown Milwaukee.

Friday was the fifth time that people all over Wisconsin took action to stop the war in Iraq.  People took action both big and small, both as individuals and collectively.  The effort is part of the growing Iraq Moratorium, which encourages everyone to do something to help end the war in Iraq.  Friday there were about a dozen events throughout the state including three new communities:  Janesville, Ripon and Superior.  OWN attended the event in downtown Milwaukee. 

The Milwaukee event was sponsored by Peace Action Wisconsin and the Coalition for a Just Peace.  The event has drawn as many as 100 people to the intersection at Water and Wisconsin. It even inspired some 30 people to brave the sub-zero temperatures on Friday evening. 

People met at Milwaukee’s main intersection and erected flags and banners on every corner.  Some waved American flags, while others held Veterans for Peace and peace flags.  Also available were signs reading things like “Honk for Peace” and “Spend $$$ on Education not War.”  Reaction from rush hour drivers was overwhelmingly positive with almost constant honking of support for peace. 

The age of those in attendance was very diverse including seniors, boomers, college students, preteens and everything in between.  It wasn’t until a group of enthusiastic kids came that an organic chant of “we want peace” began.  The kids continued to lead the chant for peace as the group began to march.  The marching route went down Water Street, past City Hall and then back to Wisconsin Ave.  During the march the kids continued to lead the way with more enthusiastic chants and others provided percussion by banging on the bottoms of barrels.  Shortly after getting back to the main intersection, the hour of action was nearly over and people started going there separate ways. 

The Milwaukee event was one of many across the state and across the entire country.  People are taking a small amount of time, at least once a month, to do what they can to end to the war in Iraq.  Whether you join an event like the one in downtown Milwaukee or simply call your representative in Congress, please do something next month during the Iraq Moratorium.  Please take some action, no matter how small, to help bring an end to this senseless war.