|
What a night. It turned out to be a very last minute deal. A friend of mine and I collaborated our efforts to setting it up just yesterday afternoon.
We have approximately 60 people come at a public pond at a memorial site. As we first starting setting up, a couple came by and stared at us in shock. I asked them if they would be joining us. The man started spouting off all the right wing talking points, telling us how unpatriotic we were and how we were hardly supporting the troops and as he started shaking, he said he had to leave before he couldn't control himself any longer. As he walked away, he turned back and shot looks to kill. I don't know why, but I was shocked, looking at him. It made me think of the driver of the pick-up in Crawford.
One lady showed up with her guitar and played and sang beautiful songs about bringing her boys home from war. It was amazing and had everyone in tears. We went around and encouraged people to speak. One gal said she was heading to Crawford in a few weeks and wanted to send messages from us to Cindy & Co. to let them know in even the most red area of California, she is still supported.
One lone protester stood over us with his signs "Cindy is being used" and something about supporting our president AND the troops. He stood with a stern expression, like ice cold, as we all talked. The media spoke with my partner and myself, mostly trying to focus on the fact that we set our party up through MoveOn.org, but then spent twice as much time interviewing this "angry loner" during this moving and wonderful exchange of peace and concern for our troops. At one point, another friend of mine who served in Korea addressed the protester's signs and pointed out why they needed hold water. I got a little nervous about a confrontation, but this man said nothing and remained expressionless (really not even sure if he was actually human).
At the end of our speeches, a Lutheran pastor stood up and said he believes in peace on earth and in the foundation of our constitution - the right to say what we believe. He spoke of the support for the troops in his church and the difference between supporting the troops and not supporting how we got into this war. He was defintely heaven sent. I thanked him several times for continuing the real Christian message.
We all took our candles and walked around the duck pond. I walked with several different women I never met before. Each one of them said they were angry, upset and isolated, feeling they were so alone. One even mentioned that she was ready to move to friendlier territory. They were amazed that in the reddest of the reddest, there were so many people who really do see the truth. It was like we were meant to find each other and together, look out.
The gal heading to Crawford took one of the signs I made that said "Support the Troops - Demand the Truth" and asked us to sign it for Cindy. I was so excited, I wrote "Love ya Cindy" and forgot to write my name.
The tide has definitely turned. I can't tell you how many people mentioned that our group tonight was the most inspiring they had been around for quite a while. What an exciting night to bring us all together. Thank you, Cindy Sheehan!
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
