I want an Iowa peace rally

[CornField]

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one organized from the grassroots.

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one with children, peace signs & doves painted on their cheeks by clowns.

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one with live music and people dancing & celebrating "we the people"

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one with flyers at the organic food market, on the Pagan message board and in the church bulletins.

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one that crosses socio-economic, religious and racial boundaries.

I want an Iowa peace rally -- one that has boxes set around to collect food for Iowa pantries, coats for Iowa children and blankets for Iowa shelters.

I WANT AN IOWA PEACE RALLY -- a place where the good people of our state come together and pray if they want to, hold signs if they want to, and cry if they want to.

I WANT AN IOWA PEACE RALLY -- where people bring lawnchairs, flags, their thermos of hot chocolate and don't expect to get anything in return

I WANT AN IOWA PEACE RALLY -- with a whole street dedicated to the Iowa soldiers who have served in Iraq, those who can't come home marked with ribbons.

I WANT AN IOWA PEACE RALLY -- one that shows the entire nation why Iowa is "First in the Nation"

Dammit. I WANT AN IOWA PEACE RALLY!

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Then have one...organize. Get the student groups at Iowa & ??

to participate.

[CornField]

3. I am working on it

I'll also admit that I'm getting discouraged. I tossed it out on DU to see if there might be any "hell, yes!" responses. Well, as you can see...

My current obstacle: I'm not a non-profit & cost is becoming a big problem. For instance, I was looking at using a facility for the collection of community goods (coats for kids, canned goods, etc.) that was close to a city park (site of actual rally & festivities). Rental costs were $350 for 10 hours. That was not the problem. I also needed to provide $1 million in insurance. ARGH!

I contacted my handy-dandy insurance agent and he suggested that I find an existing non-profit group to sponsor the event. That's where I am now -- and I think I have one. (Yeah!)

I guess what I really wanted in posting this to DU is to see if there was an interest. I'm further discouraged that there doesn't seem to be any. Perhaps the idea just doesn't have wings.

[madame defarge]

2. So start one!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
--Margaret Mead

Get on a street corner or in a public square in your town with signs.

And read this story about some women in Highland Park, IL who hold a silent pro-peace vigil every week...
http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2005/08/draft_hold_for_1.html

And here are a couple of other things we do in Highland Park...it's very effective and opens people's eyes...

http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2005/08/opening_eyes_in_1.html#comments
http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2005/08/war_is_not_the_2.html#comments

[CornField]

4. Thank you for the links!

That first one has subsequent links that are going to be very helpful. Thanks!

[pstans]

5. You just missed one

There was one in Iowa City on Sept. 11th.

www.peacefestiowa.org