[Pacg] Mobilizing for Peace Oct 27 - Des Moines and Chicago

[Carolina 1961]

Des Moines:


To All Concerned:

Re: Oct. 27 peace rally and march in Des Moines

>From Vern Naffier



Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) and partnering organizations
are planning a large mobilization and March for Peace in Des Moines on the
International Day of Peace, October 27th.


The march will be led by war veterans who stand for peace. Several veterans
have already consented to march in the procession.



The procession is to be led by drummer(s) and bugle player(s).  Efforts are
underway to secure two or three bands or musical groups to march in the
procession and to perform during the program at the Capitol park.



The march route will start at Nollen Plaza, downtown, lead to the Federal
Building where a large printed statement addressed to our legislators will
be posted, and will continue up Locust Street to the Capitol (to the new
park on the west Capitol grounds).



The procession will include fifty flag-draped caskets representing the
thousands who have been killed in the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. As the caskets
leave from the Plaza the name of each Iowan killed will be read together
with the names of Iraqis who have lost their lives.  One casket will be
covered with an Iraqi flag.  AFSC will be asked for the names of Iraqis who
have lost their lives as a result of the invasion. It was recommended that
we obtain the names of Iraqi children if at all possible and that a banner
be produced with the words "Innocents of Iraq."   A banner will also be
displayed at the front of the procession with a theme such as Support the
Troops-End the War, Peace  Not War, etc.



The timing and schedule of rally and march activities are as follows:

            4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Gathering at Nollen Plaza with welcome and
brief introductions. Reading of names of the dead and start of procession.

            5:00 – 5:20 p.m. March to the Federal Building and delivery of
statement
            5:20 – 6:00 p.m. March up Locust Street to Capitol park.

            6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Program (speakers, music) in the Capitol park.

            7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Candlelight ceremony prepared by the Des
MoinesEcumenical
Peace Committee



Speakers to be contacted for the program include: Presidential candidates,
Governor Chet Culver, Mayor Frank Couwnie, a war veteran , John Bachman of
WHO-TV



Bruce Stone has obtained all necessary permits (use of Nollen Plaza,
gathering at the Capitol Park, noise permit for band music, and parade
permit). The time allotment for everything including dismantling is 3 to 8
p.m.



Bruce, our media director, is also contacting national and local media for
coverage of the rally and march. (As an aside I can report that radio-TV
announcer Rod Routh will be covering one of the casket making sessions this
week. I will also be radio interviewed on October 16 by Joseph Gainza,
Vermont Program Coordinator of the American Friends Service Committee).
Bruce will also look into the possibility of securing an internet link to
national coverage of the United For Peace and Justice rallies all across the
country on Oct. 27.



Sound systems will be set up at both Nollen Plaza and the Capitol.



Chet Guinn is working with the Des Moines Ecumenical Peace Committee to
organize the candlelight ceremony.



We still have several logistics concerns to work out. These include
transporting the caskets to the Plaza and hauling them away after the rally.
Many working hands will be needed for the loading and unloading. Phyllis
Stevens has offered one of her storage units for storing the caskets.
Marybeth Gardam has offered the use of her large truck. Patty Wengert said
she would try to get a couple of pickup trucks.



For more information, contact Vern Naffier of PCCI

at  joycevernhn at juno.com

Chicago:

Dear Friends of Peace,

Here is another reminder of the huge rally in Chicago on Oct. 27th.
Women for Peace Iowa (in Cedar Rapids) has reserved a bus leaving for
Chicago on that morning. We'd like for you to join us!! Please let us hear
from you asap. Here are the details:

-Board the bus at 8:30 am at Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave NE,
Cedar Rapids
(parking lot directly across street from Home Depot)
-Rally begins at Union Park at 1:30
-March toward the Loop at 3 pm
-Second rally begins in Federal Plaza at 4 pm
-Rally ends, buses board to go home at 6 pm.

Cedar Rapids contact: Mary Campbell (319-364-5878)or
jmcampbell1 at mchsi.com

To reserve a seat on the bus: Send check for $35 made out to to :
"Women for Peace Iowa"

Send to:
Women for Peace Iowa
1296 Skylark Dr SE
Cedar Rapids, IA. 52403

The following is a message from United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), the
sponsoring organization:

October 27 - Chicago, IL
Midwest Mobilization to End the War
Bring All Our Troops Home, Now!

The vast majority of the people in every corner of the country want
this war to end, but Washington has failed to take decisive action. With
each  passing month, nearly 100 servicepeople and countless more Iraqis are
killed, some 12 billion of our tax dollars are spent, and the death and
destruction continue. Our communities -- from New Orleans to Minneapolis --
are neglected and suffer the consequences. From Vermont to California, from
Florida to Wisconsin, the people have spoken: We want this war to end,
and we want it to end now!

On Saturday, October 27th, people from all walks of life will gather
in 10 sites around the country for massive regional demonstrations. This
nationally coordinated day of outcry against the war in Iraq was
initiated by United for Peace and Justice, the nation's largest grassroots
antiwar coalition. And now many groups and organizations across the country
are working on the October 27th mobilization.

You are invited to join this effort!
What we do now will help shape our future.
We the People must end this war!
For more information:
united for peace & justice -- www.unitedforpeace.org
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