Stand With Veterans For Peace In New York City -October 7th
September 19, 2013
Brothers and Sisters,
Last Oct. 7, marking 11 years of devastating U.S. military involvement (war) in Afghanistan, a group of us gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 55 Water St. (read some of the statements from vets who were there) in NYC to demand an end to that war, to expose the lies and betrayals connected with the Vietnam War and all subsequent wars, to soulfully remember the fallen with flowers and by reading their names and -- last but not least -- to god damn it, affirm our right, especially as veterans, to assemble peacefully at that place at any hour and do all of the above.
Twenty-five of us were arrested for being at the memorial after the arbitrary and seldom enforced 10 pm closing time (people usually are not bothered there at any hour). Subsequently 12 of us went to trial (read about it here) for five days and were found guilty, but the charges, amazingly, were dismissed. People were outraged and rightfully so that veterans were arrested at their own memorial while remembering the fallen. Even a number of the cops who followed orders and arrested us made a point of telling us later, very sincerely, that they were sorry and that they agreed with our right to be there.
Well, we are going back again, and again if we have to until that place is established as a 24/7 place of memory where we can gather to remember and to address issues that concern all of us.
This year we have a plan to be there with the morning light the following morning. At 9 am we will march out of there with VFP flags and banners flying and we are requesting the NYC Rude Mechanical Orchestra with drums and horns to lead us as we sing and march triumphantly through Wall Street and the financial district to Zuccotti Park, home of the Occupy movement. There we will be met enthusiastically by Occupy folks, who recently gave a beautiful award to Bill Perry in recognition of the veterans standing in solidarity with them.
We want you to join us. We will provide housing and help with logistics for those coming from out of town. Just get in touch. The struggle for the right to remember, to assemble and speak truth to power is not one we can afford to lose. Stand with us brothers and sisters.
For more information and to be involved, e-mail StopTheseWars@PopularResistance.org. or just contact me directly.
September 19, 2013
Brothers and Sisters,
Last Oct. 7, marking 11 years of devastating U.S. military involvement (war) in Afghanistan, a group of us gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 55 Water St. (read some of the statements from vets who were there) in NYC to demand an end to that war, to expose the lies and betrayals connected with the Vietnam War and all subsequent wars, to soulfully remember the fallen with flowers and by reading their names and -- last but not least -- to god damn it, affirm our right, especially as veterans, to assemble peacefully at that place at any hour and do all of the above.
Twenty-five of us were arrested for being at the memorial after the arbitrary and seldom enforced 10 pm closing time (people usually are not bothered there at any hour). Subsequently 12 of us went to trial (read about it here) for five days and were found guilty, but the charges, amazingly, were dismissed. People were outraged and rightfully so that veterans were arrested at their own memorial while remembering the fallen. Even a number of the cops who followed orders and arrested us made a point of telling us later, very sincerely, that they were sorry and that they agreed with our right to be there.Well, we are going back again, and again if we have to until that place is established as a 24/7 place of memory where we can gather to remember and to address issues that concern all of us.
This year we have a plan to be there with the morning light the following morning. At 9 am we will march out of there with VFP flags and banners flying and we are requesting the NYC Rude Mechanical Orchestra with drums and horns to lead us as we sing and march triumphantly through Wall Street and the financial district to Zuccotti Park, home of the Occupy movement. There we will be met enthusiastically by Occupy folks, who recently gave a beautiful award to Bill Perry in recognition of the veterans standing in solidarity with them.
We want you to join us. We will provide housing and help with logistics for those coming from out of town. Just get in touch. The struggle for the right to remember, to assemble and speak truth to power is not one we can afford to lose. Stand with us brothers and sisters.
For more information and to be involved, e-mail StopTheseWars@PopularResistance.org. or just contact me directly.
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