Monday, August 20, 2012

SUBVERTING CHILDREN'S PLAYFUL NATURE

Veterans for Peace Unveils Airshow Protest Banner
March & Vigil Planned in Brunswick on August 25

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Bruce Gagnon   443-9502   globalnet@mindspring

Maine Veterans for Peace (VFP)  has unveiled a beautiful protest banner created by Maine artists Natasha Mayers and Nora Tryon that will be used on Saturday, August 25 during the march and vigil opposing the Air Force Thunderbirds airshow in Brunswick.  The banner reads "Stop Recruiting Our Children for War" and shows children's playful nature being subverted for militarism.

The march will begin at 9:00 am at the corner of Main St & Bath Road in Brunswick and end at the front gate of the former Naval air station.  There the group will hold a vigil until noon as people drive into the airfield.

According to VFP protest organizer Bruce Gagnon, "We hear from many people in the greater community complaining about the noise and pollution from these expensive propaganda shows that are ultimately intended to serve as tools to recruit the next generation for war.  Last year our airshow protest was led by VFP founding member Tom Sturtevant who served in the Navy on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War.  He worked for years to end military recruitment in our public schools.  He passed away last winter and our protest this year is in his memory."

Veterans for Peace maintains that the Thunderbird warplanes drop bombs and kill women and children as well as soldiers.  They contend that these airshows glorify war and mislead impressionable young people.

The protest is being sponsored by the following organizations: 

Maine Veterans for Peace, CodePink Maine, Maine Green Independent Party, Peace Action Maine, Pax Christi Maine, Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Maine Chapter, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, PeaceWorks, Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home

- End -

No comments: