Monday, June 03, 2019

Friday peace vigil in Brunswick


Every Friday since 9-11 citizens in Brunswick, Maine have held a peace vigil on the town green at 5:00 pm.  This has been in the summer, fall, winter and spring since 2001.  It's a dedicated group of folks under the name of PeaceWorks.

When MB and I moved to Brunswick in 2003 we of course joined the weekly vigil.  But then we moved to Bath in 2007 and didn't continue attending.  But having moved back to Brunswick again in January of this year enabled us to be out on the street again with these great people.

I can say from personal experience that the public has really come around after all these years.  They honk like crazy these days as they pass by.  It helps that former Navy pilot (and VFP member) Bob Dale (95 years old) holds a 'Honk for Peace' sign.

I'm told that when the vigil first began in September of 2001, calling on the US not to retaliate after the false flag attack on the twin towers in New York City, about 90 people gathered for the vigil each week.  After George W. Bush launched the invasion and never-ending occupation of Afghanistan many of those 90 vigilers stopped coming but the truly determined souls kept the vigil going.

Presently about 8-12 people come each week.


I like to frequently change my sign and lately have been holding three different ones about the US regime change effort in Venezuela.  In the photo at the top you can see the last sign at the end that reads 'No war in Venezuela'.  Despite the non-stop propaganda on mainstream media about Venezuela I'm encouraged by the honks and waves I see in reaction to these signs.  Maybe folks are finally learning after all these years that the US first demonizes, then creates chaos, then attacks and forces regime change.

I just wish they could see the same script now being played out when it comes to Russia as well.

I'm trying to breathe deeply, stay in the moment, and remember these immortal words:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
                                                               ~ Margaret Mead

Bruce

Photos by Dan Ellis 

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