Creating a Culture of Peace

Trial postponed! The defendants for the March 19, 2011 Veterans for Peace action at the White House were ready to go on trial 8:00 am Monday, Sept 29. With the hurricane promising to tie up transportation on the east coast and threatening DC the defendants were concerned about how to get to the trial on Monday and to the practice trial on Sunday. But late Friday (4:30 pm, now that is last minute!) the prosecution filed a motion for continuance, asking that the trial be put off since they were not ready to go to trial. Judge Canan granted the motion. By this time some of the defendants were already in transit to DC.

This is all part of the meat grinder we call a legal system. It is sort of like the old hurry up and wait we know so well as vets, except worse. For the 19 defendants it was frustrating, after preparing the opening statements, the testimony, and the closing arguments and being prepared for trial it is maddening to have to go back to trying to schedule a new trial date. On the other hand it does seem hopeful that the prosecution must be having some problems developing an effective argument against our motions or they would have been ready for trial.

Forty residents of Arlington, MA, gathered at the Calvary Methodist church on March 16^th to participate in a CCP workshop. They had requested preparation for a possible visit to our town by the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church.  In January WBC had threatened to picket the Arlington Children’s Theater’s production of “The Laramie Project” about the life and death of Matthew Shepherd.  The Boston area has been a frequent target of the WBC and their hate-filled signs and scriptures. Although they didn’t end up coming to Arlington this time, they did picket in several surrounding communities, and there is little doubt they will arrive in Arlington someday.

Dave Patterson’s group seized on the idea of  providing  small, personal, sustainable peace gardens throughout the community.  They laid out tasks and a timeline, materials and tools required, likely allies and critics, costs and their assignments and meeting times.

Dear Children of Today,

We are the grownups of tomorrow. It is our duty and responsibility as citizens of this world to go out and help it. Every day there is a violent action that breaks off the puzzle that unites us together as one. That should go on no more. Itʼs time to put an end to all of the hatred and unhappiness in this world and itʼs time to start a new beginning with peace, love and respect for each other.

Start by doing something as simple as giving your best friend a hug when they are down, let them know that you care. Have a good outlook on yourself and be honest with yourself and others. I know weʼre just starting and itʼs a hard bumpy ride ahead, but fasten your seat belts. Letʼs stand by each other the whole way and we will make it through just fine.

Donʼt forget--this journey is just the beginning and itʼs starting with us.

Peace, love, and respect,
Lasha Kedar

Participant in Youth CCP Workshop, Evergreen School, Asheville, NC, December 1, 2010