March 19 will be the 3rd Anniversary of the War in Iraq

Local peace groups have been holding weekly vigils in opposition to the war for the last 3 years. Joining with others around the world they are calling for a massive public turn-out for peace on the 3rd anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq. In the Quad Cities the gathering will be Saturday, March 18 in Davenport in front of Border's, across the street from the Showcase Cinemas 53, 4000 E 54d St. from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.

I remember attending a peace vigil about 3 years ago in downtown Davenport. The war had not yet started but it was clear that the Bush Administration was determined to invade and most of the public, including most of the Democrats in Congress, were swept up in the war fever. About 150 people showed up to stand in front of the Federal Building in a futile attempt to prevent the inevitable.

Three years later the public sentiment is very different. It is becoming clear even to die-hard Republicans that President Bush does not have security and protecting the public as his highest priority. The War in Iraq has not turned out the way the people who started it expected and it is increasingly obvious that it is decreasing our security rather than enhancing it. We now know that a majority of our troops in Iraq believe it would be best if the troops were brought home within a year and a full 25% think they should be brought home immediately.

It is not too late to take a public stand in opposition to this war. Support peace. Support our troops by bringing them home. Come join us in front of Border's.

The message I received informing me of the March 18 vigil ended with the following:

"We seek a world free of war and the threat of war
We seek a society with equity and justice for all
We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled
We seek an earth restored..."