A Day of Peacemaking II

Today I took a woman out for brunch. She attends The Herold and is actively seeking employment. In her early 50's this is becoming difficult as she has worked for non-profits for most of her career and as funds are diverted for war purposes and tax breaks for the wealthy; funds are being cut for social services. She had a good interview last week and is being called back for a second interview this week. The position is in a Chicago suburb but the agency plans to move into Chicago in the fall.

We ate lunch at the Inspiration Cafe, a "training site" for folks who are learning to work in the food industry. The tables have linens and fresh flowers. The food is great but often the wait is long. Not quite sure the training process for cooks. I am always happy when the food finally arrives. I had a wonderful blueberry scone this morning. Very tasty. My friend had a quiche.

I headed home and washed dishes for the first time in a week. The sink was overflowing and the ants were busy marching in to check out the left overs. I really don't mind ants as long as I am not actively eating the food! I cleaned up and with some trepidation headed to St. Gertrude's and my first training in non-violence. This is training done to prepare one to act when one chooses to be arrested for civil disobedience.

I have no plans to actively seek arrest, but I do not know if and when it could occur. (With a divorce looming and financial picture unclear, I cannot be arrested at this time. I don't think my employer would look kindly on it.) Last year I was at a peace action at the Pentagon and an innocent young women was arrested because of misunderstanding and " very aggressive tactics" of the security men on duty. She did not understand what they were saying and they responded to her questions as belligerence and resisting arrest. This happened as she had just hugged her dad "goodbye" he works in the Pentagon -civilian and was on the side walk instead of the grass "in the free speech area." They really "manhandled her." So as a support person for those going to be arrested as part of the Occupation Project-2nd round this year, I must be prepared in case it does happen.

We arrived at one and I helped Laurie, from Voices for Creative Non-Violence located in Chicago ,set out the hospitality foods: fresh grapes and M&M's and iced tea. Ten participants and 3 trainers were present. Four of the 10 were the core leaders of a newly forming peace group on the SW side of Chicago-in Jesse Jackson II's district. Ranging from 35 to 65, one had protested against the Vietnam War and was ready to "go at it again." All were planning and willing to be arrested during this phase of OP.

We went over the statement of Non-Violence for the OP and the history of the project. We reviewed the legal charges which could be Federal or State or Local or a combination of them. We then did two role plays. They were both done "in the offices of a Senator."

1. The group came to the "office" and had appointed a spokesperson. She said, "We have a pledge to stop funding the war we want the Senator to sign. We will not leave until we meet with him." I was the office manager called out by the receptionist. I recited regulations and said, "You must leave or else I will call the security." They didn't, were "arrested" and taken into custody.

If you are arrested in the Federal Building, it is done two times. First ICE Immigration.... something, really Homeland Security folks take all your information. Then ICE turns you over to the Chicago Police who take you off and put you in a holding cell till whenever. At some point you go before a magistrate to get court date, etc. Usually CP lets you out in the middle of the night. They do let you go to the restroom, though. Laurie says, "I can tell white privilege, we are treated differently than persons of color." Probably because they think we can afford a lawyer and/or will go to the press as first response to any CP shenanigans.

2. Then it was my turn to be one of the protesters. This role play was filled with "the unexpected." We protesters wanted to experience a "person going to pieces emotionally." Laurie would do it, we wouldn't know when. The two folks who are the "Senator's office staff" plan separately so we didn't know what they would do. The two police plan separately so we didn't know their responses. We decided on a "sit in" We would make our demands, then sit down with arms locked and not move "till the Senator meets with us."

We came "into the office of Senator Obama" greeted by the intern behind the desk, they are all interns who said that the Senator was out and about. Our demand was that as Obama is now a presidential candidate we need him to take leadership of bringing this war to its quickest close. We each introduced ourselves while Jeff from Voices began to act belligerently "I want this_____ war to end" and trying to get behind the desk. One of the protesters from the Catholic Worker, who has been arrested many times, went to his side and kept him from the staff person. In the meantime we are still introducing ourselves and making personal statements to the aide as to why we are there. The phone "rings" the aide picks it up and begins to talk. I thought that was a great touch/response to our presence. In actuality both of the Senator's offices have multiple aides so one can attend to phones, one to those in front him/her, etc.

We give our statements then we come together in a circle, sit down and lock arms. I thought, "This is cool." I never did the 60's sit-ins against the Vietnam War; I imagined this is "How it felt!" The staff is exasperated, calls the "office manager" who comes out and tries to get us to leave. She tells us that we have done what we could do, that we have presented our ideas to the staff and they would be given to the Senator. We stay in position, now reciting the names of dead Iraqis and American soldiers, each in turn. She calls ICE who comes and says, "You must leave or you will be arrested."

As I was support person, along with Nicole, we leave the circle. Obama's staff come to us "The Senator will meet with you next week." We return to the circle. Laurie is now "freaking out." I can't be arrested, what have I done? My husband will divorce me..." She is really good in the part. I tell her, "Laurie we have accomplished our goal the Senator will meet with us. "Laurie is too hysterical she doesn't respond. The rest of the protesters step in and began to "talk her down" and one escorts her out of the circle to where we stood. Jeff lays down. The security are saying, "We are going to let you spend the night if you wish. Come with us to the lavatory, then it will be locked." No one trusts her, no one moves. The role play ends.

Debrief:
Everyone appreciated Laurie's "going postal" everyone was surprised at Jeff's behavior. But we decided we handled the situation well. The behaviors were handled by Voices staff or persons more experienced then we "first timers" but that is how we learned.
-get between the person and the possible problem.
-escort the person away from the situation.
-don't trust the police/security. Jeff told the story of how during one action a number of years ago, the police/security lined up the twenty protesters in the office and said "Follow me." Jeff said, "Okay, we are being arrested." They obligingly follow, security leads them down the building out the front door then says, "Good bye" and locks the door behind them! Smart, very smart.
-when the police say "We are going to arrest if you don't leave now." Those who do not want to be arrested must leave then!

Won't go into the roles such as jail support, but be on the look out for the Occupation Project in your local Federal representative's office near you-actions will take place regularly until the vote on supplemental money for the Iraq war in very late September or early October. Contact Voices or the peace group in your local area if you would like to participate or support these actions until "we stop the Iraq war!"

Divorce:
These weekend days have been good ones yet in my mind often during the day, I thought "Dow is heading back from Jason and England. He will return today to Chicago. It will be three weeks and we will be back in front of the judge." My heart would sink and I would feel alone. I hope these days would quickly pass and the judge DOES show up on August 21. I have plenty to keep me busy, but I know that "feeling down" will be part of the grieving process. Even now there is part of my heart that wants Dow to come to consciousness, to connect with his feelings. My realistic self replies, "Katy you were with Dow 30 years, he never did. What makes you think Dow would now as he is so filled with anger-there is no room for anything else." Most of all I pray for peace for each of us-Dow, Jason, Lisa and myself-of mind, heart, soul and body.