I, an Iraqi Citizen, "Died" Today

At a meeting on Sunday, I heard of a witness for peace action today. We are planning a peace march in Chicago for October 11. It will be replicated all across America in towns large and small. The national peace community wants to draw attention to ending the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan NOW. And to take care of our veterans when they come home especially for the mental health.

I participated in this witness for peace last year, I think about the same time.
The action is sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). Its regional offices are located in Grace Place downtown Chicago. All you need is a white sheet and the ability to lay quietly on granite in the Federal Plaza for about 1/2 hour.

The 50 "bodies" got in position spread out across the plaza, maybe 12 to a row.
The gong (from a Buddhist community) sounded once.
We all laid down and covered ourselves up from head to toe with the sheets.
(Having done this before most of us had something to lay our heads on, I used my backpack.)
The day was warm so the granite cooled me from the sun's heat.
A red carnation was placed on each of us.

I began to cry when Chris Inserra with her beautiful voice chanted the names of family members and ages-from pregnacy, to birth to their 80's, up to 25 members of Iraqi families killed throughout this war. I cried because I thought, "Among the names Chris is reading today, maybe included are persons killed by my son Lt. Jason and his men when they were in Iraq." I felt there were. My heart cried for their communities, families and for them; all casualties of this war. After each name was read, a gong was sounded.

Estimates are 1,000,000 Iraqis have died. This year American soldiers' names were not chanted, only Iraqis to focus the listener's attention on the human death and destruction we are responsible for. Speakers from Iraq whom I have personally heard have said, "There is not a woman, man or child living in Iraq who have not seen a dead body in the streets."

Micheal (AFSC) spoke of the "Surge not working" The numbers of deaths are down from 2007 but not 2003 or 2004. A study just released from UCLA (www.envplan.com/abstract.cgi?id=a41200) presents "light evidence" that is satellite photos that show in areas in Baghdad where the "surge is working" there are no people. The night photos show no lights which would be on if people lived there. It states up to 80% of the area has no lights.

After 30 minutes, the plaza grew quiet.
The names stopped.
Michael thanked us for our participation and said we could stand up.

I stood up and looked.
Police lined the street immediately in front of us.
They had their golf carts and semi-riot gear.
My heart twinged as I remembered the police brutality of St. Paul and the RNC.
I felt saddened again for those all those who loose their lives to violence-here, Iraq and throughout the world.

A woman was giving out extra carnations. I took another; one for each of my precious children as I remember the children of Iraq whose lives have been taken by war.

May you work for and be peace for others this day.
See you in the streets until we and the world are at peace.
For ourselves and our children down to the 7th generation.