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An Organizing Experience
We were new at trying to organize anything let alone a Peace Vigil for the Iraq Moratorium. We had been attending various vigils at larger cities in our state, but there was nothing going on locally in our town.
When we heard about the Iraq Moratorium it opened up the chance to start our own vigil, we became determined to try it.
Where to start? I decided to follow what my mother had taught me and ask permission. Yes, I realize my first amendment rights, but to ensure that the town was aware of what we were doing before we did it I decided to make some phone calls.
I called the Town Hall and asked who I would speak with regarding holding a peace vigil on our town green. I was referred to the Public Works Department. The receptionist at the Public Works Department asked if there were to be any items sold or anything exchanged for money. I told her "no, nothing was for sale", it was simply the Iraq Moratorium and along with other towns in many other cities this was being held on the third Friday of the month. She advised me to put my request in writing and advise who would be the contact person, when we would like to have it take place and any other pertinent information. I got the fax number and sent over the below fax.
Dear Public Works Department (I actually asked the receptionist what the Directors name was and then I also looked it up on the internet, our town has some of its information on the net):
It is our understanding that you are contact person for permission to hold a monthly vigil at the Chelsea Parade in Norwich. This vigil will not be held for profit or any kind of monetary exchange, only the exchange of an idea. We want to remind Americans that we still have a huge presence in Iraq engaged in war with lives lost daily. We want the war to end.
We wish to hold this vigil, as part of a nation-wide Iraq Moratorium, on the third Friday of each month between 5 -6 pm. We represent a majority of Americans who want the Iraq war to end, and for our service men and women to return home safe, now.
We will be the contact people for the attendance of those who will stand vigil with us and have a record of the names of people who participate. We will undoubtedly have anti-war and peace signs.
Please let us know what additional information you require and any restrictions we must abide by for this peaceful vigil on Chelsea Parade, and grant us your permission to hold these vigils.
I signed and gave our home and cell phone numbers. Then I waited, and as with all aspects of government the wheels turn slow. I called and spoke with the Public Works Director's secretary who advised me that the Director thought it was a one time deal and was to approve it until he realized it would continue monthly. The Director passed it along to the City Manager, but she promised to get back to me.
Eventually the Assistant to the City Manager spoke with me and told me that it was approved of course as it is our first amendment right. I explained that we just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of what we were doing first and she kindly said she had spoken with all involved departments and the written approval would be mailed shortly. It was. I have that letter now, laminated, and it will be at the vigil as well. If anyone has any doubts, I can show them the signed letter which also carbon copied the City Manager's Office, Tourism Office, Police Chief and Fire Chief.
We feel comfortable in how we handled the start of our third Friday vigil to mark the Iraq Moratorium.
We were at the rally in Boston, MA on October 27, part of the Fall Out Against The War, 11 city march. There we heard an ex-marine, Liam Madden, who served in Iraq and is now a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War speak. He quoted a poem, "Sermons We See" by Edgar Guest and he ended his speech saying "Become leaders, don't just go to a protest, organize one." We felt he spoke to us as we had gone to many protests over these years. Our decision to hold a vigil in our town became even more empowering that day as we knew we were moving forward with all we could do to try to end the Iraq war.
A few days prior to the event we also fax to our local newspapers and request they print a Public Service Announcement regarding our moratorium. We haven't seen it printed yet..we will ask for it earlier in the week next month!!!
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Thanks to Paul and Kathe, Norwich CT
