Our friend and fellow peace activist, Phil Farruggio has written a piece about those who stand watch to remind us that we cannot rest until this was is over.
We are reprinting Phil's article here.
April 05, 2006
On the street, standing for a cause
By PHILIP FARRUGGIO
COMMUNITY VOICE They arrive, once a week, like clockwork. From the back seat or trunk of each car they unload their signs. Each sign states another aspect of what they are all about. Some signs declare the immorality or illegality of the war on Iraq. Others demand that our soldiers come home now. Others state how many young Americans have already been killed. There are signs calling for impeachment, signs asking "Honk for Peace," signs calling for "Medicare for All Americans," signs protesting the $400 billion spent for this unnecessary attack and occupation of Iraq. There are signs alerting the public to the Downing Street Minutes.
It is a vast array of signs and statements in dissent of this president, vice president and their neo-conservative allies.
Who stands each week on those corners in Port Orange, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach? Are these campus radicals or anarchists? No, those who stand are our neighbors, folks who study history and current events and see beyond the mainstream claptrap news. A blend of retired teachers, librarians, union organizers and working nurses. Former and present educators, store managers, landscapers and a Ph.D. Retired government employees, county officials, veterans.
In Daytona Beach, we see a CPA and working moms with two jobs regularly standing together in earnest.
In Ormond Beach, outside of Wal-Mart, of all places, a single mom schoolteacher, a banker and an infirm Vietnam veteran.
Little by little, more are joining them on those street corners each Tuesday at 5 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. Students, postal workers, small business owners, all kinds of regular folks seeking change. Making a statement before even that becomes forbidden in this fragile republic of ours.
Cars whiz by. For 19 months, the Port Orange group has watched and waved, and yes, debated issues of war, health care, corruption, cronyism and wasted life. All on that very same corner, at the very same time and day, in a very ordinary town in Florida. Strange occurrence lately, though. More and more of the folks in those cars are beginning to get it. A symphony of honks and waves and thumbs up sent forth to the demonstrators. Some even heed the most imperative sign displayed: "We Need You . . . Please Park and Join Us!"
And, as the line of sign holders grows from the original eight per week, to now more than 30, hope does spring eternal. Yet, in Ormond Beach last Saturday, the three aforementioned stalwarts stood alone. And, as the "bully loves the vulnerable," so too does this trio meet the most terrible assortment of sneers and curses.
When change and sanity finally come to America, and we have a Congress and White House that put people before politics, remember those street corner protesters. Remember the street corners throughout America, and those who stand there, week after week. Not just the crowds for the twice-a-year protest events. It's the dedicated and selfless who bring about a better world. Confucius said it well: "You succeeded because you tried again." Perhaps more Americans need to stand for something?
Farruggio hosts a radio talk show on WPUL 1590 AM in Daytona Beach.
