Photos by Laura Killian

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There are many upcoming Procession related events. Check out the website for the latest information!

Procession of the Species Celebration

Earlier today, March 25, 2009, the Washington State House Local Government and Housing Committee heard testimony on ESSB 5800 - which would create a shoreline of statewide significance on the Isthmus of downtown Olympia.

Janine Gates has an article posted at Little Hollywood: Now in the House: Isthmus Bill ESSB 5800

Amy Goodman is scheduled to visit to Olympia next Sunday. (TCTV and KAOS present Amy Goodman)

Here are a couple of excerpts from today's show. From the headlines, Senator Bernie Sanders speaking of an Obama nominee:

“We need an independent leader who will help create a new culture in the financial marketplace and move us away from the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior which has caused so much harm to our economy.” (link)

And from the show's description of an interview with Thomas Geoghegan:

Thomas Geoghegan on “Infinite Debt: How Unlimited Interest Rates Destroyed the Economy”

The Obama administration unveils its $1 trillion plan to buy toxic assets from banks and restore the financial system. But should we return to the way it was? We speak with Chicago lawyer Thomas Geoghegan about his new Harper’s Magazine cover story, “Infinite Debt: How Unlimited Interest Rates Destroyed the Economy.” Geoghegan writes, “We dismantled the most ancient of human laws, the law against usury, which had existed in some form in every civilization from the time of the Babylonian Empire to the end of Jimmy Carter’s term.”

The Iraq Memorial to Life was a powerful statement about the true cost of war. The markers shown below represent approximately 1/300th or 1/400th of the estimated total number of innocent Iraqi lives lost in the past six years of invasion/occupation. Of course the number of those whom have suffered is much, much higher.

More photos via VFP109RCC: Iraq Memorial to Life

Slideshow: Iraq Memorial to Life It is estimated, based on census study, that as many as 1,300,000 Iraqis have been killed resulting from invasion/occupation related violence. Surely, millions more, if not virtually all, Iraqis suffer war related injuries. The Iraq Memorial to Life was designed to recognize the horrible violence wrought against the innocent people of Iraq, violence resulting from US interference.

Here's another account of the Memorial, posted to Portland Indymedia: Iraq Memorial begins in Olympia, Washington

Slideshow: Six Years of War Protest The sixth anniversary of the beginning of the invasion of Iraq was also recognized with a protest march and rally.

The Iraq Memorial to Life is up and running. About 3,000 symbolic grave markers have been placed in order to memorialize and honor on a fraction of all the individual innocent Iraqis whom have been killed as a result of US interference in Iraq.

There are many different death counts. One count is of about 100,000 documented deaths since the 2003 invasion. Another count is a scientific census survey which estimates as many as 1,300,000 war related deaths. Another count puts the war deaths, resulting from US intervention since 1991, at over 2,000,000. These are horrible statistics. And they don't even begin to take into account the suffering of those Iraqis forced to flee their homes, and/or forced to flee their native land, nor those who suffer from war related injury, loss of limb, permanent brain injury, etc..

Today's memorial was a real feat. On so many levels. Here's one way it was extraordinary.

The markers themselves are made of 8.5x11 sheets of paper, laminated. A simple metal pin with a hook holds them in the ground. They had not been tested in a high wind. So I was hoping all along that we wouldn't have wind. But as the day progressed, the wind rose. Squalls came and went, and they generally grew in strength.

The opening ceremony started at 1 PM. It was raining on and off during the opening ceremony, which featured the wonderful, wise and compassionate words of both the Reverend Arthur Vaeni, of the Oly UU Congregation, and Zen Buddhist Priest, Koro Kaisan Miles. It also featured a walking meditation, which if you haven't participated in one, is pretty awesome.

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and bombing campaign of Baghdad. Earlier tonight, I went to the Community Observance at St. John's Episcopal, and I am glad that I did. The assembled group of people had very meaningful sentiments to share. It wasn't easy. Empathizing with the loss and suffering experienced by the people of Iraq is painful and grievous.

Deep words of wisdom were exchanged: about the problems associated when governments or groups of people seek to extend their influence and control over other groups of people; about the aspiration for peace between all people of the world, regardless of national borders. So much was said it would be very difficult for me to capture it all in a short time and space.

Based on the results of a credible scientific census study, as many as 1,300,000 Iraqis may have been killed as a result of war-related violence. That's not even to consider the non-fatal casualties, nor those who have been forced to flee. Despite this huge toll of war-related death and destruction, Americans have been kept quite insulated from a ready knowledge of the truly devastating and horrible reality of the situation.

A great wound exists, and in order to heal, there is need for awareness, and acceptance of the problem.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 20th, 2009, the Iraq Memorial to Life will be built. Thousands of symbolic grave markers are ready to be placed in the ground. This is an opportunity to reflect, in a meaningful and deep way, on the true cost of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

The memorial will be built in Heritage Park, across from Traditions Cafe, near the corner of 5th Avenue and Water Street (in downtown Olympia, Washington.

Tomorrow, Friday, set up will begin after a short meditation at 8 AM. The opening Ceremony and Dedication are scheduled for 1 PM and 2 PM respectively. An evening vigil will take place at 8 PM.

Here's a short excerpt from the beginning of an article by Peter Callaghan of the Tacoma News Tribune. The topic of the article is the battle over Isthmus building heights in downtown Olympia. Thoughtful and articulate, it's well worth reading in entirety. Thanks to Peter Callaghan.

Capitol Campus, its water view belong to all

PETER CALLAGHAN THE NEWS TRIBUNE

Why exactly is the Washington state Legislature second-guessing a land use decision made by the Olympia City Council?

I mean other than the fact that it was a bad decision. Because if that were sufficient cause, the Legislature would do nothing but overrule local land use decisions. In fact there’s one in Tacoma regarding view-destroying height limits on the Foss Waterway I’d like them to take a look at.

No, the Legislature has gotten involved with a decision to increase height limits on the Olympia waterfront for a good reason. It fears allowing taller buildings on the strip of land between Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake will disrupt views between Puget Sound and the Capitol Campus.

...

photo by Bascom Hogue

I heard frog song earlier tonight! It's a sure sign of spring!

[updated with schedule:]

According to credible scientic census survey, as many as an estimated 1,300,000 Iraqis may have been killed in Iraq as a result of the US invasion and occupation. Countless more Iraqis suffer war related injury, from loss of limbs to permanent brain injury, and everything in between. When the psychological toll of living in a war zone is taken into account, there is probably no person who has been left unscathed.

Here in Olympia, Washington, thanks to the long hours of hard work by a dedicated core group of volunteers, we all have a chance to reflect on the true cost of war.

The Memorial is happening this week. And you can help to make it happen.

Gather for the Iraq Memorial to Life at Heritage Park (5th Ave and Water St) on Friday morning, March 20th, 2009. Memorial set-up will begin shortly after 8 AM. Your help is pleasantly requested to set-up thousands of symbolic grave markers, which are designed to memorialize the lives of individual Iraqis whom have died as a result of the US invasion and occupation.

You're also invited to a Community Observance ceremony to mark the actual six-year anniversary of the start of the bombing campaign. It will be Thursday, March 19th, 2009, from 6:30 until 7:30 PM at St. John's Episcopal (20th and Capitol Way.)

Schedule: