The Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace has wanted to mark the 4,000th U.S. military death in Iraq. During its meeting on Wednesday evening March 26, OMJP decided to mark this milestone by participating in the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation’s regularly scheduled peace vigil this coming Friday the 28th from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the south end of Percival Landing (4th & Water), in downtown Olympia.

The Olympia FOR is happy to welcome OMJP’s participation. We’re also welcoming some local supporters of the Tibetan people’s longing for cultural autonomy and respect. From time to time other groups participate in the Olympia FOR’s vigil, and we like to let new folks know about this Olympia tradition. We have been vigiling there since November 1998 – initially seeking to raise public awareness of the economic sanctions the previous Bush and Clinton imposed against Iraq.

The Olympia FOR has worked in our local community since 1976 (32 years) to promote peace and social justice. The FOR’s international level (www.ifor.org) and national level (www.forusa.org) have worked courageously and nonviolently since 1914-1915 (beginning of world War I). The FOR has nonviolently opposed all wars from World War I onward.

Our vigils and other activities are completely nonviolent – both in behavior and attitude. A great many people who drive or walk past our vigil show support – honks, waves, peace signs, etc. – and we are grateful for their support. Only rarely does someone disagree, but we are still friendly with them anyway. We do not argue or shout or react in any negative way. Passersby notice that our behaviors are consistent with peace. Any rudeness or negativity on our part would undermine our peace message.

A handful of pro-war people exercise their First Amendment rights across the street. They seem unwilling or unable to engage in rational conversation, and they react badly when provoked. We leave them alone and do not crowd their space. Passersby who have talked with them and also with us have told us that we are a lot nicer to talk with. We believe that practicing nonviolence at profound levels – including respecting the inherent humanity of individual persons with whom we disagree – is necessary for peace. The seeds we plant in our everyday lives bear fruit throughout the future.

Welcome to our Friday late afternoon vigil! Every person’s efforts for peace, social justice and nonviolence – no matter how small our efforts may seem at the time – add up to create the kind of world we want to achieve. Thanks for participating!