Iraq -- Year 5!


Ann Wright flyer Map to AMW Display Iraq -- Year 5 flyer
Ann Wright - Dissent: Voices of Conscience – Monday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m., University of Toledo Law School Auditorium (Get Map)
Ann Wright, a former Army Colonel and State Department official, resigned in protest to the plan to invade Iraq. She has been an outspoken critic ever since. She will speak and sign copies of her book. Tabling for co-sponsors.
Arlington Midwest: The Human Cost of War – Tuesday thru Saturday, 
March 18 - 22, Lucas County Courthouse, Toledo Ohio (Get Map)
The display has grown to close to 5,000 tombstones, a tombstone for each member of the US military killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also includes tombstones for the growing number of veterans who survived their service, only to come home and commit suicide. Additionally, the display includes the names of over 3,000 Iraqi citizens.
On the 5th Anniversary – Wednesday, March 19, Lucas County Courthouse, Toledo
At 8:00 a.m., we will gather for an opening ceremony to read the names of Ohioans who have died. Through the day, we will read the names of all the troops who have been killed and a representative number of Iraqi names. At 6:30 p.m., we will hold a candlelight vigil. SPECIAL NOTE: The NWOPC has endorsed the “Sick of it Day” action and invites everyone to call in sick to work and school. Read more at www.sickofitday.org
Sir! No Sir! -- Thursday, March 20, Sanger Library, Toledo At 6:30 PM
Sir! No Sir! energetically reveals the untold story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam. This is the story of one of the most vibrant and widespread upheavals of the 1960s - one that had a profound impact on American society, yet has been virtually obliterated from the collective memory of that time. "Perfectly timed with new doubts about the Iraq War" (Variety)  (Get Map)
Rally and March for Peace – Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m. near Promenade Park, Jefferson and Summit, Downtown Toledo  (Get Map)
Wes Liggett, an Iraq Marine veteran from South Bend, Indiana, and his family will join us Wes will be the featured speaker at the rally. Then, at 11:45 a.m., we will begin a solemn march from the rally to the tombstones (approximately 1 mile).  We are asking groups to bring their own banner and march together. Also, bring drums/buckets to contribute to a solemn march tempo.
Removing the Tombstones and Gathering for Music and Refreshments – Saturday, March 22 after the march at the Courthouse
We will hold a brief closing ceremony at the tombstones, then ask marchers to assist in removing the tombstones to storage. Afterwards, we will hold a gathering with food and music at a location to be announced.

Sponsored by: Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition – University of Toledo Anti-War
Cosponsors include: Tiffin Pax Christi – Pax Christi of Corpus Christi University Parish – Fostoria Area Citizens for Peace – People for Peace and Justice Sandusky County – Veterans for Peace – Green Party of Northwest Ohio – Toledo Area Jobs With Justice Coalition – Sylvania Sisters of St Francis – Pax Christi Wood County – Broadmead Monthly Meeting (Quakers) – NAAPC Toledo Unit – Interfaith Justice and Peace Center – St Pauls United Methodist Church – Toledo NOW   Flowing Waters Sangha   International Socialist Organization – Ursuline Sisters – Military Families Speak Out Ohio – Toledo Area Committee on Central America – Adrian Dominicans Office of Global Missions – Lenawee Peacemakers – Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe – Sisters of St. Francis, Tiffin – AFSCME Local 2415 UT Medical Center – St. Rose Catholic Church Peace and Justice Committee – Monroe for Peace and Justice – Media Decompression Collective – October 15th Anarchist Collective – St. Mark's Episcopal Church – Voices for Peace and Justice – Millions More Movement Local Organizing Committee – St. John's Jesuit Social Justice Alliance

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VOLUNTEERING AND ASSISTANCE
TO VOLUNTEER, SEND CO-SPONSORING SUGGESTIONS OR COMMITMENTS, OR TO ASK QUESTIONS
arlingtonmidwest@gmail.com or call 734-457-2394
(for emails put: "Volunteer" in subject to avoid spam filters)

You can be an important part of this powerful exhibit. We need your help and the help of all who want peace. Please circulate this message to your contacts.  Read more and see photographs of previous displays at www.nwopc.org/arlington.html

We have a heated tent, tables and chairs along with table materials specific to Arlington Midwest. Last year, generous donations were made for food and drink to keep volunteers comfortable and we expect the same for this year. The courthouse property is well-lighted, patrolled by their security and sits directly across the street from the Public Safety building. Police patrols go directly past the site throughout the day and night.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 – Set-up

Load up: 9:00 a.m. (approximate) at storage facility (leave message and someone will contact you about this assignment)
Set-up:  Beginning at 11:00 a.m. thru the day at Lucas County Courthouse, Erie and Adams, Downtown Toledo. We need many people. No one turned away.
Staffing: Beginning at 5:00 p.m., round-the-clock staffing begins (See below)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 – 5th Anniversary of War in Iraq

On-going all day: Continuous reading of names of the war dead. Need people to read names in one-hour shifts.  Special appeal for Arabic and Spanish speakers.
Staffing: All day (24 hour staffing – see shifts below)

Thursday & Friday, March 20 & 21, 2008 – Round the clock staffing of Tombstones
Staffing: All day (24 hour staffing – see shifts below)


Saturday, March 22 – 11:00 a.m. Rally, March and Assist with Tombstones

Attend and march at or near Promenade Park, downtown near Jefferson and Summit
11:45 a.m.: March with your group (carry banners) to Courthouse, bring buckets/drums
Take-down: Closing ceremony and help removing tombstones
Afterwards: Gather with peace friends for food and music (site to be announced)

Just Bring You as a Volunteer and dress for the weather.
We would be grateful if you would volunteer for more than one day or one shift.

CONTACT AND WISH LIST:
BY EMAIL:  Arlington Midwest at this email address: arlingtonmidwest@gmail.com
BY PHONE: Call 734-457-2394

We need your name, phone number, email address and specific shift or work availability, including DAY and SHIFT TIME. Put "Volunteer" or "Food donation" in subject line of email to avoid spam filters.


DAYTIMES:  Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 21 – At least 3 people per shift in the daytime from 8:00 to 5:00, in three-hour shifts as follows –

  •     8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  •     11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  •     2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

EVENINGS: Tuesday, March 18 through Friday, March 21 – Evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., we need at least 2 people for each evening since visitors may still come after the "official" close of 5:00 p.m. (If absolutely necessary, we can split this shift.)

OVERNIGHT: Tuesday, March 18 through overnight on Friday night – Overnights are in two shifts: from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.,  and from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. we need at least 2 people. We will do our best to make you comfortable while on site. It is adjacent to the Toledo Safety Building and we will be notifying the police about the display and overnight staffing.

WISH LIST:
Bugler for Opening Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil
Arab and Spanish speakers for names reading on March 19
Donations of bottled water, food and coffee/tea for volunteers
Donations of hand and foot warmers for overnight crews (buy in store outdoors dept.)
Promotions to place flyers and send to newsletters and groups
Donations to continue Arlington Midwest and cover expenses. Mail contributions to Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition, P.O. Box 20085, Toledo, OH  43620

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