Vigil for 3000 US troops killed in this stupid war

These pictures are of the “Not One More Death, Not One More Dollar” vigil that was held this week in Asheville NC. I have to admit, I hate seeing pictures of Bush at any rally for peace or against war. He is just such a horrible being that I hate having his picture around. Obviously, not everyone feels that way.

Last weekend, American Friends Service Committee asked people around the country to hold a vigil to mark the death of 3,000 US troops in Iraq. The call came out (via email) on Sunday. I decided to honor this request and set up the vigil to coincide with the weekly Veterans for Peace (Chapter 099) vigil on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 PM. I sent out email announcements to the WNC Peace Coalition listserve and to Asheville Friends listserve. I sent out Media Advisories (provided by AFSC) to all the local press outlets on Monday, which was New Years Day. I did get one call from the media – Leslie Boyd of Asheville Citizen Times called to confirm and to say that she has a lighted candle in her window since the start of the war – to remember.

Here’s the Media Advisory:

Asheville holds a vigil at Pack Square at 5 to 6 PM to show support for bringing the troops home from Iraq.

What: “Not One More Death, Not One More Dollar” Vigil for Peace in Iraq

When: 5 p.m.-6 p.m. on January 2, 2006

Where: Vance Monument, Pack Square, Asheville

Who: Veterans for Peace, Chapter 99 and WNC Peace Coalition and coordinated nationally by the American Friends Service Committee

“Not One More Death, Not One More Dollar” events in more than 200 communities nationwide will commemorate those lost in Iraq – both military and civilian – on the day following the sad announcement that the 3,000th U.S. serviceperson has died. Coordinated nationally by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker peace and social justice organization and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the war memorial events will mourn the human cost of war, call for the troops to come home, and support funding an Iraqi-led reconstruction of the war-torn country.

So far, more U.S. lives have been lost in Iraq than in the first four years of the Vietnam War. In addition, more than 20,000 U.S. service persons have been seriously injured in Iraq. Estimates of Iraqi casualties vary widely, but a recent Johns Hopkins study published in The Lancet put the figure as high as 900,000 Iraqis killed.

This event is a testament to our commitment to change course in Iraq. We believe not one more Iraqi or U.S. soldier should be killed; not one more U.S. dollar should be spent sustaining war and occupation. Instead of adding more troops to Iraq, the U.S. should focus on diplomatic efforts and Iraqi-led reconstruction of their country.

I was not able to attend the vigil since I work during those hours. I did make sure that there were flyers at the vigil for the upcoming bus trip to DC and flyers for how to contact our Democratic Senators and Representatives who are serving on committees connected to the military or foreign affairs. I asked Anne to take some photos, and she sent me these photos. She said there were about 60 people at the vigil at one point, but it was starting to get dark then. Also, Fox news did an interview of one of our local Veterans for Peace.

I want to thank American Friends Service Committee for all the work they do to make the world a better place. This is just one example of organizing that they do, and they sure make it easier to plan and organize and hold events like this. I very much appreciate their efforts.