Gorgeous sunny 70-degree weather attracted several hundred people to the park. Everywhere were signs with expressions such as "Global Justice means replacing the Law of Force with the Force of Law" and "Stop Persecuting Muslims!" Numerous booths championed Anti-war and Peace demonstrations: The Earth Charter Community Summit Witness for Peace; World Citizen Inc.; Middle East Peace Corp.; Women Against Military Madness; Women's International League For Peace & Freedom (with their Puppets for Peace display); First Universalist Church; Soka Gakkai International Buddhists for Peace, Culture & Education; along with MAP. Insightful brochures, buttons, and passionate conversations engaged a growing crowd of people.

Mary White of Peacemakers opened the event by asking us to reflect on our present pain with the attacks in the United States, the war in Afghanistan, and most ominously, a war yet to come. She examined how we grieve the loss of lives in the United States, but that we also need to grieve for "what could have been"-we could have responded non-violently-for now we grieve the loss of many in Afghanistan and Iraq. "We need to stop dropping bombs and instead, use effective alternatives to war. If we've learned anything, it's that we are all connected in this world and in our destiny."

Although the PA system wasn't loud enough, with speakers struggling through muffled microphones, folk singer Rachel Nelson diligently sang with her six backup singer/musicians AKA "Some Assembly Required." Making notable impact with audience participation was the commanding Larry Long penned tune "Be the Change."

"And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power." Brutus from Shakepeare's Julius Caesar Act II Scene 1

The first speaker, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer(right) of University of St. Thomas Justice & Peace Studies, repeated the words "I grieve" alluding to President George Bush who "convinces us that our attackers are attacking our goodness. We must defend our goodness with military power." The engaging professor feels that Bush's "false diagnosis may comfort us but military power is false and dangerous." This primitive patriotism blinds us.

Feeling that violence is always wrong, he added that "dominant religion today says that superior violence saves." Pallmeyer stated emphatically to an ecstatically approving audience, "We condemn every recourse to violence; we defend the right to everyone living a decent life. We must create a world of solidarity and peace based on justice. In our time of grief, we must commit to honesty and non-violent action."

The second speaker, Phil Steger of "Friends for a Non-Violent World" talked about building peace from pain. Having traveled three times to Iraq, Steger concurred that bombing Iraq will provide "no cushion, no give, no infrastructure. If United States military leads force on Iraq it will shatter [the country] and pulverize its people."

Steger offered that a vast majority of the people of Iraq have no idea about the politics of United States military actions because they are sheltered from the news and media. If we go to war with Iraq to capture Saddam Hussein, over 23 million Iraqis will be without food, sewage disposal, and electricity. Famine and sickness will prevail and devastate the country and the irony of it all is the likelihood that Hussein won't even be there.

Pain teaches us the most important lessons we can learn: acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude or revenge. Steger questioned "What will we do with our pain? Use it as a source of anger and intolerance and create villains or will we approach truth on what we need to do to heal. We must go past this point. We must offer to our people solutions. We don't have to go to war. Let us share each other's pain. Accommodate everyone's pain."

STOP U.S. WAR THREATS AGAINST IRAQ Women Against Military Madness and Twin Cities Campaign to Lift Sanctions suggest eight reasons why we should not invade Iraq. It cannot be justified. There has been no attack on the U.S. and Iraq has not been linked to 9/11. The CIA confirmed that it has "no evidence that Iraq has engaged in terrorist operations against the U.S. in nearly a decade, and the agency is also convinced that Saddam Hussein has not provided chemical or biological weapons to Al-Qaida or related terrorist groups" (New York Times, Feb. 2, 2002). Thousands of innocent civilians would be killed and it would cost tens of billions of our tax dollars. It would require a long-term military occupation and would undermine international cooperation. It could result in the destabilization of Iraq and the whole of the Middle East. It would stir up more anti-American feeling, which could result in more terrorist attacks. Use of the doctrine of preemption (attack them before they attack us) would set a very dangerous precedent. Such an attack would be a breach of international law and would undermine the UN charter.

Dedication of Peace Pole and Loring Park as an International Peace Site

For a finale, the Friends School of Minnesota Middle School Choir, wearing bright blue baseball caps and led by Russell Packard, sang "I Ain't Marching Anymore," "I Didn't Raise My Boy To be a Soldier" and "Down By the Riverside", complete with whimsical choreography and wildly approving cheers from the audience.

With just two vases of greenery perched on stands in front of the altar, Father George Wertin facilitated a well-attended service. Roger Dick read from the Prophet Isaiah and Julie Madden read from an "Outrageous Pursuit of Hope," which provided the powerful message that "to live by hope is to believe it is worth taking the next step. To be without hope is to be trapped-hopeless, not worth getting out of bed."

From Michael Leuning's poem about Meaning, Dick read that "This is its magic strength and knowing. We may give meaning to life and creation. We only give meaning. We can not find meaning."

Father Wertin reiterated these same words in his homily. And he spoke about grieving. "We grieve the U.S. response to this action. We grieve the dead in Afghanistan. We grieve the fear, suffering and persecution of Muslims because of their faith. We grieve the threats of Iraq that have nothing to do with the bombings in our country. People all over the world are grieving. We must reach out without closed fists. We need healing . . . the bonds of compassion. We need to be a people of hope."

Litany of Peace Provides Our Response

Michael Reinbold is a professional photographer and banquet caterer with an extensive theatre background in acting, writing, and directing. He loves all aspects of the arts, staying fit, and helping and inspiring people. A passionate believer in St. Joan of Arc's mission of social justice, Michael is a continuing AIDS Ride participant, Grace House volunteer cook, mass reader, and Joan of Arc choir member. He looks forward to web reporting and photographing for the website.