Bangor—Internationally acclaimed Maine Singer-songwriter David Mallett will perform at a rally to commemorate the Fifth Anniversary of the Iraq War on Saturday, March l5th (snow date March l6th) at 1:00 p.m. at Paul Bunyan Park on Main Street in Bangor. The rally will also include short talks by Bill Murphy, Director of the Bureau of Labor Education at the University of Maine and and Kay Carter from Community Health and Counseling. They will speak about the impact of budget cuts and war spending on the people of Maine. The talks will be followed by the President of the Bangor Chapter of Veterans for Peace who will introduce the reading the names of Maine troops killed in Iraq.
After the rally participants will form a Chain of Concern along Maine street from the Paul Bunyan statue towards the Bangor Homeless shelter for a vigil. According Ilze Petersons of the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, organizer of the event, they will hold signs “expressing concerns about the war on Iraq which has cost so many young lives, maimed tens of thousands of more and devastated our economy. Signs will call for a re-prioritizing of our tax dollars to be invested in education, health care, veterans benefits, social services, our country’s crumbling infrastructure, a fragile world ecology, and to insure our children’s future. We invite all concerned citizens to participate. Signs will be available for those who do not want to bring their own”.
This event is one of several being held around the state as part of the From Every Village Green campaign calling for “Not One More Death. Not One More Dollar. Bring them Home Now”. Concerned citizens will hold events in Lincoln, Belfast, Orono Caribou, Ellsworth and other Maine communities. Some will also travel from their communities to Bangor to join the Chain of Concern. Carpools to Bangor are being organized from Lincoln, Belfast, Winterport, Pittsfield, Dover-Foxcroft, Hampden, Orono and Old Town. For more information on statewide events visit www.everyvillage-me.us
These statewide events are being held in support of Iraq and Afghan Veterans who are holding Winter Soldier Hearings in Maryland from March 12-l6th to call attention to the terrible reality of the war for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. (See description from Iraq Veterans Against the War www.ivaw.org. Testimony from those hearings will be aired on Sunday, March l6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 170 Park Street, Bangor along with a showing of* “Soldiers of Conscience”. The documentary features U.S. troops—from West Point grads to drill sargeants, from Abu Ghraib interrogators to low ranking reservist-mechanics; soldiers in the US Army today who reveal their deepest moral concerns about what they are asked to do in war. The airing is free and open to the public and will be followed by a discussion.
For more information about these and other events planned to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq war in Bangor call 942-9343 or visit www.peacectr.org
“In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
In 1971, a courageous group of veterans exposed the criminal nature of the Vietnam War in an event called Winter Soldier. Once again, we will demand that the voices of veterans are heard.
Once again, we are fighting for the soul of our country. We will demonstrate our patriotism by speaking out with honor and integrity instead of blindly following failed policy. Winter Soldier is a difficult but essential service to our country.
Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan will feature testimony from U.S. veterans who served in those occupations, giving an accurate account of what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground.
The four-day event will bring together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan—and present video and photographic evidence. In addition, there will be panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and other specialists to give context to the testimony. These panels will cover everything from the history of the GI resistance movement to the fight for veterans’ health benefits and support.
When: Thursday March 13 to Sunday March 16”
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The Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine
170 Park Street
Bangor ME 04401
(207) 942-9343
fax 992-2288
email: info [at] peacectr [dot] org
check our website: www.peacectr.org
