It’s Not Too Late to Stop This War!
by Mary Shepard, WAMM

The anti-war movement has a critical mass of dissenters big enough to turn things around. It is especially exciting to see a whole new generation of young people who are quick learners and very creative in their protests. We need to seize this opportunity to rise up against the war on Iraq. What needs to be done will require a lot of courage. It will require everyone who cares to do something. Pledge today to act for peace in some small way every day. Here are some actions to consider:

Go public about your feelings with a lawn sign ($10) or bumper sticker ($1). You can get your supplies from the WAMM office—call 612-827-5364.

Share your feelings about the war with other members of your community. Talk to someone while in the grocery checkout line, at the gym, or at the Laundromat. Leaflet at theaters and sporting events or in the downtown skyways over the lunch hour.

Join WAMM and other anti-war organizations. Give a WAMM gift membership to a friend.

Question, question, question everything you are told about the state of our nation. Ask questions about the sources and motivations behind the information.

Read alternative news and share what you learn with your friends and family.

Write your own news accounts of protests and submit them to alternative and mainstream news sources.

Let mainstream media sources know how you feel about their (lack of) coverage of the anti-war movement.

Write letters-to-the-editor and call in to talk radio shows discussing the war.

Sign and circulate petitions.

Recognize the economic connections (money makes the war go ‘round). Use a car only when absolutely necessary. Avoid unnecessary consumption. Reuse and recycle. Buy local. Support labor unions.

Use your artistic or musical skills to respond to the war. Share your art or music with others.

Join vigils and demonstrations—being with like-minded people can be an empowering experience. WAMM sponsors a vigil for peace on the Lake Street/Marshall Ave. Bridge every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Watch for information on a January demonstration in Washington, D.C. Click here for more upcoming events!

When schools and other public entities are cutting budgets, attend their meetings and point out the impact of the defense budget on funds for human services. If you need numbers to back up your argument, call the WAMM office for information on the federal budget.

Get to know your neighbors from the Middle East. Support their businesses. Ask what you can do together to help stop the war. Confront anti-Arab and anti-Muslim discrimination.

Befriend a refugee or immigrant family. Support them as they struggle with anti-immigrant bias in the wake of September 11, 2001.

Continually communicate with elected officials about your feelings about the war. Click here for contact information.

Challenge every suggestion that there is no hope of stopping this war.

It’s not too late to stop this war!