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Ten Years of Resistance on the Lake Street/ Marshall Avenue Bridge
written to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary
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by Steve Schwarz, W A M M
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We come to a bridge against all war
Drivers wonder, “What are they there for?”
If they’d just read the signs,
they might join us some times—
We can’t wait to make room for some more!
The bridge has become a tradition,
the same morning some protest munitions,
never missing a week—
1200 at the peak
for ten years it has been in fruition.
All of the signs are transported
by two saints who go unreported.
John and Marie
do all this for free—
it’s with peace that they’ll be rewarded.
To Polly we all raise all our glasses—
she formed WAMM to make change in the masses.
But her battle’s not done
you’d think she’s just begun
working ’til this war sickness passes.
The four sisters leave quite an impression,
as we all benefit from their lesson.
With God on their side,
their hope never died—
their commitment is their resurrection.
Marv, to you we owe so much now.
Hundreds march in your shoes—
you showed us how.
We protest ’cause you did.
When I was just a kid
to become like you, we made our vow.
Don Irish comes in a golf jacket.
When it’s twenty below he can hack it.
He’s been on the front lines
longer than some fine wines--
If it’s courage he sure doesn’t lack it.
To know Ralph is truly a blessing—
the intelligent views he’s professing.
When he walks down with Len,
we feel hope once again—
he’ll make leaders start their confessing.
If it’s peace signs you want, just drive by there—
Dennis with one high in the air,
Marguerite’s hand of foam,
as the bridge they both roam.
A Wednesday without them is rare.
And Carol and Connie and Mary,
Coleen and Deb and Barry
and Elmer and Phyllis,
Pepper, Tom, Mary Percich,
Merriam Park with flyers they carry.
Kathleen and April and Charlie,
Sue Ann and Steve and Joanie,
Though I could go on and on,
I’d be talking ’til dawn
And besides, I heard the limerick police just joined homeland security.
If your name it was missed I am sorry—
as a group you all share in the glory.
Many a hearty soul,
you have all played a role
as you keep on writing this story.
And Bush, he saved civilization
but destroyed all the documentation.
Though he might get away,
there will be a better day—
he no longer adds to our frustration.
Back to the good memories we come.
Forget the past—those days are done
Though enough hasn’t changed,
still we make little gains—
We’re the source from which they will come.
John Maus, we will never forget you.
As a newcomer, I idolized you.
With your quiet roar,
all our spirits would soar—
we are better because we had met you.
And many more are there with us in spirit—
Though they moved on, they never did fear it.
Their examples we saw
and held them in awe—
We love you so much—can you hear it? |
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Cost of War
“DIME” Power
DIME stands for dense inert metal explosive, a tungsten alloy that explodes with a powerful force, developed by the U.S. Air Force for targeted executions but recently used by the Israeli military in densely populated Gaza; this resulted in 1,400 Palestinians killed, 5,300 injured, l,000-plus buildings and 41 mosques bombed as well as attacks on government buildings, ambulances, hospitals, factories and farmlands. (Washington Report on Middle East Affairs July 2009)
Jewish Voice for Peace Challenges Caterpillar
Jewish Voice for Peace gathered signatures and more than 4,000 letters to present at the annual Caterpillar board meeting in June calling on the company to stop selling bulldozers to Israel where they are used to destroy Palestinian homes, orchards, and olive groves. The company wrote in a letter to the United Methodist Church last year that “it expects its customers to use its equipment in ways ‘consistent with human rights and the requirements of international humanitarian law.’” CAT’s Israeli dealer acknowledged that it had “worked very closely” with the Israeli army during the attack on Gaza and agreed to allow the Israeli army to draft Caterpillar civilian employees. (Jewish Voice for Peace, 6/5/09.)
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© 2009 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete July-August 2009 Index - click here
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