One Year Ago Today

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One year ago today, citizens of the world gathered to march for peace and call for restraint from the American government. Pre-emptive peace marches were born on February 15, 2003. Never before had people gathered to call for peace before a war had begun. This cause inspired marchers around the world in unprecedented numbers to make their voices heard in a variety of unique ways. It is estimated that more than 15 million people took to the streets, the largest event ever in human history.

http://www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/f15photos.html
(It takes a while for these photos to load, so take a minute and reflect on how good it felt 365 days ago to stand with strangers for the common cause of peace.)

As the sun rose around the world so did millions of people determined to be counted as opposing this war. This was an incredible coalition of individuals motivated by many reasons to call for peace. It was a heart wrenching disappointment when US troops moved in to Iraq on March 20, 2003.

It is time for America to face a painful truth. We made international history on this day one year ago and this administration still decided to go to war. Clearly it is now apparent that we could have waited for inspectors to finish their job. As obvious is the fact that we would have benefited exponentially by building a larger coalition and gaining UN approval before instigating the ground war in Iraq. The US could have spent more time preparing to treat and house the wounded soldiers that now sit in substandard facilities by the thousands waiting for medical care. The truth is, this administration will not, does not, and never will listen to majority opinion. Even if it kills us.

There is no real anniversary of this historic march for peace being celebrated today. There is no media recognition and in fact the story is disappearing from our collective consciousness with alarming speed. If we do not remember this occasion, who will? Will you help keep a powerful moment in history alive?

A lot of big hearts were broken when the war began, but now is the time to gather yourself up and stand for what is right again. Maybe the awe inspiring electrifying marches of 2/15/03 did not stop a handful of determined people from starting this war, but that does not mean we cannot effect change in another way. If you are not already working actively to address the issues we must to avoid re-electing this administration, then now is a great day to take up the torch. Do it in memory of the day we came together as a world. We have just more than eight months to address electronic voting irregularities ( www.verifiedvoting.org ) and get more people voting ( www.votervirgin.com ) . This fall when we gather in the streets it should be to celebrate new leadership in America and hope for an end to this senseless war on terror.