Indianapolis Peace Rally
February 15, 2003
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Indianapolis: Today 700 dedicated winter soldiers for peace gathered at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, braving inclement weather of freezing temperatures, falling snow, and howling winds, to protest against the policy of pre-emptive war and in support of American values, traditions, and ideals.
Speakers included Indiana University Law School Professor Mary H. Mitchell, Butler University Professor the Reverend Doctor James Wolfe, President of the Indiana Chapter of Veterans for Peace Joe Farah, Rabbi Lew Weiss, John Hay of Horizon House, IUPUI Professor of Communication and Marine Corps combat veteran Harold P. Donle, walker for democracy Jenette Wallis, and Eric Edgin of Voices in the Wilderness among others. Speakers exhorted the President to listen to the people, to listen to his savior, and not seek war for his own personal ego gratification. Speakers extensively detailed the moral argument against war and especially this war with Iraq, agreeing with the Pope, U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference and the Bishops of the United Methodist Church that war with Iraq does not fit the criteria for a just war and therefore is an aggressive war in violation of American values, traditions, and ideals as well as being contrary to international law and custom.
The crowd represented all faiths, spanned the political spectrum, and consisted of infants to elderly and everything in between. The crowd was truly a cross representation of American society, made up as it was of all the racial and ethnic groups that give this country its greatest strength and united in its call for peace.
Harold P. Donle, M.A. Communication DirectorIndiana Citizens Groups for Peace
hpdonle@comcast.net
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN