Modesto 2011

This is a recently discovered photo of the Peace Panel Project at the Modesto Peace Vigil 2011.  While I was standing on the street corner shoulder to shoulder holding my panel the gentleman next to me says, "It's getting better.  When we started, at the beginning of the Iraq war people used to scowl, shout obscenities, flip us off;  Now people smile, wave and give us the thumbs up.  It's better now."  I felt like we were building the movement toward peace and justice.

University of the Pacific, Stockton 2011

Recently discovered, unpublished photos prompted this this post.  April 15, 2011 My daughter, Camille, and I arrived to a cool and overcast UOP at 8 am or so.  Our arrival was brightened by the greetings of John Morearty the sole welcoming committee of the Stockton area.  He was great.  Helped us set up and move the exhibit when it began to rain.  Then move it again when the Campus authorities frowned on our temporary location under the eves of the student union.  The exhibit on campus went on from 9- 3 pm then we joined the Peace & Justice Network of San Joaquin County's vigil from 5 - 6 pm on Pacific Avenue at Yokuts.  

The Peace Panel Project at Sacramento City College

Recently discovered, unpublished, photos of our 4/13/11 trip to Sacramento City College has prompted me to do this posting.  This time it was so windy that the easels required sand bags and and anchor line to keep them upright.  The exhibit got a great response.  Many students and faculty stopped to read and discuss the information.

As our time there was winding down, I saw a woman studying the “How Many More Massacres” panel.  I walked up to her to see if she had a question.  She turned to me with such an intense gaze, I was startled.  I had never seen such a look before.  So intense. This middle aged, tanned, solid, clear, resolved, and yet sad woman commanded my attention, “I was there,” she said pointing to my list, of the number of Iraqis massacred by US forces in 1990, “On behalf of the Iraqi People, I thank you for this exhibit.  I don’t think enough people know this is happening.”  She turned and walked away.  I was speechless.  I wanted to hug her or say I was sorry for the intense pain she has felt, but she was gone.  An Iraqi woman at SCC, we are such a global village.  Surely, in our hearts, peace is on the upswing. 

The SCC exhibit went on from 9-3 pm.  Then my daughter Camille and I packed it up and joined the Sacramento Area Peace Action's Vigil at 16th and J Streets from 4:30-6 pm.