Rev. Bill Sinkford at the California rally

NYC protest

London protest

Carlisle, MA UU congregation at NYC rally

Berkeley, CA UU congregation at San Francisco rally

All Souls Church Unitarian congregation at NY rally

Rev. Bill Sinkford with PSWD ministers at the California rally

51 protesters in Antarctica

UUs Continue to Protest Impending War with Iraq in Large Numbers

Demonstrations held in New York, San Francisco

(Boston, Feb. 19, 2003) During January and February, across the United States and around the globe, demonstrations which oppose pre-emptive U.S. military action against Iraq have continued, with Unitarian Universalists participating in large numbers in organized marches, rallies, and demonstrations.

On January 31, UUA President William Sinkford joined nearly 400 UUs from the greater Los Angeles area in a candlelight vigil against pre-emptive military action in front of the Westwood Federal Building.

On February 15, an estimated 350,000-500,000 people participated in a demonstration in New York City. Hundreds of UUs from across the US and Canada attended. The demonstration, according to New York City police, stretched 20 blocks long and two blocks deep. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa addressed the crowd, as did UU folksinger Pete Seeger and (2003 General Assembly Ware Lecturer) Julian Bond, along with actors, activists and politicians.

Dan Miley, a member of First Parish in Lexington, MA, attended with his wife and two teen-aged sons. Miley wrote, "On the streets of NYC, throngs of people took over the streets and effectively marched despite a judge's order saying that the rally needed to stay in one place. The NYC police did not allow us to cross from one avenue to the other, so our part of the crowd moved up 3rd Avenue and never got over to the official rally central location on 1st Avenue. We heard that the 1st Avenue crowd extended from 53rd St. to 72nd St. and that they completely filled the street, displacing traffic."

The Rev. Sam Trumbore, minister of the First UU Society of Albany, NY, was at the rally in New York City and wrote, "Listening on my radio, I realized just how many people had turned out to vote with their bodies to find a way to choose peace over war. A cheer went up when someone announced that there were millions protesting in London and Rome. I could feel the numbing lethargy of war's inevitability melting away as I looked at all the diverse faces around me chanting anti-war slogans and singing songs of peace." He continued, "The message in New York was clear. There are better ways to successfully disarm Iraq besides initiating a bloodbath in that nation, killing countless numbers on both sides."

A contingent from the First Religious Society of Carlisle, MA (UU) congregation also attended the demonstratio , with Ernie Huber, a retired MIT physicist and member of that congregation, remarking, "I think that pre-emptive war is terrorism. I want the United Nations to decide this question."

Sunshine Lemme, a member of the UU Congregation of the South Fork, NY reflected, "Was the cold, sore feet, and loss of a Saturday worth the effort? Well, I feel very good about what I did. I don't know if it will prevent war, which would be the best outcome in my eyes, but I fail, it won't be because I didn't try. I had a chance to look death in the face in Viet Nam, and it isn't pretty. The hunger, disease, destruction, poverty and general misery that come with war are also ugly. I don't like the idea of my country sending my son to fight a war that will turn out much like Viet Nam, with some very unwanted consequences. I remember being young and wanting to prove myself. I remember being disillusioned. I remember dead children, maimed soldiers, lost comrades. Neither victory nor defeat sticks in my mind like the horror. Victory and defeat come at the same cost. Neither is worth the risk. Let Saddam keep playing the shell game with his weapons. He already knows the price of aggression. I'm afraid President Bush doesn't."

In San Francisco, a strong UU presence was also felt at a demonstration drawing more than 100,000 people. The UU Church of Oakland, CA brought nearly 100 members to the rally, with UUA Moderator Diane Olson joining the rally. Rallies were held in 150 cities across the US and in cities around the world, with the largest demonstration occurring in Rome, where over 1 million people were present. Hundreds of thousands were also present in demonstrations in London, Paris, Madrid, and Berlin, according to published reports.

Further actions are planned. A February 26 "Virtual March on Washington" is planned by the National Council of Churches, one of the primary sponsors of the demonstrations which have occurred thus far. A March 2 Prayer Service at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco called the Poverty March for Peace is also scheduled, focusing on the connections between war and poverty.

For further information:
The UUA has joined the Win Without War movement, which advocates for "Alternatives to Pre-Emptive War With Iraq."

Resources:

• Read the Rev. Forrest Church's sermon, "The Law of Unintended Consequences," preached Feb. 9, 2003.
• Read the Rev. Sam Trumbore's newsletter column, "Waging Peace in the Streets."
• Some UU congregations' leaders are posting columns in newsletters about varying points of view regarding the conflict with Iraq. Read one such column from David Jarrett, President of the UU Congregation of Athens, GA.

Resolutions and Actions:

• The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office passed a resolution opposing pre-emptive military action against Iraq on February 11, 2003.
• Letter from Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Organization, an international faith partner of the UUA, to President George W. Bush, Feb. 17, 2003
• Resolution of Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Augusta ME
• The World Conference on Religion and Peace , in which the UUA participates, has issued a statement on the crisis in Iraq.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100