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Grandmothers for Peace InternationalActivism > Other Granny Groups > Grandmothers Against the War |
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Grandmothers for Peace InternationalActivism > Other Granny Groups > Grandmothers Against the War |
Actress Barbara Barrie ("Breaking Away") speaking to rally of Grandmothers Against the War on November 22, 2003, at Eleanor Roosevelt statue in Manhattan. Next to her is founder, Joan Wile.
Heartsick over the continued killing and maiming of our military troops and innocent civilians in Iraq, in November 2003, New York City grandmother, Joan Wile, called together a few grandmother friends to discuss the possibility of starting a grass roots movement of grannies to try and stop the occupation. Out of this beginning and with the invaluable help and advice of Judith Cartisano, came a rally, held on November 22, at the statue of Eleanor Roosevelt in Manhattan. At least 50 people attended, and local politicians and peace activists spoke, including famed actress Barbara Barrie (Breaking Away).
In January, Grandmothers Against the War began a weekly vigil in front of Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue. Braving the bitter cold at first were just 2 people, but gradually the numbers increased to the extent where, as of today, August 23, 2006, we number between 35 to 40 people. Among our vigilers is a regular contingent of about 6 or 7 Veterans for Peace, who have stood with us for two years. Just yesterday, August 23, we were joined by a Buddhist monk, the Venerable Gyeju K. Ishibashi, who banged a large drum and chanted.
The vigil location proved to be just about perfect in that it is a tourist mecca — people from all over the world walk by — we’ve talked with people from China, Russia, Slovakia, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, South America, England and many other countries as well as from all over America — and lots of folks take our pictures. The location also draws a lot of press and media people, and some have been attracted to our action and have written about us and filmed us — for instance, Japanese public television; the French newspaper, Ouest France; The New York Times, the UK Guardian, the Associated Press, NBC News, New York One, CNN and others.
Occasionally, we encounter somebody who does not agree with our mission — to end the occupation immediately and bring the young people home — but for the most part we get a very positive response. People give us thumbs up, thank us for what we’re doing, take pictures with us and sometimes join our vigil. Once, a man from Italy kissed each one of then 20-odd grannies on the cheek.
Grandmothers Against the War learned of Grandmothers for Peace International and is now the New York City branch for that group. Right now, we are a single-issue organization — end the war — but once our kids come home to stay, we will actively support the many other goals of Grandmothers for Peace and merge ourselves into it. We welcome everybody to stand with us — men and younger people as well as grandmothers. We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, and would be thrilled if you would join us!
Please contact Joan to become involved: