Peace Rallies

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER

Rallying for Peace

In Washington, DC

By Gail Harper

Several contingents of Episcopalians from the Diocese traveled to Washington on Saturday, January 18, to bear witness among the “peaceable throngs of mainstream Americans … unconvinced that the Iraqi threat warrants the use of military force,” as a New York Times editorial described the event in front of the Capitol. The size of the throngs is disputed, but the consensus was a rough estimate at 150,000. The uniformly high spirits of the crowd were indisputable, however, undimmed by long journeys and undaunted by the frigid cold.

United in their concerns about the Administration’s rush toward war and in their apparent relief to voice them, the participants reflected a range of analyses and views in their chants and placards. The usual rainbow of diverse groups was well represented in the crowd and on stage and included members of the Green Party, organizations of Asian-, African- and Native Americans, the Gray Panthers and socialists. However, the Times was correct in saying that these groups were far outnumbered by less colorful (largely white, in fact) apparently middle-class people of all ages, for many of whom this was their first demonstration.

That describes many of the 50 people on the bus from St. Bartholomew’s, Manhattan, both parishioners and others, including the Rev. Charles Simmons, associate at St. Bartholomew’s and head of St. Bart’s and the World, a social action group. They marched with banners made by members of that church, which quoted a shortened version of baptismal query: “Will you strive for peace and justice, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

Members of the Episcopal Diocese of New York joined in the peace rally in Washington, DC, including members of St. Bartholomew's, Manhattan.

Photos courtesy of GAIL HARPER and LAURIE LAMBRECHT

Judith Carrington, a member of St Bart’s, explained, “I am not a pacifist; I just felt compelled to bear witness, both as a Christian and as a citizen, against the President’s rush to war as a first resort!”

The Rev. Stephen Chinlund, director of Episcopal Social Services, spoke more forcefully for peace, saying, “This administration overlooks the option of peace, which is different from inaction! Foreign policy without a dynamic peacemaking agenda is in essence provoking terrorism.”

Of the over 60 busloads from New York City, two came from the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Additionally, Archdeacon Michael Kendall and his wife Ann and the Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, rector of St. Mary’s, Manhattanville, and a large group of his parishioners attended. Kooperkamp fits the longtime activist profile and alluded to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in summing up his take on the event: “It was a real good witness test, so many people out on such a cold day to show their opposition to the talk of war. It was a significant way to the Rev. Dr. King’s struggle against the militarism that keeps so many people both here and abroad in poverty. This war distracts us and our tax resources from dealing with the real weapons of mass destruction — hunger, homelessness and failing education.”

At the United Nations

By Mary Beth Diss

Demonstrating their dedication to peace, several religious and lay groups, which included members of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, protested against the U.S. policy on Iraq. More than 200 protesters gathered at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza at the United Nations on January 10, International Human Rights Day.

To underscore the seriousness of their cause, 99 protesters practiced civil disobedience by gathering in front of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and were arrested for disorderly conduct. Four members of the diocese were among those arrested: the Rev. Patricia Ackerman; the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary’s, Manhattanville; the Rev. Frank Alagna, St. Margaret’s, Staatsburg; and the Rev. Stephen Chinlund, executive director of Episcopal Social Services. The police took the arrested protesters to local stationhouses where they were booked and held in cells for several hours.

Alagna explained his decision to be arrested as an important step in getting the Church as well as people around the country more involved. “I hope as we move along the peace movement will get larger and larger,” the vicar said. “The idea that there is no opposition to war is simply not true.”

Among those arrested at the rally were the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary’s, Manhattanville, top; the Rev. Patricia Ackerman, bottom left; the Rev. Frank Alagna, St. Margaret’s, Staatsburg, bottom right.

Also attending the protest from the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Bishop Mark Sisk, the Ven. Michael Kendall, the Rev. Canon Andy Dietsche, the Rev. Philip Carr-Harris, retired Bishop Paul Moore, the Rev. Rob Schwarz, the Rev. Winnie Varghese and seminarians from General Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Canon Andy Dietsche also participated in the rally at the United Nations.

Photos by MARY BETH DISS

The New York Forum of Concerned Religious Leaders organized the demonstration, holding a teach-in the night before, which featured the Rev. James Lawson speaking about the theory and practice of effective nonviolent action as used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The protest began with an interfaith service that featured readings from the Koran and the Book of Micah, the blowing of a shofar and singing. Participants carried placards featuring the photos of Iraqi children while a group of women dressed in black robes and skeleton masks depicted the suffering of Iraqi women.

The participating organizations included the National Council of Churches, Pax Christi USA, the Shalom Center, Church World Service, the Progressive Religious Partnership, Religious Leaders for Sensible Priorities, Churches for Middle East Peace and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, as well as many others.

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THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
Rallying for Peace
In Washington, DC By Gail Harper Several contingents of Episcopalians from the Diocese traveled to Washington on Saturday, January 18, to bear witness among the “peaceable throngs of mainstream Americans … unconvinced that the Iraqi threat warrants the use of military force,” as a New York Times editorial described the event in front of the Capitol. The size of the throngs is disputed, but the consensus was a rough estimate at 150,000. The uniformly high spirits of the crowd were indisputable, however, undimmed by long journeys and undaunted by the frigid cold. United in their concerns about the Administration’s rush toward war and in their apparent relief to voice them, the participants reflected a range of analyses and views in their chants and placards. The usual rainbow of diverse groups was well represented in the crowd and on stage and included members of the Green Party, organizations of Asian-, African- and Native Americans, the Gray Panthers and socialists. However, the Times was correct in saying that these groups were far outnumbered by less colorful (largely white, in fact) apparently middle-class people of all ages, for many of whom this was their first demonstration. That describes many of the 50 people on the bus from St. Bartholomew’s, Manhattan, both parishioners and others, including the Rev. Charles Simmons, associate at St. Bartholomew’s and head of St. Bart’s and the World, a social action group. They marched with banners made by members of that church, which quoted a shortened version of baptismal query: “Will you strive for peace and justice, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Members of the Episcopal Diocese of New York joined in the peace rally in Washington, DC, including members of St. Bartholomew's, Manhattan. Photos courtesy of GAIL HARPER and LAURIE LAMBRECHT Judith Carrington, a member of St Bart’s, explained, “I am not a pacifist; I just felt compelled to bear witness, both as a Christian and as a citizen, against the President’s rush to war as a first resort!” The Rev. Stephen Chinlund, director of Episcopal Social Services, spoke more forcefully for peace, saying, “This administration overlooks the option of peace, which is different from inaction! Foreign policy without a dynamic peacemaking agenda is in essence provoking terrorism.” Of the over 60 busloads from New York City, two came from the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Additionally, Archdeacon Michael Kendall and his wife Ann and the Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, rector of St. Mary’s, Manhattanville, and a large group of his parishioners attended. Kooperkamp fits the longtime activist profile and alluded to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in summing up his take on the event: “It was a real good witness test, so many people out on such a cold day to show their opposition to the talk of war. It was a significant way to the Rev. Dr. King’s struggle against the militarism that keeps so many people both here and abroad in poverty. This war distracts us and our tax resources from dealing with the real weapons of mass destruction — hunger, homelessness and failing education.”	At the United Nations By Mary Beth Diss Demonstrating their dedication to peace, several religious and lay groups, which included members of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, protested against the U.S. policy on Iraq. More than 200 protesters gathered at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza at the United Nations on January 10, International Human Rights Day. To underscore the seriousness of their cause, 99 protesters practiced civil disobedience by gathering in front of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and were arrested for disorderly conduct. Four members of the diocese were among those arrested: the Rev. Patricia Ackerman; the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary’s, Manhattanville; the Rev. Frank Alagna, St. Margaret’s, Staatsburg; and the Rev. Stephen Chinlund, executive director of Episcopal Social Services. The police took the arrested protesters to local stationhouses where they were booked and held in cells for several hours. Alagna explained his decision to be arrested as an important step in getting the Church as well as people around the country more involved. “I hope as we move along the peace movement will get larger and larger,” the vicar said. “The idea that there is no opposition to war is simply not true.” Among those arrested at the rally were the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary’s, Manhattanville, top; the Rev. Patricia Ackerman, bottom left; the Rev. Frank Alagna, St. Margaret’s, Staatsburg, bottom right. Also attending the protest from the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Bishop Mark Sisk, the Ven. Michael Kendall, the Rev. Canon Andy Dietsche, the Rev. Philip Carr-Harris, retired Bishop Paul Moore, the Rev. Rob Schwarz, the Rev. Winnie Varghese and seminarians from General Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary. The Rev. Canon Andy Dietsche also participated in the rally at the United Nations. Photos by MARY BETH DISS The New York Forum of Concerned Religious Leaders organized the demonstration, holding a teach-in the night before, which featured the Rev. James Lawson speaking about the theory and practice of effective nonviolent action as used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The protest began with an interfaith service that featured readings from the Koran and the Book of Micah, the blowing of a shofar and singing. Participants carried placards featuring the photos of Iraqi children while a group of women dressed in black robes and skeleton masks depicted the suffering of Iraqi women. The participating organizations included the National Council of Churches, Pax Christi USA, the Shalom Center, Church World Service, the Progressive Religious Partnership, Religious Leaders for Sensible Priorities, Churches for Middle East Peace and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, as well as many others.
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