The Peace Protest

In view that my oldest is heading out of the nest and off to University in a few weeks, I am striving to find as much Bonding time as possible (often unsuccessfully I must say). To my surprise the most unlikely event - the threat of war, offered up one of those special moments.

In a country far from most of the world's turmoil; In a city that declares itself as an Official Peace City, 2000 people marched against war.

Amongst a very diverse group of people; from the city Mayor, Anglican Ministers, local Members of Parliament, religious groups, socialist groups and the everyday individual, ages ranging from 2 to 82, walked my daughter, my best friend and myself.

For my daughter, at 18, this was her very first protest, by the sounds of it wasn't my friends first or last march, I fall somewhere in between For a lot of people, what we did will seem a total waste of time, for some crazy or even seem like a betrayal. But if everyone who disagreed with the path governments or world leaders were taking us, put up there hand to be counted, then I believe it could be a very different world, that we live in.

As ascertained this was a march for Peace, so consequently was a peaceful march. No loud yelling or violent skirmish. We ranged from the respected grandmother to young radicals. Our meeting place was outside the museum, quite a significant place I believe, for aren't we meant to learn from our past. It was a very warm day and I wished madly that I had been more organized like my daughter and brought a hat. -Another dose of sunburn coming up. One day closer to Melanoma. We marched down a Boulevard lined with tourists and open air stalls, next it was past the cafe set, along a mall of shops to finish for speeches in the city square, in front of the Cathedral.

I was please and surprised at the moments of support we got from people on the sidewalk or buildings that we past. Maybe they were not able to leave there jobs or weren't brave enough to stand up to be counted.. One CD store even put on the song Give Peace a chance blaring over its outside speakers. I also was disappointed, though not surprised, at how many people just didn't seem to care.

We stopped at the 'Bridge of Remembrance' for a moment of silence, to remember those that died in the War to end all wars. Noting that no such thing has been achieved. It is a sad and poignant reminder of how futile war really is.

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