Divine Women in Black

The Women in Black are the most beautiful bunch of women I have ever met. They are mothers, wives, grandmothers and sisters. They are young and old. They are all lovely. In Asheville, they have been standing downtown for six years now. Every Friday, they are a moral rock standing vigilantly through rain, snow or sunny weather. They are Buddhists, Agnostics, Christians and Jews. They are all Divine. They are all women of the Goddess.

Sisterhood

I follow you You follow me I walk in your footsteps You walk in mine Round and round We circle A sisterhood in black We flock together In Madrid In New York In Buenos Aires In Toronto In Rome Silently asking To stop violence To have peace Our footsteps Sigh How long? Will we learn?

We are tall We are short We are old We are young Mujeres de Negro Para la Paz We are experienced We are patient We are dedicated We want to stop violence We want to have peace From Bethlehem To Belfast To Baghdad To Belgrade To Beijing I walk in your footsteps. You walk in mine - Carla Rodio © 2002

Join us sisters, young and old. This concerns us all. Women have been repressed for too long. The patriarchal religions have forced us down. No longer! Women rise up! Stand for the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, stand up for your sister abused, rise up for the women who cannot across the world. It is our time.

International Day of Peace in Asheville

This video was taken in downtown Asheville on September 21, 2007. The local media did not show up.

Proclaming Peace and an End to War

We've been very busy the past few days...
The Women in Black stood out in their usual spot last Friday, but there was something special about this Friday. It was the International Day of Peace. Councilwoman, Robin Cape, stood with the women. At the end of the hour of silence, by official proclamation, it was declared that September 21st would officially be the International Day of Peace in Asheville. I will post a video of the reading of the proclamation soon.


































Another event in Johnson City, TN was on Saturday. It was an 'End the War March and Rally'. About 250 people attended. According to reports, it was the biggest such event since the Vietnam War. It was sponsored by Democracy Now! Tri-Cities. The speakers were eloquent and invigorating. Among the speakers was Jason Hurd, a local Iraq war vet and outspoken opponent of the war. An opposition group rode their motorcycles back and forth while we marched our mile to the East Tennessee State University.
Check out the giant Bush puppet. It was GREAT! All these pictures were either taken by me or my husband. One picture paints a beautiful and political picture: "Join us on the left to end the war". It is kind of a call out for people to join the peace movement.







This video shows the beginning of the march.


I have heard it said that the anti-war movement is in it's infancy. I hope it grows up soon...

Ashevilles True Heroes

Asheville has several groups that have been protesting for years now and I think they deserve more attention than I do.

The Veterans for Peace, chapter 099 have a protest near the Vance Monument in downtown Asheville every Tuesday from 5-6pm. We stand with them in their efforts and encourage you to also. If you are for Impeachment, ending the war, civil liberties, or just accountability from the Bush administration, JOIN US!

The Women in Black have a silent vigil against violence at the Vance Monument on Fridays from 5-6pm. We stand in solidarity across the street from them and hold our protest signs to lend their silence a voice. These ladies have been an INSPIRATION to my wife and I. Please, JOIN THEM!

The Western North Carolina Peace Coalition is a group that does all kinds of great things in the name of peace and understanding. They have been doing good in the city long before we have. Please, LEND THEM A HAND!

And last but not least, Claire Hanrahan! SHE HELPS EVERY CAUSE FOR TRUTH AND LOVE IN THIS CITY AND SHE IS MORE OF A HERO THAN I WILL EVER BE! THANK YOU CLAIRE, YOU HAVE DRIVEN US TO KEEP UP OUR EFFORTS! Please lend her your attention for she is the mother of Asheville protests! (And she has written several nice books.)

Please give them your LOVE and ATTENTION! AND ESPECIALLY YOUR DONATIONS!!!

Thanks again to these groups, and to those that I don't know about... yet.