tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post1170362954346368500..comments2023-07-20T13:08:25.645-07:00Comments on Hastings on nonviolence: Taking it to the streetsTom H. Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17098260278363929190noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post-41988535316831435242010-11-15T08:28:42.472-08:002010-11-15T08:28:42.472-08:00Thomas,
You and I disagree on how to reach our go...Thomas,<br /><br />You and I disagree on how to reach our goals, but our goals are not very different, I seek justice and you often speak, as you did in your article, of peace. I believe in yelling, you seem to indicate that image is more important than confronting institutions or people who would murder you in an instant if they thought you were a real threat. The catalyst for your response and others was the vigil outside of the Hilton hotel because Condoleeza Rice was invited to participate in a forum to hawk her book and raise money for the Kidney Foundation. Individuals for Justice was notified and requested by friends in San Francisco to hold a protest to let the organizers of the event know this was a bad idea. When Condi bowed out we decided to celebrate the event by a 1 hour vigil and then go have coffee together. This was a non-violent event with no arrest and a small police presence, if any. There was even music by Sharon. <br /><br />You mentioned in your article that you want family friendly events, protest marches with children, again you and I disagree. First and foremost you can not guarantee what the police will do during any protest, they are not to be trusted and having children in a march is asking for trouble. The difficulty with most of your article is that you mix up non-violence and non violent-action. If you want peace in your life and spread it out into the community and hope that people will listen to your words of gentleness, fine--but don’t call yourself an activist. Even Gandhi said that activist must force a response from the government, “To forgive and accept injustice is cowardice.” Another quote : <br /><br /> “Non-violence does not mean making peace. On the other hand, it means fighting bravely and sincerely for truth and doing what is just. Like all fights, there will be a terrible loss and pain. But a satyagrahi (soldier of civil disobedience) must go on. My success with civil disobedience in South Africa and in India has not come easy. A large number of people sacrificed a great deal, including their lives while fighting for truth and justice.”<br /><br />Martin Luther King knew when he sent the kids into the streets that they would be beaten and murdered. You may be right when you say the “Peace” movement in Portland is dying and in its place is a movement for justice. We will not use violence, don’t like it when it is used but will confront people like Rove, Condi, Bush and his Dick, because it is necessary for us as a people to bring mass murderers to justice. Our image during the vigil was good, even security was laughing with us from time to time. There was friction, but each knew the other was trying to do their jobs. Our job was to say to the people going in that there is something very wrong about paying large amounts of money to listen to Condoleeza Rice. This was a celebration not a protest. We will continue to confront war criminals when they arrive on our doorstep and let people know what they did not so long ago. You may join us at any time of your choosing. May we all learn to leave our egos outside the door and find ways to work for Justice and Peace.<br /><br />Joe Walsh-Lone Vet<br />Individuals For Justice<br />ActivistAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14323193546006558608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post-85580585007252993992010-11-14T16:36:35.565-08:002010-11-14T16:36:35.565-08:00Thanks kindly, Mary. I think the arts of peace fol...Thanks kindly, Mary. I think the arts of peace folk are forming quite a global community....Tom H. Hastingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17098260278363929190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post-26054456584603324702010-11-14T14:53:04.487-08:002010-11-14T14:53:04.487-08:00Tom, Thank you for your thoughtful and reasonable...Tom, Thank you for your thoughtful and reasonable approach. If we want peace we need to be peacemakers, lest we become what we are trying to rid ourselves of.<br />I'm continuing with the Search For Peace and ask anyone to join us who does not espouse violence or assault (even verbally)another.<br />See www.SearchForPeaceArt.org to join us 2/25/2011 thru 2/27/2011Mary for Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14453647022344200516noreply@blogger.com