Vigils in June 2022

[Brian]

Jeanne, Nancy, Mary and Anni at the Montrose Peace Vigil last week.

This Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil was a great start to the month -- mild weather with lots of friendly, supportive people going by on foot and by wheel.  Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, we've hardly heard any signs of disapproval from passing vehicles, which were varied and quite common from the 2020 election season continuing throughout last year.  Maybe those folks who shouted nasty things about President Biden or us are finally seeing our peace signs.

As a reminder, we stand on the northwest corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue near the Vietnam War memorial in Montrose, CA 91020 every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. without regard to the weather or holidays -- we haven't missed a vigil since January 2006.  Please stop by sometime if you can.

No spontaneous participants joined us this week, unlike last month when six passersby stopped and chose signs from the portfolio bag that Anni brings every Friday.  The usual mix of weekly stalwarts and a rotating cast of regulars came to the corner:  in order of appearance, Anni, me, Roberta, Mike L., Russell, Dennis, Terry, Bruce, Jeanne, Nancy and Jim, who was celebrating his 77th birthday.  We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Jim -- which might be the first time we did that in our 16-1/2 years.  Total attendance was 11 peaceniks, which was also our weekly average in May.

Since October 2011, we have printed and displayed every Defense Department news release announcing the deaths of soldiers, Marines, sailors and Airmen in our many ongoing military operations around the world.  The Pentagon reported no uniformed U.S. casualties in the previous seven days.

[Brian]

As I was spreading the big plastic sign at the beginning of this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil, a man coming out of the yogurt shop asked me where was it that I wanted to have peace.  "Start here," I answered before Anni added, "Everywhere!"

The temperature was much warmer and the vehicular traffic noticeably lighter compared to last week, but we still got lots of honks and waves per capita.  Ten familiar faces came to the corner:  Anni, me, John Q., Russell, Jim, Jeanne, Bruce, John the Realtor, Dennis and Nancy, in order of appearance.

In the previous seven days, the Department of Defense reported no military deaths in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria or in any of the other named U.S. operations underway around the world.

[Brian]

The weather at this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil was mild compared to last week -- borderline cool for the last vigil before the summer solstice -- but the wheel traffic seemed just as light.  It's a pattern we've observed over 17 springs when schools end their year and more people are going on vacation.  Thankfully, small groups of roving, coffee swilling, yogurt eating teenagers are keeping the sidewalks, benches and outdoor tables lively.

Eight regulars came to the corner, some earlier than usual. And almost everybody stayed until the end.  We formed a solid block for peace on the center patch of grass and dirt, which was decorated with several small American flags planted by the shopping park association in honor of Flag Week.  The vigil participants, in order of appearance:  Anni, me, Roberta, Jeanne, Dennis, Jim, Russell and Nancy.

The Department of Defense reported no uniformed casualties in the previous seven days.

[Brian]

The honks and waves were off the charts at this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision this morning to overturn Roe vs. Wade.  Ross and Nina, cofounders of the Saturday vigil in Eagle Rock in 2002, came to the corner with some relevant signs.  Mary made a new sign with her daughter Carly on bright yellow stock:  "Regulate Dicks Too" with drawings of a penis and testicles above scissors.  She posed repeatedly with groups of young women for photos they immediately uploaded to social media.

Thanks to our friends from the 323 area code, we had our best turnout of the month -- in order of appearance:  Anni, me, Ross, Dennis, Mike L. (briefly), Jeanne, Terry, Jim, Mary, Nina, Nancy and Frannie.  My monthly attendance summary:

• June 3 - 11
• June 10 - 10
• June 17 - 8
• June 24 - 12

This month's weekly average rounds down to 10 participants, after averaging 11 in May, 8 in April, 10 in March, 9 in February, 10 in January, 9 in December, 10 in November, 12 in October, 22 in September and 30 in August (when we were joined by anti-recall demonstrators), 11 in July and 17 in June 2021, which also included recall protesters. Twelve peaceniks was our average attendance for many years before the pandemic.

For the 17th week in a row, the Pentagon reported no U.S. casualties.

[Sharon W]

Dead & Co opened with Women are Smarter,

And opened the second set with Throwing Stones, showing scenes of pro choice demonstrations on the big screen behind the stage,

[anni]

Thanks to Ross for this fine picture. I think it captures the spirit of last night's vigil.

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