Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 4, 2010 0:00:56 GMT -8
In these monthly threads, I try to convey some of the spirit of our weekly Montrose Peace Vigils and count those who take a stand for peace, reaching out to the drivers and pedestrians near a Vietnam War memorial in an old fashioned shopping park almost devoid of chain stores. For those new to this message board, we've gathered every Friday evening since January 2006 at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue in Montrose, Calif. -- holding signs and candles, waving flags, flashing peace signs, talking, sometimes singing and very often making friends. Drop by and visit from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Come for a few minutes -- or stay for another four years of Fridays. Some of us will return to Hollywood to march later this month on the seventh anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. We have another thread covering our participation in that protest: montrosepeacevigil.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk2&action=display&thread=121&page=1
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 6, 2010 1:03:44 GMT -8
The sun had just set as I parked near the vigil at 6 p.m. and I realized that next week will be my last opportunity to display a candle until after the election in November, thanks to Daylight Savings Time. I love my "War Is Over if You Want It" sign and I've stood with a flag balloon, but this winter I've come to see that light is a message in itself.
This Friday on the corner we had 12 participants and three candles.
We also celebrated the birthdays of Jeanne and Cynthia, both born on March 5. Anni brought pastries from Glendale Bakery (actually located a block from Tujunga Canyon Boulevard in you-know-where), which were unanimously praised -- even better than birthday cake. We already had the candles.
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Post by Jeanne on Mar 6, 2010 8:13:06 GMT -8
It was a festive Friday and I appreciate all of the singing and good wishes and scrumptious pastries. Next week we can help anni and Paige celebrate. I think you're right about the light Brian, it's a good thing to do. Maybe next year I'll be more with it.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 13, 2010 0:00:22 GMT -8
Paige came to the corner to help us celebrate the day after her birthday, and Linda was back as well after a long absence, for the last vigil before Daylight Saving Time. Besides the company, the weather was warm -- the frozen yogurt shop was packed. All told, 14 sign-waving, candle-bearing individuals count this week. I asked around to see who else besides Roberta, Anni and me are going to the march in Hollywood next Saturday. Jim said he'd meet us at the southwest corner of Hollywood and Vine at noon. Pastor Paige and, hell, even Bruce seemed interested. Others had work, travel and other plans, such as volunteering for a local cause involving the pursuit of peace. Please check out our thread on the 3/20 march: montrosepeacevigil.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk2&action=display&thread=121&page=1
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 19, 2010 23:00:29 GMT -8
I seldom guess right when trying to predict the attendance at the Montrose Peace Vigil each week. With the sunshine and perfect weather, I thought we'd have a much bigger turnout. Perhaps the same elements lured some regulars elsewhere. Because of Move On, more than 100 people gathered on the corner two years ago tonight. On this seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, eight stalwarts came and two spontaneous protesters, Margo and Naima, represented the youth who are just starting to pay for it too. Nonetheless, I can't remember a time when so many pedestrians and motorists said, "Thank you," so directly. Here's the census for this month: - Mar. 5 - 12
- Mar. 12 - 14
- Mar. 19 - 10
Anni and I are going to march in Hollywood starting at noon Saturday along with Roberta, Jeanne, Paige and Jim, maybe others. You can get the meet-up details beforehand or read my report afterwards in our thread: montrosepeacevigil.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk2&action=display&thread=121By the way, I read on the ANSWER LA website that we're marching straight down Hollywood Boulevard from Vine to Highland this time without the traditional detour to Sunset!
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Roberta
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Vigil founding member
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Post by Roberta on Mar 26, 2010 10:46:52 GMT -8
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 26, 2010 23:00:43 GMT -8
Roberta, thank you for posting those links to the Crescenta Valley Weekly column about the Montrose Peace Vigil/counter-protesters scene -- and your great letter to the editor. People need to be reminded about the cost of war when they whine about a $15 billion census -- or, today in the news, the Senate Republican initiative to cut off $9 billion for the unemployed. Last week, I was the one whining, talking about the attendance on the corner. This Friday, the regulars were outnumbered by a new couple and nine enthusiastic girls. We broke the record for a regular vigil, not counting our Bed-In tributes and the tie ins with Move On, that goes back to the fall of 2008: - Mar. 5 - 12
- Mar. 12 - 14
- Mar. 19 - 10
- Mar. 26 - 21
The weekly average is 14.3, compared to 12.8 in February and 13.2 in January. Watching the news tonight, I learned why we saw those TV news trucks. Channel 4 shot footage of the Montrose Shopping Park and interviewed pedestrians for a story about local teens getting hooked on cheap heroin. What some kids do instead of protesting.
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