Brethren participate in anti-war protest.

By Todd Flory

Around 80 members and supporters of the Church of the Brethren met at the Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office Oct. 1 in preparation for the Iraq war protest and rally on Capitol Hill in downtown Washington, D.C. The Brethren made signs, read church policy on war, and had breakfast before joining the estimated 100,000 people who gathered to express their opposition to the US-led war in Iraq.

Tables and tents lined the grounds of the monument. A giant stage played host to dozens of folk, hip-hop, and rock bands and speakers including Jesse Jackson and Cindy Sheehan. Hundreds of white crosses representing the lives lost in the war were set up on the monument grounds.

The march took the crowd through downtown Washington and past the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Walking through the crowd, one could not help but have a sense of awe and amazement at the sheer numbers of people and the diversity that accompanied them. Many in the crowd paused in front of the White House to dance, play music and chant.

Sunday was a day of training for the lobbying on Capitol Hill and the civil disobedience at the White House that was to follow Oct. 3. "I gathered with people at the Ellipse (next to the White House) and my spirit became very peaceful. It's like getting in a boat and feeling God's presence," said Illana Naylor, a member of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren. She was one of the 374 people, and a handful of Brethren, who were arrested in front of the White House. "I felt such a sense of wholeness."

Her decision to get arrested was not planned in advance. In fact, while walking to the Ellipse, Naylor pondered whether she would be willing to risk arrest, even for a cause that, like thousands of other people, was so important for a person of faith and social justice. When the time came, however, she felt that she needed to act on her faith. "There was a movement, like angels' wings, pushing the people forward," Naylor said. "Though a very public witness, the decision was between me and the Lord, and I had and still have Christ's peace about this decision. I had an old, tender woman ask me if I was afraid, and I said, 'No, because it's time.'"

Even though the arresting process took many hours, beginning with the arrest of Cindy Sheehan amid a chorus of cheers, Naylor was impressed with the mood of those getting arrested. The mood was "very hopeful," she said, "that by our witness, our symbol, we're just the tip of the iceberg, that we represent thousands of other people."

Early the next morning, when the last few demonstrators were being processed and released from jail, it remained unknown--as it may indeed for many months--to what extent the march, rally, lobbying, civil disobedience, peace vigils, t-shirts, signs, speeches, and music will have had on the war in Iraq. One thing is for certain: the events over the weekend proved a visible reminder to peace. And, as Naylor so aptly stated, "Sometimes we need visible reminders."

--Todd Flory is a legislative associate and Brethren Volunteer Service worker at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

Source: 10/12/2005 Newsline
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