Locals to join throng of marchers set to rally in capital against war.Byline: Sherri Buri McDonald The Register-Guard At least a dozen Eugene residents will personally deliver a message to national lawmakers at today's massive peace march in Washington, D.C. Joining the noisy, colorful throng snaking its way along the streets outside the U.S. Capitol Capitol, seat of the U.S. Congress Capitol, seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. , they'll carry a white banner that reads, in big, green letters: "Bring Our Troops Home. Eugene, Oregon The city of Eugene is the county seat of Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 60 miles (100 km) east of the Oregon Coast. ." Today's rally and march against the war in Iraq are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of protesters from across the country. Eugene resident Michael Carrigan, 53, will be among them. A full-time peace activist A peace activist is a political activist who strives for peace, and against war. Peace activists are part of the peace movement. The role played by peace activists in preventing wars have been questioned in a paper published by Dr. for nearly half his life, Carrigan said he has taken part in about 20 peace marches, including five in the nation's capital. "It's an extremely powerful experience to march with people from all around the country and to voice our message directly to the White House and Congress," said Carrigan, development director for the Community Alliance of Lane County. The alliance celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and makes claim to being the oldest continuous peace and justice group in Lane County. "The country is at a crossroads," he said. "We can stop this war now and bring peace to the world, or we'll be entering a downward spiral of continued death and destruction in Iraq." Carrigan will be joined by Eugene residents representing other peace and justice groups, including the Eugene chapters of CodePink: Women for Peace, and Women's Action for New Directions, as well as the Justice Not War Coalition, a group based in Lane County. "I think bringing peace to the planet is the most important thing a person can do," Carrigan said. "It's only by being active that we can make change." United for Peace and Justice United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) is a coalition of more than 1,300[1] international and U.S.-based organizations opposed to what they describe as "our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building. , the national group that organized today's rally, also is organizing a Grassroots Lobby Day on Monday. As part of that, Eugene activists plan to take their anti-war message to the offices of Oregon Sens. Gordon Smith
Gordon Harold Smith (born May 25, 1952) is Oregon's junior United States Senator, currently serving his second term. He is a member of the Republican Party. and Ron Wyden Ronald Lee Wyden (born May 3, 1949) is Oregon's senior United States Senator. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Early career and personal life Wyden was born in Wichita, Kansas to Edith Rosenow and Peter H. , and Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio Peter Anthony DeFazio (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Oregon, representing the 4th Congressional District and is currently serving his 11th term. . |
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