By Jon Yates
Published May 8, 2005
Chicago Tribune

He considered using a foghorn but decided on a bell because of its simplicity.

A solitary ding every minute for more than 26 hours, one ring for each of the 1,594 U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq.

“This is kind of my solidarity, to say I’m with [the soldiers],” said Scott Blackburn, 34, of Chicago, who started his anti-war vigil at 8 a.m. Friday on a wooden seat near Water Tower Place, and calmly rang his bell, day and night, until 10:34 a.m. Saturday.

Christian Peacemaker Teams

FALLUJAH, IRAQ - On May 6, 2005 a group of Shi’a Muslims called Muslim Peacemaker Team (MPT) traveled to the Sunni-dominated city of Fallujah from as far away as Kerbala and Najaf to help their Sunni counterparts clean up rubble from the previous U.S. assault on the city. In a symbolic act of solidarity, members of MPT sought to counter the growing reports of Sunni-Shi’a sectarian violence and to demonstrate unity in a tense time.

“Muslim Peacemaker Teams from Karbala and Najaf is pleased to be in Fallujah in order to assist in the ongoing clean-up efforts. We are among our brothers and sisters in the city of Fallujah to recognize our solidarity with you,” read the leaflet passed out by members of the MPT and Christian Peacemaker Teams.

by Matthew Chandler
4 May 2005

A Wednesday morning:

It’s called Al-Kahhal Street, but it’s more of a highway—at least it’s supposed to be. Tom Fox and I were on our way to meet a Sunni cleric in the Al-Aadhumiya district of Baghdad, and, as usual, the traffic along Al-Kahhal was heavy. All the drivers honk their horns, usually to no avail. Then I heard a concert of horns coming up behind us, and drivers, surprisingly, were clearing the way. A white Toyota pickup truck overflowing with uniformed Iraqis armed to the teeth sped by my window. Two blue BMWs followed, and then another pickup truck—pistol and rifle barrels pointed out in every direction. One zealous officer shouted at a reluctant driver. I assume he said something like, “Move now or I’ll shoot.” I don’t think he needed to articulate the threat.