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.

Bells Toll in Opposition to the War in Iraq

Chicago, Illinois - On April 5, four anti-war activists were arrested at Senator Richard Durbin’s office in Chicago for their opposition to the war. The Senate Appropriations Committee is to consider a spending bill on April 6 to provide nearly $80 billion more to fund the war in Iraq. They sought a pledge from Senator Durbin to vote against the bill.

By Mike Ferner

No, this is not a military-oriented guide to keeping in shape. Yet it has made some people uncomfortable if not downright sore.

It’s about the peace movement and how a U.S. Marine company using downtown Toledo for “urban warfare” training provided an opportunity for activists to think and act beyond normal limits.

With barely a week’s notice, an article in the local paper announced that a weapons company of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Reserves would spend a weekend running around our downtown, honing combat skills by firing blanks at imaginary enemies. The North West Ohio Peace Coalition (NWOPC) and local Veterans for Peace (VFP) designed a response, different from what many in the peace movement had seen or that some were even comfortable with.

By Frank Cordaro, Des Moines Catholic Worker Community
Published in Pointblank - Des Moines
January 12, 2005

Some have claimed that I get arrested so I can go to jail. I don’t. Jail is hard, and it is intended to be. My jail time is a consequence of being a peacemaker. It is a by-product of speaking my truth about war. Going to jail is no more a goal for me than getting crucified was a goal of Jesus’. It is a consequence that I accept and embrace. It is also a blessing and an opportunity. I am writing not to complain about the consequence of my actions, but to describe my opportunities and share my blessings.

As a result of a court sentence handed down on Dec. 16 2004, I celebrated Christmas and New Years in jail. Seven of us appeared in Polk County District Court to answer charges of misdemeanor trespass, which occurred on Election Day, Nov. 2, 2004 at the STARC Armory in Johnston, Iowa. Six of us pleaded guilty and took our chances with Judge Brandt. For me, it was the fourth arrest at the Armory since the beginning of the war in March 2003.

Clara Terrel outside the gates of Offutt AFB upon her release with her ban and bar letter.

Clara Terrell, age 19, was arrested today for walking onto Offutt Air Force Base to deliver the Christmas message reprinted below.

She was arrested by base security and released with a “ban & bar” letter stating that “Your misconduct… created a substantial threat to the peace and order of the base community…”

This linecrossing was part of the 28th Annual Feast of Holy Innocents Retreat and Witness which was held today at STRATCOM, Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, Nebraska.