Rally & Walk for Peace in Iraq: 2/15/03

Hundreds turned out in the zero-degree chill in Canton NY as part of an international day of protests supporting peace with Iraq on Saturday, February 15, 2003. The event, organized by the regional peace group Alternatives to War, began with a rally at Gunnison Chapel on the campus of St. Lawrence University, followed by a walk through downtown Canton ending at the Unitarian-Universalist Church. David Sommerstein spoke with marchers and onlookers. Listen

The crowd for the rally filled the pews in St. Lawrence University's Gunnison Chapel, known for its unique stained glass windows, that celebrate modern "saints" such as Mahatma Ghandi and Dag Hammarskjold.

Following the rally, peace walkers followed in the wake of this "Peace Crane" constucted by the students of the Little River Community School.

The walkers, bundled against the severe cold, made their way downtown, going up one side of Canton's Main Street and down the other, before winding up at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, where they found central heating, hot drinks, comfort food, and jazz.

Rally Speakers

Lydell Griffin of SUNY Canton opened the rally with gospel singing, performing His Eye is on the Sparrow and Amazing Grace

Welcome and opening remarks St. Lawrence University chaplain Rev. Kathleen Buckley.

Art Johnson military veteran and professor of history.

Natalie Kowechi student at Little River Community School.

Huda Jerri engineering student and first-generation American of Iraqi descent.

Frank Thies career Marine Corps veteran and member of Adirondack Voices for Peace.

A bi-lingual reading from the Koran by Huda Jerri and Rev. Buckley.

Anne Mamary of Alternatives to War, reading the Wilfred Owen poem The Parable of the Old Man and the Young

Michael Greenwald Rabbi, religious studies, St. Lawrence University.

Phil Harnden of Alternatives to War sent the walkers on their way with song and admonitions.