recently on unplug

great minds think alike: blogs of note

unplug

unplug magazine asks you to unplug from your current modes of thought and look at life in a new way, whether this means unplugging from our toxic consumer culture, mainstream society, the tv, or a limiting mindset. author megan prusynski explores life's alternatives and discusses activism, progressive thinking, and moving towards a "green" & sustainable life.

Monday, March 19, 2007

4 Years and Counting...

The four year anniversary of US Involvement in Iraq has recently come and gone. It's hard to believe this conflict has been going on for over four years now, and sadly, the bodies keep stacking up. As of the time of posting, 3,218 US Soldiers have been killed in Iraq, as well as tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. My heart goes out to the families shattered by this conflict, and I hope for an end very soon. I really don't want to see a fifth anniversary!

Pictured is my design for the Palouse Peace Coalition's peace rally commemorating 4 years in Iraq. I designed the graphic for last year's third anniversary rally, and updated it for yet another year. Since not much has changed in Iraq other than more bloodshed, the poster still rings true: "Too Many Lives, Too Many Tears, Too Many Lies, Too Many Years."

I participated in the PPC's peace rally this year and despite it being such a sad anniversary, the march was a lot of fun and very light-hearted. We marched from downtown Moscow down the highway to the mall and back, accompanied by live music from the "Peace Band" and lots of props. One man wore a Bush mask and pulled a barrel of "oil" with a sign reading "Mission Accomplished" in a wagon. He was certainly my favorite marcher that day! Others carried a wooden coffin honoring all those who have died in the conflict (my boyfriend even took a turn carrying it). There were lots of peace signs, American flags, and people in black funeral clothes. Several people led the march with a large dove, and we got a lot of responses (thankfully mostly positive, but there were a few mean-spirited war mongers too) from people driving by on the highway. I came up with a catchy new slogan to yell at people driving huge trucks and SUVs: "Burn Bio-fuels, Not Bodies!"

It was a beautiful day for a peace march! You can see the rest of my pictures in this photo set on flickr. Let's hope there is no need for an Iraq protest march next year...