Peace & Nonviolence
October 2001
Everyone told me "you can't organize an action against invading Afghanistan less than a month after 9-11!" Yes, I could. And I did. And 120 agreed with me and came out on a cold October Saturday to Witness for Peace & Justice. Christians, Jews & Muslims marched together from Hillsboro Village to West End & Centennial Park, where we shared our thoughts about the horrors of 9-11 and horrible way our government was responding to it ... from clamping down on privacy & speech rights to racial profiling to embarking on policy that had nothing to do with justice and everything to do with vengeance & perpetuating the cycle of violence.
The Tennessean (daily newspaper), 3 of 4 network TV affiliates, & 1 news/talk radio covered the event. (They, like the participants, were never going to come, either!)
As I began organizing this event -- I, the student, was ready so a marvelous teacher appeared -- Jane Hussain. With her help, we planted a seed (Nashville Peace Committee) that grew & was nutured by dozens more people & resulted in many good works that still are happening today.
Jane Hussain & others outside Centennial Park fence, waving to busy Saturday noon traffic on West End; beginning of the March in Hillsboro VIllage; March along Blakemore toward West End; "Talk" at Centennial Park; Stopping to Sing & Talk at 21st & Blakemore.