CPTnet
December 20, 2002
DENVER: Colorado Grandmothers Join "Die-In" against
Iraq War
by Marilyn Miller
On December 10, members of Christian Peacemaker Teams
Colorado joined a 100-person peace vigil in front of
the military recruitment center in Denver. Some
participated in a symbolic "die-in" to witness against
a potential war in Iraq.
Approximately 25 of the vigil participants, including
CPT Colorado member Linda Hardesty, symbolically
represented the deaths that would be caused by a war
in Iraq by laying down in body bags that were daubed
with artificial blood. Next to them was a large coffin
draped with a U.S. flag and a small coffin connected
to a sign which stated: "500,000 Iraqi Children Dead
from Sanctions."
Approximately 75 support people sang "Amazing Grace"
as a red rose was placed on each body. Numerous media
representatives watched as police lined up and
observed the ceremony, listening to each participant
briefly share why they were doing this action. The
police made no arrests.
CPT Colorado Reservists, Gretchen Williams and Marilyn
Miller, carried a sign that stated: "Grandmothers for
Peace." They were interviewed by a local television
station and a newspaper reporter. "It was affirming to
see that people are interested in what little old
ladies have to say about current events," said Miller.
Chris Friedman, who was arrested on December 4 for
participating in a sit-in at Senator Allard's office,
was another CPT Colorado member who was involved in
the December 10 action by serving as Legal Observer
Coordinator.