Life on the L-edge

Across the park was a large demonstration of about 900 people, and some of the participants came over to tell us they could see the banner from 8 blocks away!  Fantastic.  We then took the other banner out:  WE WILL NOT BE SILENT, and hung that on the other side of the scaffolding.  The visual from the ground must have been stunning, it certainly was from the air.   

Our work done, a sound system was set up and music along with speeches from Martin Luther King was blasted down upon the pavement.  By this time the National Archive security was on full alert, watching up, straining their necks and their throats yelling profanities at us!  They probably couldn’t figure out how we got passed them.  The Metropolitan Police came by, and said no one would be arrested, and left just as quickly as they showed up.  

What a day!  Exhausting, exhilarating and the beginning of another movement to make sure that these war criminals do not go scott free.  Radio stations were calling in and asking what we were doing, and that was the message they got, arrest Bush and Cheney, they are war criminals! 

Unfortunately somewhere around 2:30 or 3 PM a strong gust of wind came and ripped the main banner off its ropes, practically tearing it in half.  The guards on the ground started laughing, but the vets, well prepared, went down and grabbed the banner to repair it for later.  We still had our WE WILL NOT SILENT BANNER up, and during that night and the next morning, the torn banner was somehow repaired.  

At about 3:30 PM, I had been taking a nap (great action when you can sleep through part of it), the director of the Archives issued us an ultimatum “come down in 15 minutes, or everyone would be found, issued warrants, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!”  So we regrouped and discussed our options.  First of all, if he was concerned about our safety, there was no way we could come down in 15 minutes, which would be the exact time he had to leave work for the day.  Secondly, that power just didn’t exist, or so we concluded, although in our current police state, anything is possible, he had our names.   

So I decided, along with Matthis, to descend and leave so as not to be hunted down with a possible warrant.  When we conveyed that message, our director friend said “all or nothing”, so we said “nothing,” and continued with our action.  Needless to say, he left frustrated and security worked overtime.   

At 4:00 PM Matthis and I started reading the names of fallen soldiers in Iraq over the loudspeaker.  We read for over 2 hours, and along the way, Matthis found out, as we sat on that ledge, that a buddy of his from basic training was killed.  We were both struck with the deepest sadness and anger.  It took him awhile to continue, but it also took a lot out of both of us.  Those who were listening on the ground, stopped and you could see their expressions of shock, and confusion.  

The weather continued being miserable, gusty, rainy, but occasionally the sun popped through.  At one point, from atop our perch, we could see a rainbow appear in the sky above the Archives.  This just added to the drama unfolding on our ledge.   That evening, I made a decision to leave my friends.  I was cold, wet, tired, no more than anyone else, but most of all I think I was struck by immense sadness that my son was so far away in Iraq again and it was his birthday.  Reading those names hit home for me, as it always does.  Most killed were 18 or 19 years old, and when you read that, it opens a hole in your heart which creates the deepest pain imaginable.  I could no longer bear it, and wanted to go home where I could sit in my son’s room and gain back some of my composure.   

I made the descent at 7:15 PM, with Matthis.  Elliott helped me down, and I love him for that.  When we hit the sidewalk, it was like coming back from a trip at sea!  We had 3 security guards staring right at us as we crossed back behind the large gates.  They stared us down, but let us go, thankfully.  I was in no mood to tangle with the law at that point, and they wouldn’t have been too happy with me either. 

Our wonderful, courageous friends remained up there through the frigid night, and into Sunday, sending messages out to the world through webcasting.  You can watch the archival footage at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/warcrimes.   

I was torn that I hadn’t stayed with them, I guess a good soldier doesn’t leave his platoon, but as I said, I was never in the military.  However, they were safe and if there had been danger, I would have given my all to stand with them.  On Sunday, they did come down after the police went up the scaffolding to get them.  But my friends, Vets for Peace, were not arrested.  A real victory for them!  And I am so proud to have participated, and deeply moved that I know these patriots who are committed not only to each other but to a cause that means something to all the people of the world.

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