August 29, 2008
Watch Video Report from KARE-11
The road to St. Paul and the Republican National Convention started more than a month ago for one anti-war group. Members have spent July and August walking here from Chicago.
After 49 days and more than 475 miles the Witness Against War marchers are still going strong.
“Interacting with normal people. Getting our message across (is the important part),” marcher Paul Melling said.
“We believe passionately that there are alternatives. We could rely on negotiation and diplomacy,” marcher Kathy Kelly added.
Organized by a Voices For Creative Nonviolence, this group, which includes retired teachers, students and vets, is spreading its message of peace one step, one mile, one meeting at a time.
“There was this one woman. I’ll never forget what she said,” recalled marcher Alice Gerard. “I support what you’re doing. My son is in Iraq for the fifth time. I just want him to come home.”
“Nearly every stop of the way, we were able to connect with folks. And yeah, it’s encouraging to see all that’s going on in the tiny little communities through Wisconsin and Minnesota.
As they log miles down busy city streets and over country roads this group holds both Republicans and Democrats responsible for the war.
“Both parties need to be held accountable,” marcher Lauren Cannon said.
And, members say, they are calling on every person they encounter to be part of a solution.
“I wanted very much to make a statement about how each of us is responsible,” Kelly added.
“Take some responsibility upon ourselves and do what we can to bring about an end to this war in Iraq,” Pearson said.
It’s a message these marchers say they’ll keep delivering all the way to St. Paul.
