July 12, 2006
By Diane Hughes
Although lack of sleep is generally not the best preparation for any undertaking, let alone nonviolent civil disobedience, despite a restless night and a bit of bronchitis, I felt determined to participate in the last day of the Voices for Creative Nonviolence Walk for Justice to the Military Enlistment Processing Command at Great Lakes Naval Base. This day would also provide an opportunity to participate in the nonviolent civil disobedience that Walk organizer Jeff Leys had hoped would complete the Walk.
For some time I had done what’s expected of good and faithful citizens who disagree with wayward government policies: I’d become informed from various sources, participated in vigils, organized educational programs, communicated with my Senators and Congressman, written letters to the editor, and voted for the lesser of two evils. With an increase in death and injury of Iraqi citizens and US soldiers, escalation of US hegemony, even more accounts of Administration lies, torture and unwarranted imprisonment at Guantanamo, and extraordinary rendition, my fear, anger, sadness, and frustration moved me beyond dialogue to a desire for action.
