Fall has set in and the rain came down hard and cold as the wind whipped through downtown Brooklyn's streets. But that didn't stop some 3,000 Brooklynites from turning out to attend the third annual Peace Fair. Held at Brooklyn's YWCA on Atlantic Avenue and sponsored by the borough's leading peace and justice organization, Brooklyn Parents For Peace, the fair brought together activists and citizens from all walks of life, communities and organizations to explore ways to advance the struggle for peace and social justice.
Thousands of Brooklynites attended the 3rd annual Peace Fair.
Dozens of members pitched in to make this year's fair the best yet - there were a slew of well-attended workshops on subjects ranging from counter-recruitment and how to build opposition to military recruiting in the city's schools to an exploration of peace in the mideast between Palestinians and Israelis.
Children were invited to create paintings and drawings that could evoke their images of peace while local entertainers performed and sang out with songs of protest and hope.
David Tykulsker, a vice-chair of Brooklyn Parents, opened the session in Memorial Hall at eleven. The auditorium was filled to capacity when David introduced one of Brooklyn's progressive Congressmembers and a veteran champion of peace in his own right, Major Owens. He, in turn, introduced the keynote speaker, Cindy Sheehan, who was greeted with a standing ovation. Cindy Sheehan is a founding member of Gold Star Families For Peace, a mother who lost her son to the war in Iraq and the woman who single-handedly galvanized the nation this summer with her demands to the President at his ranch in Texas that he tell her in person what "noble cause" her son had died for. The President refused to meet with Cindy who camped out on his doorstep. Many believe that his arroagant refusal was the beginning of the long decline in his approval rating that we are witness to today.
The overflow crowd at Memorial Hall.
Brooklyn Parents For Peace vice-chair David Tykulsker opened the Peace Fair at 11 a.m.
Major Owens, one of Brooklyn's progressive members of Congress, talked about the struggle for peace and then introduced Cindy Sheehan.
Cindy, backstage, being interviewed by Turkish television.
Cindy Sheehan addresses the Peace Fair. Her warmth and humanity were evident to all.
An impassioned plea to end the war and bring the troops home.
Greeted with sustained applause and respect.
Cindy spoke for a long time and the audience listened intently to every word. To my ears, her speech came directly from the heart of a mother who knew and felt the reality and meaning of war on the most personal level. Her protest of the Administration's policies was borne of the anguish and loss that she had sustained and the audience could sense the honesty and truth in her gentle manner.
Perhaps the most moving moment of her remarks were words that brought tears to many gathered in Memorial Hall. Cindy recited a poem that her daughter Carly had written. Here is Carly Sheehan's poem --
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done.
They call him a hero, you should be glad he's one, but,
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
They say he must be brave because his boy died for another mans lies.
The only thing he allows himself are long, deep sighs.
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say he died so the flag will continue to wave,
But I believe he died because they had oil to save.
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
Have you ever heard the sound of a Nation Rocked to Sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep,
But if we the people let them continue, another mother will weep.
Have you ever heard the sound of a Nation Rocked to Sleep?
~ A Nation Rocked To Sleep/For Casey
By Carly Sheehan
Copyrighted 2004
After Cindy's address, founder and co-chair of Brooklyn Parents For Peace, Rusti Eisenberg spoke to remind people that a job remained to be done - to expand the peace movement and to make Cindy's quest to bring the troops home a reality. She made a passionate plea to join the movement and to reach out to broader circles to still the hands of the Bush regime - the band of warmakers and criminal profiteers that have usurped our government.
Rusti Eisenberg of BPFP - "Join us so we can help end the war."
The halls of the YWCA were buzzing with excitement as people toured the various exhibits that were on display or headed to the workshops scheduled throughout the balance of the day. On the sixth floor, food was available and peace and justice organizations from Brooklyn and beyond had set up tables to inform people of their activities.
After her speech, Cindy was surrounded by well-wishers and supporters.
A big hug for Cindy ... and a thank you!
A collage by a local artist on display at the Peace Fair.
Express yourself! Children were invited to translate their desire for peace into works of art.
Young artists at work at the Peace Fair.
I made all of these peace buttons!
Finalists in the Essay contest, "How To Be A Peacemaker", read their entries while families and friends listen.
One of the essay writers - "this is why peace matters."
One of the many workshops -- Exiting Iraq, led by (l-r) Professor Jed Arahamian of Baruch College and Professor Rusti Eisenberg of Hofstra University and vice-chair of Brooklyn Parents For Peace.
Local artists entertained throughout the day.
Brooklyn rocks for peace at the YWCA.
Tables were set up by dozens of local organizations to inform people of their activities.
The Peace Fair was an uplifting experience and a fabulous Brooklyn success story. It was a wondrous coming-together of the borough's diverse population, demonstrating the unity of all people and sending a powerful message that cannot be ignored --
We want peace in Iraq and in the world.
We want the resources of our wealthy country to be used for healing and helping not for death and destruction.
We won't stop until we're successful.
