What Now for the Peace Movement?

The turnout in DC was better than expected, perhaps more than 100,000. My friend Patrick and about a half-dozen friends went up to join in the rally, and thought the event was well-organized and well-attended. Liza Featherstone, blogging for the Nation, praised the event for staying on message and including a wide variety of constituency groups. Patrick, on the other hand, felt that a strong majority of the activists were over 50, and that more effort to involve students should have been made.

I went down to Nashville and hooked up with about 200 other folks for a rally at Riverfront Park (no photos available yet). I thought the turnout there was a little disappointing. Nashville ought to be able to command a larger crowd. I commend the Nashville Peace and Justice Coalition for organizing the event, but more advance work with the media and online promotion might have garnered a bigger crowd. There was a cameraman from the local Fox affiliate, but no sign of coverage on the station's website the next day (the lead story was the death of one of the stars from the Little Rascals television show).

We had some good discussion on the website about the essence of our message and how to appeal to middle-of-the-road folks with this event. Only time will tell what real impact was made. Still, even if we didn't change a single person's mind, there is something to be said for simply standing up and being counted, witnessing for what we believe in.

Nevertheless, the work needs to go on. We need some good discussion on what should come next. What specific steps should we take the keep the momentum going forward? I welcome the feedback of our readers and friends.
-G