[JPI] important info about tonight's vigil

[Cecelia Hawkins]

The following from Danita Noland:

Dear friends,

With the bombing of Baghdad Wed night, the war has begun. Our contingency 
plan
will be carried out tomorrow, Thursday, evening. A group of us were meeting
tonight (Wed) to continue working on this plan and I will outline the 
details
again. Please read this long but important email and pass it on to anyone
who may join us for this Vigil.
I will be at the UU Fellowship at 5:00 pm  on Thursday and encourage all who 
wish to
participate in this public vigil opposing the war to begin gathering there
as soon as possible. If you can carpool that would be helpful. Between 5:00
and 6:00, we will hand out information concerning peaceful non-violent
protesting and instructions for the evening's event. After opening words, we
will walk to the Bush Library at 6:00 pm. It is 1 1/2 miles to the Library
from the Fellowship. If you do not want to walk to the Library, you may meet
us there.
The initial plan is to walk up Barbara Bush Lane to the fountain area in
front of the Library and hold our vigil there. However, we have two
contingencies plan.
1. In the event that  campus security personnel is stationed at the
intersection of Barbara Bush Lane and George Bush Drive, we will hold the
initial vigil at that intersection. While we are gathered in prayer and
song, designated consensus builders will determine how we can best proceed
to the free speech area of the Bush Library. We will not attempt to go
through a security block.
2. If Barbara Bush Lane is open, we will continue walking to the fountain
area in front of the Library. We expect security personnel to approach us at
this point and instruct the group to go to the free speech area. Those who
wish to challenge this infringement on our right to assemble and freedom of
speech will remain at the fountain. Everyone else should move to the free
speech area at this point.

When people are gathered at the free speech area, we will have speakers,
songs, and silence. Some participants are planning to bring tents and set
them up and maintain a presence in this space for at least 24 hours.
We have individuals who are designated to handle the following, and all of
these people will be wearing white arm bands to identify them as vigil
coordinators:
1. Interface with any security/law enforcement personnel who are on the
scene. Please do not approach the security personnel. These individuals will
convey any instructions given by security back to the protesters so that
everyone is informed in an organized way.
2. Media contacts will guide the media to those who are prepared and willing
to speak to the media and inform them of what to expect. You may be
interviewed by the media as a participant. You should consider ahead of time
what you wish to say. If someone from the media asks you questions about the
vigil organizers and our overall plan that you do not feel you can
accurately answer, please direct them to a vigil coordinator.
3. We have designated peace keepers who will assist in dealing with any
disturbance or conflict. We, the organizers of this vigil, encourage
everyone to uphold the practices of non-violence at all times. If we are
faced with counter-demonstrators, please do not react in a way that would
compromise our stand for peace. If you need help, find an organizer wearing
a white arm band and let them know.
4. There will be coordinators for scheduling speakers and song. If you wish
to speak, recite a poem, or can lead singing, please find these coordinators
and let them know.
5. We have an individual who will contact key people and lead them in
consensus building in the event we have to make adjustments to our plan due
to unforeseen events.
6. There will be a key contact person for those who wish to participate in
civil disobedience, to coordinate the actions and maintain a peaceful and
orderly presence.

All of these individuals will be wearing white arm bands and tags
identifying their area of responsibility. If you have questions during the
vigil, please direct them to these people. If someone wearing a white arm
band gives you instructions - such as asking people to move to a designated
area or to refrain from something that is being done, please honor their
requests, knowing that there is good reason for these requests (such as a
directive that has been given to them from security personnel). It is
important that we keep this vigil organized and calm. Emotions will be high.
The organizers of this vigil have spent many hours talking about possible
developments and how best to handle them. We welcome your input and will
make all possible attempts to keep everyone informed and consider the needs
and hopes of all who participate in this vigil.

Things to bring: candles, musical and rhythm instruments, signs, tents.
If you have any questions, please email me danita.noland at worldnet.att.net .

In peace,
Danita Noland




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