Worcester's Peace Vigils

As the US government pursues war around the world, local activists work for peace.

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• Lincoln Square Peace Vigil: Every Tuesday from 4-5 pm. For more info, call 508.753.3588.

Worcester's Lincoln Square peace vigil was prompted by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, during the buildup to the first Gulf War. It lost steam and gradually dwindled in 1992.

It was revived after September 11, 2001, by Worcester Peace Works. It has been sustained since then by Michael True and the Saints Francis & Therese Catholic Worker community.

Each Tuesday, thousands of people drive by the vigil. The vigilers hold signs reading "Train for War No More," "$ For Schools Not For War," and "US Out Of Iraq."

They count how many passersby respond positively or negatively to the vigil. "We didn't know what to expect after September 11," said Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, of the Catholic Worker. "We were surprised to see as many as 4 to 1, pro versus con, for a peaceful solution. The last two years it has averaged 6 to 1." The biggest response to the vigil, in sheer numbers of "voters," was 110-12. On May 17, 2005, pros outnumbered cons 66-9.

Often only three or four people come out to vigil. Michael True, co-sponsor of this vigil, said, "Where are the thousands of Worcesterites who oppose the war and never indicate that in any public way? All the academics and all the so-called right-thinking people who oppose the war if you ask them over a cup of coffee, but never speak out to stop the madness?"

Even a small vigil, held regularly, sticks in people's minds. Schaeffer-Duffy told this story: "I was walking to pick up my son at school, walking by King Street. A DHL truck rolled by and stopped. The window rolled down, and the driver said--Thank you for holding those signs in Lincoln Square. Someone has to remind us of what is going on."

• Armed Forces Recruiting Center Vigil: Every Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm. 255 Park Ave, just south of Elm St. The day of the week may be changed, so call Bob Flanagan for latest info: 508.755.1479. Or e-mail: irishbob54[at]aol[dot]com.

Worcester's chapter of Veterans for Peace, the Ron Kovic chapter, has been active a little over a year, and for about two months has been holding a weekly peace vigil at the Armed Forces Recruiting Center on Park Avenue in Worcester.

"We're here to bring awareness of an unjust war," said Bob Flanagan of Veterans for Peace. Flanagan (profiled this week in Worcester Magazine) was in the army "during the Vietnam era, but never saw combat."

The Recruiting Center is a contentious place to vigil; in the past, the police have been called, even though protesting on the sidewalk there is perfectly legal. According to Flanagan, "One time here the security guard told us we had to leave. We thought we were OK, but we left and double-checked with Ronal Madnick of the ACLU."

ACLU monitors from Worcester State College have attended the vigils to ensure that police are not used to harass the demonstrators.

Counter-recruitment activists have been heartened in recent months at news that the military has been unable to meet its recruitment goals. Today (May 20), the Army has halted its recruiting efforts for the day in order to "emphasize proper conduct" to recruiters who have been accused of conning potential recruits.

For more information on counter-recruitment, see the American Friends Service Committee's Youth and Militarism Program, and the Catholic Peace Fellowship.

Camera equipment provided by Rich and Samantha Zitola.

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