November 24, 2001
Washington, DC— Amber Amundson, whose husband Craig was killed in the
attack on the Pentagon, wrote shortly after the
attack, “I call on our national leaders to find the courage to break
the
cycle of violence.” Sentiments like these have come
from others who lost spouses, children, brothers or sisters.
This week
some of these mourners are going beyond words,
joining a walk that will link the two cities that were struck.
Their
message to all they meet as they walk or assemble along the
way: Our grief is not a cry for war.
The group of survivors and friends will set off at 9 AM Sunday,
November 25, from the front gates of Georgetown University
in Washington, DC (37th and O Street). They will arrive
the next
Sunday, December 2, in New York City. In between they
will walk some distances and shuttle others, stopping in Baltimore,
Philadelphia, Paterson and other locations to take parts in
events being organized by local churches and other groups.
Craig Amundson’s brother, Ryan, will also join the walk. He states,
“We
don’t want to see more widowed mothers like my
sister-in-law, more little kids without a dad like my niece and nephew,
more moms and dads outliving their son like my parents,
or more brothers losing brothers like me. The current reliance on
military force does not confront the political, social, and
economic foundations of terrorism. By emphasizing a military solution,
the United States will not effectively combat terrorism.”
Buddhist and Franciscan monks will join the walk, as will leaders
from
various faith-based and peacemaking communities.
Any persons who support a call for nonviolence are welcome to join
in
the walk as it moves north. On November 25, walkers
will proceed to St. Aloysius Church (19 Eye Street) where they will
welcome the public to a 6:30 p.m. gathering at the
McKenna Center.
A large decorated school bus will shuttle walkers between cities.
Daily
itinerary updates available this website. This walk is
endorsed by AFSC, FOR, Pax Christi USA, Peace Action USA, Veterans
for
Peace, War Resister’s League, Voices in the
Wilderness, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom,
among others.
[Voices in the Wilderness]