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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula February 20, 2003  Text © 2003 Copper Country Peace Alliance. Photos © 2003 Andrea Baldridge and Dyann Edgerton, as indicated.

Feb. 22 Walk for Peace to support continued inspections

HOUGHTON -- "The world is saying 'No' to war; let's support continued inspections" will be the theme of the Walk for Peace on Saturday, Feb. 22. Sponsored by the Copper Country Peace Alliance, the Walk will start at noon from the Motherlode Coffeehouse in Houghton.

The weekly Saturday Walk from Houghton to Hancock and back is one way for local citizens to demonstrate their support for a non-violent, diplomatic solution to the conflict between the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

About 70 people joined the Feb. 15 Walk for Peace in solidarity with groups marching worldwide to protest a potential United States attack on Iraq. Here walkers head toward the Portage Lift Bridge on their return from Hancock to Houghton. (Photo by Andrea Baldridge)

On Saturday, Feb. 15, about 70 local residents joined the Walk for Peace from Houghton to Hancock and back in solidarity with millions in cities around the world, marching to protest the U.S. and Britain's foreign policy against Iraq.

"It's really inspirational to see the momentum building," said Houghton resident Andrea Baldridge, a member of the Copper Country Peace Alliance. "We would love to have more people join us."

Adults of all ages, students, children and even pet dogs joined the Feb. 15 walk, attracting honks for peace from the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival traffic passing by. Here they pass through Hancock on their return to Houghton. (Photo by Andrea Baldridge)

Baldridge noted anyone can join the walk -- whether for one Saturday or every Saturday -- and they shouldn't feel it's a commitment to join any organization.

"It's a commitment of heart and purpose -- for peace in the world," she said.

After the Walk for Peace on Feb. 15, some of the walkers held a Vigil for Peace near the Michigan Tech campus and greeted visitors to the MTU Winter Carnival. (Photo by Andrea Baldridge)

Members of an MTU campus group, Students for Peace and Justice, joined in the Feb. 15 Walk for Peace and also the Vigil for Peace held after the walk, near the campus. During the Vigil, participants climbed a high snow bank to raise the American flag and greet Winter Carnival visitors.

Vigil for Peace participants, including members of the MTU Students for Peace and Justice, raise the U.S. flag, give the peace sign and display anti-war signs atop a high snowbank near the MTU campus on Feb. 15, 2003 -- in solidarity with millions around the world protesting the U.S. policy towards Iraq. (Photo by Dyann Edgerton)

For more information about the Walk for Peace call 483-3183.

Note: If you wish to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives on the issue of Iraq, visit the Congress Merge Web site to locate them. Visit also www.moveon.org for updates on the movement against war in Iraq. You can join a Virtual March on Washington Feb. 26, sponsored by the Win Without War Coalition.

Read why Peace Alliance members and supporters oppose war on Iraq in "Open Letter to our friends and neighbors."

See also the Feb. 8 Reuters article: Franco-German Plan Floated to Avert Iraq War.

Read about the initiative to impeach President Bush at www.votetoimpeach.org.

Marquette Citizens Opposed to the War on Iraq rally every Saturday in front of the Marquette Post Office. Visit their Web site. 

Editor's Note: We are grateful to Andrea Baldridge and Dyann Edgerton, also of Houghton, who contributed the photos on this page to Keweenaw Now, whose editor/publisher/photographer missed the Feb. 15 walk because of illness.

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