Over 120 people gathered on December 10 to mark International Human Rights Day by demonstrating against war in Iraq in Mt. Vernon. The successful protest, which was organized by Iraq Peace Pledge Baltimore, was one of 120 actions across the United States affiliated with the coalition United for Peace ( uofp.meer.net/ ). In Baltimore, a diverse group of activists began with a candlelight rally at Charles & Centre streets, moved to circle the Washington Monument, then ended with a "Peace Path" video and discussion.

At Charles & Centre streets, activists held banners reading "Stand Together For Peace," "War Is Not The Answer" and "RAWA Freedom Democracy Human Rights." RAWA stands for Revolutionary Armed Women of Afghanistan, a group of Afghan women and U.S. supporters who have worked for independence, democracy, and women's rights in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion.

"We're in an unique situation where we have the ability to stop a war before it starts," commented Drew Leder. "I'm old enough to remember people coming home in body bags during Vietnam. Once the war started it was very hard to bring it to a stop." He added, "I want to be able to live with myself if thousands of body bags come home and trillions of dollars are spent." Leder said he brought his daughter, age 7, to the protest because "So much of what I and society exposes her to is materialistic and I wanted to expose her to something with a social conscience as well."

Drivers in the rush-hour traffic on busy Charles Street stared, honked, and waved at the demonstrators, giving with many more positive responses than negative ones.

"It's nice to show support with your physical presence along with over 40 other cities," explained Jenny Sage when asked for her reason for attending. The Maryland Institute College of Art freshman, whose first demonstration was the August 2002 anti-Nazi protests in DC, added that if passersby, even those who support the war or are undecided, see people demonstrating in the cold it might make them rethink their position.

Susan Spellman-Cosner came all the way from Princeton, NJ to participate in the demonstration, saying she was glad someone came up with something to do against the war. "My view is that I'm very frightened and concerned about the world situation but [the Administration's] option is an impossible option-it's the same conclusion I came to with the death penalty. I'll never support war." Spellman-Cosner, who first became involved in politics during the Vietnam War era, said Vietnam was a very unique situation but the current crisis has the same premise-the U.S. is trying to dominate the world and cannot.

After rallying at Charles & Centre the protesters moved up Charles to encircle the Washington Monument with peace signs and candles. The group then marched down Charles Street to the First Unitarian Church where they watched a video of the Baltimore Peace Path and discussed building a peace movement in Baltimore. The Peace Path was an action on September 11, 2002 where over 1000 people from all walks of life lined Charles Street from downtown to the beltway in support of a peaceful way.
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