Friday, March 21.

“We’ve gone through the usual legal means to be heard. Neither our congress or the president are representing us. People are going to show their opposition in whatever way they can,” said Aimee Pohl who was arrested at the Garmatz Federal Building along with 39 others for blocking an entrance to the building. A picture in the Saturday Baltimore Sun shows the UMBC student grimacing in pain as she was carried, handuffed with her arms bent back above her shoulders by police. According to Pohl, she was afraid her shoulders were going to dislocate. Bruised and sore, she stated that in general people treated her well during the 10 hours she spent in jail. “In fact, a lot of the people working in the jail were supportive.” Iraq Pledge of Resistance organized the civil disobedience which took place at about 11 a.m. in downtown Baltimore.

A day later the picture taken by Baltimore Sun staff of Aimee appeared on national TV as part of a call-in show. CSPAN takes “support” and “oppose” call-in comments while its commentators read various news items and show photos. A caller said that if Aimee was being treated like that she “must have done something to deserve it.” Hearing this remark, Aimee said, “Yes, I lay down on the ground.” Aimee Pohl and forty other activists were arrested on 4 charges including disorderly conduct.

Saturday, March 22.

On March 22nd in Baltimore actions and rallies continued. A community/labor caravan and rally was initiated by ANSWER, Act Now to Stop War and Racism. The event was supported by other groups and individuals including AFSCME local 1072, All People’s Congress, Unity for Action, Councilman Kwame Abayomi and the Westside Community Organization. Five cars joined the caravan and drove throughout the city with a message to end the war. Organizers complained that the “police escort” may have discouraged other drivers from joining the protest.

At the Unity Methodist Church on 1433 Edmondson Avenue, City Councilman Kwame Abayomi’s home church, 75 people gathered and listened to speakers. The diverse crowd listened responded warmly with applause and standing ovations.

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Before playing several flute songs, Eagle Warrior of the Eastern Lenape Nation, spoke of the historic repression and genocide against the Native Americans, tying it to today’s wars. “The truth is the native American lives on conquered land which is occupied by the largest, most dangerous, continuing terrorist force of all time - the government of the United States.” He pointed out the hypocrisy of the U.S. government painting itself as peaceful. He then played three flute songs. His haunting flute sounds conjured the sound of wind blowing in trees, the howling of wolves, birds calls, and human cries. It’s beauty echoed throughout the church. Eagle Warrior was followed by organizer and poet Eric Easton whose direct and plain spoken poetry objects to war. He said, “In ten years we won’t know what freedom of speech is if we don’t start fighting now.” Easton recited two poems, “Dying Democracy” and “I’m Sorry.”


Renee Washington, a Baltimore woman who is organizing other women and mothers, told the audience that her daughter was sent to Iraq to fight. Like many people without the means to afford a decent education, Renee confessed of her daughter, “She didn’t go into the army to fight a war, she went into the army to get an education.”


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“I love this country,” said local activist Leslie Salgado, “but I despise this government.” She said that watching the Vietnam War on TV years ago and seeing the “bodies of children falling apart,” turned her into a radical, a socialist and an atheist. She wanted people to remember that these wars benefit only the rich. She recalled the covert and overt wars conducted by the U.S. government in South America.

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The National Coordinator for ANSWER, Larry Holmes, spoke emotively about the need to reach out to “poor and working people,” and that having them involved in a movement for change will be “decisive.” Holmes called this group the “second front.” With the strength of both working together, “maybe we will end war in our lifetime.”

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After Larry Holmes spoke, Pastor John Hightower sang, “Let my people go!” His deep resonant voice filled the church.

In summarizing recent peace actions, Sharon Ceci of All People’s Congress, spoke about the successful march in Towson of college and highschool students as well as the march downtown leaving from the War Memorial which took to the streets and blocked traffic. She also praised the bravery of the 40 arrested at the Garmatz building in acts of civil disobedience.

Kwame Abayomi drew connections between the war and profits. “We are in war because this country makes money off of war. Abayomi noted that the company Haliburton, formerly run by Vice President Dick Cheney signed a government contract to rebuild Iraq. This war has everything to do with money and oil. Whether we lose the war or stop it tomorrow – the money has already been made.”

From labor, Jeff Bigelow of a staffperson of AFSCME spoke on behalf of Fred Mason, President of the Maryland and D.C. AFL-CIO, saying, “we have to struggle against this war.” Bigelow talked about the resolutions against war passed by unions that have generally been lukewarm, but that AFSCME Local 1072, representing workers at University of Maryland College Park had passed a strong anti-war resolution. In addition to Bigelow, union leaders from Coppin State College and Morgan State University were present.

The warm day began to cool as the sun came down on this community church. Another day of speaking truth to power was winding down, but not the organizing that brought these voices to life. Daily activities continue to be planned and implemented in the largest resistance to war and injustice that many people have seen in their lifetimes.