Unarmed Truth: Silence Is Betrayal
On the 12th anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, we will gather to discuss our right to assemble peacefully, our opposition to war, and our right to remember. We will lay flowers for the fallen and remain until the morning light. The Parks Department has denied our permit application, but we will assert our right to assemble in a public place of memory.
Among those speaking: Susan Schnall, Jacob George, Shamar Thomas, Chas Jaquier, Tarak Kauff, George Packard, Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese, Zak Solomon, Sandy Nurse, and others—and yourself! Please join us as we practice and observe true democracy.
Oct. 7, 2013, 5 pm
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza
55 Water Street, New York City
stopthesewars.org • popularresistance.org
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” —Martin Luther King Jr
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2012, the NYPD shut down the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, arresting 25 veterans and allies who were holding a soulful memorial to those who had fallen. We will be there again this October 7th. This was Vietnam combat veteran Paul Appell’s reaction:
“Plato wrote ‘only the dead have seen the end of war.’ War veterans, loved ones of the fallen, and certainly those living in war zones do not have the option of closing down their memories at 10 p.m.
“I know that many want us war vets to go out of sight and not bother them, except when we are needed for some parade. Some of us are not going away at 10 p.m. or any other time. If they do not like it, maybe they should have thought of that before they sent us to war.
“We have an absolute right to our memories and to assemble peacefully. I was there last October and was arrested. I will be there again on this Oct. 7th. I am not coming in order to be arrested by the NYPD. My intention in coming is because it is my right and my obligation to my comrades, those who died in Vietnam and those who still live, to be there.”
