Friday, March 21, 2003

Peace group's candlelight vigil in downtown Laconia draws mixed reaction from passerby

By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.

Staff Writer

LACONIA — Standing at curbside with a black veil covering her face, Anne McLean, a local resident, holds a sign with the words, "Shame on the U.S."

A man drives past in a pick-up truck and angrily shouts, "support the troops."

And a gentle and fittingly cold rain falls in the waning daylight hours of a day in which many Americans woke up to news of another war in the Middle East.

Approximately 25 area residents gathered in the downtown area on Thursday to continue to voice what has always been their goal — a peaceful resolution to troubling times.

Those, who oppose the war, returned to the curbside area in front of the former Cherry & Webb building, many holding signs and candles. The area has become familiar to the group of like-minded individuals, who have spent countless hours — many in silence — refusing to accept that violence is the only answer.

On Thursday, a troubling day for those on all sides of the issue, the group stood solemn-faced and received mixed reactions from those passing through.

Some gave the group thumbs-up, while other rolled down windows shouting that the group should be supporting the nation’s soldiers.

Others simply ignored them altogether.

However, the advocates for peace remain steadfast in the belief that their public presence is necessary.

Brooks Campbell, a retired member of the U.S. Army, stood with a sign near the very edge of the road as a man pulled up and angrily yelled "support the troops."

He said that the irony comes from the group’s belief that they are doing just that.

"Do you hear what the people are saying to me? ... This is not what it’s about at all," said Campbell.

The Wolfeboro resident said that it is he and other peace promoters, who are actually advocates for the soldiers, who are now in harm’s way.

"We support the troops 100-percent ... we want them to come back. This war is a political war and it needs to end," explained Campbell.

Martha McIntyre of Gilford said that she joins the group to promote awareness.

"If people see that there are other like-minded individuals, it gives them the courage to speak their mind and learn more about the situation," she declared.

McIntyre said that Thursday was a day of mourning for her.

"I think that there was a deliberate attempt at abandonment of diplomacy," she remarked.

Like many others who oppose the war, McIntyre said she sees the war as "self-serving" for the Bush Administration and a product of "corporate interests."

McLean spoke from behind her veil when she expressed her opinion that war is never the answer.

"We have got to move beyond using war as the solution to what should be able to be handled diplomatically," she said.

McLean used an old saying to describe what she believes to be shortcomings in how the nation has dealt with Saddam Hussein and Iraq.

"They say that fools argue and wise men discuss," she said.

Karen Barker, a founder of the Lakes Region Peace and Justice Group, said that the movement towards peace will not end on a worldwide level nor right here. She said that — until a solution is found — some area residents will continue to meet in public and voice their opposition.

"It’s likely that people will stand out here for awhile until we feel it isn’t necessary anymore," said Barker, who sadly agreed that such a time could take a while.