In a town known for noisy protests and sometimes-unruly demonstrations, all that could be heard Wednesday from a group gathered downtown was the sound of silence.
About 30 people held a silent vigil during rush hour outside the offices of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., protesting the expansion of U.S. military operations and calling for local political action to reverse what participants believe is a war-focused foreign policy.
Protesters lined up single-file at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Charnelton Street, amassing a stretch that reached halfway to the next block. Carrying signs reading “No Wider War” and “Prepare for Peace, Not War,” participants hoped to raise local awareness. Many passersby honked, and several drivers held up peace signs to support the demonstrators, about three-fourths of whom appeared to be over 45 years old.
Pastor Jan Fairchild, a Faith In Action representative, delivered a letter to both offices at 4:45 p.m., asking for a meeting with each official to discuss the group’s concerns. Neither official was in his Eugene office Wednesday.
Organizers said they are concerned that the Bush administration will not keep the world safe, that U.S. forces will invade Iraq, that the United States is issuing one-sided support to Israel and that the government plans to develop and implement a nuclear offensive.
“We think it’s high time our congressional representatives start voicing opposition and raising questions against the Bush administration,” said Carol VanHouten, a vigil organizer and board member of the Progressive Responses of Community Alliance of Lane County.
VanHouten said U.S. military operations overstep their political boundaries and take the shape of a world police body, putting democratic processes aside. And it’s those actions, she said, that will cause more animosity towards the United States and bring more terrorist attacks.
“We do think the perpetrators should be brought to justice,” she said. “We just think it should be a multinational approach using an international court of justice.
“I don’t think the military approach is going to catch bin Laden.”
Ibrahim Hamide — a member of the Eugene Middle East Peace Group, a group that was not involved in the vigil — said he believes most Americans support the military movement. Nonetheless, Hamide said he isn’t surprised to see political opposition and added that he supports the protest.
“You can’t bring peace by clubbing people over the head,” he said. “The sooner we give it up, the sooner we will be on the right path.”
Ironically, the vigil was held in front of Democratic offices, offices that tend to house politicians who voice the most opposition to military involvement in the Middle East.
Kristie Greco, press secretary for DeFazio, said the vigil is a good idea, but added participants don’t need to persuade the representative. Greco said DeFazio is already concerned about U.S. military involvement.
“Peter is always supportive of people sharing their views,” Greco said. “He’s aware, and I think they’re aware of his views.”
Wyden’s press secretary, Carol Guthrie, said the senator believes active citizen involvement is a step toward bettering the community and the country, but she would not say whether he supports the vigil or the military’s current involvement.
“Senator Wyden certainly shares the view that American foreign policy should not be driven by military action, but by concerted and thoughtful engagement and through efforts to alleviate human suffering and poverty,” Guthrie said.
The Bi-Monthly Vigil for a Just Peace, put together by volunteers, is a political response to the events since Sept. 11. Tuesday’s vigil was the second put on by demonstrators. The vigil will take place every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. On June 12, the vigil will move to the local office of Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.