PEACE FRESNO IN THE CHRISTMAS PARADE

PEACE FRESNO IN THE CHRISTMAS PARADE
by Sandra Guzman

Peace Fresno consists of a large and growing group of citizens concerned about the issues that threaten our civil liberties, human rights, and a right to peace, at a time when it is crucially needed. These threats come from the corruption of corporate and government interests with their denial that a vastly growing segment of the population disapproves of waging a preemptive war with our tax dollars.

Peace Fresno participants ages 7-70 hold high their signs and will not give up. "Sooner or later they are going to have to listen to us," said Ken Hudson of Peace Fresno.

I met with Ken Saturday morning in downtown Fresno at the annual Christmas parade. The Peace Fresno float had many children sitting on bales of hay singing, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." They all showed much enthusiasm and were very happy to be a part of the parade. These children could be considered true heroes of peace as they bravely sung their hearts out to the crowd.

There was a huge peace sign and many other signs with messages of Don't Attack Iraq. You couldn't help but notice the two banners across the entire length of the float, which read "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." I joined Ken and the rest of the float members, who were waving and throwing candy to the crowd. When I asked Ken the meaning of the float, he responded, "Don't attack Iraq," which was easily noticeable given all the signs that stated just that.

Ken seemed very pleased with the turnout and the responses from the crowd. "They waved and gave peace signs, all having fun and were full of smiles," he said. "We often bring in speakers and joke about preaching to the choir. Today the children's choir reached beyond the choir."

Camille Russell was passing out leaflets to the crowd titled "Ten Reasons Why Not to Attack Iraq" and also passing out guidelines asking people to join the float. They circulated the Vote No to War petition, and gave invitations to join WILPF.

"It's good for our friends and neighbors to see us opposing war," said Ken. When I asked Ken if there were any problems during the event, he surprisingly said yes: Part of Peace Fresno's announcement had been omitted.

The application for the parade offered a narrative to be read at the judges' stand over a PA system. Ken wrote the following: "Peace Fresno's kids are dressed in traditional clothing of various cultures of the world, as well as wearing messages of peace. They remind us we are all the human family together. Their holiday season message is: Peace on earth means we should
use diplomacy to negotiate our differences with Iraq, not launch a first strike attack against their people." He watched the expression of the secretary as she read the application. "The more she read, the more she beamed with a big smile," said Ken.

Ken later received a confirmation stating all was clear. But during the parade while passing the judges' stand, Ken couldn't help but notice the holiday message about Iraq had been omitted. The narrator read only, "Peace Fresno wants to remind us that we are all family."

Peace Fresno succeeded in providing a fun and safe opportunity to reach the parade crowd and also in giving the crowd information to oppose the war on Iraq. Camille feels good about distributing "The War Times," which is in Spanish and English, to those who would have otherwise not received it. "There are a lot of people who are unfamiliar with the peace movement," said Camille. She also mentioned that Mayor Autry approached her and stated that he respected what they were doing.

As we rode the float down through Chinatown and back to the parking lot, I noticed there were people coming out of the stores to wave to us and people honking their horns for peace. I noticed children in the back seats of cars staring and smiling as they passed by. I was excited to see the positive responses from the Chinatown patrons. It was very nice to be a part of the Peace Fresno float. I hope to participate in the future.

Peace Fresno appreciates what the Community Alliance has done and would like to thank the Center for Nonviolence, KFCF, and WILPF.

Peace Fresno will be rallying every Friday at Shaw and Blackstone 4:30-6:30 PM, meeting Tuesdays at 7 PM at the Center for Nonviolence, 985 N. Van Ness and marching with the City of Fresno and many others at the Martin Luther King march on Monday, January 20, 2003.

If you would like to participate with Peace Fresno, you can contact Camille Russell at (559) 276-2592 or Camillerussellhi [at] yahoo.com, or visit <http://www.fresnoalliance.com/peacefresno>.