anti war billboard in Modesto 132&99

folks gathered to express their solidarity near an anti-war billboard erected on
Modesto's Maze Boulevard

"We are coming together to declare our opposition to war -- particularly the Iraq war," Modesto peace activist James Costello announced through a bullhorn Tuesday morning.

The group of 10 people included representatives from several area churches and peace groups.

Lorraine Krofchok, who wore a sweatshirt emblazoned, "Grandmothers For Peace," came from Elk Grove to attend the gathering. She wanted to support Modesto peace activists, she said.

"It should make people think about war," she said, looking up at the billboard.

billboard features pictures of children and the slogan:
"No War!
War Destroys Precious Lives On All Sides."
It was sponsored by Modesto's Church of the Brethren,
College Avenue Congregational Church,
Committee for Peace in the Middle East,
Modesto Peace Life Center,
Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committee of Stanislaus County,
Delta Friends Meeting (Quakers) in Stockton.

"I think I need to be counted," Modestan John Heisel, 71,
a Korean War conscientious objector, said of his participation.
"This is not the time to be quiet," added Elise Osner,
a Modesto music teacher. "There is too much to say.
To be quiet is wrong We teach our kids not to fight. I want Bush to hear it, too."

Church of the Brethren interim pastor Jan Thompson of Modesto
said he believes Christ would not want people to go to war.

"We think we should feed our enemy and learn to love our enemies," said Thompson, whose church is opposed to war in any form.
"We ask that we not have war against our brothers and sisters."

"Sometimes war is a necessary evil," said Bet Hannon, pastor of College Avenue Congregational Church in Modesto, who supports the idea of "just war."
"But it needs to be a last resort when all diplomacy has failed, and that is not the case here."

She prayed for compassion and courage "so we can find peace in our lives, our nation and our world."
text by Amy White