On Monday morning, February 20th, Hyim Jacob Ross unfolded his camping chair in Splash Pad Park across from the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, California,. He started a five-day, around the clock one-person vigil and juice fast to oppose the war on Iraq, and for peace and education. The 30-something Bay Area native was on spring break from his elementary school teaching job in Richmond. He said that he felt that while the occasional protest march was important – as a musician, he’s actually performed at few of them – something more had to be done. He said that his actions were a “response to the effect the depletion of economic and social resources the Iraq war is having on our domestic programs and services (especially education and children’s health).” Several of Hyim's students visited him during the week to bring anti-war and peace drawings to post along Grand Ave.

On Wednesday, February 22nd, join Not in Our Name joined him for one of that day's “Witness to Lawbreaking” vigils that had been initiated by MoveOn.org. They said, “Lies, torture, spying? Not in our name!” On Thursday night, fifty people gathered at Grand and Lake Park Avenues to join Hyim Jacob Ross on the final evening of his five-day protest.

Hyim's website | Bay Area NION