The members of Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace - an informal moniker until a name is formally determined - were letting passersby know about the new organization, which opposes a U.S. war in Iraq. The group was also selling buttons and the No Iraq War signs that originated in Seattle, as well as distributing information about the Queen Anne walking vigil on Dec. 21.
John and Sheila Morris - Queen Anne residents since 1969 who are serving as the group's moderators - were thrilled with the response from community members.
"A lot of people bought signs and buttons and donated money over and above what we asked for," John said. "A number of people signed up for the Queen Anne group."
Sheila said that 50 additional cards were handed out to people interested in signing up, and John noted that 70 people signed the peace pledge to stop war in Iraq.
"Many people said, 'We're so glad you're doing this, thank you for doing this,'" John said.
The couple pointed out that support for the group is coming from a wide cross-section of the population, crossing religious and political lines. Supporters range from war veterans to stay-at-home mothers to business-people like John, who owns John S. Morris Construction, and professionals like Sheila, who is a licensed social worker, hospice social worker and independent practitioner for crisis and trauma.
"People are disturbed in a way they've never been disturbed by the prospect of war," Sheila said.
As a result, the Morrises said, people want to take action, and they want it to be visible enough to have an impact.
"People feel by getting involved at this stage they are exercising their democratic freedoms," John said.
Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace formed on Monday, Dec. 9, with a core of 30 members of the Queen Anne community. The impetus for the neighborhood group came from a meeting called by SNOW (Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War) at Garfield High School on Sunday, Dec. 8, which was attended by a group of 30 Queen Anners along with people from up and down the Interstate-5 corridor.
SNOW is a coalition of more than 40 Puget Sound-area organizations ranging from Seattle Women in Black to the Church Council of Greater Seattle, all of whom are working to prevent the escalation of the war in Iraq. The group's aim is peaceful civil disobedience.
Sheila said the Garfield High School meeting spurred the Queen Anners to immediate action.
"It was a fire waiting to take off," Sheila said.
Sheila emphasized that Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace does not belong to SNOW, although some members of the group do.
"Not everybody [in the group] wants to belong to SNOW. We want to be neighbors for peace," Sheila said.
The Queen Anne group is, however, adopting SNOW's principles of agreement, according to Sheila.
The Morrises had previously joined SNOW because of its explicit endorsement of nonviolent principles.
"There is to be no violence of any kind, you are always to be respectful and there will be no property damage," Sheila said.
People who are interested can be trained through SNOW in peacekeeping for protest events, according to Sheila.
Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace is a natural for the Morrises, who have a long history of peace activism dating back to protesting the Vietnam War.
But, Sheila stressed, the couple's objections have always been less against the action they were protesting than about life.
"We support life and life-giving actions," Sheila said.
Every weekend until there is peace, Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace intends to have tables on the sidewalks at the intersections of Queen Anne Avenue North and Boston Street and Queen Anne Avenue North and Mercer Street.
The first walking vigil, planned for Saturday, Dec. 21, will be a peaceful stroll beginning with participants carrying signs and distributing leaflets. Additional vigils are in the works.
"We want to raise the visibility of this antiwar movement," John said.
Sheila said the steering group of Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace meets Monday evenings for planning sessions. Additionally, an e-mail tree is being set up.
Weekly orientations for new members are also among the group's plans.
John, Sheila and Queen Anne Neighbors for Peace have their own take on what being patriotic means, which differs from the philosophy of those who favor war.
"This is what patriotism looks like - working with the world for peace," Sheila said.
Open invitation
The first Queen Anne walking vigil is set for Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m. The peaceful vigil will begin at the Pizza Hut at the intersection of Queen Anne Avenue North and McGraw Street and head south on Queen Anne Avenue.
To get involved in the Queen Anne pro-peace group, there are six contact people, each handling a different section of the neighborhood.
For North Queen Anne, contact Betty Lucas at 284-9181. South Queen Anne is Mary Robinson at 923-6877. East Queen Anne is Monica Bradley at 286-7694. West Queen Anne is Carol Isaac at 283-9382, or Tom Barnard at 352-7121 or Donna Cheshier at 282-7912.
The next orientation for new members is Friday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Carol Isaac's home. For information, call Isaac at 283-9382.
For information on how to hook up with a group in a neighborhood outside of Queen Anne, contact John and Sheila Morris at 284-4872.
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