In this great post on the Movement Vision Lab blog, grassroots activist Dan Horowitz Garcia argues that if there is a peace movement (and he doubts it...) it needs to change its tactics.  According to Dan, marches don't end wars --- and never have.

Dan Horowitz Garcia says that history repeats itself, and so do movements.

Contrary to many beliefs, the peace movement didn't end the war in Vietnam. Three things ended the war in Vietnam. They were, in order of importance, the Vietnamese, the tanking economy, and the resistance of U.S. soldiers. If I extended this list by 100 more items, I still wouldn't include marches on the U.S. capitol or attempts to raise the Pentagon. It is beyond doubt that popular resistance in the U.S. had success in restricting the scope of the war, but it didn't end it. If public opinion alone could stop a war, then the Iraq occupation would have ended back in November 2004 when public support dropped under 50%. Majority opinion may hold sway in a democracy, but not in the U.S.

Dan also details how marches against WWII in the United States didn't really stop that war, either.  So what makes us think they'll stop this one?

Instead, Dan says the anti-war movement has to stop being merely anti-war --- and offer a clear alternative instead.  Here, Dan argues for a peace movement that is challenging hegemony and violence much more broadly:

I believe we also have to expand the conversation from Iraq to the so-called war on terror. This is the elites' latest framework for empire, and we have to challenge it. The "peace movement" (it still doesn't feel right to say that) can learn a lot from organizers fighting the criminal justice system. The parallels between the rhetoric justifying the war on terror and the war on crime are plain to see, if you look at them. In the war on crime, bad people are coming into your neighborhood or even your house to do you harm. (These people just happen to have dark skin.) To keep you safe, we need to be tough on these criminals. We need more cops with more equipment (i.e. guns), and we need places where we can put the bad people far away from the good people. In the war on terror, bad people are coming to your country to do you harm. (These people also happen to have dark skin. Coincidence?) To keep you safe, we need to be tough on these terrorists. We need more troops with more equipment (i.e. big guns), and we need to kill the bad people in places far away from the good people.

In a comment on the blog, another community organizer Gabe Gonzalez talks about how his daughter is convinced there are monsters under the bed.  So he has to spend his energy convincing her otherwise.  In other words, even if progressives were to take up the agenda  that the "war on terror" and its ever-present threats are false, why should we have to convince the public?  Shoudn't we be forcing the Right wing hawk fear mongerers to prove their point?  

Otherwise, we're in the position of proving that the invisible threat doesn't exist.  Which is sort of like disproving monsters under the bed.  

We should be fighting the "war on terror" by making THEM defend it!

What do you think?

Sally Kohn is the Director of the Movement Vision Lab.

Photograph and Composition By Betsy L. Angert ©

Recently, the political blogosphere has been buzzing with talk of action, activism, and conventions. Some are seeking a connection to “real” American heroes. Bloggers wish to show their support for the people that truly serve this nation. Still, they want to promote peace. This announcement might offer the opportunity some crave. Veterans For Peace is hosting a National Convention. The conference will begin August 10 and close on the 13th. Speakers such as author John Perkins, peace loving Mom, Cindy Sheehan, and anti-war activist, Dahr Jamail will welcome attendees. I will share the schedule and specifics below.

[Photograph By Andy Manis of Associated Press]
I was not born there; however, I am proud to declare, I was raised there.  I moved away decades ago; yet, my heart remains in Wisconsin.  I marched in my first protest rallies on the streets of Milwaukee.  My family followed in the path of a strong civil rights leader, Father Groppi.  I would be eighteen before the November general election was held; therefore, I was able to vote as a seventeen year old during Wisconsin primaries.  

My father was fortunate enough to work with a true humanitarian and advocate for the people, Wisconsinite, Senator Bill Proxmire.  "Liberal" Senator Russ Feingold now, represents this fine state.  Please let us all forget that Joseph McCarthy ever resided here.

The anti-Viet Nam War movement was strong in Wisconsin.  Ah, I remember it well.  Though many may argue the point, and it does seem to be cyclical, in my mind, Wisconsin is a progressive state.

On this past Tuesday, the citizens of this state, once again proved that they are forward-thinking.  I applaud the people of Wisconsin for their most recent vote.  In thirty-two communities, "Bring The Troops Home Now" referendums were on the April 4, 2006 ballot.  

In twenty-four of these expansive neighborhoods, the vote was yes, bring our boys and girls home immediately.  The numbers reflect a great concern, "A resounding 40,043 to 25,641 voted against the continued US occupation of Iraq."  Calculating these numbers leads us to conclude, 61 percent of Wisconsin voters want no war.  Only 39 percent believe we should remain.  In my own former hometown, the village of Shorewood, seventy percent said pullout now.

In eight communities, the initiative was defeated; however, "in only two" of these locales did "the vote for immediate withdrawal fall below 45 percent."

What is left to say?  [Right-] on Wisconsin!

• Wisconsin voters support Iraq withdrawal CBC News
  
• Wisconsin Towns Vote for Withdrawal, By John Nichols Wednesday, April 5, 2006
  
• Wisconsin Vote is a partnership of Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
  
• Proxmire called `a profile in courage', By Katherine M. Skiba. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 02, 2006
  
• Wisconsin Votes 'No!' to War, By the Madison Capital Times. Tuesday, October 1, 2002
  
• Anti-Vietnam Movement in the U.S.

Betsy L. Angert Be-Think