Hearing Update
Thank you to all who attended the hearing on SCR 4022, North Dakota's Peace Resolution. The hearing room was overcrowded and literally overflowing with peacemakers! In support of the resolution, many, many peacemakers testified — including Chuck Suchy, Paul Dyer (veteran of Iraq duty), Rev. Chris Alexander of Faith Lutheran Church, Rev. Jim Moos of the United Church of Christ, Sr. Maris Stella Korb of the Sisters of the Presentation, and Don Morrison of NDPeople.Org. On behalf of the ND Peace Coalition, Karen Van Fossan presented the Committee with a stack of peace petitions, with over 600 signatures collected so far — signatures collected by wonderful volunteers across North Dakota.
Following the hearing, peace people from Bismarck, Mandan, Fargo, Killdeer, Kindred, and elsewhere gathered in the capitol for a Circle for Peace. We sang, laughed, cried, meditated, and prayed for peace.
All day Thursday and Friday, we held an exhibit at the capitol, called “In Their Shoes.” Arranged in concentric circles, the empty combat boots and civilian shoes were there to honor and mourn all whose lives have been lost in Iraq.
North Dakota's Peace Resolution, SCR 4022, was amended (and watered down) by the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee on Thursday, Feb. 22. In its amended version, the Resolution received a 5-0 “Do Pass” recommendation from the Committee. While the Resolution still advocates peace, the language needs to be strengthened to send a clear message of troop withdrawl.
Again, thank you for all you do to support our troops AND bring them home. More information coming soon...