"Together with a number of our group of punk rockers, we were embarrassed to find ourselves participating in a scene that looked like the parking lot outside a Phish concert. But the truth is it was fun." * * * * * Illustration from HW Design

There were then way too many speeches delivered from a podium at one end of the plaza that we could neither see nor hear, and during which we amused ourselves by singing the few protest songs we all knew. Our singing attracted some other people with instruments, then some drummers jumped in with a hotter rhythm, and the next thing we knew we were in the middle of a hippie rave for peace. Together with a number of our group (punk rockers all, even if some of our music no longer sounds like punk rock), we were maybe a little embarrassed to find ourselves participating in a scene that looked like the parking lot outside a Phish concert. But the truth is it was fun. And why not rave for peace? It made us realize that a new peace movement might not look like the old one.

Meanwhile, police in riot gear started to line the streets around the plaza. The anarchists – released from their 90-minute confinement – appeared here and there, looking fierce in their black masks, but they could also be seen eating the vegetarian curry provided by Food Not Bombs. It was a very non-confrontational atmosphere. However, as the speeches droned on, the energy we had felt at the beginning of the rally dissipated.

Finally the speeches ended, and the crowd spilled out of the plaza onto the march route to the Capitol, along Pennsylvania Avenue. Some fantastic costumes and signs materialized, and the marchers eagerly took to the street. (Some of the signs we saw: "War Is a Failure of Imagination", "We're Here to Spark Thought, Not Anger", "Killing Innocent Children Makes ME Feel Better".) We walked slowly, the atmosphere was peaceful and rather quiet – there were few chants, instead drums and percussion carried the day. Police in body armor lined the avenue on both sides. Snipers and cameras were visible along the rooftops.

We saw surprisingly few counter-protesters, primarily one group stationed in front of a government building, with a line of riot police in front of them. Organizers of the protest stationed themselves there as well, to keep everyone moving and prevent a confrontation.

When we reached Capitol Hill, everyone instinctively turned around to look at the rest of the march from the higher vantage point. It seemed like the crowd felt its power most at that moment. The march spontaneously stopped, to take in the sight, and there was a sustained cheer.

After the march finished, there were more speeches in the park to one side of the Capitol, but none in our group wanted to hear them. We said our goodbyes, and a bunch of us walked back to where we had started, to find our rides home. There were a few more insults, and a few more sympathetic waves, along the way.

Peace,

Damon & Naomi

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If you think you might be up for making 15 Minutes of Noise For Peace, be sure to check out the website at www.musiciansforpeace.org. Volunteers interested in helping organize a Musicians For Peace event in the Pacific NW can also contact m4p@magdalen.com.