A different kind of peace march http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/22/0322musicianmarch.html
Hundreds of musicians march downtown to celebrate new president, but encourage the end to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq By Joshunda Sanders AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Sunday, March 22, 2009 As most people walking around downtown Saturday afternoon headed toward South by Southwest festivities, hippie icon Wavy Gravy (born Hugh Romney), bobbed his head to the sounds of musicians gathered at the steps of the Capitol to play songs for peace. Wavy, who is in town for the premiere of a documentary about his life called "Saint Misbehavin'," gave out hugs, bubbles and smiles to his fellow war protesters Saturday afternoon at the fourth annual demonstration dubbed the Million Musicians March for Peace. Paraphrasing an Emma Goldman quote, he said, "If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution." Wavy, who was master of ceremonies at Woodstock and who was part of the Hog Farm commune in Berkeley, Calif., was the march's grand marshal, and he hitched a ride on the back of a bright yellow pedicab. He led more than 100 people who marched from the Capitol through downtown to City Hall, waving fuzzy pink peace signs and singing "This Land is Your Land." The march marked the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. In previous years, the mood of the two-mile march has been more somber, activists said. But the election of President Barack Obama changed that, said Richard Bowden, director of Instruments for Peace, one of the groups that organized the march. "The new president has changed the mood here," Bowden, 56, said. "This is a better time than any other because we have someone who might listen to us in office. We're providing the energy so he can push the envelope." The atmosphere was festive, said Marilyn White, 61, "but this is the anniversary of a sad war. We want to show citizens of Austin and all visitors to our city that we care about peace." As the colorful crowd, dressed in everything from tie-dyed shirts to fluorescent pink T-shirts, made its way down Congress Avenue, people left coffee shops and restaurants to stare, wave or simply smile. "We have to continue to rage against this war," said Nick Travis, 54, a member of Instruments for Peace. "Barack Obama can't be everywhere at once, and he's only been president for a short time. But the struggle continues. And it'll go on until after we pass." -- [email protected]; 445-3630 . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
