Christmas Boycotted for 2 Day Peace for Vigil.

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday December 27, 2006 04:56 by Tracey Makamae - Christians Against All Terrorism

In a stand for solidarity an Australian woman boycotts Christmas to remember the Guantanamo detainees, POW's, the Raytheon 9 and the Pine Gap 4.

On a bright sunny Christmas morning, the festive community of Yeppoon on the Central Queensland coast of Australia arose to greet their day in joy and gladness, opening presents and family time together. Not so for many homes across this nation and indeed across the world as the reminders of missing loved ones taken in the grip of war that has ripped a gaping wound in the hearts of hundreds and thousands of families this Advent season. I sat alone in a peace vigil where I boycotted Christmas and Boxing day to remember those families, and those serving in this war-madness or in gaols.

I believe the 2 day peace vigil was very positive with alot of interest from the public. People were keen to know more about why I was there. People stopped to chat and, taking pamphlets. I now have more local contacts who signed up to be updated on what's happening with TS07 and Peace in general. On the 25th I set up a shrine and observed times of prayers throughout both days for POW's, their families grieving people directly effected by this war; the Raytheon 9 and the Pine Gap 4. It seems to me that the despair and sorrow endured by people is generating outwards in a sort of ripple effect. Those who have lost loved ones and friends and those who have loved ones in Guantanamo Bay or serving as prisoners of war share the same grief. It’s the intensity of loss that's different, but they likewise anguish the same way. My prayers are non-discriminate, and cross all nations. I hoped to link the hearts of the grieving together through prayer to be made stronger and be comforted and most of all, to know they are not alone. The ugly truth about this war is that we are all joined together by the single thread that this senseless murdering war machine has woven; but it also unites us in a powerful solidarity. We are all effected by war in some measure, there’s an ongoing sense of intolerance and exasperation that war subsists at all. And this was evident from the feedback I got from the general public. I sang and played music also, to provide a good up-beat positive feel and it was amazing what sort of interest it generated. People dancing in the street, people stopping to chat, folks gathering nearby just to hear some cool tunes playing and even some requests! Thankfully there were no requests to shut up! The hecklers were there also of course which sent me turning up the volume switch. Above all, the displays made people THINK. So hopefully now they will also start to feel and ACT!