Peace march planned for Saturday in Pittsfield

This is a forward of an email post from Trish Gorman, of Williamstown (tgorman79@hotmail.com ). It's not clear who has written the original news release Trish forwards, so the accuracy of the schedule information is not confirmed.

Gorman writes:

"Bring signs (without sticks or cardboard tubes as they are not allowed in Pittsfield.) Bring drums to beat as we march along. Pots and pans will do nicely. Some churches will ring their bells for us. Some
folks will bring whistles so we can blow the whistle on the facilitators of war as we pass the recruiting station at 75 North St. Bring your cameras if you like. We plan to include a reading of the Bill of Rights in our final reflections. If you haven't read it recently you may hear it differently in these times."

The Third Anniversary - End the Iraq War March is sponsored by Berkshire Citizens for Peace and Justice and the Global Issues Resource Organization. Call 413 997-2108 for more information.

"Third Anniversary - End the Iraq War March," Saturday, March 18, 2006,
Pittsfield, MA. Rain/snow date: Sunday, March 19.

The March will serve as a three-part remembrance.

10:40 - 11:40 a.m.: Vigil on South St. on the sidewalks on the uphill slope, beginning at Crofut St. 11:40 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.: March up South St. to North St. to Wahconah St. to Pecks Rd. (Alll churches are encouraged to ring their bells for five minutes at noon in support of this remembrance.)

• The first segment of the march, to West Housatonic Street, will be in remembrance of the three-year duration of the Iraq war (invasion and occupation) and will consist of 1,096 steps, one for each day of this now global catastrophe.
  
• The second segment, to Wahconah Street, will be in remembrance of the roughly 2,300 American Service Members who have given their lives, one step for each death. The route will follow South Street to Park Square, circle the square and proceed up North St. to the intersection of North and Wahconah streets.
  
• The final segment of the March will continue on Wahconah Street and end at Pecks Road. Each step in this phase of the March will represent 100 Iraqi deaths. The total length of the March is approximately 2.25 miles.

Immediately following the march, marchers will join together in the sanctuary of Pilgrim Memorial Church, 249 Wahconah Street, to share a few closing reflections. Marchers are advised to park on side streets, but may also park in the lot behind St. Teresa's at 290 South St. A safety vehicle will accompany the march and can shuttle marchers back to South Street.