Call the witnesses

We gathered under the USS Maine Monument at the Merchants’ Gate entrance to Central Park on Columbus Circle.

We gathered to witness for peace and to say no to war with Iran and no to war everywhere. We gathered as did people on Foley Square in New York and in places around the country.

We chanted as we gathered. For a short time, the chant rang out “Call the witnesses.” The reference was to an impending trial in the Senate.

But consider calling …

… young people living in poverty who see no other option than military service …

… children who wonder when, and if, a parent will return …

… parents who grieve for a child killed in action …

… creation exploited and abused by preparation and perpetration of war …

… soldiers maimed in body, spirit, soul, and mind …

… noncombatants wounded and killed and dismissed as collateral damage …

… women harassed and violated …

… communities uprooted and driven from their homes …

… those denied educational opportunities and health care and food and water and housing and infrastructure because needed resources have been directed to preparing for and waging war …

… yes, there are witnesses.

Witnesses to the obscenity and futility of war.

Call them.

Hear them.

Heed them.