The fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq occupation by the United States and its allies will be marked by scores of protests, prayer vigils and marches across the country Wednesday, including a half-dozen events in Madison.
The centerpiece of local activity is a rally and vigil on the Capitol Square at State Street, beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Hundreds of participants are expected, with a five-minute silent vigil at 11:55 a.m., followed by the peace train parade around the square.
"Wear black and bring a candle to light at the vigil," said organizers from the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice.
The big event nationally will be in Washington, D.C., where protesters plan to blockade the Internal Revenue Service headquarters on Constitution Avenue.
Judy Miner, office coordinator of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, said in a press statement today that groups are encouraged to participate in nonviolent mass actions against the war.
"There could be sit-ins, die-ins, blockades, pray-ins, bike blockades, street theater, poetry readings and speak-outs at government agencies, war profiteers, military recruitment centers or other pillars of war and empire in D.C.," Miner said.
Protesters are planning to demonstrate at the military recruiting station on Thierer Road near East Towne Mall at 11 a.m. Wednesday, a protest sponsored by the Madison Pledge of Resistance.
A drive-time picket protesting the war and demanding that troops be brought home is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the intersection of John Nolen Drive and Blair and Williamson streets, southeast of the Capitol Square.
The picket is organized by the Madison Area Peace Coalition. Participants are asked to bring signs or carry one provided by the coalition.
A second protest at State Street and the Capitol Square will be held from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday.
A prayer vigil is sheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 2401 Atwood Ave., with vespers and candlelighting to mark "five years of bloodshed, destruction, displacement and death."
For residents heading out of town because of the spring break, other marches, protests and vigils are scheduled around Wisconsin on Wednesday.
Events include:
MINOQUA: A peace march will cross the U.S. 51 bridge over Lake Minoqua. Participants are asked to meet in Torpy Park with the march scheduled to begin at 11:50 a.m. The march is sponsored by the Northwoods Peace Coalition.
ELM GROVE: The School Sisters of Notre Dame global justice and peace commission will conduct a prayerful reflection and public witness commemorating the five years of war at 1 p.m. at the order's facility at 13105 Watertown Plank Road in the west Milwaukee suburb. The public is also invited to stand with the sisters along the road during a rush-hour protest from 4:30-5 p.m.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS: Rapids Citizens for Peace will meet at the bridge over the Wisconsin River on state highways 54 and 13 at 4 p.m. Wednesday, with participants asked to bring signs and banners.
MANITOWOC: A peace vigil begins at 5:30 p.m. at Maritime Drive and 8th Street, sponsored by the Lakeshore Peacemakers.
KENOSHA: A peace rally sponsored by Kenoshans for Peace will be held at the downtown post office on 7th Avenue, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
LA CROSSE: The Women in Black vigil for peace begins at noon at 4th and Main streets, with attendees asked to carry signs.
WEBSTER: This small community in northwest Wisconsin will hold a prayer vigil at 4:30 p.m. with participants asked to meet in the Grace United Methodist Church parking lot on Highway 35, a block north of Main St.
DULUTH, MINN.: A peace vigil will begin at noon in the Civic Center.