More than 150 peace and civil liberties activists descended on the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton Nov. 10, to protest the bombing of Afghanistan and to voice concerns about the curtailing of civil liberties on American soil.
But organizers say the march and rally accomplished a third purpose as well: providing a forum for fellow "peacemakers" in DuPage County.
"We think there are people like us in DuPage County who feel they're alone out here, and we're trying to dispel that notion," Lombard resident Dave Martin said. Martin is the leader of the DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition, which organized the event.
"We wanted to get on the radar screen," Martin said. "We wanted our communities to know a coalition exists out here for a peacemaker's viewpoint."
The event was held in conjunction with National Day of Peace Response rallies being held throughout the nation.
Martin said the day kicked off on the steps of the DuPage County Courthouse with a rally featuring speakers from the National Lawyers Guild and the DuPage chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
The speakers addressed concerns about recently passed and pending anti-terrorist legislation, as well as how the measures will impact citizens and immigrants.
"We wanted to make sure general citizens know we need to be vigilant, that legislation set in a time of tragedy doesn't end up setting groundwork where repressive actions can be taken against lawful folks who want to express a dissenting voice," Martin said.
Coalition members also used the public forum and ensuing peace march along Roosevelt Road to express concerns about the U.S. bombing in Afghanistan.
Martin said the coalition opposes the bombing and believes a response to terrorist actions should be pursued on the international level through the United Nations.
Accompanied by a police escort, Martin said chanting marchers carrying banners and placards traveled down County Farm and Roosevelt roads in Wheaton.
As the group stretched along Roosevelt Road in a standing vigil, he said, several passers-by honked their horns and made gestures of support.
"The occasional rude gesture was the exception," he said. "We got a lot of support."
The coalition meets twice monthly and is working to plan weekly peace vigils, organize a public forum on Arab-Israeli dialogue; promote conversation with state and national lawmakers; and develop community education events focusing on peace and nonviolent action.
Further information on the DuPage Peach Through Justice Coalition is available by visiting the group's Web site at DuPagePeace.home.att.net, or by e-mailing the organization at DuPagePeace@att.net.