CPTnet
30 December 2005
CHICAGO/DC CALL TO ACTION: Shine the light--a call to witness in a time of
war
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) invites supporters around the world to
help "Shine the Light" on torture, hostage-taking and abuse of detainees
in an effort to expose the shadowy scourge of war and end the U.S.
occupation of Iraq.
Beginning January 15 - the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. --
through January 29, 2006, CPT will carry out a series of processions in
Washington, DC starting at institutions that bear key responsibility for
war-making and ending with a brief prayer service at the White House.
Each day, candle-carrying participants will walk in prayerful silence
guided by a torchbearer shining the light on a hooded detainee who
symbolically represents all persons held captive by war and occupation.
In 1967, reflecting on the U.S. war in Viet Nam, Dr. King exhorted those
gathered at the Riverside Church in New York: "I speak as a citizen of the
world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. The
great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be
ours." In that spirit CPT encourages supporters to join this effort in
Washington and beyond.
COME TO DC:
Church groups, youth groups, seniors, university students, peace clubs,
community groups - -join CPT's team in Washington for a day, two days, or
the entire two weeks. Bring battery-powered candles and "shine the light"
around the Pentagon, the State Department, the U.S. Capitol, the CIA, and
other government and private institutions complicit in torture,
hostage-taking and abuse of detainees.
Every morning, the DC team will gather for prayer and preparation. Each
afternoon's two-mile procession will march around the institution chosen
for that day. Those participating will be mindful of the biblical
encirclements of Jericho when the walls came tumbling down. Participants
will then convene at the White House for a concluding prayer service.
For more information, contact Cliff Kindy at 312-933-0546 (cell phone) or
by e-mail at light@cpt.org.
SHINE THE LIGHT AT HOME:
Organize processions led by a torchbearer illuminating a hooded "captive"
to expose the institutions in your community that sponsor, support, or
benefit from torture, abuse of detainees and war-making. Challenge
legislators, government officials, and corporate executives to change
course. Highlight the devastating cost of this war sustained by victims on
many fronts.
Register your "Shine the Light" actions at
www.cpt.org/iraq/shinethelight.php.
Sample prayers, leaflets and media releases are also available at that site.
DON'T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT:
Cindy Sheehan galvanized worldwide attention when she camped out at
President Bush's Texas ranch for weeks insisting that he explain why her
son Casey had to die fighting in Iraq. Throughout the fall, CPTers set up
similar encampments in Northern Indiana towns as an ongoing challenge to
the war. The "Shine the Light" campaign builds on those "Camp Casey"
experiences in an effort to reignite the forces of truth for building a
worldwide culture of nonviolence.
While the DC portion of this campaign contemplates an ending date of
January 29, local communities may wish to "Shine the Light" throughout the
Lenten season or the period leading up to March 19-20 - the third
anniversary of the war. (See www.aglobalcall.org for details about "A
Global Call for Nonviolent Civil Resistance to End the U.S.-Led Military
Occupation of Iraq.")
Since the four CPT workers went missing in Iraq on November 26, CPT has
been overwhelmed by the expressions of support it as received from people
all over the world. We hope this campaign might provide a framework by
which Christians, Muslims, Jews, and people of other faiths can continue
to use that supportive energy on behalf of justice for all those detained
and victimized by the war in Iraq.
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Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole church in
organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained,
peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict. Originally a violence-reduction
initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonite, Church of the
Brethren and Quaker), CPT now enjoys support and membership from a wide
range of Christian denominations.
To express concerns, criticisms or affirmations to CPT's Chicago office
send messages to peacemakers@cpt.org. To express concerns, criticisms or
affirmations to CPT's Canadian office, send messages to
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