If you passed by Main Street Norwich Tuesday morning, you may have seen people singing songs and waving flags, demanding peace.
Members of Veterans for Peace marched through Norwich as a part of their Walk for Peace and Planet, Justice and Democracy. They started in Maine, and aim to reach Washington D.C. in early July. On Tuesday, they visited U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney’s office, then marched to Naval Submarine Base in Groton to hold a vigil around 3:30 p.m. The group then planned to demonstrate outside the Coast Guard Academy’s Commencement 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and hold a vigil at Electric Boat at 2 p.m. that day., according to a press release.
The peace walk has been planned for over a year, even before the recent violence spurred by the Oct. 7 attacks. Vets for Peace has a history of conducting peace walks and sharing environmentalist and anti-war messages. What’s going on in Israel and Palestine is an extension of the U.S.’s Military Industrial Complex; that rhetoric about enemies keeps money flowing into the war machine, Associate Member Anthony Donnovan said.
“I believe the founding of our country was clearly about standing up against empire, and we’ve become one,” he said.
Why they march for peace
One of the veterans in the group was James Williams, a former U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam. He was “gung-ho” about his service. The G.I. Bill gave him the opportunity to go to college, and that changed his perception of what he stood for “and all the lies I was told,” he said.
“It’s futile,” Williams said. “(Mankind) has been practicing war for millennia and its not getting us peace. We have to try another way.”
While in Norwich, Vets for Peace met with two of Courtney’s staffers. This is the second congressional office they’ve visited on their trip, Williams said.
The group felt the talks were productive, as Courtney supports the ceasefire. However, his continued support for military aid to Israel “is very disheartening,” Vets for Peace member and former paratrooper Windsor Wade said.
While Courtney has an inconsistent stance, Vets for Peace hopes to have continued communication, Member Eric Wasileski said.
“The peace movement is moving, and we’re not going to be dismissed,” he said.
Reaction
Courtney’s staffers stated Vets for Peace had contacted them last week to meet with staff and share information.
“This morning’s meeting reflects the strong focus the Congressman’s office has always had on listening to and seeking feedback from constituents. We thank them for coming in for a meaningful conversation and making their voices heard,” a spokesperson for Courtney’s office stated.
While the Vets for Peace demonstrated outside Courtney’s office, a few people stopped and learned about their mission. One of them is Wendy Novicki-Romano , who was impressed by both their cause and their long walk.
“It’s neat what they want to do,” she said. “ I would want to do the same thing, making sure everyone’s ok.”
When dealing with negative responses, Associate Member Alexis Ryon-Melcher, from California, reiterated a catchphrase from one of her fellow Vets for Peace members.
“When we get flipped the bird, it’s halfway to the peace sign,” she said.
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