The demonstration was uplifting. We started with a vigil at 4:30 pm at the National Guard Armory, the site of our weekly Wednesday vigil. More and more people arrived despite the heavy, heavy rain.
At 5:00 we held a press conference. Speakers included Gold Star Father and member of Military Families Speak Out, John Fenton, Paula Rogovin (MFSO, Bergen County Chapter) Ken Dalton (President), Walter Nygard (V. President)Veterans for Peace, Chapter 21, NJ, Rev. Randall Day (St. Marks Church), Theodora Lacey (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance Committee, Bergen County) Joseph Chuman (leader of Ethical Culture Society, Teaneck),Ren Mabey (Farleigh Dickenson University), Englewood City Council member Scott Reddin, Sue Novick (Chair of Teaneck Peace and Justice Coalition), Anita Young (Bergen Peace and Justice Coalition and NJ NOW), Clifton Arrington (People's Organization for Progress. Assemblyman Gordon Johnson pledged to co-sponsor a bill to de-federalize the NJ National Guard which is scheduled to redeploy in June. (for info go to www.njpeaceaction.org)
Then, we carried flowers and sang as we walked to the tank in front of the armory. We placed flowers on the tank. Some people climbed on top and put flowers in the turret. Then we returned to the vigil.
At 6 pm people drove to the Paramus, NJ office of Republican Congressman Garrett. We stood along the busy highway near his office for an hour.
At both locations, a whole lot of motorists honked,waved, made peace signs with their hands, and shouted in support. I’ve always said that when people come out to a demonstration in the rain – they really mean to be there. It was really spirited!

In preparation for the event people from MFSO (mfsobergencounty.org) Veterans for Peace, Chapter 21 (vfp.org), and Bergen Peace and Justice Coalition (bergenjustice.net) did a whole lot of work: mass e-mails, post cards, robo calls, personal phone calls, leafletting, press releases and press calls, and more. We salute all of that hard work!
Press coverage:
in advance of the event:
Letters to the editor in several shopper newspapers announcing the March 19 events.
March 16 – column in the Record by Lawrence Aarons about the upcoming 5th Anniversary events.
March 19 - Huge article by Justo Bautista on the front page and inside of the Record about the Northern NJ troops killed in Iraq. This include a huge photo and interview of John Fenton and members of other families.
March 19 - Reporter and photographer from the Record came to the event. No article yet.
March 19 - NBC nightly news at 11 pm showed our event!
March 19 - WGHT radio in Pompton Lakes,aired an interview of Paula Rogovin (MFSO)
March 19 - Associated Press reporter came to the 5th Anniversary Event and posted photos and captions.

March 19 – The Record had a huge front page photo of John Fenton holding a photo of his son Matthew who died from wounds suffered in Iraq – along with photos of other local residents who were killed in Iraq. The article was by Justo Bautista

March 19 – The Teaneck Suburbanite had an article by Howard Prosnitz about our event showing Winter Soldier last Saturday. Will be an article on March 26.

March 26 - Town News shopper will have an article by Allison McGevna about the 5th anniversary event near Congressman Garrett's office