Veterans for Peace “Walk to New Orleans”
Every Bomb Dropped on Iraq Explodes Along the Gulf
About the March
MARCH-CARAVAN SCHEDULE
13 MAR 06
3 PM – 4:30 PM
Press Conference at 100 Bessemer Avenue, Prichard, AL. Remarks from
Paul Robinson , President (MOBILE CHAPTER (Chapter 130) — VETERANS FOR PEACE); from Michael McPhearson (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — VETERANS FOR PEACE); from Kelly Dougherty (FOUNDING MEMBER — IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR); and from Vivian Felts (SAVIN’ OUR SELF — [SOS]); Scott Saterwhite, President (PENSACOLA CHAPTER (Chapter 135) — VETERANS FOR PEACE).14 MAR 06
5 PM – 6:30 PM
Moss Point/Pascagoula Press Conference and Survivor Speak Out.
BASIC REPRESENTATIVE OPENING REMARKS (30 minutes): David Cline,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, President — Veterans For Peace; Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace (Former Foreign Service Officer, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army); Michael T. McPhearson, National
Executive Director — Veterans For Peace; Stan Goff, Veterans For
Peace, Military Families Speak Out (Retired Special Forces Master
Sergeant, father of Iraq veteran); Michael Dean Cuzzort, Iraq Veterans
Against the War (hurricane survivor from New Orleans, veteran of
Afghanistan); Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against the War (war
resister, went to prison to protest the war in Iraq, combat veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom); Kelly Dougherty, Iraq Veterans Against the
War (combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, co-founder of IVAW);
Paul Robinson, Veterans For Peace, Hurricane Survivor, Savin’ Our Self
(SOS); Vivian Felts, Hurricane Survivor, SOS; Niki Wilson, Relief
Worker, Slidell Louisiana.Cynthia Seawright-Wright, a hurricane survivor and recovery organizer
will introduce the work of Outreach of Love; Four local survivors will
tell their stories; Iraq Veteran Jesus Bocanegra OF IVAW and talk about
the war in Iraq and his impressions of the Gulf Coast.15 MAR 06
6 AM
First Call. (This is a general wake-up call, done with three short
blasts of an air horn. It will not be followed up. It’s just a courtesy
alarm clock. The goal is to have everyone on the bus by 8 AM.)6 AM – 8 AM
Coffee, Breakfast, Hygiene, Packing. Home stays return to camp.8 AM – 9 AM
Shuttle to starting point, Leg 3 – Old Spanish Fort & Museum,
Pascagula, MS. Message at Spanish Fort, delivered to press in remarks
by IVAW member, Camilo Mejia. Just as the Spanish pushed out the Native Americans, the US Government is now trying to push out hurricane survivors. We cannot let this stand, and the military must not be used this way around the world or in the Gulf.9 AM – 12 PM
March Leg 3; from Pascagoula to City Hall in Gautier, MS (pronounced
Go-SHAY).12 PM – 1 PM
Lunch. Local speak-out with Gautier hurricane survivors. Opening
remarks from Reverend McCoy of Mt. Pilgrim AME Zion Church, Gautier.1 PM – 1:30 PM
Shuttle to starting point, Leg 4 — Hwy 90/Hwy 57 Junction, Ocean
Springs, MS.1:30 PM – 4 PM
March Leg 4; 90/57 Junction to Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Ocean Springs.4 PM – 4:30 PM
Vigil at MS Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Dave Cline, of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and National President of Veterans For Peace, will make remarks alongside Vietnamese immigrant and hurricane survivor now living in Mississippi; another wrong war. Larger group will leave individual flowers.4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Press Conference at Macedonia Baptist Church” Benediction and welcome from Reverend Jesse Trotter, Bible Study Baptist Church.BASIC REPRESENTATIVE OPENING REMARKS (30 minutes): David Cline,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, President — Veterans For Peace; Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace (Former Foreign Service Officer, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army); Michael T. McPhearson, National
Executive Director — Veterans For Peace; Stan Goff, Veterans For
Peace, Military Families Speak Out (Retired Special Forces Master
Sergeant, father of Iraq veteran); Michael Dean Cuzzort, Iraq Veterans
Against the War (hurricane survivor from New Orleans, veteran of
Afghanistan); Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against the War (war
resister, went to prison to protest the war in Iraq, combat veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom); Kelly Dougherty, Iraq Veterans Against the
War (combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, co-founder of IVAW);
Paul Robinson, Veterans For Peace, Hurricane Survivor, Savin’ Our Self
(SOS); Vivian Felts, Hurricane Survivor, SOS; Niki Wilson, Relief
Worker, Slidell Louisiana.SOS will speak, as well as members of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights
Alliance. Black-Brown Unity is the theme. The contractors who hire
Latino’s are taking advantage of the poverty the US enforces abroad to
exploit immigrant labor. The same contractors seized the contracts in
both Iraq and the Gulf Coast. They abuse and refuse to pay immigrants
because they can, and they can’t with residents. Latino’s are not the
enemy. Black and Brown should unite against a common enemy… and it’s not in Mexico or Central America. It’s in the nation’s capital.
Victoria Cintra will speak for MIRA. Cynthia Wright, an African
American survivor who lives in Ocean Springs will tell her story.
Janeth Perez, a Latina survivor and worker will tell her story, as well
as Melquiades Vicente (a 16-year-old injured worker) and Santos Moran (another injured worker, with Victoria Cintra translating). Also
speaking will be Peruvian immigrant Javier Ruiz del Aguila, who
chauffeured the press through the area after the hurricane and watched George W. Bush staging his photo ops. Jose Vasquez of IVAW will MC, and provide concluding remarks about the war and his decision to become a conscientious objector.6:30 PM – TC
Supper (Organized by Macedonia Baptist Church) & Socializing, Camp
Preparation, Home Stays.16 MAR 06
6 AM
First Call. (This is a general wake-up call, done with three short
blasts of an air horn. It will not be followed up. It’s just a courtesy
alarm clock. The goal is to have everyone on the bus by 7:30 AM. There is a long shuttle this morning.)6 AM – 7:30 AM
Coffee, Breakfast, Hygiene, Packing. Home stays return to camp.7:30 AM – 9 AM
Long Shuttle around Biloxi Bay to starting point, Leg 5 — Hwy 110/Hwy 90 Junction in Gulf Port, MS.9 AM – 12 PM
March Leg 5; 110/90 Junction (Gulf Port) to Junction of HWY 90 and
Cowan Road (along the beach).12 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & ad hoc Interviews. Done on the beach. A simple stop along the
road. Opportunity for short nap.1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
March Leg 6; 90/Cowan Road Junction to ruined City Hall in Long Beach.
(THIS IS AN AREA OF EXTREME DAMAGE!)4:30 PM – 6 PM
BASIC REPRESENTATIVE OPENING REMARKS (30 minutes): David Cline,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, President — Veterans For Peace; Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace (Former Foreign Service Officer, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army); Michael T. McPhearson, National
Executive Director — Veterans For Peace; Stan Goff, Veterans For
Peace, Military Families Speak Out (Retired Special Forces Master
Sergeant, father of Iraq veteran); Michael Dean Cuzzort, Iraq Veterans
Against the War (hurricane survivor from New Orleans, veteran of
Afghanistan); Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against the War (war
resister, went to prison to protest the war in Iraq, combat veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom); Kelly Dougherty, Iraq Veterans Against the
War (combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, co-founder of IVAW);
Paul Robinson, Veterans For Peace, Hurricane Survivor, Savin’ Our Self
(SOS); Vivian Felts, Hurricane Survivor, SOS; Niki Wilson, Relief
Worker, Slidell Louisiana.Survivors’ Speak-out, organized by Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Remarks by Abbie Pickett (IVAW, an Iraq combat veteran comparing what she sees in Long Beach and what she saw in Iraq) and Reverend Robert Landoor of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, followed by stories from three local survivors, first being Charles Guy. VFP member Ann Wright will close.6 PM – 7 PM
Shuttle to camping point, Long Beach, MS.7 PM – TC
Supper (Prepared by Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church) & Socializing, Camp
Preparation, Home Stays.17 MAR 06
6 AM
First Call.6 AM – 7:30 AM
Coffee, Breakfast, Hygiene, Packing. Home stays return to camp.7:30 AM – 9 AM
Long Shuttle to starting point, Leg 7 — Zapporo’s Bay Plaza,
Washington St. & MWY 90, Waveland, MS.9 AM – 12 PM
March Leg 7; Waveland to end of HWY 90 Service Road on right (app 8.5 miles).12 PM – 1 PM
Lunch in the middle of nowhere. (No event – no pressure)1 PM – 1:30 PM
Short Shuttle to starting point, Leg 8 — Shamrock Drive/Hwy 90
Junction.1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
March Leg 8; Shamrock/Hwy 90 to Camp Land-o-Peace, Slidell, LA. (This takes us up 190B to Slidell, left on HWY 11 [aka Front Street], turning right on Bayou Liberty Road.)4:30 PM – 7 PM
Press Conference with Bayou Liberty Relief. Relief worker Niki Wilson
makes opening remarks, emphasizing experience with FEMA.BASIC REPRESENTATIVE OPENING REMARKS (30 minutes): David Cline,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, President — Veterans For Peace; Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace (Former Foreign Service Officer, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army); Michael T. McPhearson, National
Executive Director — Veterans For Peace; Stan Goff, Veterans For
Peace, Military Families Speak Out (Retired Special Forces Master
Sergeant, father of Iraq veteran); Michael Dean Cuzzort, Iraq Veterans
Against the War (hurricane survivor from New Orleans, veteran of
Afghanistan); Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against the War (war
resister, went to prison to protest the war in Iraq, combat veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom); Kelly Dougherty, Iraq Veterans Against the
War (combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, co-founder of IVAW);
Paul Robinson, Veterans For Peace, Hurricane Survivor, Savin’ Our Self
(SOS); Vivian Felts, Hurricane Survivor, SOS.Tina Garnanez, Native American Iraq Veteran Against the War will make
remarks, followed by Ronald and Cheryl Courteaux of the Grand
Caillou-Dulac Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha Confederation of Muskogees (BCCM) and Naomi Archer, of Four Directions. Other speakers are:
Shequita Walker from Covington. She worked in the shelter in Pineview
though not with Red Cross; Kieth Long from Northern Washington
Parish–Mt Hermon; Barbra Gibson Mayor of Sun, La.; Alice Cothron from Isabell–Helped to feed and hold her community together from her small rural grocery store, cooking on a large barbecue till the shelves were empty; Lilliaian Blackburn from Franklinton–Bethal Church of Christ Holiness.Final remarks by Geoffrey Millard (IVAW) and Darlene Ong- Williams (an Iraq Vet’s Mother, Hurricane Survivor). Two survivors of Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina will testify to the continued neglect of FEMA there after SIX YEARS.
5:30 – TC
Press Conference (continued) & Cajun Cookout. Camp & Home Stays.18 MAR 06
6 AM
First Call.6 AM – 8 AM
Coffee, Breakfast, Hygiene, Packing.8 AM – 9 AM
Shuttle to Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge at end of Hwy 11
bridge over Lake Ponchartrain.9 AM – 10 AM
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge Press Conference. Environmental Justice advocates will join this, with environmental justice organizer Reverend Lois DeJean, Gert Town Revival Initiative, giving opening remarks. Ward Reilly, a Vietnam Veteran, will speak about Agent Orange, and Iraq Veteran Rafael Naboa about Depleted Uranium.10 AM – 11 AM
Shuttle to starting point, Leg 9 (New Orleans) – Chalmette National
Military Cemetery/Jean Lafitte Park (commemorating the Battle of New
Orleans… we are inaugurating the Second Battle of New Orleans).11 AM – 12:30 PM
A veteran each from WWII (Gene Glazier), Korea (Ellen Barfield),
Vietnam (Billy Kelly), the Covert Wars (Stan Goff), Gulf War I (Michael
McPherson), and today’s war (Garret Reppenhagen), each will give a
brief bio, followed by remarks on the military and civilian casualties
from these wars. Remarks by Cindy Sheehan (GSFP). A hurricane survivor advocate, Kali Williams, will commemorate those who died in the storms or of neglect, hostility, and incompetence later.12:30 PM – 1 PM
Fast Brown Bag Lunch.1 PM – 4 PM
March Leg 9; Chalmette Cemetery to St Augustine’s Church, New Orleans, LA.4 PM – TC
Veteran’s Art Collective Event and camping at the church. Visual art
displays, spoken word, music, drama, etc., from vets and hurricane
survivors. Opening remarks by Cindy Sheehan (Gold Star Families for
Peace), Michael Cuzzort (Iraq Veterans Against the War) and Dave Cline
(Vietnam Veterans Against the War).19 MAR 06
7 AM
First Call.7 AM – 9 AM
Coffee, Breakfast, Hygiene, Packing.9 AM – 10 AM
March Leg 10; St Augustine Church to Congo Square – Armstrong Park, New
Orleans, LA.10 AM
Enter Armstrong Park and begin the rally.NOTE: Rally begins at 10:30 AM with music and speakers. Tentative
speakers list includes:Father Jerome LeDoux, St. Augustine’s Catholic Church
Paul Robinson, President, Veteran’s For Peace (Mobile, Alabama Chapter)Michael Cuzzort, Iraq Veterans Against the War — New Orleans Chapter)Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace
Vivian Felts, Saving Ourselves (SOS) Ward Reilly, C-3 (Concern, Community, Compassion), Veterans For Peace &
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
(Baton Rouge) Ishmael Muhammad, People’s Hurricane Relief Fund
Marty Rowland, C-3 (Concern, Community, Compassion)
Elliott Adams (VFP) Stan Goff, Military Families Speak Out
Malik Rahim, Common Ground Collective
Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace
Victoria Cintra, Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance
Niki Wilson, Bayou Liberty Relief
