If you want to help stop the war in Iraq, here is an easy way for you to get involved.  Spend a few minutes reading this diary.

Last month a local peace organization held a week-long picket of Rep. Mike Rogers’ (R-MI) district office.  As part of the picket, members of the peace community started delivering single flowers to Rogers’ office, asking him to help stop the war.  The idea was so popular and easy, passing citizens joined in.  We ended up delivering about 14 dozen flowers in a three day period.  We called the deliveries, “Petals for Peace.”

Today we are continuing our campaign.  And we’ve made it really easy for anyone, anywhere to participate.  Here is what you need to do:

From Tuesday, April 18 through Friday, April 21, deliver a flower to Mike Rogers’ Lansing office.  You can make the delivery by phone, fax, mail or in person.  Here’s how:

By telephone — Call Bancroft Flowers at (517) 371-4120.  Order a $1 carnation for delivery to Rogers’ office.  They’ve agreed to waive the delivery charges.

By fax —  Draw a picture of a flower (don’t worry too much about your artwork) and fax it to Rogers’ Lansing office at (517) 702-8642.  If you can’t get through to the Lansing office (preferred), then you can fax it to the D.C. office at (202) 225-5820.

In person — Buy your $1 carnation at Bancroft Flowers (1417 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing) and deliver it to Rogers’ office (1327 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing), just one block away.  This is the preferred method if you are in the greater Lansing area.

By mail — Draw your flower and mail it to: U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, 1327 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan 48912.  Mailed flowers should be posted today (Tuesday) if possible.

If you like this idea, here are other ways you can help:

Recommend this diary so that it stays visible.
Cross-post it anywhere you like.
Send a flower on multiple days, if you wish.
Tell your friends and family about this.
Post comments to let us know how you’ve participated.
Or, e-mail me (tjayolson@hotmail.com) and let me know what you are doing.  We are keeping track of our efforts as best we can.

Other notes:

Be kind.  While Rogers has supported Bush and the war, his staff has been polite.  We are trying to let Mr. Rogers understand that people are very tired of this war, and that he ought to consider representing the growing majority of the American public who want it to end.

Some have wanted to send other items.  We’ve had commitments to send pies and cacti.  Also, some might prefer to send bouquets or roses.  Bancrofts has also been very kind in this campaign, so I have no problem if you want to reward their kindness.  (But this effort has nothing to do with money — it is all about a grass-roots way to try to communicate with a Congressman who could help change the world by changing his mind).

In addition to much local support, this effort has grown with national and international support.  So far in March and April we have had deliveries (or promises to deliver) from Australia, Spain, Argentina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Arizona.  One person in D.C. will be delivering to his Washington office.

For those who don’t like the idea of giving a gift to someone who has been a loyal supporter of Bush and the war, I can assure you that Mr. Rogers understands the context of these flowers from our ongoing campaign.  I’ll be delivering a letter (specifically, we are asking him to support legislation to stop the war) along with my own flower today.  So rest assured, even if you say nothing with your delivery, your point will be made.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  And thanks to those of you who will be participating.