Two-months ago, as I was leading a rather intensive local anti-war protest, I stumbled upon an idea that I’d like to share.
During a week-long picket of our Congressman’s office (Rogers, R-MI-08), I noticed that there was a flower shop just a block away. I had just seen a lecture about the power of gift-giving in some political confrontations (see the Georgian Rose Revolution for more background about this, if you’d like — it is interesting). So I thought it would be cool to start delivering flowers to our local Congressman’s office as an act of protest. Members of our peace community would take individual flowers into the office and ask that the Congressman stop the war (or at least consider legislation to stop the war).
We ended up delivering almost 200 flowers in just a few days. And it wasn’t just a bunch of activists. People walking by were easily convinced to take in a flower to protest the war.
We continued the event the next month. And to date we have delivered about 500 flowers. Some people faxed in flowers or called in deliveries from far and wide. Spain. Italy. Argentina. Australia. Bunches from all different states. Some sent cactii. Some suggested pies. Some drew flower pictures and delivered them.
And it had an impact. The office just couldn’t stand it at times. The pressure grew on them. They locked us out. They refused to take flowers, making people place them in a recyble bin. They made us drop them on the doorstep, outside the office. Rogers himself was forced to bend low and pick up a dozen off his office stoop as he exited at the end of the week.
Is it capable of changing a war proponent into a war opponent? I don’t know. But I’m sure it at least makes him understand how broad, wide, and deep opposition to the war really is. And I know that the Republican Congress is now planning on having an open debate about the issue. It is progress.
So we’ve been keeping it up. At every Congressional break. When they are home in the district, we are delivering flowers to let them know we want this war to end.
Which leads me to this month’s action. I’d like you to participate if you can. It is the easiest way I’ve seen for people to take an anti-war stand. And while I know some Democrats are split on this issue, if you want the war to end, by all means, join in. Here is what to do:
On Friday, June 2, 2006, deliver a flower to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers’ Lansing office. You can do it from anywhere. And it’s easy. Pick the most convenient method.
By phone — Call Bancroft Flowers (517-371-4120) and order a flower. They deliver.By fax — Draw a picture of a flower with your own peace message (optional) and fax it to Rogers’ Lansing office (517-702-8642).
In person — Buy a carnation at Bancroft Flowers (1417 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing) and walk it over to Rogers’ office. It is just one block to the west on Michigan Ave. Easy as pie.
And if you aren’t too exhausted by this effort, here are some other ways you can get involved:
1. Send a flower to your own Congressperson, with an explanatory note. No reason Rogers should be the only representative to get this message.
2. Spread word of this protest to anyone who might want to hear it. It is amazing how many good people there are in the world who don’t really know what a blog is.
3. If you want to assist us in Michigan, we are branching out to a second Congressmember this recess. Joe Schwartz (R-MI-07). Fax him a flower. Or deliver in person, if you are local (6604 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Michigan).
That’s it. Did I tell you it was easy.
I don’t know when our efforts will finally lead policy makers to end it. But they will end it eventually. They can’t put up with massive opposition forever. And it is important to show them our opposition. Don’t let anyone fool you. If you aren’t making a statement, they won’t ever hear you.
Here’s one reason it is important to me. During that first picket two-months ago, I met a Michigan soldier who is shipping-out for Iraq in June. He doesn’t want to go. He delivered a flower. I don’t want that kid to get shipped home in a box. And I don’t want him to have to run over a child out of fear. And I don’t want him to have to shoot other human beings because he can’t tell who is his friend and who is trying to kill him. And I’ve shaken his hand. And looked into his eyes. I might not be able to stop this deployment. But I’ve got to try. And maybe we will get him home sooner. Or maybe we’ll save him from a second tour. I don’t know. But if you’ve read this far, I bet you have a similar story. E-mail me (tjayolson@hotmail.com) if you want more info. Thanks.
