Are you against the war? Do you have enough time to type a short comment to this diary? If you can answer yes to both these questions, then I need your help today.
On selected days over the last four months, my local peace group in Lansing, Michigan has been conducting an anti-war protest called Petals for Peace.
When Congress is in recess, we select a day and delivery flowers to our Congressman as an act of protest. At the beginning of each delivery day, we send a letter, so that he understands each flower is another voice against the war.
In the past, bloggers have joined in and really helped in the effectiveness of the protest.
We have delivered approximately 850 flowers so far. Today we want to try to reach the 1,000 flower mark. I’ve had forty-four people pledge to give flowers in advance. So we are still a ways short of our goal. And the only way to make up the flower-deficit is with your help. Delivering a flower is super easy this time around for bloggers. Just pick one of the following methods.
How Can I Deliver a Flower Today
- The easiest way. Just write a note in the comment section. Leave your name (blog name/first name and initial/however you want to be identified) and a very short peace message. And your message will find a flower being delivered today. (This offer is limited to the first 106 entries).
- The second easiest way. There is a flower shop right next door to Rep. Rogers’ office. You can phone them toll free at 1-866-476-8608. They will take your order for one flower. And a brief message. And deliver it on your behalf. They’ve been great over the course of this event. They are in no way affiliated with the peace movement — so this is not some scam. But be good to them. They are so cool. And be kind to Ruth.
- The third easiest way — but obviously the coolest. Draw a quick picture of a flower (don’t worry about your art work). Or for the tech savy you can use the logo picture. Blogger dada has some cool links to flower pictures in the comments to this diary as well. Put on a peace message if you want, but please be respectful. Then fax it to Rogers’ office at (517) 702-8642.
- And on the off chance you are in the Lansing area, deliver it in person. Buy it at Bancrofts (1417 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing), if you like, and walk it one block west to Rogers’ office (1327 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan). Some members of the peace group will be their picketing from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. if you would like to say, “Hi.”
And most important. I am unable to count your delivery unless you let me know how you did it. You can leave your delivery info in comments section, and I’ll get it. Or you can e-mail it to me (tjayolson@hotmail.com).
A couple of important notes. We have spread out our operations to include a couple of other Congress people since we have started this all.
Last month, we delivered to Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI-07). And we will again today. If you have time for an extra delivery his contact info is (6604 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI; Fax 517-327-7488). As a result of our deliveries, we have opened a dialogue with his office. We met with them yesterday to discuss the war. So if you are delivering a message to Schwarz, please be very kind. And acknowledge their willingness to at least discuss the war.
This month, we are introducing another Congressman to Petals for Peace. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA-09). He was nominated by blogger tampopo. She will be the local organizer for his office. But if you have the time, please fax him a Petal for Peace as well. His contact information is (100 Lincoln Way East, Suite B, Chambersburg, PA — Fax 717-264-0269). And if you wouldn’t mind, throw a comment in saying when you faxed to Shuster. We would love to spread out the deliveries so that he gets at least one an hour.
Thank you very much for your past participation. And for your help in reaching 1,000 this time around. I will check back later in the day to respond. (I’m off to organize/deliver/etc.)
