|
Voices of Peace
 |
| "Peace & Social Justice is a Garden" banner with Bonnie on left and Peg Morton on right, from Pilgrimage to Fort Benning by Peg Morton |
The Fast: Monday, July 21, 1:30 PM to Monday, July 28, 1:30 PM. Opening and closing ceremonies will be at those times.
Also planned: Daily silent meditation, reflection and prayer, 8:15-8:45 AM and 8:00-8:30 PM on the steps. Candles welcome.
Daily at 12:15-12:45,enlarged vigil. 5:00 PM singing of songs of justice and peace. Instruments welcome. Vigilers welcome at any time.
Comment:
I am a Quaker, a peace activist, and also am retired from the mental health profession. I plan a 24-hour a day vigil and juice fast on the steps of the State Capitol building in Salem from Monday, July 21 to Monday, July 28.
My heart feels torn apart as I learn of the effects, and potential effects of massive cuts to human services by the Oregon State Government. A disabled friend of mine attempted suicide because of removal of her medications. Another person, living with mental illness, did commit suicide because of desperation in her search for services. Large numbers of people admitted to emergency mental health facilities are now released without medication or follow-up counseling. The stories are unending. Disabled people by the thousands live in fear of what will happen to them.
Participants in SOSA, the Support Our Services Alliance, have been converging on the State Capitol for months, speaking to legislators, attending committee meetings, singing their message throughout the building. A broad coalition of educators, labor, health professionals, disabled groups, and others, have tirelessly lobbied with their concerns. State legislators and our Governor are wringing their hands, staying up night after night searching for solutions, but none of the solutions proposed come close to renewing and maintaining current programs.
I believe that there is a solution, there must be a solution, to the woes of the Oregon state budget. Oregon is, in fact, a state with many resources and much wealth. Taxes must be raised, in ways that do not harm people of lower and middle incomes. Inappropriate tax loopholes must be closed. Long term tax reform towards a return to a progressive tax structure, including corporations, must happen.
Can we call ourselves a civilized state if we permit vulnerable groups to go uncared for and if we create poverty and despair? How much will massive increases in poverty and desperation increase our budget costs in the future?
The tin man in the Wizard of Oz exclaimed, "If I only had a heart!" Later he discovered that he did, indeed, have a heart. I believe that the people of Oregon, and those who represent us in our government, also do have hearts. I believe that our leaders do have the courage and the imagination, and that the people of Oregon do have the generosity, to do the right thing. Let's do it!
Addendum: My hope is that my vigil and fast will serve as a magnet to bring others out to make a strong statement. It will not be especially effective unless others join me. Time is running out and the legislature will soon close its doors. Come. Bring signs. Sing. Visit your legislators. Let's show them that we care!
News Links
Visit the Register Guard: Activist starts fast for social services by David Steves
Oregon Public Broadcasting:
Capitol Fast Focuses on Human Services Funding by Kristian Foden-Vencil
© Copyright 2000-2004 by West By Northwest.org
Top of Page
untitled
|
