Bagong Pinay/ Pinay Ngayon (Filipina Today) 2003/ "The World Says No to War"-- "From Seattle to Manila: Our Grief is Still Not a Cry for War" by Joann Natalia Aquino

From Seattle to Manila:
Our Grief is Still Not a Cry for War
by Joann Natalia Aquino

Photos by Joann Natalia Aquino ©

"Makibaka"

Seattle, Washington- The rain stopped just in time as tens of thousands of peace demonstrators gathered in the 2.7-mile procession from Seattle Center to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) building, joining million others around the globe protesting the threatened war against Iraq.

Multitude of chanting crowds waving their signs proclaiming "No War On Iraq" and "The World Says No to War," united collectively with over 600 cities across the world, including Paris, London, Prague, Copenhagen, Athens, Rome, Cairo, Berlin, Bangkok, Manila, and U.S. cities which include Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Portland, and Washington DC.

The February 15th march around the world was said to be the largest anti-war march in history. All demonstrations remained peaceful and no violence was reported.

"Under the Eagle's Wings"

At the Seattle march, artists assembled giant puppet visuals, huge globe lanterns and flags, and placards with statements of anti-war sentiments against the talks of invasion of Iraq. On the sidewalks in front of the Federal Building, chalk-outlined bodies were drawn to represent the innocent people killed through sanctions and war from attacks. In front of the INS building, significant banners with the yearning words of, "You are not forgotten, we will keep fighting until you are free!" swayed in the air, as flowers were placed to express solidarity and empathy for the immigrants detained inside.

"Mga Anak Ng Bayan"

Among the marchers were war veterans, community organizers, students, seniors, children, and other supporters of anti-war. A large number from the Filipino American delegation lead by AnakBayan Seattle, Filipino Workers Action Center, and Gabriela Network, marched in solidarity expressing their fears of the repercussions in the Filipino American community and in the Philippines if this war pushes through.

Echoes of "No War" chants and songs about peace filled the streets during the procession. A man on the street yelled repeatedly, "This is beautiful! This is beautiful!" declaring the heartrending impact of the demonstration to those who were able to witness it.

By the International District/ Chinatown area, a woman stood in the middle of the street, with her eyes closed and her palms wide open extending her hands outward to the crowd, appearing as though she was in meditation and in prayer for the situation ahead.

"Shalom"

In front of the INS building, crowds bowed their heads in an outcry for those detained and in danger of deportation, as a result of post-9/11 backlash on immigrants. Behind the people praying, a large banner with the word "Shalom" fluttered in the air, back and forth, and back and forth, as though it is that what it wants.

Shalom. Peace.

Listen to the cries. The world says no to war.

"Solidarity"

"We Remember"

(Republished with permission from the author and editor-in-chief of Filipino American Herald. Article originally published at Filipino American Herald on February 2003.)

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