Chimes for remembrance and resistance: 100 bells rung out on 11th November 2005
Les Gibbons (with Fallujah on my mind) | 11.11.2005 17:53 | Anti-militarism | South Coast
Today the 11th November 2005 a small group of Southcoast people decided to hold a bell ringing event as part of the www.iraqmortality.org campaign to ensure that over 100, 000 bells worldwide ring out for the people who have died in Iraq from the ongoing war and occupation.
Today the 11th November 2005 a small group of Southcoast people held a bell ringing event (100 times) as part of the '100,000 Rings for IRAQ' campaign to ensure that over 100,000 bells worldwide ring out for the people who have died in Iraq since the gratuitiously violent invasion, ongoing war and occupation that enables the west to profit.
A year ago, a study in the Lancet (Medical Journal) estimated that over 98,000 Iraqis had died of war related causes since the the initial invasion, and over 2,000 military personnel of various countries.
Les' (Fallujah on my mind) reflection
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This memorial event occurred largely, in a 'spirit of resistance' to the ongoing war and occupation in Iraq. The Resistance (p)Art, took place outside the local Army / Navy recruitment offices in Southampton, we had posters on lovely donated card - (thanks Kev) with messages which invited the military and passersby to join in with us.
Each bell which rang out reminded me of the fragility of human life to bullets, shrapnel and bombs and of those who mourn on and considering that there is but one human race when it all comes down to it. Taking sides occurs in protest and complaint, (us and them thinking) and so today my own personal presence was to offer that the divide be narrowed. I have been in the forces and so know that such gaps can be reached.
Whilst the dominant narrative from military personnel and sectarian groups, appears to be one of threat and potential violence e.g "I will fight you if, you do not take me seriously" and there is nothing more serious than death which is the most absolute violation of a persons human rights.
After we seperated, I decided to go back to the Army / Navy office and speak with the man (a warrant officer) who opened the door to me. I spoke about the reason we had been outside his place of work and I assured him personally I had nothing against him personally (there had been a fracas earlier when another guy kicked the door a few times). Maybe one day we can go back and do some nonviolence training with them, they get the people we do the training?
See also:
http://www.j-n-v.org/ and www.iraqmortality.org
I'll try to get some photos on later.
A year ago, a study in the Lancet (Medical Journal) estimated that over 98,000 Iraqis had died of war related causes since the the initial invasion, and over 2,000 military personnel of various countries.
Les' (Fallujah on my mind) reflection
-----------------------------------------------------------
This memorial event occurred largely, in a 'spirit of resistance' to the ongoing war and occupation in Iraq. The Resistance (p)Art, took place outside the local Army / Navy recruitment offices in Southampton, we had posters on lovely donated card - (thanks Kev) with messages which invited the military and passersby to join in with us.
Each bell which rang out reminded me of the fragility of human life to bullets, shrapnel and bombs and of those who mourn on and considering that there is but one human race when it all comes down to it. Taking sides occurs in protest and complaint, (us and them thinking) and so today my own personal presence was to offer that the divide be narrowed. I have been in the forces and so know that such gaps can be reached.
Whilst the dominant narrative from military personnel and sectarian groups, appears to be one of threat and potential violence e.g "I will fight you if, you do not take me seriously" and there is nothing more serious than death which is the most absolute violation of a persons human rights.
After we seperated, I decided to go back to the Army / Navy office and speak with the man (a warrant officer) who opened the door to me. I spoke about the reason we had been outside his place of work and I assured him personally I had nothing against him personally (there had been a fracas earlier when another guy kicked the door a few times). Maybe one day we can go back and do some nonviolence training with them, they get the people we do the training?
See also:
http://www.j-n-v.org/ and www.iraqmortality.org I'll try to get some photos on later.
Les Gibbons (with Fallujah on my mind)
e-mail:
les.gibbons1@ntlworld.com