"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1690584,00.html

Feb. 15 peace march planned

Local group says opposition to war with Iraq has grown

By Mike Baird, Caller-Times
January 22, 2003

Anti-war activists want to push up the date of a planned peace march because they say the number of like-minded people has grown.

The group, for which one member has suggested the name "Patriots for America," will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss plans for a Feb. 15 peace march.

The march originally was set for mid-March, but organizers said their support is escalating with people from all walks of life, and they feel a need to walk for peace sooner.

"I think it's going to be a huge turnout Thursday," said Melena Worsham, owner of the Lotus Cup coffee shop on Water Street.

"We're moving forward with our plans and there's a lot to tell people," Worsham said. "We expect at least 100 participants this time, and I won't be surprised if we have 150 or more."

"The phone's been ringing off the wall," said Keith Rowley, the coffee shop's co-owner.

The couple initiated a meeting last Thursday at the Lotus Cup and by 9 p.m. the space was crowded with supporters. This week's meeting is being moved to a larger space at the Creative Spirits Studio across the courtyard from the coffee shop.

Agnes Gerner of Corpus Christi said she plans to attend the walk.

Gerner, whose daughter serves in the 887th Quartermaster Company and was recently sent to Fort Hood, said she is ordering a banner that says "Walk for Peace."

"I don't want people to get the wrong impression," Gerner said. "It's not just a bunch of hippies who support this movement."

Gerner said she is trying to contact a group called Families Against the War, made up of brothers, sisters and parents of military personnel who are opposed to war with Iraq, Gerner said.

"If we were protecting our borders, it would be one thing," Gerner said. "I want people to know that we support our children for their military service, but not war over oil."

Worsham said the walk, which organizers plan for 4 p.m. Feb. 15, will begin at the steps of the federal courthouse. She said organizers have been contacting prospective speakers and that the Rev. David Owen of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Corpus Christi has committed to talk.

The walk will proceed to Cole Park on Ocean Drive, where organizers have arranged for live music and other speakers, Worsham said.

"We'd really like to have Alan Pogue of Austin," said Worsham. "He's a photographer just back from Iraq who is a member of Veterans for Peace."

Worsham also said she is trying to contact legislators and other clergy to speak.

Contact Mike Baird at 886-3774 or bairdm@caller.com

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1690584,00.html

Write your government officials!:

President George W. Bush
email: president@whitehouse.gov
White House Opinion Line:
(202) 456-1111
Washington Office:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, US 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Washington Office:
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4304
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 224-5220
Main District Office:
10440 N. Central Expressway, #1160
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: (214) 361-3500
Fax: (214) 361-3502

Senator John Cornyn
Washington Office:
517 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
Main District Office:
2323 Bryan St., Ste. 2150
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 767-3000

U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz
Washington Office:
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4327
Phone: (202) 225-7742
Fax: (202) 226-1134
Main District Office:
3649 Leopard, #510
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
Phone: (361) 883-5868
Fax: (361) 884-9201

Governor Rick Perry
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943

State Senator Juan Hinojosa
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
Phone: (512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Main District Office:
612 Nolana Ste, 410B
McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 972-1841
Fax: (956) 686-8462

State Rep. Jaime Capelo
E1.424 Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0462
Fax: (512) 463-9545
Main District Office:
501 S. Tancahua
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 882-2277
Fax: (361) 882-2881

City of Corpus Christi:

Mayor Neal, Loyd
email: dianag@ci.corpus-christi.tx.us
Phone: (361) 880-3100
Fax: (361) 880-3103

Kelly, Bill (District 1)
email: maryj@cctexas.com
Phone: (361) 289-1383
Fax: (361) 289-0712

Colmenero, Javier D. (District 2)
email: jcolmenr@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Noyola, Jesse (District 3)
email: jnoyola@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Scott, Mark (District 4)
email: mscott@sanjacintotitle.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Kinnison, Rex (District 5)
email: rkcpatx@aol.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Office: (361) 884-6396
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Cooper, Melody (At Large)
email: joe@melodycooperlaw.com
(361) 887-8014 (wk)
(361) 850-7383 (hm)

Chesney, Brent (At Large)
email: bchesney@firstam.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Garrett, Henry (At Large)
email: chiefhcg@aol.com
(361) 949-8406
cell: (361) 850-3113
fax: (361) 949-0162

the South Texas Alliance for Peace & Justice website is graciously and freely hosted by:

please support local peace-loving businesses!