Anti-war protesters gather in Superior

By Rich Kremer, 91.3 KUWS
December 17, 2009

Despite freezing temperatures, about 20 demonstrators gathered outside Congressman Dave Obey’s office in Superior today.

Holding signs saying “Healthcare not Warfare” and “End War Now” members of the Progressive Democrats of America picketed along Tower Avenue, outside of Obey’s office. But this wasn’t your typical protest. It was more of a show of support since Obey is opposed to President Obama’s troop escalation in Afghanistan. Progressive Democrats spokesman Steve Carlson of Trego says the Democratic congressman has gone out on a limb on this issue and they’re out to help.

“We really wanted to come out here today primarily to get out the message of healthcare not warfare, to support Obey’s stance on this and to just tell him that we’re with you, we got your back on and keep it up.”

Carlson says Obey’s Share the Sacrifice, war tax is a step in the right direction but he doesn’t think it will pass.

“So what we’re going to need him to do is take it up to the next step and say no to war funding. Congress has the power to make war not the president of the United States.”

Jan Provost of Superior’s Grandmothers for Peace says money for the conflict in Afghanistan should be spent on health care and creating jobs.

“People are suffering in this country. We’re spending all that money on war and it’s just ridiculous, so that’s why we’re here. And it’s kind of a cold day for old ladies to be out but we’re committed.”

Sybela Yarish of Rice Lake has lived in Afghanistan. She says Afghan fighters have crushed empires before so the only winner in this war is the military industrial complex.

“It’s about money. It’s not about anything else but money and I don’t understand Obama with all his promises, why he’s chosen to hook up with that bunch of bandits.”

Obey is on record saying he would feel better if the U.S. begins to withdraw troops in 18 months but without better support from Pakistan and Afghanistan he doesn’t see that happening.

RIP Tess Koenig

Iron Range native and Veteran for Peace Tess Koenig died in October at her winter home in California. Tess' Northland friends are invited to a memorial service on December 20, 2-4pm at the Friends Meeting House in Duluth (1802 E 1st St).

Tess Koenig, Nurse, Mentor, Activist, Friend
By John Heid
(reprinted from the Winter 2009 Nukewatch Quarterly)

At sunset on a mid October Saturday, Tess Koenig died as she had lived — peacefully. There were no large font headlines in the Los Angeles Times the following morning. Amidst the fray of health care reform, H1N1, the housing market collapse, the World Series and war-withoutend, Tess passed as inconspicuously as a soft autumn breeze through a stand of northern white pine.

Her death gave me pause. Not because it was sudden. It wasn’t. Not because she was young. She wasn’t, except at heart. What provoked me was a simple query. “What is the
value of a singular life?”

In an American Idolized society chock full of air-brushed stars and super heroes, who counts? In a culture that mass markets the pleasure principle and militarizes identity — “be all you can be” — how does one stand?

Tess was one who found her bearings. Born on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range between world wars, she knew something of modesty and making-do. She left the Range, but it never left her.

The so called “war effort” drew Tess into the service of caring for the wounded and ill as an army nurse and afterward, at the Veteran’s Hospital in West Los Angeles, she continued this work. Tess witnessed war from the vantage point of its victims. She came to understand in a hands-on way how war turns the moral order inside out.

In later years Tess was to become a proud member of Grandmothers For Peace and Veterans For Peace. Post war, she married another veteran later-to-become-peacemaker, Bob Koenig. The two became parents. Stories are told of their dual energies. Bob coached youth basketball and baseball. Tess attended the injured players and kept score. Tess always knew the score on the court and later in the courts.

In their retirement Tess and Bob metamorphosed. Their family widened. They went communal. This was how I came to know her… at the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker in Duluth, Minnesota. She prepared meals and faithfully attended peace vigils. Tess had the compassion to serve the hungry and the audacity to challenge the causes of their hunger.

In time I discovered that Tess (and Bob too) were known across the country. From Baltimore to LA, from Clam Lake, Wisconsin to Ft. Benning, Georgia. Tess knew who she was, and what she wasn’t. She lived life fully and by so doing helped others recognize what it means to do justice, to be fully human — warts and all.

Tess Koenig was not my heroine, but rather a mentor and friend. She eschewed the cul-de-sac mentality of the hero/heroine model, a model that panders to narcissism, a model of the impossible, the unattainable, the superfluous, a model antithetical to radical nonviolence.

Tess was down-to-earth, and roll-up-your-sleeves practical. This simplicity kindled a visionary spirit within her. She could delight in a pristine sunset over Lake Vermillion or the diamond in the rough visage of each guest sitting at the dining room table, as clearly as she could decry war.
The last time I called Bob and Tess, their answering machine still had the familiar message in her voice: “The Koenigs say bring ‘em home!” Tess’s last words. A fitting epitaph.

Hey Obama, Yes We Can; Troops Out of Afghanistan!

Student activists from UMD and CSS were joined by a handful of community members on Thursday in an emergency anti-war march/traffic slow-down at the Lake and Superior intersection in downtown Duluth. The protest was called in response to Obama's reception of the Nobel Peace Prize even as he escalates the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan and threatens to destabilize South America by stationing hundreds of troops in Colombia.

Despite the frigid weather, the crowd kept up their spirits with chants and drumming, circling the intersection for 45 minutes before marching to Canal Park. Channels 3 and 6 covered the protest on their evening newscasts. Keep reading for more pics courtesy Emily Flesch.

In a dramatic re-enactment of Obama's peace prize ceremony, the new Nobel Laureate walked over a human red carpet representing those who have died in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia and Honduras because of his Administration's policies.

Traffic wasn't stopped, but it was forced to slow down as students circled the intersection in two groups, interrupting business as usual and challenging public apathy toward Obama's wars.

March against the wars Thursday in Duluth!

Tell Obama: You've got your peace prize, now earn it!
NO escalation in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Colombia! Troops home now!
Thursday, December 10 at 4:30 PM
Meet up at the Minnesota Power Plaza in downtown Duluth
(Lake Ave and Superior St, next to the Christmas tree).

Even as he prepares for his Nobel Peace ceremony, President Obama is moving swiftly to escalate the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan, okaying both a troop build-up and more deadly drone attacks. Barely noticed but equally alarming are his plans to station hundreds of US troops on the other side of the globe in Colombia - propping up a human rights-abusing regime and heightening chances for a regional conflict.

Student activists at UMD, CSS and LSC have called for an emergency march on Thursday - the day Obama receives his Nobel Peace Prize - to protest these war policies and let the community know that the anti-war movement is alive and well! Bring drums/buckets to help us make some noise, bring reflective gear and lights to keep safe, and bring friends! There won't be any speakers, but a NO BULL PRIZE guerrilla theater along the way. And be prepared to take it to the streets.

Photos from 10/2 vigil

On December 2, Women in Black and several other local peace groups held a vigil in downtown Duluth to protest Obama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Two dozen people took part. Here are a few photos taken by Richard Thomas.

Protest the Afghan War Escalation

Judging by the steady leaks coming from the White House, tonight President Obama is going to be announcing a massive escalation of the unjust U.S. war on Afghanistan. Nationally, the anti-war movement is coming together to oppose this. The three main national anti-war groups (the National Assembly, ANSWER and United for Peace & Justice) have all come out for local actions to show that we do not approve of Obama's decision. Dozens of cities and towns have answered that call.

Here in the Twin Ports there is going to be a peace protest on Wednesday (Dec. 2) at 12:15 at the corner of Lake Ave. & Superior Street in downtown Duluth. This protest is being spearheaded by Women in Black, but all groups and activists are welcome.

I urge all of you to stand up for peace, and show that we are not for Obama's troop surge. Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!