Emotional Intelligence | Main Page on Peace
Ashley Casale
News clip 1 "the masses were absent"
... on July 25 the International Herald Tribune ran a
piece titled; "Teens march across America in lonely
opposition to war." The article talked about 19-year-old
Ashley Casale and eighteen year old Michael Israel who started
their 3,000-mile walk from San Francisco to Washington opposing
the war in Iraq and hoping that others would join them. The pair
did pick up a third marcher, Tom Garrett, 19, but the masses were
absent; What happened to them? What happened to all those
Americans opposing the war?
This is a copy from http://web.archive.org/web/20080501022751/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teens-vow-to-march-across-country-for-peace.html
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 7/29/2007
Two teens from opposite coasts have been marching across the country to protest the war; they hope to reach Washington, D.C. by September 11.
By Anastacia Mott Austin
Wesleyan freshman Ashley Casale opposed the war in Iraq, but didn’t
know what to do that would feel like it had an impact.
She decided to initiate a "March for Peace," inviting
anyone else who wanted to spread the message of peace and
opposition to war to come along with her.
So far, she’s only had one serious taker. Michael Israel
from Jackson, California, has joined her every step of the way.
The two set off from San Francisco on May 21st, after a rally
held in their honor attended by political groups Code Pink and
Not in Our Name, among others. The activist groups and various
others marched with them through the first day, though they were
almost immediately stopped on the Golden Gate Bridge for carrying
banners.
Undaunted, they journeyed on. Initially joined by a third
marcher, she dropped out after the first week, and now it’s
just Casale and Israel.
But don’t feel too sorry for them. Currently somewhere in
Iowa, the two have been joined many times for a day or more by
various people they have met along the way.
Why march across the country? "It seems like the country is
asleep," said Michael Israel to The Chicago Tribune.
"A lot of people we meet are against the war. But it doesn’t
seem like many people are doing anything about it."
The two are hoping to motivate other Americans who oppose the war
to become more active. "I hope it inspires people to be more
vocal and politically active and become more aware of what’s
going on around them," said Israel to reporters.
They’ve encountered a lot of support, and some criticism as
well. Many people have offered to put them up for the night, fed
them, and one even gave Casale a new pair of shoes after hers
wore out. Supporters have bombarded Casale’s cell phone with
positive messages and encouragement.
Bobbi Benson of Colorado told reporters that she helped transport
the pair’s heavy backpacks through the state. "I read
about them in the paper yesterday and thought, ‘Oh my God,
we have to help them," said Benson. "They just have
such courage."
Not in Our Name representative Max Diorio issued a statement
which read, "Having crossed almost six full states, it’s
now clear that this March for Peace is the real deal. These young
people have demonstrated courage, and an unwavering commitment to
their ideals that is truly rare and special. Not in Our Name…and
countless other supporters uphold this march and its ability to
foster dialogue about a better future and to create positive
change."
It hasn’t been all smooth marching, however. The two were
almost prevented from traveling through the Rocky Mountain
National Park because of their "March for Peace" signs,
and were only allowed to enter after they put away the signs
– though they wrote their message across their t-shirts
instead.
They also received their share of negative feedback from folks,
along with the positive. Drivers yelled out obscenities, along
with one who hollered, "Bomb Iraq!" A farmer who had
let the two camp out on his property made them leave after he
discovered their mission. An army recruiter they met along the
way told them that American soldiers fighting in Iraq were making
the real "march for peace."
But Casale and Israel refuse to be discouraged by the negatives,
or the fact that it’s been just the two of them for the bulk
of their journey. "Although it’s always nice to have as
many people as possible, it’s more about the message, and we
haven’t been disappointed there aren’t tons of people
walking," said Casale to reporters.
Added Israel, "Our message is about ending the war in Iraq,
but it’s more than that. It’s about cultivating peace
in our daily lives and responding to things in a peaceful,
non-violent way."