Speaking about the Vietnam War in 1967, Martin Luther King, Jr. said: "A time comes when silence is betrayal. That time is now."

With the threat of a devastating war on Iraq, the SNOW Coalition (Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War) is sponsoring an event to break the silence. On Sunday, December 8, from 1:00-4:30 PM at Garfield High School (23rd Avenue near East Jefferson) hundreds will gather to commit to action for peace.

The SNOW Coalition, composed of 31 organizations, is only two months old, but already has been a key force in efforts for peace in the Puget Sound area. Members have swelled the thousands marching for peace in three major rallies and processions in October. The creative, energetic efforts of several members produced hundreds of red, white, and blue car-top signs saying "NO IRAQ WAR," carrying the message around the region. Others produced educational flyers outlining dangers of a war on Iraq and proposing alternatives. Twelve members, with twice as many active logistics supporters, sat in at Senator Cantwell's and Senator Murray's offices on September 25 to urge them to oppose the resolution to give the Administration powers to attack Iraq. The coalition has met weekly, with 25-60 people attending each time.

SNOW Coalition members conclude that the next two months are critical in the effort to find alternatives to this precipitous slide to death and devastation for both Iraqis and young Americans in the military, not to mention the dangerous effects for human needs in this country. Therefore, the coalition is working hard to organize and turn out concerned people to the December 8th event. The four thousand people from around the state that have signed the Peace Pledge to Stop the Spread of War to Iraq, the peace and justice community, and the community at large are invited.

The program includes hearing about inspiring actions from around the state, planning next actions with like minded people, listening to great music, and pledging to act for peace. There will be resources and facilitators to help in planning banner drops, vigils, poetry and street theater, door-to-door canvassing, marches, letter writing, civil disobedience actions, and more. We are meeting to create a community of resistance and hope. The time to act is now.