400 rally for peace in Minden

About 400 people gathered in Minden Park on Saturday during a global day of protest against the possible war with Iraq. And three people were there to show support for the war effort.

The event was organized by Douglas County Citizens for Peace, also known as the Citizen's Forum.

"There is no way to peace -- peace is the way," a 10-foot banner with green and blue lettering on the gazebo stated. Out in the crowd other signs read, "Iraq: Inspection not invasion," "Don't waive your rights by waving the flag," "Let's Bomb Texas they have oil too" and "Peace is patriotic."

"It makes me sad that we even have to be here at all," said Diana Mitzner who came out from Woodfords. "I never dreamed I'd be standing out here at this stage in history having to do this again."

She said being a mother has taught her different ways of dealing with conflict. "If two kids are fighting you don't just go in and whack them with a two-by-four until they're bloody," she said as a full moon hovered over flapping U.S. and Nevada flags. "You bring in other adults and split them up until things calm down enough to inspire the kids."

The program for the gathering included several speakers, live music by local band Living Picture Show and a petition addressed to President Bush.

Living Picture Show performed all original songs except Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution." Vanessa Littrell, who performed with her husband, Nathan, said she doesn't want to be silent about her beliefs. While some would say it's unpatriotic to speak out against the probable war, she said the United States is supposed to be about speaking up for what you believe.

"As soon as it's not OK to speak up --Ethis is no longer America," she said between songs while her son, Bowman, 7, and daughter, Sasha, 5, played in the grass. "It's actually more patriotic to speak out."

Littrell acknowledged the three young men who were holding signs reading "Peace kills" and "Don't let other countries push us around."

"We welcome opposition because that's what makes us who we are," she said over the microphone to applause.

The war supporters were Douglas High School students all wearing black T-shirts.

"We heard about this from a flier at school," said Derrick Kepler, 17, who is enlisted in a delayed-entry program in the U.S. Marine Corps. "Saddam Hussein is one of those, 'If we give him an inch he'll take a mile' type of things."

Matt Williams, 18, will join the Army in a delayed-entry program after high school. "We think peace isn't going to solve anything," he said. "It's time to get Saddam out of there and get a stable government in Iraq."

Speakers at the event included Rev. Jeffrey Paul from St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Reno and Pete Nelson from the First Methodist Church in Gardnerville. Students with the Amnesty International group at Douglas High School also spoke. The moderator was Jill Derby.

Kelly Ogilvie, 16, read a poem by Doug Goodman with thanks to Dr. Seuss. The poem described two potential paths for humanity. "One thrives on love, the other on greed," she said. "Who will win out? That depends who you feed."

"Hate cannot drive out hate," said home school student speaker Alicia Herz. "Only love can do that."

Nevada Voices for Peace will continue their vigils in front of the Legislature at the corner of South Carson and Fifth streets on Friday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m.