Activists link peace, patriotism
Signs of anti-war sentiment abound.

It’s not election season, but yard signs are popping up in front yards along West Broadway, the usual battleground for political candidates, and many other neighborhoods in the city.

Featuring "Peace is Patriotic" and "No War" in white against blue background, the sign –– designed and distributed by Columbia Peace Coalition –– provides a means for people to express their anti-war stance other than participating in peace rallies, said Mark Haim, director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks.

The sign is proving to be popular, he said, noting the organization has given away 500 of them in less than three weeks and is ordering another batch of 500 to accommodate those on a waiting list and those who would show up at the door of the Peace Nook.

"We’re surprised to see them run out," Haim said, noting he’s pleased with the community response to the group’s first sign campaign. "It’s a groundswell of public support for peace."

At 509 W. Broadway, Frances Dickey and Matthew McGrath said putting the sign in their front yard is something they can do to get fellow Columbians to think for themselves as the George W. Bush administration decides whether to move forward with military action against Iraq.

"There are not enough voices," said Dickey, an occasional visitor to the Peace Nook in downtown Columbia. Dickey said she learned about the signs after spotting them in her neighborhood.

While noting many of her neighbors are likely to have liberal views, Dickey, who teaches in the English Department at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said the popularity of the signs might be indicative of something else.

"I hope it means there’s a significant portion of the population who think, to solve the Iraq problem, there are some other ways other than sending troops or dropping bombs, but in a non-violent way," she said.

Speaking against war is not unpatriotic, Dickey said. "It’s patriotic to care about what happens and what your administration does," she said. "I feel it’s my duty to be informed."

A couple of blocks down the street, Laura Schopp, who has put out two signs in her front yard at 700 W. Broadway, echoed Dickey’s remarks.

"I feel it’s important for people to question our policy about the war," she said. "It is a patriotic duty."

A member of the Columbia Peace Coalition, Schopp said she has given away about 10 signs to her neighbors and friends.

"I’m heartened by the tangible resistance to the war," Schopp said, calling the dissent evidence of the "health of the democracy."

"One of my reasons to oppose this war is we would squander a lot of human resources," said Schopp, whose husband is a Vietnam veteran. "It’s important to respect and honor our soldiers and scrutinize the decision when the U.S. goes to war."

For Dickey, who is expecting twin baby boys in two months, that concern has made her an even stauncher opponent to the war.

"I can’t think of my sons going to war," the mother-to-be said. "Now I think about boys in Columbia and around the country going to a needless war."

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Reach Didi Tang at (573) 815-1718 or dtang@tribmail.com.

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