"My first time, as a PrideFest Peacekeeper"
This year so far has been such a growth experience, filled with church activities and outside events. I thought my highlight was protesting SB1250 at the Harrisburg State Capital back on May 5th of 2008, speaking with a real live Republican Senator asking him why he was supporting such a bill. A bill that would essentially enshrine discrimination into the state Constitution. His answer stunned me and open my eyes to the stupidity of the bill. He said "I'm supporting this bill because of all the activist judges that are making law from their benches" When I asked about checks and balances, something I remember them teaching us in school, he said, "Well we have more power than them". I couldn't believe that he, a better educated man than I, would try and pull that with me.
At that point I had already given him the short version of my life story. I said, "I had no choice about the family I was born into or the skin color, or the shade of hair I'm slowly loosing. Why did do you think I had any more choice of my sexuality?" I ended the visit with one thing in mind, "You can't teach a pig to whistle," something I heard from a new friend I meet this year.
On June 19th the first Lancaster Interfaith/Interweave Service was held. A celebration for the freedom of religion and non-religious folks. A group of kind and talented people came together and put their egos in check to show that no matter what else is going on in this world, love is still possible and they can achieve anything through the power of understanding; we all share the air and have common issues to fight for. We learned that music can fill the void and spread hope that the future is truly ours. We need to keep pressing forward, in every small town, to every large city, and in every state in this nation.
On Saturday June 21st, I managed to get the day off from work, for something I felt was very important. After going through some very easy training with Silent Witness PA and listening to the stories about how certain protesters can be. I will admit I was nervous, not because of what they would do to me; I was nervous how I would react toward them with my quick temper. I arrived around 10:30 in the morning. After check-in, I put on, for the first time in my life. visible Silent Witness garb. I picked an umbrella covered in rainbow colors and wheeled myself into position. Right from the first shout that crossed the park entrance, my worries went away. I realized three things about these guys, first - how sad that they must be, to cry like a baby, scream like a toddler and then waste their lives under the guise of religion.
Later after "detoxing" from the day, I also realized that these people may not believe the garbage they profess. I started to add up how much they make at these events. Tax-free I believe. By hoping that someone will violate their civil liberties, they take the city to court, and falsify evidence to win judgments. Not a bad day's work if you can stomach it.
The success of this day for me was seeing nearly 3000 folks, from all walks of life, straight or gay, come together, walk past 10 lonely protesters and enjoy the day's events and themselves. Another thing that surprised me, was the police presence, local, state, and some said even the FBI were there. I did see smiles of disbelief for what they heard the protesters say. I will not repeat that here or anywhere else; it's just not worth my time.
Please check out Silent Witness. Spend an hour, or even less, if you can and then participate in any of the events this group holds to keep the peace. It is so worth your time; you would be showing strength in numbers against the idiocy of what I hope is the last of discrimination in the nation.
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TTFN!
Rich Riccio - Convener for Interweave Lancaster PA
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