The Pacifist Nation
This page has yet to be developed, but I feel so strongly about the idea that
I felt I must at least sketch it out so that it will be in people's minds.
I have spoken a great deal about the courage it takes to be a pacifist. I went through my own personal trials –
nothing to get excited about. But there are those whose remarkable sense of purpose and integrety
in the face of death transcend understanding and who must be remembered and honored.
I will seek to produce an event, probably in Berkeley, to acknowledge these martyrs to peace. I
hope to do it in conjunction with many pacifist organizations, local and national, even
global, with music and poetry and dance, and a few remarks.
As of this writing I am thinking of beginning with honoring those conscientious
objectors who paid with their lives during the holocaust in World War II. They
truly sacrifices themselves for their principles when they could have saved themselves
by simply shutting up.
An artist friend is working on a design for the page. I will be speaking with jazz
musician friends to see if I may have their support and participation. I will be
talking with friends for ideas on how to realize this project, how to properly
honor these people, and how subsequent honorees may be chosen.
I invite your ideas and help.
There is a famous quote by, I believe, a German during that time. If anyone reading this
knows or has it, word for word, please E-mail me
so that I may reproduce it accurately. It goes something like, "They came for the Jews and no one
spoke out. They came for the Gypseys and the homosexuals, and no one spoke out. Then they
came for the trade unionists, and no one spoke out. And when they finally came
for me there was no one left to speak."
Yours in shalom/salaam,
Live justly, with compassion,
and in healthDaniel Beck Zwickel-Wicks
October 15, 1999
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