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Mothers' Day March

By VVAW

For the second year in a row, members of Chicago VVAW spent their Mother's Day at the Chicago area "Mothers March for Peace." A contingent of vets and families—including a couple of strollers—joined with the 5000 or so marchers from a variety of peace, anti-nuclear, environmental and community groups to march down Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Peace activists who have been marching for decades mixed with punk rockers for peace.

VVAW members from Chicago and from Milwaukee also served as camouflaged decorations around the stage. While stage security was not needed, vets were, as always, prepared to do what needed to be done, and were serving in this position at the fervent request of the membership of the coalition.

Speeches poured out from the stage, punctuated by various musical groups, all testifying to the central theme: Stop the Arms Race, Not the Human Race. Meanwhile, at booths surrounding the area, a variety of groups sold their wares and passed out literature for a collection of causes and events.

Despite an overwhelming party atmosphere, there was a serious purpose to the event. As stated by one mother, there with her children, when a reporter asked the mandatory, "What are you doing here?" "Where else would I be on Mother's Day," she responded. "Peace for my children is the greatest gift I could ask for."