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"SOULstice Experience" Demonstration in New Orleans

By Ward Reilly

On June 20, 2005, New Orleans hosted another in a series of antiwar demonstrations. The theme for this event was the "SOULstice Experience," referring to the summer solstice, and bringing home the fact that for those involved in war, every day is the longest day of the year.

Dennis Kyne, Ward Reilly, and Michael Cuzzort

A heavy rainstorm cleared just in time for the participants to gather at Louis Armstrong Park on Rampart Street, and the protesters marched through the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. VVAW member Bill Perry and his wife Terri flew all the way from Philly to join our humble gathering, which was led by Iraq Veterans Against the War members Michael Cuzzort (New Orleans) and Charlie Anderson (South Carolina) carrying the IVAW banner.

Other VVAW members in attendance were Bob Smith, Pat Dooley and myself, and the keynote speaker was Cindy Sheehan, who flew in directly from the Conyers Hearings that she had attended in Washington, DC. Cindy had the whole crowd in tears as she read a poem written by her daughter, Carly, concerning the death of her brother Casey, who was killed in action in Iraq on April 4, 2004.

The Blue Nile club on Frenchman Street generously donated their building to use for speakers and bands, and Brian Stoltz of the famous New Orleans Funky Meters was one of several musicians to play for us between speakers.

Charlie Anderson, Pat Dooley, Bob Smith, Marty Rowland, and Megan Finn also spoke out against the wars in the Middle East, and in spite of the intense Louisiana heat, a good time was had by all, and South Louisiana continued its strong antiwar effort.

The demonstration was sponsored by GSFP, IVAW, VVAW, VFP, CAWI of Baton Rouge, C3 of New Orleans, and the Louisiana Activist Network.