Organizers of Tuesday's Missing May Day peace events in downtown Iowa City had energy beyond numbers. It was a "spiritual event," said one speaker and the message was simple: end the war now - no deadlines, no conditions - now, was the call of the day. ... The only politician sighted earlier in the day was Supervisor Rod Sullivan. (Reportedly, another elected person stumbled onto the event inadvertently and walked through the Ped Mall as quickly and as far from the event as possible. I didn't see it but it makes a good story anyway, as complaints about the rarity of elected Democrats at peace events are murmuring in the Iowa City peace community.) The Obama and Edwards campaigns had a presence, as did the Greens. The counter presence was anonymous. Downtown Iowa City kiosks (infamous in the late `90s for their five-figure price tag) were papered with red white and blue flyers: "Support Our TROOPS = Support the MISSION!"

Labels: Iraq