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Bill McDannell is taking a leap of faith, walking from California to Washington, DC, to protest the wars in Iraqi and Afghanistan. Bill will be carrying a petition that he will present to both the executive and legislative branches of government.
Faith is nothing new for this father of five and grandfather of four, Vietnam veteran and former pastor in the United Methodist Church. He has faith that one person can still make a difference, faith that the peace community will be there to support him.
“Despite considerable evidence to the contrary, I still firmly believe that, as a citizen of the United States of America, I have a voice in the activities of our country, and that my voice can be heard and can have an impact.” said McDannell
On his long walk Bill will be collecting petition signatures he plans to present once he is in DC. Signatures can be added via his web site at www.wtetw.com.
“I expect it will take me nine or ten months to walk from California to Washington, DC, and I believe that the leaders who managed to figure out a way to get us into these wars in just a few months ought to be able to figure out a way to get us out by the time I arrive,” said McDannell.
There are ways for progressives to support Bill and his wife during his walk: you can sign his petition or purchase some of the items he is selling on e-bay in his walking sale. For information for local organizers to fundraise, run solidarity actions; sign up to house Bill if his walking route makes it way through your area, and get access to tools that will help you organize in your community, visit this site, www. Protestispatriotism.org. You can also plan on meeting Bill when he arrives in DC. Bill might be the only person physically walking but we can all be part of this historic journey.
“I will consider my journey to be a complete success when, many months from now, I set foot in Washington, DC. As I walk, I am also hoping that the direct contacts I make with people along the way who come to sign my petition or discuss my ideas will inspire them to believe once again that their own voice can be heard and their own opinion can be considered. But I also believe that with the statement I am making -- and with the support of those who are deeply concerned -- I have the potential to act as a catalyst for much broader action and serve as a focal point for much needed thoughtful dialogue and political change.”
Bill said each of us can be part of that success if we act together to make Bill’s leap of faith an inspirational reality.
The main action is Bill walking, but support groups across the country will hold local actions on the day Bill leaves around the holidays and as groups see fit. These actions my include marches, rallies, walks, talks, concerts and many more ideas in the coming weeks -- organizers from across America will set the action agenda.
Once Bill arrives in DC he is going to present his petition to the government. We want a mass action to back him up: a rally in DC of signers and supporters to drive the message home to our representatives that we want to end these wars. Planning for this mass action will start soon with help form national peace organizations.
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