On Tuesday evening EARTH'S HEALING HEARTS DRUMMERS gave me a powerful sendoff at Traditions Fair Trade in Olympia, Washington. The program was titled: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?? and asked questions like "How do we survive during these times of great change?" and "where do we go from here to create peace?"
The speakers addressed them from many perspectives. Indigenous persons told stories befitting the ancient ways of tribal societies. Local activists analyzed some of the complexities of societal life today. The Women In Black stated their silent presence to remember the violent death from oppression and war. Everyone wanted and sought peace. Song warmed our passionate hearts.
At the end of these moving statements, I was given a sendoff with gifts and ritual. I will feel the laying on of hands by the entire attendance (40 or so) in unison, each expressing their own prayer in low voice, as I journey during the next four months. I will carry and intone the healing heart drum given me to express the "earth's heartbeat" as I seek to be the "salt of the earth, the air, the water.
I intend to give some of the answers I have and discover when I "blog". "Blog" is a new word for me.
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"the american gandhi" at Faslane
Washinton State Capital
"We are Salt of the earth, water, air"
Vigil and Fast, Washington DC
In 2005 I was invited to portray the historic Gandhi in India. Newspaper headlines called me "the American Gandhi." My hosts and the media representatives charged me with bringing Gandhi's message to the world. On return at the encouragement of friends I chose to apply Gandhi's principles to the world's issues and needs.
Welcome.
This blog began with my journey beginning April 27th and ending August 19th, 2007. I walked as Gandhi from Faslane, Scotland to London, England with Footprints for Peace and the theme, "Toward a Nuclear Free World." Peace, Bernie
Followers
Uranium and nuclear radiation
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Marcus Atchison,
Faslane Media Coordinator
Cell: 780-772-7201
blog: at http://www.theamericangandhi.blogspot.com/
August 1, 2007
The American Gandhi’s Participation in the Nuclear –Free Peace Walk Concludes August 6th
(London, UK). The Foot Prints For Peace Peace Walk from Dublin to London will conclude on August 6th in London. The Walk arrives in London on August 4th for an appearance at Battersea Park from 12:30 until 1:30 PM.
August 6th events include a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Commemoration of the atom bombing of Hiroshima, Japan takes place in Tavistock Square from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. From there the Peace Walk will proceed to Parliament Square activities at 4:00 PM.
The Peace Walkers plan to deliver a powerful message to Number 19 Downing Street.
Bernie Meyer of Olympia, Washington, USA has participated in the walk as The American Gandhi since he arrived in Glasgow on May 25th. He conducted a direct action at Faslane with the Faslane 365 Campaign on May 28th. Read more about his experiences at http://www.theamericangandhi.blogspot.com/
Meyer describes his arrest at Aldermaston, nuclear weapons producer and laser facility. “…Four of us stepped into the gate road to block traffic. Three strong young folks locked hands and feet together... What a team! Police needed special pressure point tactics to separate them before arrest. Meanwhile Gandhi [Meyer] was pushed aside. They did not want to arrest him. Gandhi persisted. He was arrested after the others were hauled off. He kept coming back on the road, despite the loving solicitude of the police. We will be charged with a new law, called the By Laws, which are as vague as the US Congress Guantanamo laws (which were denied by the courts). We are now released.”
Dressed in loincloth and shawl, the 69 year old activist has walked over 700 miles with Foot Prints For Peace, visiting nuclear power and nuclear armaments bases along the way.
Stops were also made at Faslane, Coulport, Sellafield, Dundrennum Firing Range, BAE Systems, Menwith Hill, Fylingdales Ballistic Missile Early Warning Center, and Aldermaston. At Aldermaston, Gandhi was arrested again while attempting to give a message about nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
When the journey commenced, Meyer made a statement about his intentions for the long walk: he is attempting to create an awareness of the connection between: global climate change, the effects of peak oil, nuclear war-making and the plight of the poor. "Humanity is at a crossroads," said the American Gandhi.
Having made the trek, Meyer comments that his views have not changed. He says, "If anything, they have intensified." The American Gandhi believes there is much to do, and that humans are able to correct their mistakes as well as bring justice and peace to the world.
CONTACT
Marcus Atchison,
Faslane Media Coordinator
Cell: 780-772-7201
blog: at http://www.theamericangandhi.blogspot.com/
August 1, 2007
The American Gandhi’s Participation in the Nuclear –Free Peace Walk Concludes August 6th
(London, UK). The Foot Prints For Peace Peace Walk from Dublin to London will conclude on August 6th in London. The Walk arrives in London on August 4th for an appearance at Battersea Park from 12:30 until 1:30 PM.
August 6th events include a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Commemoration of the atom bombing of Hiroshima, Japan takes place in Tavistock Square from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. From there the Peace Walk will proceed to Parliament Square activities at 4:00 PM.
The Peace Walkers plan to deliver a powerful message to Number 19 Downing Street.
Bernie Meyer of Olympia, Washington, USA has participated in the walk as The American Gandhi since he arrived in Glasgow on May 25th. He conducted a direct action at Faslane with the Faslane 365 Campaign on May 28th. Read more about his experiences at http://www.theamericangandhi.blogspot.com/
Meyer describes his arrest at Aldermaston, nuclear weapons producer and laser facility. “…Four of us stepped into the gate road to block traffic. Three strong young folks locked hands and feet together... What a team! Police needed special pressure point tactics to separate them before arrest. Meanwhile Gandhi [Meyer] was pushed aside. They did not want to arrest him. Gandhi persisted. He was arrested after the others were hauled off. He kept coming back on the road, despite the loving solicitude of the police. We will be charged with a new law, called the By Laws, which are as vague as the US Congress Guantanamo laws (which were denied by the courts). We are now released.”
Dressed in loincloth and shawl, the 69 year old activist has walked over 700 miles with Foot Prints For Peace, visiting nuclear power and nuclear armaments bases along the way.
Stops were also made at Faslane, Coulport, Sellafield, Dundrennum Firing Range, BAE Systems, Menwith Hill, Fylingdales Ballistic Missile Early Warning Center, and Aldermaston. At Aldermaston, Gandhi was arrested again while attempting to give a message about nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
When the journey commenced, Meyer made a statement about his intentions for the long walk: he is attempting to create an awareness of the connection between: global climate change, the effects of peak oil, nuclear war-making and the plight of the poor. "Humanity is at a crossroads," said the American Gandhi.
Having made the trek, Meyer comments that his views have not changed. He says, "If anything, they have intensified." The American Gandhi believes there is much to do, and that humans are able to correct their mistakes as well as bring justice and peace to the world.
Footprints for Peace walk
"the american gandhi" at Faslane
Salt Walk Sept 10, 06
Washinton State Capital
Giving Thanks to The American Gandhi
September 10, 2006 Salt Walk, Port of Olympia
"We are Salt of the earth, water, air"
Indian Island Naval Weapons Depot Protest Sept. 23, 2006
Winter of Our Discontent, February, 2006
Vigil and Fast, Washington DC
Pt. Townsend Gandhi Portrayal
About Me
- Bernie Meyer
- I am fortunately a healthy 70 year old who has been through many of life's twists and turns. I thrust myself into activism in 1965 as a young Catholic priest after being raised in a Cleveland Ohio working class family. Soon, I was embroiled in resisting the war in Vietnam, fighting racism, and working to end poverty. I ended up being arrested by both Church and government in separate direct actions in the nonviolent spirit of Jesus, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. After raising a family of three children, I now spend my time on the issues mentioned, working with other activists and portraying Gandhi. I have been doing this for the last five years. While portraying Gandhi in India in 2005, I was named "the American Gandhi." I have come to do things like the subject of this blog. I see peacemaking as beginning with me, with the individual, and extending into all human relationships and organizations, all the to international relations. My book will illustrate my experiences and insights about peace making.
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