Photo: John Rothwell
BEARING ARMs: Protester at an American Patriot Rally against the Covid-19 shutdown in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Christine E. Black
Some questions for the men with rifles As we sit uneasily through this world-wide panic, we may learn by questioning narratives that too-often pit us against each other
I
belong to one of the historic peace churches. Where I worship there is a sign in the hallway that has become dear to me. It is known as the Quaker Peace Testimony, a Declaration to Charles II in 1660. It says, “We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever; and this is
our testimony to the whole world”. It goes on to describe the spirit of Christ, as the writer sees it. The language is lovely and poetic.
I
would never carry a gun to a public protest, and I have been in many public protests and demonstrations, especially against the US government’s wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Sometimes counter protesters screamed in our faces, blocked our way, or created a gauntlet through which we had to walk. In one, I wondered afterwards why the Washington DC police stood by and let the screaming and blocking happen. I have never owned a gun and have no interest in owning one. I don’t remember ever touching a ColdType | June 2020 | www.coldtype.net
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