Photos from my Iranian vigil for peace Photo Gallery by Patricia Lay-Dorsey at pbase.com

Photos from my Iranian vigil for peace

On Saturday, September 8, 2007, I got in my wheelchair-accessible minivan and headed southeast from Detroit to Washington, DC. This 500 mile/804.6 km trip takes me two days to drive by myself.

I came to my nation's capitol with the intention of mounting a solitary vigil urging my government's leaders not to bomb Iran but rather to enter into negiations to find a peaceful solution to the issues that divide them. For five days I sat by myself in my scooter holding up my sign and passing out leaflets (thanks to my peace sister Lotus) in front of the U.S. Cannon & Rayburn House Office Buildings, the White House, and on Monday, September 10th (Day #1), in front of the headquarters of the neoconservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, where they were hosting two public presentations, one by Newt Gringrich and the other called “The Iranian Time Bomb.” My 6th and final day of demonstrating--Saturday, September 15th--coincided with a massive anti-war march and rally in DC at which I held my sign & passed out leaflets hoping to raise awareness among peace activists of what I believe to be the imminent threat of war on Iran.

Please be aware that the two photos on my sign are from the Iranian photographer Ali Majdfar’s beautiful PBase gallery, “Throughout IRAN.” Ali and I were in contact prior to my starting this vigil, and he offered his photos for me to use in any way that might be helpful. I dedicate this vigil to our brother Ali and all his countrymen and women. May they be protected from harm. May peaceful dialogue replace threats of bombs. May we learn to live together as one family, all of whom share this planet, our home.

This gallery contains only photos, while my September 2007 photo-a-day blog was where I wrote about my daily adventures in DC. You might want to check the entries for September 7-15.

Since this gallery is quite large, I suggest viewing it using the slideshow option. Just click on the word "slideshow" in the top righthand corner of this screen and the show will begin.

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my sign with Ali Majdfar’s photos of Iran	I drive by myself from Detroit to Washington, DC	beside me on the passenger seat	I spend the night in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
how I get in and out of my minivan	Yes, Mr. Bush, I'm talking to you	Howard University students Harrison & Jenae, who support my vigil	sun sets over the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Luis & Alfredo from Peru help tape up my sign	Luis's photo of Alfredo & me with my completed sign	Day #1--I make my stand in front of the AEI (American Enterprise Institute)	another self portrait of what ended up being a 7 hour vigil
Brad's photo of me with my gifts from kind strangers (a hat, Gatorade & bottled water)	Manny who gave me his hat & this bottle of water	Mahtab Farid from Iran & Virendra Prakash from India	the National Geographic Society welcomes home the www.slogforsudan.com hikers
some of the "sloggers" for Sudan	one of Washington, DC's many historic buildings	the old Hahn's Shoe Store where we used to shop in the 1940s	Hotel Harrington, my home away from home in DC
a series of photos I took at the U.S. Navy Memorial fountains
	at the entrance to the National Archives building	It's 5 p.m. and time to take the Metro home	students waiting for a bus
	Day #2--I find that we are not alone!	StartLoving wears his heart on his forehead	my vigil continues rain or shine
Jan of Peace Action of New Hampshire joins me	Jan Pendlebury, a faithful worker for peace & the environment	the rain stopped in time for dinner at my favorite outdoor cafe	waiting to go home from work
Wouldn't you like to take a bus to Friendship?	after work	David, Jamie & little Nathan in town for a 9/11 march for peace	a hidden park that I love
The Bex Eagle by Lorenzo Ghiglieri--"Freedom's Symbol"	entrance to the Willard Hotel where my grandfather used to work	Washington, DC, the city where I was born	Day #3--on my way to Capitol Hill
morning in DC	I encounter the folks from A.R.T. (Activist Response Team)	Barbara Cummings & Laurie Arbeiter of A.R.T., www.thecritical voice.org & www.arrestcheneyfirst.com	one page of 9 books containing 4000 postcards they are delivering to Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office today
another page of postcards	Rick Burnley, Camp Casey Poet Laureate, recites a poem	for 24 hours they will be reading aloud the 4000 postcard messages	The call from www.thecriticalvoice.org out of NYC
Ann Shirazi, 40 years married to an Iranian man	Start Loving vigils even as he naps	scooting down to my post in front of the Rayburn House Office Building	I sat under this statue with my sign from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday
a nearby park where I took my breaks	a view from the park	Brandy, Miles & Col. Ann Wright of Code Pink & A.R.T.	immigrants' rights protesters from Chicago's Centro Sin Fronteras
these folks rode on a bus from Chicago & will return the same way at the end of the day	this is the deported immigrant rights' leader, Elvira Arellano's community from Chicago	they are also members of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago	bringing music on the march
young marchers	cool dude!	saving the best--and youngest--for last	immigrants' rghts activists patiently wait to get in to see their Congresspersons
while they wait, some hand out newspapers telling of the struggles for immigrants' rights	Olvidio & Meg, parents of Mario Pena Wer who walked from Chicago to DC for peace	Michael Israel & Ashley Casale, students who walked from San Francisco to DC for peace	Debra who shared her seafood sandwich with me in thanks for my watching her stuff
a runner takes a quick rest during lunch	one of many statues on Capitol Hill	StartLoving at his post in front of the Cannon House Office Bldg.	Bill McPherson from Washington state, Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of Elvira Arellano's church in Chicago, and me
the statue under which I sat for hours today	Jim Goodnow, activist/driver of the Yellow Rose Peace Bus	Jim, Bill & I meet Anne and David Bollen from Goulburn, Australia	Engy Tawfeik, faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, Egypt
Rick Burnley recites his poems for Bill McPherson and me	I end my day in the park with the butterflies	Day #4--my 3 p.m. blues	4 p.m. renewal
different issues but kindred spirits	Aaron from Michigan & NYC	Day #5--the old Executive Office Bldg. where my Dad worked under Presidents Truman & Eisenhower	Danielle Desnoyers, a senior in photojournalism at American University
Jim, a Veteran For Peace from Memphis, Tennessee	Bill, a Veteran For Peace from Boston, Massachusetts	Will, a Veteran for Peace	back of Will's sign
Bruce, a Veteran For Peace from Minneapolis, Minnesota	Hannah from Kansas and Barbara & Claudia from San Antonio, Texas	demonstrating to free Bangladesh's Begum Zia	Concepcion, vigiling in front of the White House since 1981
Roland, a new addition to the White House scene	StartLoving & Laurie Arbeiter	Laurie Arbeiter & I	Laurie tells young women from Turkey about A.R.T.'s postcard campaign
J.T. Scott who hitchhiked 1200 miles from Jasper, Arkansas to attend tomorrow's antiwar march	Laurie with Pierrette Montone who made this sketch of her	Pierrette Montone's sketch of Laurie Arbeiter	Huti & Mike who drove the Magic Bus from California (www.magicbustrips.com)
Laurie Arbeiter, Mike Baldwin, Don Anderson & J.T. Scott	Piglet who drove from Halstead, Kansas with her 12-piece antiwar sculpture	Concepcion, the most faithful peace activist I know	Day #6--Leo (84) at the huge September 15th antiwar rally & march
Uriah (15), dad Alex & Rebecca (12) from New York	raising awareness of Gitmo & torture		starting point of the march
my brother StartLoving & I


			Trash ALL wars!
Marilyn Killingham & Anise Jenkins of Stand Up for Democracy in DC Coalition	Iranian Left Alliance signs held by Allia Farhad & Saeed Roshan	So true!	Code Pink activists on the San Francisco Magic Bus
Code Pink	Code Pink	a family for peace	Ahmed & Ann Shirazi from NYC & Iran
	end point of the march		my Michigan Womyn's Music Festi-friends, Betty, Betsy, Kathy & Sheri

singing peace songs		watching & supporting the "die-in" & 189 arrests	Boryana Alexandrova from Andover, MA & Bulgaria
Boryana	getting a better view of the "die-in"		Boryana flies her peace flag
the final moments of my 6-day Iranian Vigil for Peace in Washington, DC

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comment |

Guest		01-Oct-2007 04:18
Our mutual friend Phil Douglis gave me the link to your work, and I just wanted to say how stunned, moved and thrilled I was over your Iranian Vigil for Peace Gallery. It's one of the most exciting things I've seen, your photography is gorgeous, intimate and skillful, and I was struck by so many faces beaming down on you in your chair, with their hearts and spirits so much in evidence. Their expressions told me so clearly how touched they were by your presence and courage in being there with your TOTALLY sensible signs. All I could think of was John Lennon's plea: " All we are saying is give peace a chance" -- which is the easiest, most straight-forward, most cost-effective thing in the world. The perversity of choosing to mount an illegal conflict in another land and bankrupting a nation while slaughtering thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraquis and maiming thousands more, simply defies belief. The only thing missing is the WILL to peace. I loved your pictures, they gave me such a sense of immediacy over your own amazing vigil, and then the demonstration with all its succinct words and determined looking people. I congratulate you on your wonderful co-ordinated, planned and executed solo activism, and for standing up to the criminals in D.C. so vividly and so bravely. Bravo bravo bravo!

Kal Khogali		29-Sep-2007 21:39
As with all your images and your efforts, your respect for humanity and it's purpose rings true every time. I adore you. K

Keith Goldstein		26-Sep-2007 14:58
A great gallery. Thanks.

Guest		26-Sep-2007 02:48
So glad you did this photo gallery...it's EXCELLENT. I'm also so glad to have had time to share with you in our common cause for peace. It's unfortunate that things are progressing inexorably (seemingly) towards war with Iran nonetheless...the media is all in. At least in this corner of the Internet some of us know the truth and know that we have done what we can to speak out against this outrageous behavior. Thanks for pizza and the poncho...feel free to check my blog out when you get a chance, I've written about my journey up there and back. http://jeremiasx.wordpress.com My Myspace:http://www.myspace.com/aslave2thegrind

Guest		22-Sep-2007 22:02
Your vigil is certainly commendable and in spirit of of how a democracy should be, and your heart is in the right place, but to be perfectly frank, your political ideals may be a bit...innocent. Innocent like Neville Chamberlain with Germany. Peace through Iran will be only solved with the overthrowing of it's current regime. And it will be bloody. God bless your efforts, no the less. By the way, I am a Libertarian.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		20-Sep-2007 03:02
Friends, I continue to receive comments from non-Pbase members who object to my vigil and the ways in which I work for peace. I am choosing not to post them because I don't want this gallery to become a place where arguments reside. I did what I did because I was following my own beliefs and heart. Each of us sees things in our own unique ways and I respect that. I read and reflect on every comment that is made even if I do not post it publicly. I thank all who respond, whatever their views.

Sandy from FL		19-Sep-2007 15:09
Patricia, it was great meeting you last week! Keep on doing what you're doing because we need your love and sweet smile in this world to counteract the hate that is consuming some people and destroying millions of lives. Our government has taken us down the path of hate and destruction. Some are so blind with hate that it prevents them to see how self destructive hate is. Then, why calling ourselves a Christian nation and keep repeating the shallow phrase "God Bless America!" when we're not willing to follow the teachings of Jesus who said "love your enemies". You are a true patriot and a genuine and pure soul. We need more people like you!

Guest		17-Sep-2007 14:06
God bless you. You are a couragous open minded person and can see the truth. It is a shame to see the blood thirsty policy makers of this country are openly talking about waging a war with Iran. BUSH is the threat to the peace and security of this planet than any other person in the world.

Guest		16-Sep-2007 13:13
My Dear Friend, Know that your courageous street witness was held in loving silence in the meditation hall from Sept. 7-14, and yesterday in the garden where I imagined your compassionate heart being watered as I watered the thirsty plants. Have a safe trip home. I look forward to sharing the harvest of the garden with you as you share with me the nourishing fruits of your journey. I love you. Pat

optional		14-Sep-2007 20:02
i admire your courage, your spirit, overcoming the blues to snap back. an american mother.

aaron		14-Sep-2007 15:06
patricia - it was an absolute delight meeting you in front of the house of lies. i am so proud of you for doing what you are doing - keep it up. we need more fighters like you. i am honored to be a part of your blog now. all my best... Aaron (from michigan & nyc)

Guest		12-Sep-2007 01:03
As the moon is new, you begin this action. . .truly an action of heart. I have faith that many will witness your witness and think about it, many will see and remember, some will see and be inspired to act or sustained in action. As always, I am deeply thankful for the way you 'figure' life. I am one both inspired and sustained. Blessings, Carolyn McDade

Guest		11-Sep-2007 08:23
There is not only one face to the problem, but definitely you're working in the right direction!

Guest		11-Sep-2007 03:19
Oh good lord people, she is standing up for something she believes in (and I truly admire you for it Patricia!!!). You don't have to agree with her, but keep your argumentative comments to yourself. Its not Patricia's fault for anything that our government is doing or not doing, so don't blame her. She cares deeply about her view point so she is doing something about it. If you think the other way and want something done, then maybe you should be proactive in supporting it rather than hiding behind some text on the internet. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and our constitution gives us the right (or doesn't) to express that; but it doesn't give us the right to be rude to those who disagree with us. Go Patricia!!

Guest		11-Sep-2007 01:29
I truly think your efforts would be better served going to Iran and protesting there about what there doing to escalate the tensions, Or do you feel you would be thrown in jail over there?

Guest		11-Sep-2007 01:07
I'm with you 100% http://rhio9.blogspot.com/2007/09/lite-and-easy-bathroom-reading.html VVV

Guest		11-Sep-2007 01:02
So glad to read/see of your trip. Huge hugs, Niki

Guest		11-Sep-2007 00:50
Dear Ms. Lay-Dorsey, the Reuters article you point us to claims that Iran has 2,000 centrifuges in operation. As recently as September 2, 2007, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has bragged that Iran has installed 3,000 uranium-enriching centrifuges. Is he lying? Why does he need them? He has promised to use nuclear weapons just as soon as he acquires them. Everyone thought that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein thwarted every effort of the international community to determine IF he had these weapons, or not. Now comes Iran BRAGGING about their intentions, and we are powerless to stop them because of people like you.

CIS		10-Sep-2007 23:49
BRAVO, Patricia!!!! You just keep on, caring and daring to say so!!!

Guest		10-Sep-2007 09:25
patricia........im with you all the way all week.......let me know what i can do besides spread the word of your vigil..... peace and love sally neal

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		10-Sep-2007 03:23
Una's comment reflects the views of many here in the U.S. Unfortunately the White House and the mainstream media are not giving the whole story. An article that I found most informative--and one that my friend Lotus made 500 copies for me to hand out here in DC-- can be found on the Reuters news service. The URLhttp://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-08-30T140657Z_01_BLA046366_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAN-NUCLEAR.xml

Guest		10-Sep-2007 02:45
Why don't you go to Iran and urge THEM to stop building the bomb?

Sabine Stetson		10-Sep-2007 02:39
thank you for doing that, you are an amazing woman.... V

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