Rich Wyman, Utah musician and songwriter, participated in the planning for the September 24 Salt Lake Demonstration.
Recognizing a need for a peace group to become active in Park City, about 40 miles east of Salt Lake where he lives, Rich formed the Park City People for Peace and Justice.
The new PPJ organized a demonstration on Sunday, March 19 to protest the Iraq Occupation on the third anniversary of the Iraq Invasion. About 35 people demonstrated, according to the Park Record article.
Wyman quoted Dwight D. Eisenhower about freedoms, charged that the administration is hiding the costs of the war and claimed that the U.S. commits war crimes.
“It’s hard not to be angry and demand justice,” Wyman said.
Hugh O’Neill, who lives in Red Pine, was livid with the administration, telling the crowd that the war has been conducted with “dishonesty.”
“I’m so mad, I’m willing to die for it,” he said.
He indicated he comes from New Hampshire and said people there adhere to the ‘live free or die’ motto.
“I am mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore,” O’Neill said.
Paddy Wood, a clergy member, talked about religious underpinnings to the war and said “all the paths to God are good.”
“We need to think and pray with one mind and one heart for our country,” she said.
Kudos to Rich and the folks in Park City – keep going and never give up!
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 