On October 21, a bus departed from Chelsea City Hall carrying members of Chelsea Uniting Against the War, a group of young women from the Chelsea Collaborative, peace activists from neighboring communities, Rhode Island and Vermont headed to the Women’s March on the Pentagon. Additional Chelsea residents participated by traveling in large vans or cars.
Cindy Sheehan organized the march, driven by her opposition to war and military action following the death of her firstborn son, Casey Austin Sheehan, an Army Specialist killed in combat in Iraq in 2004. In 2005, seeking to meet with President Bush and voice her anti-war stance after he refused to see her, Cindy Sheehan established Camp Casey outside Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch. Over three years, tens of thousands of supporters from across the U.S. and internationally visited the camp to demonstrate their solidarity.
Cindy Sheehan’s dedication to activism has remained steadfast. She selected Oct. 21, 2018 to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the original March on the Pentagon, calling for women and others to march on the Pentagon that day. In 1967, more than 50,000 demonstrators gathered at the Pentagon demanding an end to the Vietnam War and the return of troops. This year’s march centered on demands for complete cessation of overseas wars, closure of international military bases, significant cuts to Pentagon spending, and increased investment in social programs and education.
Two members of Chelsea Uniting Against the War addressed the crowd regarding their successful grassroots campaign against military recruitment at Chelsea High School. Starting in 2004 each academic year, the organization greets students at the school’s opening and distributes English and Spanish leaflets to all 1200 students, informing them of their right to withhold contact information from military recruiters. In 2017, 70-percent of seniors chose to opt-out. Many audience members expressed interest in implementing Chelsea Uniting Against the War’s model in their own communities’ high schools.
For certain activists present, the Women’s March on the Pentagon represented their first participation in a national U.S. protest.
Juitiza Torres, a youth from the Chelsea Collaborative, remarked “As a young Latina this march and the people involved encourages me to speak up and talk about what really needs to be talked about.” Dalia Juarez similarly stated “It was my first time in D.C. It felt like an amazing experience for me and it felt empowering to be there for something I feel very strongly about. It was an overall great experience to start the (school) year.”
Chelsea Uniting Against the War continues its efforts through regular monthly meetings and activities. Those seeking information about the organization can reach out via FaceBook at ChelseaUnitingAgaistthe War (note the missing “n”) or contact [email protected] or 617-884-5132.
Additional photographs and details about the Women’s March on the Pentagon are available at MarchonPentagon.com.