Once again.
- Marie Laure
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
It's gotten to be a regular thing for a lot of people: Make a sign, meet and march. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor heat of day or "heat" on the ground has deterred anyone across the country and around the world. It is what we do together.
"I feel like I have done something afterward", says one vigil keeper in New Hampshire. "My sign is not my words--it was written years ago by Orwell", says a woman in Florida. Two voices in conservative states speaking up FOR something. Being for, is a bit different than being against. What we stand FOR matters as much as what someone is against. Standing with neighbors FOR---not against others---creates solidarity.
Solidarity started in the 1980's as a movement FOR the rights of workers in Poland. It grew and grew until it was 10 million strong (critical mass in the USA is 11 million) marching in the streets. The then, Communist Party tried to stop the marchers with martial law and political oppression.
A leader, Lech Walesa, emerged like a Phoenix rising, successfully negotiating with the government FOR a first-ever pluralistic election that resulted in his election as Poland's first democratically-elected President since 1926! Walesa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. He said the following in his acceptance speech:
"“Solidarity”, upon the people and the ideas for which we have fought and shall continue to do so in the spirit of peace and justice. And there is nothing I desire more than that the granting of the award should help the cause of peace and justice in my country and the world over.
My first words which I address to you, and through you to all people, are those which I have known since my childhood days: Peace to men of goodwill – all and everywhere, in the North and South, East and West.
I belong to a nation which over the past centuries has experienced many hardships and reverses. The world reacted with silence or with mere sympathy when Polish frontiers were crossed by invading armies and the sovereign state had to succumb to brutal force. Our national history has so often filled us with bitterness and the feeling of helplessness. But this was, above all, a great lesson in hope. Thanking you for the award I would like, first of all, to express my gratitude and my belief that it serves to enhance the Polish hope. The hope of the nation which throughout the nineteenth century had not for a moment reconciled itself with the loss of independence, and fighting for its own freedom, fought at the same time for the freedom of other nations. The hope whose elations and downfalls during the past forty years
We desire peace – and that is why we have never resorted to physical force. We crave for justice – and that is why we are so persistent in the struggle for our rights, We seek freedom of convictions – and that is why we have never attempted to enslave man’s conscience nor shall we ever attempt to do so."
Solidarity is a recipe for success. Until a new leader emerges, we the people--- together ---are leading the way each time we meet, and march with our homemade signs held high.
"What we need in the world more than anything else today is living examples of models---people who work, settling within themselves without running around whining and complaining...."
-Zen Master, Kosho Uchiyama, Deepest Practice, Deepest wisdom, page 245
Walk For Peace – Day 76 – Gilbert & Lexington, South Carolina
🙏 Deepest Gratitude to Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
We are profoundly grateful to Sheriff Jay Koon and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for welcoming us into Lexington County, South Carolina on Day 76 of our journey.
Sheriff Koon welcomed us as we entered the county, and his department has assigned deputies to travel alongside us, ensuring our safety as we walk through the beautiful community. Their dedication to support means everything—not just for our protection, but for the peace of mind of everyone on the road.
Thank you to every deputy, every officer, and every member of the Sheriff’s Department who is working behind the scenes to support this journey. Your support, your professionalism, and your care do not go unnoticed. We are honored to walk through Lexington County under your protection.📸 Photo credit: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 🙏💙