Granny Peace Brigade to March in Newark

Just in case you haven't heard about the Grannies, they gained recognition last year after they were arrested outside of the recruiting office in Times Square. They were charged with disorderly conduct. They were offered a plea bargain that included all charges being dropped in exchange for the Grannies', whose ages range from 59 to 91, staying out of trouble for the next six months. I am sure to the prosecutors chagrin, the grannies turned the deal down. You might be wondering what their defense was. They said they went to the recruiting station to enlist so their to spare their grandchildren from having to do so. When they got there the door was locked and they being of advanced age became tired and needed to sit down. They were acquitted.

This comes our way from New Jersey Peace Action...

Join the Grannies for Peace in a Rally and March

Sunday, June 25 from 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm

Starting at Broad and Market Streets in Newark and marching to the Armed Forces Recruiting Center located at 31 Clinton Street

Please Join us for a Potluck Dinner with

Grannies for Peace Brigade
Sunday, June 25 at 4:00 p.m.
At the Friends Meeting House
225 Watchung Avenue
Corner of Watchung Ave. & E. 3rd St.
Plainfield, NJ 07060

The Grannies Peace Brigade is the group of 18 "grannies" who were swept up last October by the New York City police, handcuffed, loaded into police vans and jailed for four and a half hours.

The grandmothers were accused of blocking pedestrian traffic at the Times Square Army recruitment center in mid-town Manhattan after the women presented themselves for enlistment on October 17. They told army recruiters, "We insist/we enlist," arguing that the military should take them into Iraq service rather than their grandchildren. They were acquitted on Thursday, April 27.

The women ranged in age from 59 to 91 and protest each week in Times Square against the war. Their campaign, arrest, and trial drew media attention from around the world. The Grannies celebrated their court victory by breaking into song outside the courthouse after the verdict, singing "God Help America" to the tune of "God Bless America."

Asked what the judge’s decision meant to her, Grannies for Peace member, Joan Wile, 74, a retired singer, said, "Listen to your granny, and take to the streets like we did."

Sponsored by: NJ Peace Action, Peoples’ Organization for Progress - Plainfield Chapter and Somerset Voices for Peace & Justice – Local groups who sponsor monthly demonstrations at the recruiting stations in Plainfield and Somerville.

This will be a potluck dinner, so please bring a dish to share, a dessert, or some drinks as you are able.

You can RSVP to: info@somersetpeace.org to let us know what you will bring and how many people are coming, which will help with our planning.


March and Rally on Broad and Market Streets, Newark
DATE: June 25
TIME: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
LOCATION: Broad and Market Street, Newark