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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend June 10, 2005 Peace marchers want troops home Local residents will march from Salem to Portland to protest the Iraq war and its costs By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Jackson County residents are gearing up for a 50-mile march from Salem to Portland, which begins Sunday. A part of the Rural Organizing Project, the walk for "Truth, Justice and Community" is encouraging rural Oregonians to demand a social and financial accounting of the war in Iraq, said organizer Mary Madsen. "We’re asking the governor to bring the National Guard home to guard Oregonians," said Madsen, 66. Tax policies and cutbacks in human services are hitting rural Oregon families, farmers, teachers, students, workers and immigrants hard, she said. Financing the war in Iraq is shortchanging social priorities like schools and health care, said Madsen. The week-long march will begin in Salem, wind through the communities of Woodburn, Canby and Oregon City, then finish in Portland on Saturday, June 18. Advertisement "We’re hoping to get people motivated who share our concerns to provide basic human needs and civil rights," Madsen said. "Each day we’re stopping in different communities and speaking with groups who are under-represented about the needs we want to see represented." Madsen expects a large turnout in Salem on Sunday. Many members of Peace House in Ashland, Applegate Citizens for Political Change and Citizens for Peace and Justice are making the trek to Salem, she said. But not as many are able to leave their jobs and families to make the walk to Portland, she said. "I’ve been very much against the invasion of Iraq from the very beginning," said Madsen. "I’ve stood with Women in Black (a local public peace vigil). I still stand with them." Madsen, an employee of Bear Creek Corp., is using a week of her vacation time and has been training for the daily 10 miles the marchers are expected walk. "I joined a gym and upped my walking," said Madsen. "I’ve done up to 10 miles. It used to be hard. But not anymore." Sams Valley resident Cindy Darnell said she’s willing to leave her business "Earthshirtz" to participate in the march. The 50-year-old grandmother said even a bleeding ulcer and a bum knee are not going to stop her. "I’m going to go," said Darnell. "It’s up to the elders to promote the health of our planet and keep us from killing each other." Darnell said she is more discouraged by others apathy than her own aches. Darnell said her own children are in their 20’s and 30’s and are "too busy trying to make ends meet to walk themselves." So, she’s doing this for them, and her grandchildren, she said. "So many people say this is a waste of time," said Darnell. "But this war is crazy. And if I’m not willing to do this, how can I expect anyone else to do anything?" For more information or to register for the walk, call 503-349-3918 or e-mail [email protected]. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s