LYSISTRATA film appears briefly in NYC

"Where did you get that shirt?" Joan Wile asked.  We sat next to one another along with a bunch of other Grandmothers Against the War for a screening about the unprecedented, worldwide, anti-war theatrical happening in 2003, Operation Lysistrata, (film clips at this link).  It was Joan who had emailed me about it.

Joan is the instigator of the GAW, the group that has held a peace vigil, rain/shine/holidays, every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 in front of Rockefeller Center. She is one of the 18 grandmas arrested here a couple of years ago for their peaceful protest at the Times Square Recruiting station.  Out of that initial action, the Granny Peace Brigade grew,  now includes a counter-recruitment effort which is described--with videos--at their website.

The film shows the time before the Iraq War began, the  energetic anti-war ferment.    Malachy McCourt, who sang to all us marchers in February 2003 as we rallied against the impending war, sat behind Joan and me.   "...Tens of millions of people took to the streets all over the world....organizers say half a million in New York City [more here at Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now" site]. 

"Joan, we were so hopeful then," I sighed.    The film reminds us that many young people responded to the immodest notion of performing Lysistrata in cafes, parks, living rooms all over the world.  Michael Patrick Kelly, the filmmaker and his co-producer, Suzanne Hayes Kelly, answered questions about their documentary.  The screening was part of their effort to secure the small amount needed to produce a CD for distribution through their website.  [Contact Aquapio Films to learn more.]

It was cold as hell that March 3 in New York City.  Did one happen in your own locale (list here)? Imagine:  high school students--home-schooled 15 year old in the film used plastic dinosaurs for his unusual performance-- people all ages all over the U.S. diverse colors, gender prefs.  Touch-and-go to find a group in North Dakota but two cities signed on.   We owe a lot to Kathryn Blume and Sharron Bower, who conceived The Lysistrata Project.  That night the play was presented to a sold-out audience at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Appearing were Kathleen Chalfant, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, F. Murray Abraham, many more New York-based actors. You can see them in the film--along with wannabes worldwide like you and me.   

Joan and I, tee-shirt-wearing grandmas, continue to be hopeful, ask questions of authority.  She did not know details of The Thought Crime Bill.  Have to tell her about my latest idea after hearing the latest on The Bill.  It's skipped into the Senate; new number is S.1959.  Targets the internet in particular.  Five years ago we reveled in our freedom to protest--though the film reminds that not everyone supported the huge demonstrations nor the performance of Lysistrata itself.  Restrictions on the internet would deprive us of the unprecedented connecting possible through the ether:  59 countries and 1,029 readings. 

Comments

[joared]

Yes! We certainly need to make the public aware of this "Thought Crime" bill, the need to let our Senators know what our views are about it, if they don't see the danger in the bill themselves. I'm hoping my local newspaper (and two others of even wider circulation, including the L.A. Times) will print my letter and readers will become empowered to take action. Meanwhile, I continue periodic posts on my blog.

[m.e.]

don't forget that Barack Obama is on the committee for S 1959

[Kay Dennison]

I'm blogging my little heart out on this bill. It's a genuine travesty against our personal freedom and what galls me is that so many people I've talked to are in denial.

[naomi dagen bloom]

back to you-- joanne, m.e., and kay: we need a button that reads, "I'm not in denial!" i'm open to suggestions on the graphic to go with the message.