Hey Hey Hey, it seems "Tiny" was a big hit at the 'march' in Wash, DC last weekend, and CNN took a fancy to the SL banner! I don't know about anybody else, but reading the below report from SL just got me all choked up! It sounded like a fantastic experience and reminded me of the joy of heart to take a stand & march on the WT in NY in 2002! Hope to be able to join the advocates again one of these days.
Read on and give a shout!
abbagail
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From: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 15:54:22 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Silentlambs in Washington D. C.
Walking the Walk: Silentlambs in Washington D.C.
We are happy to announce that the first international "Race to Stop the Silence" in Washington D. C. on Saturday, April 17, 2004, was a tremendous success. It was a moment that will be remembered for years to come in that it marks a positive direction in reaching out and standing up with other abuse organizations and individual survivors to speak out on abuse.
We drove there by car and it is about a thirteen hour drive so it makes for a long trip. We are happy to see that supporters for silentlambs marched with us from four different states. There were close to one thousand that participated in the "Race to Stop the Silence." The event was well planned and everything went smoothly with no hang-ups or problems. The Hotel Harrington was a very nice place to stay with easy access to the race as well as the key tourist areas of downtown Washington.
We arrived late on Wednesday evening (April 14th) and checked into our hotel. The weather was very nice with a warming trend toward the weekend. So it looked like the weather was going to cooperate as well. Since the first of the year locals said it had rained every weekend or was very cold, so they hoped this would be a welcome change.
Thursday, April 15th, started with planning for the press conference at the National Press Club. We arrived to meet Emily Samuelson, a therapist and author of the book "Soaring Above The Ashes." The book features pictures and interviews with abuse survivors that were thriving beyond childhood sexual abuse. We met Pamela Pine, the coordinator of the race, along with abuse survivors that were there to speak to the press. As the afternoon progressed different ones dropped by to look at the pictures.
You can see photos of the press conference here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/136328599MwUrnj?814
Two key people that dropped by were Scott Berkowitz and Monica Taylor from RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) They operate one of the largest abuse hotlines and education organizations in the USA. We were able to leave a silentlambs video and make contact for further discussion on institutional abuse awareness. We hope something important develops from this.
So the results from the press conference were successful and we were happy to be part of it as well as meet the many people that dropped by.
Friday, April 16th, was a rest day to get ready for the march so we did a little sightseeing. The Smithsonian Institute was about two blocks from the hotel so we were able to spend most of the day touring the exhibits.
Saturday, April 17th, stared early with the program starting at around 7:30 am at Freedom Square on Pennsylvania Avenue. The race started at 9am sharp so everyone was arriving during this time frame. The stage program started around 8am with a young woman from Canada that is an actress working with a local school. There was a reenactment of young people discussing abuse and telling about speaking out. It was very moving as they did an excellent job with the presentation. Then followed announcements about registrations and getting ready for the race. A large speaker system was set up to help with the speakers and after which music was played for all to hear.
To see pictures of the event click here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/136336228GnzXUK?759
When 9 am arrived everyone lined up at the starting line, it was a picture to see. Notice the Capitol in the distance?
The Capitol is in the foreground and Pennsylvania Avenue was closed for the morning, we had it all to ourselves: http://www.silentlambs.org:80/images/clip_image003_003.jpg
Silentlambs had the largest banner there and many people stopped by to inquire and ask who we were. The best part was when CNN camera crew came by to do a long slow take of the banner with silentlambs supporters standing by. We were happy to find out later that CNN aired a news report later that evening and we are in the process of getting a copy. We think we had the best "optics" with the large picture of "Tiny" doing his job once again. Who could resist a picture like this?
We had the largest banner there and CNN got a long close up of it:
http://www.silentlambs.org:80/images/clip_image004.jpg
The weather was beautiful in the mid 70's with a light breeze. It was a perfect day for a march! The road was clearly marked with traffic guards at every intersection to guide everyone along. As we walked, everyone was clapping or saying words of support and encouragement. It was a very positive and happy experience for all that participated. We marched right in front of the Capitol, it was hard to explain but it seemed to be a validation of the hard work and effort that has been spent trying to help others speak out on abuse. Here we were walking in front of the top governmental office in this country standing up for all the silent lambs:
Many people saw the silentlambs banner and gave smiles or thumbs up, it was a positive message: http://www.silentlambs.org:80/images/clip_image005_000.jpg
At the halfway point there was water for anyone needing it and more cheers and encouragement from onlookers. Finally we could see the finish line ahead in the distance.
See the finish line in the distance? :
http://www.silentlambs.org:80/images/clip_image006_000.jpg
There was a big PA announcement about silentlambs completing the race and a big round of applause as we crossed the finish line. It was a happy moment and one that we wish many more could have shared. (me, too, BB, me too... :-( /ag )
Afterward there was fresh water and fruit for all that wanted or needed some. We sat around and talked while they got ready for the concluding program. Announcements were made about who finished the race first and prizes given. All children that participated were given a gift to remember it by. Everyone that participated got an official "Race to Stop the Silence" T-shirt.
Next on the program came the moving stories of two abuse survivors that were doing well. Michele, the first speaker, has worked for several years with a women's support center and spoke about how helping others contributed to her healing. The second speaker, a man, told about raising his three children and keeping balance in his life. Pamela Pine concluded the program with thanks to several, including silentlambs, for helping and supporting the program. The program concluded with an excellent college choir singing a selection of songs.
What can we say? Silentlambs was happy to participate and see so many come together and speak out to stop the silence on child sexual abuse. It was empowering to see others with such strong convictions as well as positive healing moving forward and helping others to find their voice and inward strength. It was a wonderful and happy occasion with many laughs and smiles from those that were there.
If we were committed to marching on Watchtower in Brooklyn, New York, for abuse survivors, then how much more powerful to march in Washington D. C., with hundreds of abuse survivors at the Capitol of our nation's government? When we were in Brooklyn they slammed and locked the doors, turned off the intercom like cowards when we offered to produce eye witnesses to abuse. While the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses hid in fear to keep from facing abuse survivors; a public statement was made (anyway) to show how Bible directives are ignored when the abuse survivors are willing to face their accused on their front door step. What point would be served to march before cowards? For those reasons there is little purpose to marching in Brooklyn, New York, where few will have a hearing ear.
(On the other hand), the Washington D. C. march speaks to a far larger audience and tells the entire world that cowardly men that ignore abuse survivors should be identified and recognized for all to see. The banner that was walked down Pennsylvania Avenue was viewed by thousands and will give those that wish a place to educate themselves about small men that hurt children. (HURRAY for SILENTLAMBS!/ag)
This was the first international March for child abuse in Washington D. C. Silentlambs was proud to be part of this history making event. This is a civil rights movement for children that has begun. No religion or any person should have the right to suppress the rights of a child when a crime is committed against them. To walk with hundreds of people that see the same issue is very empowering. We hope to make this an annual event in which more and more "silentlambs" can participate and March together to walk the walk in speaking out on abuse. Next April we hope to see you there. (me too, me too, me too! /ag ;-)
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Silentlambs Reports on recent Wash, DC "March"
by abbagail 2 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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abbagail
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blondie
Thanks for posting this, abbagail. I wish I could have been there too, but I had to take an employment test. Nice pictures. By joining forces with groups like Linkup, SNAP, and RAINN, it will make the fight against clergy sexual abuse stronger.
Blondie
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abbagail
You're welcome, blondiegirl! ;-) I thought it was a great report, and the pictures really did add a lot, a nice crispy-sounding/looking day in the City of the great White knight House. Seems BB has improved his writing skills (or maybe Mrs. B wrote it, lol. Or heck, maybe it's just the mood I'm in.) I was wondering/waiting for a report about the Race... figured he'd get out one sooner or later.
Sorry about the employment test. Sounds dreadful. Did you pass? ;-) Wasn't a 'typing test' was it? heehee.
So true what you said about SL joining up with the larger national abuse orgs. I think nothing but great things can come from that union. And I bet a few of them had no idea yet about the JW situation.
Take care!
/ag
