An outsider looking on would have reason to be worried. With a mere eleven people from a population of more than 15,000, it would seem that few Albanians are concerned with peace.
But we all know this is false. For the past five years, most Bay Area citizens have been set against the United States’ occupation of Iraq. Even some who endorsed the war at first have converted. Not to sound whiny, but why then, in the liberal-minded center of the country, did only a dozen show up to Albany’s Peace Day on September 21st? I know I saw the signs.
These were my feelings when I first walked into the Roman-looking stone circle at the Albany Waterfront. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful place, and, to all in attendance, a beautiful cause. We were there to support peace and all those in favor of it. After introducing ourselves, we each said what we thought of peace, and how we see it in our daily lives. I was a little timid at first, being the youngest, but quickly felt more comfortable as the meeting ensued. After a discussion prompt on the appropriate response to 9/11 was put forth by the organizer of Peace Day, Allan Maris, also an Albany councilman, member of the Social and Economic Justice Commission, and former mayor, the mood was much more relaxed and intimate. The apprehension I had originally felt dissipated completely.
During the meeting, I noticed a few curious glances from pedestrians along the path; some didn’t seem to want to disturb us, while others eagerly came to see what was happening. Nobody, I’m happy to report, turned away after seeing the “Peace Day” sign. Slowly, the congregation began to grow.
With Berkeley musician Harry Gold and his guitar, three beautifully woven collections of words by the newly-appointed Albany Poet Laureate Christina Hutchins, and personal stories of peace, a harmonious environment evolved that I felt was broken a bit prematurely.
But broken it was, at 2 o’clock instead of the planned 3 o’clock, and left me with the realization that the end of the war might be in sight. I myself have little connection to the war in Iraq, and could not be called politically aware, but my liberal upbringing has at least brought a sense of urgency to the situation. I know, however, that peace has slowly become more supported than war, just as Albany’s own little Peace Day slowly gathered in number and intensity.
When asked about next year’s Peace Day, and whether it would take place or not, Maris replied, “There’s always conflict. We should do [Peace Day] every day.”
