U.S. Vets HONOR  Afghan Women for Peace, at NATO Protests in Chicago



Collateral Damage Magazine quotes some Afghan women who relay story of Chicago protest:

Samira: To see that we had three Afghan women leading a march of thousands of people through the streets of Chicago … it was a very big moment for Afghans For Peace, for Afghans in general and for the [anti-war movement] movement as a whole.

Saba: When we started that march and when we saw where we stood – on the front lines – with the soldiers behind us, backing us – backing us – honoring us, it was a historic moment for Afghans because it has never happened in our history like that.

And when we put our peace signs up, they [veteran soldiers] followed us in suit, in a military formation, and that felt historic. It was true solidarity … and when we got to the stage, the symbolic gesture of returning the sovereignty of Afghanistan to the Afghan people through Afghans For Peace, what a moment that was … I was in awe. And then they started throwing their medals one by one, I was proud to be on the stage and to witness that moment with them. And they were just as proud and honored to stand with us. And then when they took to the ground and kneeled [in apology] in front of three Afghan women – three Afghan women – whom they are honoring and respecting.

…

It was empowering, it was inspirational. And what I really hope that it did, because the three of us as Afghan women, we battle a lot because we bear so many different roles: activists, women, young, Afghans, Muslims, daughters of refugees or refugees ourselves. We are bearing so many different roles and to stand up on that stage and to bring all of those voices to the table … we are really putting ourselves on the line. And what we were really hopping it would do is that other Afghans who bear similar roles would want to join too, that they too would see and say: you know what, it’s ok to stand up against this [war], it’s ok, don’t be afraid.

Suraia: I’m happy to know that one of the largest anti-NATO demonstrations was lead by both Afghans and veterans, and ended with a reconciliation ceremony to signify solidarity and healing from both sides. [The soldiers were honoring us] not just through their actions but also through their words. It was important for us to hear them express their feelings of remorse and shame in their involvement in these wars. And now it’s important for us to share it with the Afghan community. Where the NATO summit has failed, this is how we’re working towards peace.