Women in Black hold peace vigil

Warwick — On Saturday March 18, the third anniversary of the start of the War in Iraq, about 25 people stood vigil on the wind swept corner of Main Street in Warwick for a special Vigil for Peace. The Women in Black held signs which focused on the cost of the war to local communities. Some of their signs read, “War Costs: Warwick 10.3 million. Increasing Daily.” Signs for Greenwood Lake indicated costs of 6.2 million, and 4.5 million for Florida. Other signs included “Mothers mourn lives lost to war,” “War leaves every child behind,” and “Women for justice, peace and freedom.” The Web site www.nationalpriorities.org states that the cost to Orange County is 572.4 million, and to the Town of Warwick, 21 million. One of those on vigil, Emily Boardman, commented, “I knew that the war was costing the nation hundreds of billions of dollars, but I was shocked to hear how much that comes to, for a small village like Warwick. I can think of so many other useful things we could be doing for our town with money like that.” Another of the women, Jan Howe said, “Of course, the main concern in most peoples’ minds is the cost of the war in terms of lives lost, but we thought it important to let people know what the monetary cost to them is for the continuation of this war.” Boardman said: “We hope that by informing people of the cost of the war, it will make the numbers more real to them.” “Many of the group plan to join thousands of anti-war protesters on Saturday, April 29, in New York City to demand the withdrawal of troops from Iraq,” she added. The Warwick Women in Black stand in silent protest against the war every Saturday at 1 p.m., outside Lewis Park on Main Street in Warwick. For further information, call 258 4645.