Women in Black - Oklahoma City

WIB vigils in OKC area cancelled

2007-05-13T23:33:00.000-05:00

If you would like to revive them, please leave a comment below -- it won't be published, but it will get to us.

Raise Your Voice Against Local Radio 94.7 FM Assaults Against Women and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual And Transexual Community on the "Mo Radio Show"

2005-07-06T23:57:00.004-05:00

We are asking for a sincere on-air apology from "The Buzz" every hour on the hour for at least 24 hours, as well as a verbal commitment not to make such statements in the future. The station must show their support of the programs iin our community that finght the violence that Mo has promoted by donating at least $1,000 to the Oklahoma City YWCA to help fight against domestic abuse and sexual assault.

WHEN: FRIDAY, JULY 8TH
NOON

WHERE: 50 PENN PLACE - north side across from Penn Square Mall

WHY: OKC radio station 94.7 FM “The Buzz” has a new show, the "Mo Radio Show" 6-10am weekdays, deejayed by Bryan “Mo” Modzelewski.

On June 29, 2005, Mo asked his listeners to call in and answer whether they would rather beat a woman or wake up one morning after having gay sex – callers’ responses matched the "taste" of the question.

For example, one caller stated that he would “rather beat a woman than be the woman.” Another had an eloquent answer: “Well, I choose beat a woman because I can think of reasons to beat a woman, and I couldn’t think of a reason to have gay sex.” For more information, listen to Mo’s demo at http://www.illmakeyounumber1.com/

This is but one example of the extremely hateful comments Mo has made against women and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual community on his weekday morning show.

If this inflames your righteous indignation, come demand a change at noon on July 8, 2005 on the grass on the north side of 50 Penn Place. We are asking for a sincere on-air apology from “The Buzz” every hour on the hour for at least 24 hours, as well as a verbal commitment not to make such statements in the future. The station must show their support of the programs in our community that fight the violence that Mo has promoted, by donating at least $1,000 to the Oklahoma City YWCA to help them fight against domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Spread the word.

Weekly vigils in Norman cancelled

2005-05-22T00:48:00.000-05:00

The Wednesday vigils in Norman have been cancelled. If anyone in that area wants to start them back up, let us know (just do it, and let us know, that is!)

End War NOW Rally

2005-03-14T10:49:00.000-06:00

Oklahoma City - End War NOW

March 19 marks the two-year anniversary of the start of this Iraq War.
Central Oklahoma organizations & citizens will mark the date with demonstrations and vigils on the theme

End the War NOW
Bring the Troops Home

Saturday, March 19:

Rally To End The War

When: Saturday, March 19, 2 pm to 5 pm
Where: Memorial Park in OKC (NW 36th & Classen, west end)
What: music, drumming, speakers, dancing, veterans, C.O.s, students, families, picnics, petitions, solidarity, social, celebrations of life and living.
Who: Sponsored by Peace House, CodePinkOKC, Greens of Oklahoma County, Women in Black and lots of others.

Sunday, March 20: Spiritual Walk For Peace
When: Sunday, March 20, 2 pm
Where: Gather at Episcopal Center, NW 9th & Robinson; walk will circle the Murrah Memorial
What: music, two speakers, silent, revent peace walk on the streets encircling the Murrah Memorial, back to Episcopal Center, one more speaker. Information tables.
Who: Sponsored by Spiritual Walk for Peace (a coalition of churches and organizations) & many others.

Download flier to print and distribute.

New feature - site feed

2005-03-04T12:23:00.000-06:00

I've added a link in the sidebar for a site feed (universal format -- thanks to Feedburner), for those that are interested in that kind of thing! If you have a newsreader, or your email client can import feeds, you can have the blog posts display wherever you like.

I'll get it on Blog Oklahoma as well.

The Mother's War

2005-02-06T22:09:00.000-06:00

I ride the dusty road to Tikrit
in your rusack, in my mind
you are louder than
the rumble of trucks and
the cadence of
boots marching
and men's voices calling
over the clatter of guns

I smell your sweat
trace the path of blood
through your veins
feel the fetal curve of you
your heart is in my eyes
every hour I wait for them to kill you
and wonder if I'll know
when you cease to be

copyright May 7, 2004
Barbara Hatch Vink

Wednesday Vigils begin in Norman

2005-02-06T22:02:00.000-06:00

Women in Black are holding silent vigils in Norman
at the corner of Flood and Main Street every Wednesday
from 12: 00 -1: 00pm
All women are welcome and encouraged to join us
as we, the Women in Black all over the planet, continue a
unified effort to unravel the web of war.
We are calling you to join us.
Hold a peace sign and meditate for Peace.
Come for 10 minutes or stay for more.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE IT?
Want a reminder?
write to wibokc@cox.net

Notes from our January 23rd Gathering

2005-01-26T20:38:00.000-06:00

We were nine women strong. We shared some of our own stories, stories of other women, especially of women in Iraq. We shared our grievings, our anger, our hope, our fear. And we imagined and shared what Women in Black was and could be for us. Randi took copious notes:

a] The Oklahoma City blog- posting additional vigils as they arise (group agrees)
b] Silent vigils in Norman (group established 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Wednesdays, location dependent on City permit- to be determined by this Wednesday)
c] Networking state vigils and beyond; at the same time or different times- (various opinions expressed, need for flexibility acknowledged)
d] Spiritual Walk for ?(group agrees to walk as a group, meeting at 9th and Robinson)
e] Wristbands or some type of symbol to remind us of on-going vigils (youth groups could be recruited for this, Miriam offers contact person, Randi will report progress to blog- no definite design or symbol determined as of yet)
f] The silent time at vigils will help us all to go deeper and create self-awareness- a more personal space within the peace movement
g] A banner will be created - Randi and Susan will work on this this week. We want a banner by Sunday, January 30th
· We want it to include the symbolic color red
· We want it to include the WIB symbol and say "Women in black", possibly with space for more writing later
· Any statement should be positive
· The phrase "unraveling the web of war" appealed to most members of the group, but it was determined that we are not ready to permanently place any statement on the banner yet
· Individual signs are encouraged for vigils at this time to allow for personal expressions

We left with a renewed energy and a commitment to gather again.

If you were not able to be with us and would like to share your own thoughts with us please do so. We want to hear from you. Peace.

Change in Location of Monday Noon Vigil

2005-01-21T22:38:00.000-06:00

Please note the new location of our Monday Vigil effective January 24th:
Parker and Robinson (4 blocks south of NW 4th and Robinson - our former vigil site)

Meeting on January 23

2005-01-06T19:48:00.000-06:00

Peace!
The meeting January 23, at the OKC downtown Library, is to held in classroom B on the fourth floor. This blog if changes occur.

Women in Black Gathering

2005-01-05T21:49:00.000-06:00

Please join us in our first Women in Black gathering on Sunday, January 23rd at the new Downtown Library at 1:30 p.m. We will spend time listening to one another and give vision and direction to the work of Women in Black for justice and peace in Oklahoma City.

For more information contact us at wibokc@cox.net

12-27 Vigil

2004-12-27T01:38:00.000-06:00

Yes, we are vigiling Monday, December 27 from Noon - 1:00 pm at NW 4th and Robinson. This is an especially important day for us to vigil as the following day, December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the Christian tradition. On this date over 2000 years ago King Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in hopes of killing Jesus, the long-awaited hope, the Messiah, for the Jewish people who lived under the tyranny of the Roman Empire. On this day we remember all children who know physcial and emotional-spiritual death through both declared and undeclared wars. We stand in silence on this Monday and we re-member the children of the world. If you are unable to physically join us this Monday please be with us in spirit.

11-29 Vigil Reflection

2004-11-29T23:15:00.000-06:00

Five women and three men came out on this dreary day of light drizzle and blowing cold. It was necessary for us to honor our commitment to this day of beginnings for Women in Black. It was necessary to stand in the inclement weather. As dear Sadie said so well - we have to do this regardless of the weather. Many of the people we stand in solidarity with have no protection from the elements.

We stood where all vigilants have stood since Vietnam at the southeast corner of the Murrah Plaza. It was a historical event - the paradoxical labor pains of giving voice to women's voices about the current world situation in the context of Women in Black. It's not that women haven't raised their voices before in this city. There is a long history of women's peace work here. I know not all of it as I am a transplant and have been here two plus years. But I want to come to know this rich history. I have learned much already from the sages and sojourners. Someday we must come together and share the stories, rest in those stories, and imagine what they might spring forth.

I am grateful to be in the midst of those gathered today. Will emailed me a picture he took of our vigil. The illiterate computer person that I will need some assistance to get it to this place. It will come in due time and with a little help from some incredible friends. Gracias! Let us rest this night trusting in the goodness of the human spirit and standing rooted in the ever-living flowing waters of peace.

Please consider sharing any reflections you may have. at this point in the process of our blog you may have to do that through the comment selection of this reflection.

Women in Black OKC Vigils begin 11-29

2004-11-27T21:24:00.000-06:00

Women in Black OKC Silent Vigil
Mondays: Noon - 1:00 PM
NW 4th and Robinson

On Monday, November 29, 2004, Women in Black OKC will begin its every Monday silent vigil from Noon - 1:00 PM at the corner of NW4th and Robinson. We choose this site at the Murrah Plaza as this corner has historically been the site of protest vigils against violence and war dating back to the Vietnam War.

We stand in black as a symbol of mourning for all victims of war, for the destruction of people, nature and the fabric of life. We believe that the witness of naming and standing in our grief facilitates the movement from paralysis to empowerment.

We stand in silence because what we are standing against is unspeakable: the atrocities of war, violence, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses, environmental destruction, poverty and the denial that we are all part of one another.

We stand in silent solidarity internationally with women and children, the elderly and the poor, the disenfranchised, victims of torture, abuse and hatred. And we stand in solidarity with civilians and soldiers on both sides of violence and war for neither side will ever know victory.

We stand nonviolently in our posture and in our silent communication because we know that the nonviolent path is the only way to lasting and true peace.

Join us -when and for how ever long you are able.
Men are encouraged to join us in support.
If you are unable to join us on Mondays, please consider starting a vigil on another day, time and place.

For more information and to post vigil site updates contact wibokc@cox.net

Background:
Women in Black is an international peace network. Women in Black is not an organization, but a means of mobilization and a formula for action. Women in Black vigils were started in Israel in 1988 by women protesting against Israel’s Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Women in Black has developed in England, Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan, the United States and in FR Yugoslavia, where women in Belgrade have stood in weekly vigils since 1991 to protest war and the Serbian regime’s policies of nationalist aggression. Women in Black groups have formed in many cities in the United States since September 11th.
Women in Black seeks to bring together people of all races, faiths, nationalities, and genders who support positions of nonviolence and who seek peace through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue. Women in Black all over the world organize non-violent actions making visible their resistance to war and militancy, and creating networks of solidarity and mutual support.

Women in Black is not an organization but a means of mobilization and a formula for action.