During a March 2006 a workshop in Petoskey to commemorate the 3rd year anniversary of the U.S.’s wrongful invasion of Iraq, presented by The Northern Michigan People for Peace, Karen Martin, of Cheboygan was asked “are there no people in Cheboygan for peace?”
Simple question; but this simple question had a profound effect on Karen.
She decided to find out the answer. So she set out to start a local peace group/movement and see what happens.
She organized an anti-war workshop held in May of 2006. She contacted Leonard Page, a retired lawyer, to give a presentation on “Illegal wire-tapping.” She then asked Dr. Mark Mantel for a presentation “Leave my child alone,” and Jim Thrushman, a Vietnam and First Gulf War Vet, to speak on behalf of veterans and active duty personnel. Karen spoke on the Project for the New American Century, and much more.
Approximately 40 people attended including several people who would form the core membership of the Straits Area Concerned Citizens for Peace & Justice: Leonard Page (also presenter); Anabel and David Dwyer; Tom Bauer, Dale Giddings, Susan Page and Dennis Martin.
Throughout that summer Karen offered at least a half dozen peace vigils, one for each summer month, a “Grannies for Peace” vigil, a peace gathering to honor International Day Of Peace, a 9/11 evening vigil, and miscellaneous other opportunities. One person who deserves extra special mention is Jim Thrushman, a disabled vet from Houghton Lake. He put in 3 long and hot peace vigils and never took a break. He is a very special friend and fellow peace seeker.
It was a slow, hard process trying to find best way to get the word out to other persons who felt the same. It was an election year and many potential peace folks were busy helping their party and running for office themselves.
The Cheboygan Tribune’s Letters To The Editor section of the paper was alive with many letters for and against the fledgling peace movement.
In late fall and early winter the magic began to happen. The most interested persons attended monthly meetings. The core group came together. Major plans for a spring workshop were developed. The group members came to know each other. In January Tom Bauer and Karen attended an anti-war rally Washington D.C. A bond and a commitment developed between all. In the spring of 07 Jim Ramelis, from the eastern UP attended, first as an observer but soon morphed into a primary/core member.