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Posted on 10/02/2001 8:01:13 AM PDT by dukeman

SARASOTA (Fla.)-- When the country's turning red, white and blue, with flags everywhere and troops on the move, what's a Green Party to do?

In Sarasota, and across the nation, that's the question for many leftists, pacifists and internationalists. They oppose a widespread war on terrorism, avenging the infamous Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, but realize they're making an argument that's unpopular, even alarming, for some Americans.

That's what worries the Greens.

"I saw a sign in Wauchula at a family restaurant, where the Lions Club meets," says Nick Manolukas, a Sarasota attorney and activist. "It said, 'Attention, Allah: Hope you have lots of room! -- USA.' [I like it!]

"Now that's scary. Scary."

For the Green Party, proposing an American response based on social justice and international law seems almost as frightening, at least in a political sense.

On Thursday night, at a county party meeting in Sarasota, about 35 people met to consider a written response to the war on terrorism. Peter Burkard urged members to follow national party statements, which he hoped would be very cautious and diplomatic.

"This is such a monumental issue for the Green Party," he said. "I think it has the potential to make us a marginal party, if we're perceived as being sympathetic to the terrorists. [Bwahahahahah! What planet does this guy live on?] We have to be very careful, very careful, because the public is so upset about this."

No angry demonstrations

Manolukas said he believes the coming months also offer an opportunity for the Greens, as a true alternative to the mainstream political parties. He hopes the emotions of the day will give way to concerns for justice and peace in the future.

"We have a right to defend ourselves," he said, "but we have to take every measure not to hurt civilians, not to bomb cities, not to harm innocent people."

For now, the Green membership agreed that it's a time for caution and tact. They voted to form committees to draft a written statement and organize a gathering this Sunday that would be more of a vigil than a rally. That peace rally will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Cocoanut Avenue and King Way, as part of a call for action by the National Coalition for Peace and Justice. For more information, call (941) 929-9813, or visit www.sarasotagreenparty.org.

Julia Aires thought toning down their rhetoric would help draw co-sponsors and support from the community.

"The concerns I've heard from other groups is that they don't want to participate in an angry demonstration," she said. "They don't want to participate in a protest, an anti-war demonstration, so that is our focus, peace is our focus."

On Saturday, several Sarasota members traveled to the University of Tampa for an all-day Earth Charter event, one featuring a Declaration of Interdependence among nations. Actor Danny Glover was scheduled to make an appearance, along with author David Korten, who wrote "Post-Corporate World: Life Beyond Capitalism."

Flying a different flag

Joining in American flag waving is out of the question for some on the left.

Writing in The Nation, Katha Pollitt describes her daughter wanting to fly a flag from their New York City window, as a way to stand united, honor the dead and say no to terrorism. Pollitt refused, because for her the stars and stripes represent "jingoism and vengeance and war."

In Sarasota, the Greens are considering another alternative.

"We've talked about flying the Earth Flag," says Lisa Wilson. "It's the earth as seen from outer space, basically."

For Aires, who brought an old, faded Earth Flag to the Thursday meeting, the Sept. 11 attacks only brought home casualties and miseries other parts of the world have suffered for years. Her concern is for all countries and peoples, not just her own.

"When I see the signs that say 'God Bless America,'" Aires said, "I wish it would be 'God Bless Us All.'"

Green patriotism

While some Greens worried of being seen as apologists for terrorism, others said the party shouldn't forsake principled positions, even when they're unpopular.

David Nezelek, a Green leader on the campus of New College of Florida, spoke in favor of peace, even if it means opposing government policy in time of war. "I don't think we should confuse being patriotic with being subservient to authority," he said. "I think patriotism means questioning authority."

In the past, Green demonstrations in Sarasota have been entertaining, with costumed members following a "Carnival of Democracy" theme. Political theater must be different now, and members talked about being more sensitive and respectful.

Still, Leslie Freeman wanted something beyond another candlelight vigil.

"I think it could be mistaken for mourning for the dead, and not an anti-war statement," she said. "This might be unpopular, but I think it should be more theatrical. Everyone's being so polite that nothing's being said."

Sarasota's Jason Boehk, who's worked on a range of ecological and social issues, believes America has already taken backward steps.

"That's one of my selfish reactions to all of this," Boehk said. "Our good work has been set back years by changes in the political climate."

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