| United Methodists join march for peace during King weekend By Joretta Purdue United Methodist News Service  The temperature did not climb above 25 degrees, but tens of thousands of people, including United Methodists from several states, gathered Jan. 18 on the National Mall to call for peace and walk to the Washington Navy Yard. In the three hours before the rally was to begin, the United Methodist Building at Capitol Hill provided warmth and snacks for rally participants, some of whom had boarded buses the day before to travel all night from the Midwest, New England and other parts of the country. At the United Methodist Building in Washington, Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, secretary of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, offered the benediction at a prayer service led by Jim Winkler, staff head of the denominations Board of Church and Society. Jonathan Meier, the 20-year-old college student who had walked most of the way from Ames, Iowa, to take part in the rally, shared his experience in the message portion. Members of other faiths also participated in the service. The hospitality at the building offered an opportunity for making placards as well as getting refreshments and connecting with others who had come to the nations capital to express their feelings about a possible war between the United States and Iraq. War doesnt solve anything, asserted the Rev. Beth Cooper, a campus minister at San Diego State University. I dont think weve engaged in full conversation that would explore other possibilities for peace. Chett Pritchett, a Wesley Seminary student originally from Parkersburg, W.Va., said the rally and march offered an opportunity to show my disdain for the decision for war. War only supports the rich, he said. It hurts the poor, homeless, and women and children in all situations. As Christians, were following our call for justice. We need to support the least of these, and thats who war hurts. The crowd milled amiably in the cold, clear day while listening to a number of speakers, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Actress Tyne Daley told the demonstrators, Youre in the right place. Signs were the order of the day. A few of the sentiments expressed included: - Dont Bush Whack Iraq;
- Give Peace a Chance;
- We Are All Connected;
- Dumb Leaders + Smart Bombs = Dead People;
- Pre-emptive Strikes are War Crimes.
A child carried a sign that said, Dont Start WWIII. An older woman held aloft a poster proclaiming, War is Terrorism on Families. A couple with an infant zipped snuggly in its fathers jacket wore a sign that said, Another baby for peace. After more than two hours of speeches, the crowd began its trek past the Capitol and House office buildings. Moving down Pennsylvania Avenue, the marchers proceeded about 2.5 miles from the Mall to the Washington Navy Yard. Another peace march for youth and students was held the following day, Sunday, with the White House as its destination, but the demonstrators did not reach the park across the street before being stopped by police. On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an interfaith service and candlelight procession honored the late civil rights leaders dedication to peace and justice. | 
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