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On the second anniversary of the Iraq invasion, the nation — on down to the local level — remains divided about the war in the Mideast.
However, to teacher and protester Joanie Heydt-nelson, the people who were passing by the demonstration on the corner of Frontenac Drive and Mankato Avenue all sounded the same to her.
"I presume they're supporting me," Heydt-nelson said. "I think they are saying, ‘You go girl.' The hand gestures? Well, all I see is the victory sign. I am old and can't see so good, so I am assuming they're wishing me peace and love."
She teaches the Constitution and government, and said that she must not only teach but also act. Though she said she doesn't talk about participating in a peace protest, if students see her, they often inquire about her beliefs.
Those convictions led her to take part of Saturday afternoon and stand in the snow, holding a sign she borrowed from her husband, a Vietnam War medic who served with the 101st Airborne division.
The sign read: "Support our troops, bring them home."
"I am doing this for him and my classmates who were killed," Heydt-nelson said.
Though her husband wasn't with her, she said he fully supports her involvement in the protest.
"He went to places that the U.S. government said we never went," Heydt-nelson said.
The peace protest was different from the weekly silent vigil the Winona Area Peacemakers normally hold. Saturday's event was sponsored by the peacemakers, Saint Mary's University Peace and Justice, Winona Catholic Worker, Winona State University Greens and the Winona County Green Party.
Polly Gower said the rally was held to urge an exit strategy to bring troops home.
"We love the troops, and we all support them. We want what's in their best interest, and at this point, being over there is not in their best interest," Gower said.
Recently, several members of the peacemakers, along with Phil Steger of Friends for a Non-Violent World in St. Paul, met with 1st District Rep. Gil Gutknecht to urge Congress to pass an amendment to President Bush's budget plan for troop withdrawal. As part of that plan, the group is urging no "permanent" or "enduring" military presence in Iraq beyond 2005, and a plan that respects the rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution, the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Geneva Conventions.
Gutknecht responded that he supported U.S. troops and a "straightforward exit strategy," but stopped short of supporting the peacemakers' goals.
"Let's not throw money at it," Gower said.
About 20 people showed up at the two-hour protest. Many more passersby responded.
"More people would be on our side or with us if they truly understood the issue," said Craig Thompson of Winona. "Too many people are watching things like Fox News, which is do little more than act as cheerleaders for the Republican party."
Across the street, two people from the Catholic Worker were holding a rainbow colored banner that said: "PEACE."
"It makes your arms a little tired, but sometimes, you have to be public about where you stand," Mary Farrell said.
Jo McGrath stood holding up the other side of the banner. She was inspired by Peace Pilgrim, who traveled across North America promoting peace.
"Life is about simplicity and love," McGrath said. "Love is the answer. We need to know one another and it doesn't matter about beliefs, or religion or countries, we need to respect one another."
