“One young man came running out of the house when he heard we were petitioning against the war,” recounts Barbara Luciano, a union member with 1199/SEIU in Hartford and a volunteer for the Million Doors For Peace project on September 20, 2008.

“His uncle was a soldier who had served in Iraq,” Barbara explained. “He was so depressed when he came back, he left for his home town in Puerto Rico. He committed suicide there. This was just before his veteran benefits came in the mail.” Not only did this young man sign the petition calling for the withdrawal of all American troops, but his entire household signed as well.

These stories and many others were heard by the 48 Hartford volunteers who spent Saturday, September 20 walking north- and south-end neighborhoods in this city of 120,000 people, mostly African American and Latino residents. The canvassers also walked voter districts in the more affluent suburb of West Hartford. Both groups reported widespread support from the diverse neighborhoods.

Volunteers in New Haven and Stamford also used the Million Doors petition to reach deeper into their cities. “Our efforts allowed those who don’t normally attend peace rallies to get involved,” according to New Haven organizer Henry Lowendorf. The effort was part of a nationwide one-day campaign spearheaded by USAction and co-sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, the General Board of the United Methodist Church, Catholics United, Veterans for Peace, US Labor Against the War and many others.

Two local canvassers who door-knocked that day drew special attention: Miriam Butterworth, the 90-year old peace and social justice activist, and Lekeisha Taylor, a 15 year old student who (with her mother Theresa) has been involved in several political and union campaigns. Mims and Kiki, as they are known, not only hit their assigned 40 doors but reached people on the street as well.

The Hartford team knocked on 1300 doors, along with workplaces and church services, and got almost 600 signatures. What’s more, 40 of them signed up as volunteers for future peace activities. Nationally, the signatures are being delivered to Congress on Thursday, September 25th.

For more information contact: Connecticut Opposes the War ctcow.org

Canvassers get ready

Jeff Bartos of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW)

Union organizer Jessica Espinoza gets a signature

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Knocking on Doors to Help Stop the War