
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 8, 1991                   TAG: 9103080728
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EFFORTS FOR PEACE ARE YEAR-ROUND

DWAYNE YANCEY'S article about peace activists in the area (Feb. 27) was quite accurate in depicting our issues and concerns. However, I was astonished to read that public contact with Plowshare Peace Center had "virtually stopped" once the fighting began.

To the contrary. The phone rang constantly the first few weeks of the war with callers asking what they could do. Many calls were from people who had never expressed opposition to the actions of our government, and some were from people who had served in the military or had family in Saudi Arabia.

A second misconception perpetuated by the article is that the main activity of peace activists is protesting war. It is true that the weekly vigil on the market swelled in size when military responses to conflict replaced non-violent efforts. Media attention tends to focus on this visible witness.

Public demonstration, chosen by some to call attention to an alternative viewpoint, is but one of many ways peace activists are involved in urging serious examination of issues that affect all our lives. Educational forums, discussion groups, workshops on conflict resolution and racism, and a monthly newsletter are our main efforts at helping ourselves and others to make our community and world a better place. These activities occur year-round, in times of war and peace - usually without media attention.

The Roanoke Times & World-News is to be commended for presenting many viewpoints on its editorial pages and including features like Mr. Yancey's that examine the views of the minority. When we lose our tolerance for disagreement and dissent, we abdicate our responsibility for the success of a democracy. ELIZABETH FETTER ROANOKE

by CNB