Supporting La'Onf in Rome, Italy

On October 29th, U.S. Citizens for Peace and Justice - Rome participated in a vigil organized by Donne in Nero at Largo Argentina, in support of La'Onf. (See original appeal)

La'Onf means “no violence” in Arabic and it is the name of a movement in Iraq that has been organizing various forms of non-violent resistance for the past three years and is supported by a number of international groups.

The vigil started at 6.30: a group of Donne in Nero stood in a line outside Feltrinelli bookshop holding a banner that read: NO ALLA VIOLENZA IN IRAQ. Stephanie and Anna held the USC4P&J banner that read: OVER ONE MILLION CIVILIAN VICTIMS IRAQ. Jane, a British member of Donne in Nero, went around giving out flyers to passers-by.

La'Onf had asked international supporters to send photos expressing solidarity with their movement. Anna, Stephanie and Maria Chiara, with different ways of approach (timid, straight, determined) managed to convince people to have their photos taken while holding a poster which read: I SUPPORT LA'ONF – END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ.

On the whole, people were responsive, though some refused to have their photos taken; were they concerned about privacy? Or was it fear? But most, especially the younger ones, were happy to cooperate with us. Italians, including a journalist and a senator, as well as people from many different countries, showed their support of La'Onf. A group of young Serbians were clearly excited about having their photos taken. A Finnish tourist said, “One should always find the time to be against war.” And two groups of students from the U.S. were particularly pleased to have a chance to express support of the Iraqi people. On the whole we took 37 photos and gave out about 200 flyers explaining, both in Italian and in English, the motives and aims of the vigil.

Once the vigil was over, we folded up our banners and walked away, happy to have contributed to this action for peace in Iraq.

Maria Chiara Starace

You can send your own photo in support of LaOnf to: laonfsolidarity@yahoo.com (see photos that have been posted) And sign the international letter of support.

Top