An event at Elliott Bay Book Company this afternoon. In addition to my presentation, three local activists read from “Peace Under Fire”, a newly released book of writings by ISM volunteers.

It was good to hear their stories. This is one of the gifts of this tour. Hearing the stories…The African American girl from New Orleans, growing up in a poor neighborhood, who identifies with the fear and vulnerability of kids in Palestine. The soldier just back from Iraq who cannot forget the face of a child from Bagdad. The Jew who identifies as a Palestinian. The Arab who speaks his story in a whisper. The Palestinian refugee from 1967 living in Knoxville, TN. The Indian living on a reservation in Washington who links the colonialization of Palestine with the colonialization of this country. A life-long Republican in New Jersey, leaving the party and voting for the Greens. The ISM activist who cannot speak of his time in Jenin and the kids who were killed and injured there without crying.

Since January, I have been on the road. When I bring my mind back to each state, each city, I think of all the people I’ve met and the stories they’ve shared.