US writer marks Connie's death by calling for more effective tactics

Anti-war protesters mourn American activist Mourn Connie’s passing, but will they learn from her example, wonders writer and political analyst Mickey Z.

Concepcion Picciotto, who devoted more than three decades of her life to maintaining a peace vigil outside the White House, died this week at the age of about 80.

Picciotto, who persisted through cold and rough weather, was considered a fixture outside the White House since 1981 when she embarked upon a demonstration that is believed to have become the longest-running act of political protest in US history.

Picciotto, a Spanish immigrant known to many as “Connie,” died on January 25 at a housing facility operated by N Street Village, a nonprofit organization that supports homeless women in Washington.

Mickey Z. said “Connie was revered in activist circles for staging a 35-year anti-war, anti-nuclear proliferation demonstration outside the White House. In 1981, she embarked on what’s been called ‘the longest-running act of political protest in US history.’”

“A few years ago, Connie said she spent more than three decades of her life in the heat, cold, snow, and rain ‘to stop the world from being destroyed,’” he added.

“Let me begin by offering a raised fist to Connie. I mourn her passing but must risk bringing down the hate by asking: When will we also accept that activism as we know it died a long, long time ago? When will we hold a funeral for archaic tactics that no longer work or more likely, never worked? Will we honor Connie’s memory by dedicating ourselves to trying something new?” he stated.

“As I said, Connie began her occupation in 1981. This means, she was there for 8 years of Reagan, 4 years of Bush the Elder, 8 years of the first Clinton administration, 8 years of Bush the Lesser, and almost 8 years of hope and change with Mr. Yes We Can,” the activist said.  

“During that time, the US intervened or supported military interventions in more places than I can name here -- from Central America to Southeast Asia to South Asia to West Africa to the Balkans to the Middle East and beyond. With Connie at her post, a sitting president was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize while waging two or three simultaneous wars -- using depleted uranium weapons, no less,” he noted.

“I submit that the best way to honor Connie is not canonize her or her tactics. To do so, is to virtually guarantee more of the same. Instead, let’s mark her passing with a new commitment to new ideas, new tactics, and new voices. We need more of Connie’s dedication to justice but what we need even more is to see the realm of activism with new eyes. To recognize that we have been tragically ineffective in our efforts and transparently self-sabotaging in our unwillingness to confront our failures,” he noted.

“Rest in Power, Connie. I hope your efforts can serve as a cautionary tale and a push towards open-minded evolution,” concluded Mickey Z.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk