December « 2009 « Granny Peace Brigade Blog

Archive for December, 2009

Raging Grannies And Friends Sing Carols Of Peace

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

December 21 in Grand Central Station New York City

It is possible to live a full, rich life even if you have never gone caroling with the Raging Grannies, however hanging out with the Ragings is one way to live intensely. If you missed this year, all is not lost. Pencil or tap a note into your December 2010 calendar reminding you to ask the Granny Peace Brigade what the Ragings are planning for the end of the month. They might even have an extra Santa hat for you.

Here is what this year looked like:

Getting started.

We are in full voice now.

A passerby joins us.

Why does Lillian Pollak always seem to wind up with the cute guy?

And how does Barbara Harris make all those friends?

Yes, all those friends.

Eventually the police did throw us out of the station. One officer looked me right in the eye and said “I agree with you absolutely, but I still have to ask you to leave.” Another told us he was evicting us “because I really need this job.”

Songs for listening on the Granny Jukebox YouTube channel.

See you in the street,
Eva-Lee Baird
Photos by Fran Sears
for the Granny Peace Brigade

Posted in Grass Roots Action, Poems & Songs & Stories | No Comments »

TARGET: NO MORE WAR TOYS

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

A HOLIDAY REMINDER FROM THE GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE

NO MORE WAR TOYS, NO MORE WARS An action-based reminder that our wonderful smart kids and grandkids need smart, not war-mongering, toys. After our first wildly successful endeavor in Times Square on December 4th, we decided to take our message to a Target in Brooklyn.

Molly Klopot would prefer that children not play with this toy.

Jenny Heinz amassing despicable, child damaging war toys. “As we were leaving a police officer thanked us (for our beliefs/action or for leaving without resistance I know not)”

Caroline Chinlund adding to the collection. “We’re on a roll.”

Ann Shirazi adding the “Girl GI Joe” doll to the cart.

Ann holds a Navy Seal doll. There seems to be no end to the supply of war-mongering toys.

Carol Husten and Nydia Leaf look appalled because they are.

Judy Lear with banner preparing to leave the Target toy department.

Removing war toys from the toy floor. Barbara Harris and Edith Cresmer carrying the banner with Carol in the middle. Toys are on the cart escalator.

Police escorting Lillian Pollak - followed by Mercy VanVlack – out of the store.

Joan Pleune and Jenny are escorted out of Target.

It took the police a while to get us out of the mall.

Once outside we sang and gave out our “Smart Toys for Smart Kids” flyers

Bev Rice getting vocal.

“We brought our particular form of education, elucidation and illumination to holiday shoppers at the Atlantic Shopping Center.”
- Fran Sears

“Good work – worth the effort and will soon be cloned elsewhere.”
- Barbara Harris

“At the close of the event, a police officer told a few of us that we could not/would not be arrested for carrying or displaying banners in a store. Arrests can be made if/when people refuse to leave when ordered to do so by the police. So, we must and will, carry-on!!! Correct???”
- Phyllis Cunningham

RIGHT ON!! WE WILL DEFINITELY CARRY ON!! - Joan Pleune

“Let’s make 2010 a better year.” - Eva-Lee Baird

Photos by Phyllis Cunningham

Posted in Demonstrations, Grass Roots Action, Toys and Games | No Comments »

No War Toys Action at Toys”R”Us

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

On December 4th the Granny Peace Brigade returned to the Times Square to say loud and clear, NO WAR TOYS!”

Part of our group gathered outside the recruiting station in Times Square. As soon as the police realized we were demonstrating they asked us to “move along.”

So we marched with our signs to Toys”R”Us.
Mean while….

…four groups of three or four people inside the store bought tickets to the Ferris wheel. Once we were in the air we unfurled our banners and began to sing, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” People on all the balconies surrounding the atrium could see our banners. Most but not all agreed with us.