By Frances Dean Smith
I don’t know where Joe King was on September 11, but his Q and A yesterday (”FUNNY PAPERZ,” March 3, page 4) certainly took me aback. Here in Santa Monica where I was on that day the peace movement was alive and well.
I first learned of the attack on the twin towers by a telephone call from a friend who invited me, along with many others to her home for the day.
Indeed, all day and long into the night friends came and went in her home sharing our grief and our hope for peace. I feel sure this was going on in many other homes that day.
Not long after the telephone call I went for a walk in my neighborhood and on Rose Avenue not far from the Venice Family Clinic I encountered two young women wearing white and carrying peace signs. I did not ask them what group they represented, I simply greeted them with thanks and walked on.
In the evening there was a vigil on the lawn in front of City Hall, convened by ministers and others in the peace movement. Joe King may not have been there but it is a little strange that he doesn’t remember reading about it in the paper or seeing it on the news. Perhaps Joe lives in a cave somewhere and just dreams things up.
The Sunday afternoon following September 11, 2001, I took part with hundreds of others in a peace vigil on the Third Street Promenade. We sat in silence with our signs, then listened to speakers, spokespersons from every religion imaginable, praying for peace. Some of the Muslim speakers had Christian bodyguards in case of unexpected violence from hapless uninformed would-be avengers. There was inspiring music. I saw many people there that I would not have expected to see at such an event, including not only Green city councilmembers but some of their fellows of a different political persuasion.
Of course, I didn’t see Mr. King. Still, just because I didn’t see him I would not doubt his existence, nor does he have the right so publicly to doubt mine. I hope he and you will apologize to me and all the other peace protesters.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 6, 2003. Read the original PDF.