All of us here today support our troops that are fighting in Iraq.

However, even though we support the troops, we have issues with the policies that have them there.

There is some sense of victory with every time a bomb is dropped, or a missile is fired, or a a cannon fires and the Iraqi Army is defeated, killed or forced to surrender.

However, I cannot help but think of how much each bomb, missile or the airplanes cost each time there is a strike.

Every time there is a hit, that means money is being redirected from a child sitting in a classroom struggling, and there is no money to help that child. I cannot help but think how much money is being redirected from texitile workers that need to be retrained because they lost their jobs. I cannot help but think of those farmers that are struggling and money being redirected that would have helped them to keep their farms.

The faith community cannot become so enshrouded in the flag that we cannot hear the cries of those suffering and hurting, those that are loosing their homes and can barely keep food on the table.

We are called upon, by a higher authority, to rattle the conscience of our leaders to not only liberate the people of Iraq, but also liberate the people in Robeson, Halifax, Clay, Pender, New Hanover, Jones and other counties that are held captive by economic and social tyranny.

Prayer Vigil for Peace and Call to Action

April 4, 2003