Dramatizing War's Consequences
(also known as a "die-in")
Suggested Choreography
 | Gather at a starting location -- perhaps the church building itself -- to conduct and set an attitude of silent, reflective prayer. |
| | Walk to the designated public space, possibly the local court house or local weapons manufacturer -- i.e. a symbolic place either of the seat of government power or a facility that produces weapons of death. |
| | At that public place, form a circle, sing songs, light candles, and announce the enactment. |
| | A smaller group enters the circle's center, where they fall to the ground as a representation of the past, present, and future dead as a consequence of war. |
| | The larger group remains in silence for 30-60 minutes. |
| | The center die-in group may choose -- as they feel led -- to remain on the ground indefinitely, until authorities remove them, or to get up after a designated time. |
| | The entire group closes the public time with another prayer/song/litany and silently returns to the starting point. |
Why Should Mennonite Churches Do This?
| | Spread the impact: Letter-writing is an important method of communicating our convictions to our decision-makers. A public action, however, draws in the larger community and sparks dialogue. Local media, especially in smaller towns, would definitely provide coverage. Letter writing can be a part of this public witness. |
| | Fortify commitment: Those people who engage in this type of powerful, public witness typically come away from the event with strengthened resolve. They have participated in a spiritual experience, one that encourages them to identify with those Iraqis who have lost loved ones; they have symbolically put themselves in that place by seeing their friends and family "dead". |
Possible Variation
Connect with local Muslim and Jewish communities and invite them to participate.
For support and more information, please contact
Mark Frey, Christian Peacemaker Teams
PO Box 6508
Chicago, IL 60680-6508
phone 773-277-0253
fax 773-277-0291