John Gilman

On this day of celebration of labor, notice of the death of two men comes. One was a friend, John Gilman, little known outside of peace and justice circles in Milwaukee. John, a decorated veteran of World War II spent his life struggling for human rights and peace. Whenever someone got in trouble in their efforts John would be there. When we were in jail after the Milwaukee 14 nonviolent action in 1968 John put up his house as security for our bond. At almost every peace and justice event or protest John was there. I took the picture on this side after one such peace event.

On the back cover of his autobiography called: “Footsoldier for Peace and Justice, The Story of John Gilman” the book is described as a “bluntly told story of one man’s efforts to make a difference in the world.” John was a true laborer for peace and justice.

The other person whose death notice came today was our military killing of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, in Pakistan. This death was met with rejoicing by American people and media and the President went on national TV to say how killing this one person was “justice served.” He talked about those American lost on 9/11, the war in Afghanistan and the bravery of the American military. However, there was no mention of the over 4000 American soldiers and nearly a million Iraqi men, woman and children killed in Iraq after 9/11 in war of deception not connected with 9/11 and a war that strengthened the terrorist force of al-Quaeda.

John’s death goes unnoticed why Osama’s death brings out people in front of the White House chanting “USA, USA”, just like at the NFL draft. A man who devoted his life to peace and justice quietly dies without violence; a man who devoted his life to death and destruction is killed to rejoicing.

My friend John was great man while Osama was just a gangster and criminal. Violence begets violence as we wait for the retaliation of our killing bin Laden. Peace begets peace as we wait for the seeds of justice John planted to grow. Many honor violence while a few honor peace.

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