The March 18 anti-war demonstration was so exciting! I’ve been to lots of demonstrations in my life, but this one was really different for me.

I was hit by an 18-wheel truck on October 15, 2004, was seriously injured in my body and my brain, and have spent a large portion of time in medical institutions. My left hip was crushed; my right side went to sleep. I was in a coma for several weeks. I was in lots of hospitals and finally went home on March 11, 2005. I have continued recovering at home.

I’ve been to a lot of demonstrations, even since September, 2004. But this one was different.

This was the 3rd anniversary of the U.S. attack on Iraq and there were actions all over the world. People started to gather at the Spirit of Detroit about 4 PM, near Woodward and Jefferson.

There were all kinds of people there �" older people, very young people, families with babies, long-time activists. They had banners �" ‘Money for jobs, not for war’; ‘Money for cities, not for war.’ They also had placards -- denouncing Bush; the number of U.S. soldiers killed; the number of Iraqis killed. They chanted. There were also leaflets �" one by young people denouncing recruiters coming to high schools trying to get young people to join the armed forces, one by the Workers World Party announcing speakers on the struggle in Venezuela, one by the Green Party that said: Build the anti-war movement! Vote anti-war!

The people were all very spirited. They talked to passers-by. The people driving by in cars honked to show their solidarity.

There were some interesting speakers. One was Isis, a young woman who went to Baton Rouge/New Orleans and tried to help people there. She pointed out that if the U.S. government spent money on those hurt by Katrina the same way it spent money on the Iraq war, the situation of those hurt in New Orleans would be a whole lot better. There was also a city worker who spoke about the conditions facing him and his co-workers.

Then I spoke. That’s what made this demonstration so different for me. I said, “I’ve spent a lot of time in medical institutions since 10-15-04, but now I am among friends.” (There was a loud cheer from the crowd!)

“I want to ask you to do one thing �" Oppose this war by running for political office as an anti-war candidate. I am in the Green Party. We have a spot on the ballot. Virtually every office is up for grabs in this election. Pick an office. Let us know where you want us to put your name. Then use the election to talk to your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends, your family. Let’s use this election to build a big, powerful movement against the war, for spending money for jobs and schools, not to blow up the people of Iraq.”

At the rally there were more speakers, including Abayomi Azikiwe, a long time Detroit activist, Dave Sole, a union leader and socialist activist, and Marian Kramer, chairperson of Michigan Welfare Rights Organization.

They were all very good and appealed to people to start marching up Woodward. There were lots of people who recognized me and came up to talk to me. We talked to people along the way �" people walking and in cars. We passed out lots of Green Party literature urging people to run for office and put their demands and sympathy for U.S. soldiers and the people of Iraq out there!

I urge you to get involved in the struggle to build the movement! We will be successful!

Margaret Guttshall is a longtime Detroit activist, was the Michigan Campaign Coordinator for Ralph Nader in 2004, and has been an independent political candidate in several races.