They were giants among us. Although personally very different both Ralph DiGia and Grace Paley were firm anti-war activists much of whose work was done in support of the War Resisters League . Celebrate their lives.

Grace Paley at Judson Memorial Church Saturday April 26, 2008 2-5PM 55 Washington Square South. The life of poet, writer, leftist, tenant advocate, anti-warrior, has been honored and remembered by readings and demonstrations. This event celebrates “Her Political Life” includes Dan Berrigan, Dave McReynolds and a wonderful leftish chorus Harmonic Insurgence and others. .Click here for some good Grace photos and some more information.

Ralph DiGia at The Theatre For A New City Saturday May 10, 2008 2-5PM 155 First Avenue (9/10 Sts.) Karen DiGia and the Ralph DiGia Fund For Peace & Justice are celebrating Ralph’s life with music, movies schmoozing and memories. ( More info here)

As you may know, Wednesday March 19, 2008 is the fifth anniversary of President’s Bush’s immoral, illegal and wrongheaded war in Iraq. Opportunities for protest are vast. The War Resisters, for example, plan to travel to Washington DC to blockade the IRS. But an early spring DC journey is not required. Protest in NYC. Those listed below are my favorites.

Noon

”Grannies' Peace Brigade Knit-In for Peace" rain or shine & with full program for
non-knitters", at Times Square Recruitment Center, Broadway & 44th St. Trains: #1, 2, 3, 7,
S, N, Q, R or W train to Times Sq-42nd St; B, D, F, V to 42nd-Bryant Park; A, C, E to 42nd St.-Port Auth.)

Protest hawk Congress Member Vito Fosella, 8505 4th Ave in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. R train to 86th St. Brooklyn.

4:00 PM

Antiwar contingent in rally at City Hall to stop NYC public school budget cuts. Unions, parents and children protest education budget cuts. The Iraq war has drained billions from our economy that might have been productively spent. The impact of the Bush recession has led Mayor Bloomberg to impose draconian school budget cuts. Protest Trains: R, W to City Hall; #4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall; J, M, Z to Chambers; 2, 3 to Chambers; A, C to Chambers; E to WTC.

David McReynolds writes:

Ralph DiGia ha(s) just died at St. Vincent's. Ralph had a bad fall a couple of weeks ago, broke his hip, and has had a series of serious health problems following his admission to St. Vincent's.

Ralph, 93, had been the heart and soul of War Resisters League since he came on staff shortly after the end of the second world war and his release from federal prison, where
he had served a term for refusing service in World War II.

An associate of A. J. Muste, Bayard Rustin, Dave Dellinger, Barbara Deming, and many others. Ralph had held key posts over the years with Liberation magazine as well as being on the staff of War Resisters League. Ralph was not a public speaker, or a writer, so the general public was not aware of how key a role he had within the radical pacifist movement.

David promises a fuller obit later. Meanwhile, check out this Ralph D. interview by Phillip Metres and the 2003 NY Times puff piece, this obit-bio by John M. Miller and this very sweet Daily Kos memoir which catches Ralph's flavor well.