Ever wondered who the presidents’ neighbor is?
She has the signs – “Live by the Bomb… Die by the Bomb” and, “Civilized People do not Nuke Fellow Humans,” her friend William Thomas, and squirrels as her family. Her name is Concepcion Picciotto.
Picciotto and Thomas demonstrate for Co-founders of the White House Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil, and they claim the record for presidential protest. Their message is straightforward: peace, freedom, and justice for mankind. They have been arrested by police, beaten by strangers, and ignored by their audience. They have been going through both verbal cruelty and physical harm: Eight years ago a U.S Marine punched her in the face.
Upon being questioned of her stance of her current condition, “We have forever sacrificed, and we are surely [enduring] a lot.” Picciotto said.
Born in western Spain and orphaned at an early age, Concepcion Picciotto was raised by her grandmother. She arrived in New York as she grew up and found work as a secretary with the Spanish Consulate. In 1980, she began spending her time in front of the White House with hand-painted signs calling for justice. Gradually, as she befriended another activist, Mrs. Picciotto’s ideals expanded to include the anti-nuclear effort. She joined William Thomas, who had begun protesting at the White House previously.
Initially, Picciotto and Thomas spent days in front of the White House and nights in the park. However, in 1985 the National Park Service passed limits on White House sidewalk demonstrations forcing the protestors across the street.
Now, she is across the street from the White house, still protesting for her 31st year. Her continuous efforts and perseverance to promote peace to the world is one to remember and keep in mind for Veterans’ Day.
“I think Veteran’s Day isn’t recognized as much as what it deserves for all the peace they brought for us […] and what I see Picciotto doing out there, trying to advocate peace, really should be something one can keep in mind for Veterans’ Day,” an anonymous tourist at the site commented.
