Ava Lowery -DemocracyInteractive.com

Guest: Ava Lowery, 16 year old Peace Activist and Founder of PeaceTakesCourage.com
From the chat conducted on April, 11 2007

MODERATOR: It’s a special pleasure and privilege to have this young lady here with us. She’s a 16 years old, an Alabama native and a citizen of the world. As an outspoken advocate for peace, she’s shown more courage than many people twice her age. It’s an honor to welcome Ava Lowery to DemocracyInteractive.com.

MODERATOR: Welcome Ava

AvaLowery: well thanks for having me!

MODERATOR: We’ll come to your questions or comments for Ava in about 10 minutes or so. You can go ahead and submit them when you have one. We’ll take as many as we can in the time we have available.

MODERATOR: Ava, you were in Texas for a special reason Easter weekend. Tell us about what happened.

AvaLowery: I was in Texas for Camp Casey Easter and the Camp Casey Peace Awards. I recieved the first award for young activist and hung out at camp casey friday. Camp Casey is always an amazing expierence and it was especially great this time but also a sad reminder

MODERATOR:: Congratulations on your award.

AvaLowery: thank you

MODERATOR:: It is a sad reminder

MODERATOR:: You’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with Cindy Sheehan. What’s that like to meet and spend time with her?

AvaLowery: Cindy is an amazing woman - very kind and very motherly. She's a soft spoken normal mom who just outraged over this war and the fact that it killed her son. It's a honor to be friends with such and amazing woman who has done so much for the peace movement.

MODERATOR:: Yes, she is amazing.

MODERATOR:: Who else was at Camp Casey?

AvaLowery: It's always special to me when i meet the veterans for peace at camp casey - especially the iraq war veterans. to hear them speak about their time in iraq and then to see the bravery they display by speaking out against the war and their on commander in chief

MODERATOR:: right

MODERATOR:: How did you become a peace activist?

AvaLowery: I became a peace activist because of the Iraq war. I knew this war was wrong and had my doubts in the president. after doing research i found my doubts to be right on and began speaking out against the war. i've always been interested in politics and current events - even as a really young kid

MODERATOR:: What do your parents think of your involvement in social and political issues?

AvaLowery: they think it's great. my family is very supportive and respect what i'm doing. both my mom and stepfather agree with me and both have been an incredible support system when times got tough with the website.

MODERATOR:: Ok.

MODERATOR:: Tell us about the website [peacetakescourage.com]. When did you start it?

AvaLowery: i started my website in 2005 and started making videos about the Iraq war and it's effects on both our soldiers and iraqi civilians. I have uncles in the military so it was extremely important to me to show how a person can be a patriotic american who supports the troops but doesn't support the war.

MODERATOR:: I forgot to mention the name.

MODERATOR:: What's the site URL?

AvaLowery: http://www.peacetakescourage.com

MODERATOR:: What's the purpose of the site?

AvaLowery: to spread awareness about the iraq war and it's effects on our troops, their families, and iraqis.

AvaLowery: i created videos to help inform people about the war and try to change their mind if they are war supporters or encourage them to speak out if they disagree with the war

MODERATOR:: Now,you’re known for your animations about the war or the troops. How did you get the idea to start creating them?

AvaLowery: Well i had seen other animation websites, whether they were political or not. I decided it was a way that i could express my point of view in an effective way and also it was a way to get people's attention.

MODERATOR:: How many animations have you produced?

AvaLowery: once their attention was on the videos they saw the truth about the iraq war.

MODERATOR:: Ok

MODERATOR:: How many animations have you produced?

AvaLowery: last time i counted it was over 90, lol. i'm actually not sure how many as of today.

MODERATOR:: Ahh, that's quite a few

MODERATOR:: What kind of reactions have you received to the animations?

AvaLowery: both positive and negative. i get a lot more positive response. i actually get a lot of emails for veterans and active duty troops and most of them are very supportive.

AvaLowery: I've also gotten very vicious emails and even some death threats

MODERATOR:: Do you hear from troops in Iraq?

AvaLowery: Yes, i've gotten emails from troops in iraq or that have been to iraq. Never have I had an Iraq war veteran write me that disagreed with what I'm doing. I have had a few veterans from other wars though disagree with me.

MODERATOR:: Right.

MODERATOR:: Have you heard from families of soldiers who have been killed?

AvaLowery: Yes, quite a few. I've also talk to many in person whether it be at Camp Casey or at different vigils and protests. They are always very supportive - though hard to talk to because their stories are so sad.

MODERATOR:: right

MODERATOR:: Why are you so personally involved in the peace movement?

AvaLowery: Because I feel it's something I should be doing. I have a passion for peace and a passion for video/ film also. I think combining the two helps somewhat in the peace movement and that's all I'm trying to do - end an immoral war. I also have family members who have been to Iraq so I have a personal connection to this war.

MODERATOR:: right

MODERATOR:: no problem :)

MODERATOR:: When people were sending you threats, were they aware of your age?

AvaLowery: Some of them were some of them were not. Regardless it's sad that anyone would threaten someone just because they have an opposing view.

MODERATOR:: Right

MODERATOR:: You’ve started working on a documentary. Can you tell us about it?

AvaLowery: Well the documentary is going to be about our troops coming back from Iraq - profiling them and letting them tell their own stories. It's going to focus on what war looks like from the soldier's perspective.

MODERATOR:: Have you started filming ?

AvaLowery: No but I plan to this month. We are still working on raising more funds so that we can travel more to film. As of right now we will only be filming in the SE of the country because of travel expenses. I'm selling ID tags on my website to help raise money.

MODERATOR:: Ok, great

MODERATOR: Is that on your website?

AvaLowery: yes - http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-tags.htm

MODERATOR:: Ok, great

MODERATOR:: Everyone, if you have questions for Ava, you can send them now

MODERATOR:: Ok Ava, here's a quyestions from Mikaal

Lightof Mikaal: I know that "pro-war" people can be vicious. How do you stay calm in the midst of so much anger?

AvaLowery: I remember what I'm working for - peace. I have to be an example. As MLK said, the only way to peace is through peace. I know that what I'm doing is right and I feel in my heart that I must continue, so I do.

Malmo Blue: I wasn't political at all when I was 16 - and that was just 4-5 years ago. Thanks for being there and inspiring a new generation of youngsters. :D

AvaLowery: lol, thank you Malmo Blue

Malmo Blue: You're welcome. :)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Ava, if we stay we are creating terrorists faster than we can kill'm and add to the unrest and horror, if we pull out, Iraq will probably plunge into total civil war... Have you thought of any positive way to end this stupid ugly war?

AvaLowery: Well I have my own opinions about that but I don't claim to know everything. I'm not a military strategist. However our elected official ARE supposed to know what to do to get this country back on track - and if they don't come up with a plan then we will

AvaLowery: change course by changing them.

AvaLowery: I do know that our presence in iraq isn't helping anything.

Malmo Blue: Some people claim that young people are apathetic? How do you respond to this? Do you see many young people in the peace movement? What do you think can be done to bring more young people into the peace movement?

AvaLowery: I don't see as many young people in the peace movement - or any political movement - as I would like to. However more and more are getting involved and stepping up. Young people are not apathetic, i think they are scared to voice their opinions in the fear of not being taken seriously. and often that fear happens.

AvaLowery: i wasn't taken seriously at first either.

MODERATOR:: Is there any way to affect the upcoming elections? How can we put pressure on the candidates to stop this war?

AvaLowery: We can let them know that we want an end to this war by letting them know that they will not get our votes by supporting this war.. call and write their offices - and in the election in 08 votes for the candidate that you think has the best plan for iraq.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: There's alot going on today. . . War, Racism, Sexism, Global Warming. . . Do you have any suggestions on how to get younger people thinking about the "big" things instead of the newest fun technological toy?

AvaLowery: Let them know you are listening. Our schools should have more open debates for young people and let them discuss issues among themselves. Programs geared towards young people should focus more on politics and current events and let kids know that they have the right to speak up also

Malmo Blue: Ava, if you had ten minutes to talk one on one with president Bush what would you tell him?

AvaLowery: I would give my 10 minutes to the various military members or family members that do no support this war. People like Cindy Sheehan and other GSFP members. They are the ones who really deserve a meeting with the President.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Ava's been an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many other folks out there

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Just thanks a lot for your dedication and spirit

AvaLowery: well thanks

AvaLowery: :)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: How can I help?

AvaLowery: Get active! Start attending protests, start a blog, talk with people in your town about the war and help spread the truth, and call and write congress and the white house!

MODERATOR: Ava, do you ever think about running for Senate from Alabama one day?

AvaLowery: Lol, i'll be happy to vote and get my license first, lol.

Audience Member How do you avoid giving into despair in the face of some of the obstacles and the sad news?

AvaLowery: Well the despair i see only encourages me to continues. Not only more family should have to suffer as a result of this war. Giving up isn't going to accomplish anything - but speaking out and doing something just might help end this war sooner and bring our troops homes

MODERATOR: Well, Ava. We thank you for your time and being our guest here tonight

AvaLowery: Well thank you for having me.

Malmo Blue: Thanks, Ava. Your voice makes mine so much louder. :D

AvaLowery: excuse my typos, i cannot seem to type tonight

MODERATOR:: You did fine

LightofMikaal: thank you, Ava

AvaLowery : thanks Mikaal

Malmo Blue: Thank you, Ava. And you ought to see some of my typos.lol!

MODERATOR:: Ava, we thank you again for your time and being our guest here tonight

Malmo Blue: thanks for your dedication

AvaLowery: It was great chatting with you all, thanks again for having me.

MODERATOR:: Come back and see us anytime.

AvaLowery: thanks, i will ;)

Information on Ava Lowery's projects can be found at www.peacetakescourage.com

[Edited for context and continuity.]