I was amazed to see the picture of a flag burning at a rally in Oregon alongside the article about the Mainers who traveled to the peace rally in Washington Jan. 18 (BDN, Jan. 20). Considering that the graphic image of a photo is extremely powerful and that surely The Associated Press offered more than one photo, it appears an editorial decision was made to run the most dramatic and incendiary photo available. Flag burning fits that profile.

It was in no way, however, an accurate picture of what went on in Washington where 12 busloads of Mainers joined thousands of concerned Americans exercising their democratic rights. Among the riders were educators, ministers, peace activists, social workers, veterans, college and high school students, ages 84 to 11. The vast majority of marchers represented their states, religious and ethnic groups, schools, organizations, political parties and labor unions, carrying signs with clever slogans promoting peace and against war and President Bush. Together it was a mass demonstration of what America is and should be all about, keeping hope alive in the spirit of Martin Luther King and demanding a government be responsible to its people, because dissent is patriotic and peace is patriotic.

These marchers don’t hate America. They were demanding that America live up to its ideals. Some carried flags with peace signs or corporate symbols instead of stars, but no flags were burned. I was proud to be among the diverse, among the hopeful, among the peaceful. If anything, observing the rally in Washington has reinforced my citizenship, my desire to exercise and defend my rights and to make my voice heard as I do now, asking for responsible journalism.

Katie Greenman

Old Town