Drivers on Claremont’s Indian Hill Boulevard may notice a group of 70 to 90-year-olds standing with pacifist signs every Friday afternoon from 4-5 p.m.
They have stood on the sidewalks with anti-war signs since 2003 after the United States’ attack on Afghanistan.
“It’s just a way of saying to people ‘There are other ways to live besides war and violence,’” said Dell Gossett, a 73-year-old protester.
Eighty year old protester Mary Grindhart said she has protested since the Vietnam War.
“War has been hanging over us our whole lives,” Grindhard said. “Peace is an issue.”
The group formed at a senior community in Claremont, the Pilgrim Place. The community is made up of retirees part of religious, humanitarian or charitable nonprofit organizations.
“Pilgrim Place has a lot of people committed to peace and justice,” Gossett said.
Many group members have protested foreign policy, women’s rights, homelessness and immigration rights.
Eighty-year-old Pat Hynds protested in Nicaragua and New Mexico before joining the Pilgrim Place.
“All of the people involved have a strong commitment to the idea of peace and to stopping wars,” Hynds said.
Over the years, the group gained members from inspired onlookers.
The youngest protester, 34-year-old Richard Hammang, joined a year ago after driving past on Friday afternoons. While Hammang said he enjoys his time protesting on Friday, he said he wants more young people to come.
“I guess the real reason I came out to do this is that I would like other people to come out,” Hammang said. “It’s just a crowd of old folks and that’s not exactly the most inviting to younger people.”
Group members said they welcome new protesters to their weekly event.
“We have a lot of signs,” Gossett said. “If someone wanted to stand, we’d be perfectly happy to share the signs.”
Their signs call for peace and tally the amount of money spent on American wars.
“It’s time to be very active as citizens and get the message to the public,” Mann said.
When news events occur, Mann said the group brainstorm different ideas for their signs.
Gossett held a sign symbolizing undocumented children separated from their families.
“Adults and children need to be kept together,” Gossett said.
Members said they used to receive negative responses from drivers, but now get more support than ever.
“I had one woman go by and say ‘Good work, honeybun!’” Mann said.
