Documentary on Thompson's walk promotes peace among residents of 'reddest state'

By C. Ann Jensen

March 25, 2008 | The documentary A Soldier's Peace had its Logan debut Friday at Utah State University as part of the Activism: An American Heritage weekend.

A Soldier's Peace documents the 29-day walk across Utah that former Army Sgt. Marshall Thompson completed in October 2006 after his tour of duty in Iraq. He walked to promote peace in Iraq and encourage what he calls the "reddest state in the nation" to end its support for the war.

The documentary featured peace activists from mothers of fallen soldiers to actor Martin Sheen as well as interviews with peace activists from the Vietnam War era. The latter focused particularly on the Kent State massacre of 1970 in which four students were killed and nine injured when the Ohio National Guard opened fire during an anti-war protest.

The film showed many aspects of peace activism from the extremes to the group of activists who stand on Main Street in Logan every Friday afternoon for the weekly peace vigil, as well as the counterpoints.

Thompson's film shed light on the issue of peace activism in the United State, showing the stigma that many peace activists face, and what he is doing to break the stereotype of an activist and protester.

Showing a different perspective on activism as a soldier and protesting for peace, in the film Thompson described protesting as a paradox -- "You have to do something to get people to notice, but it can't be so crazy people think you are insane."

A Soldier's Peace gives a realistic portrayal of what Thompson has had to go through, showing the opposing side of peace activism and those who think that what Thompson is doing is "un-American." Thompson said, "I hope the movie removes the stigma of activism."

The documentary will be shown at the Vail Film Festival, and in Missouri, Toronto, California and Salt Lake City in April.

For more information on the documentary, visit www.asoldierspeace.com.

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