Molly Klopot, a sprite 90-year-old, is co-founder of the New York chapter of the Brigade, which evolved from the Raging Grannies started in Canada in the 1980s. She’s hardly a stranger to antiwar and pro-union activities.
"I’ve been able to touch history,” the mother of two and grandmother of four said in her nicely adorned apartment in the Mitchell-Lama complex on Neptune Avenue. She’s been in sit-ins and teach-ins long before they were called as such since she was a teenager in the 1930s.
She proudly displays the plastic handcuffs that police placed on her wrists when she was arrested four years ago at a rally on the steps of the Army recruiting station at Times Square. “We were demanding that we be enlisted instead of our children and grandchildren,” said Klopot, whose grandsons are now 15, 17, 21, and 26. She and the other grannies were charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic (although, she said, they were sitting on the steps of the recruiting station, away from any cars). They were found not guilty after a six-day trial.
Klopot is at her protesting prime right now. “We grandmothers are in a very good position to be activists,” she said. “We’re retired, we no longer have children to take care of at home – we have the time to do these things.”
She said she was disappointed with President Obama, who recently announced a surge of troops in Afghanistan. “He’s very smart, very talented, but so what? He’s doing the same things Bush did,” she said.
What toys did she buy for her son, now 50, when he was growing up? “Legos,” she said. “And learning toys.”
“People have to change their ideology,” the nonagenarian said. “It starts with the toys we give our children. We have to realize, and teach, that war is not the answer.”
==============================================================================Here are some of the poems and carols re-written by the Granny Peace Brigade:
The Six days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
A soldier on a shooting spree.
On the second day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
Two toy machine guns
And a soldier on a shooting spree.
On the third day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
Three armored tanks,
Two toy machine guns
And a soldier on a shooting spree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
Four fighter jet planes,
Three armored tanks,
Two toy machine guns
And a soldier on a shooting spree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
Five missile launchers,
Four fighter jet planes,
Three armored tanks,
Two toy machine guns
And a soldier on a shooting spree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me:
--- I’m so sorry! These war toys are bad, they make us mad, it’s no fun, it’s sad,
‘Cause it helps you to love brutality
**************
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
Hark, the herald angels sing
Now, at last, let freedom ring.
Peace on Earth and mercy mild,
Nations must be reconciled.
Let us put the bombs away!
Bring our troops home, now, today
Wars are not for toys, or a game.
Don't teach our kids to kill and maim!
Give the children toys of peace,
Help them to learn that wars must cease.
**************
Silent Night, Peaceful Night
Silent night, peaceful night,
No more guns, no more fights
No more drugs for our daughters and sons,
Jobs, not poverty, for everyone.
Then we’ll sleep in peace, then we’ll sleep in peace.
Silent night, peaceful night
Love the kids in our sight.
No more shooting or killing nearby,
No more children afraid that they’ll die.
Then we’ll sleep in peace, then we’ll sleep in peace.
Silent night, peaceful night,
Food for all, that’s what’s right.
Warm, bright houses and medical care,
Clothes, employment, and good child care.
Then we’ll sleep in peace, then we’ll sleep in peace.
