Eleven events are scheduled in Wisconsin on Friday, August 15, as part of the Iraq Moratorium, a growing national, grassroots effort to end the war and occupation of Iraq. This is the 12th month of such actions.

Wisconsin has had more local events than any other state except California, with six times the population. Two communities, Rice Lake and Waupaca, are holding their first Moratorium events on Friday.  Wisconsin events are listed on a new blog, Iraq Moratorium-Wisconsin.

The national Iraq Moratorium asks people to take some personal or group action on the Third Friday of every month to express their support for ending the war and bringing the troops home. Those actions can range from wearing a button or black armband to work or school to participating in an organized action.

Since it began in September, more than 1,200 events in 41 states and 240 communities have been listed on the Iraq Moratorium website, www.IraqMoratorium.com , which also collects reports, photos and videos of events and offers ideas and tools for organizers to use.

The Madison-based Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, a coalition of more than 150 groups, has helped promote the Moratorium in the state. Wisconsin events:

DePere. The public is invited to an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Iraq, Friday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Chapter Room, St. Norbert Abbey, 1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, WI. For more information, please contact Br. Steve Herro, 920-337-4345, email steve [dot] herro [at] snc [dot] edu.

 Dodgeville. Courthouse Vigil. The Grassroots Citizens for Peace, a group that has members from Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Spring Green and Barneveld, will hold its monthly vigil in front of the Iowa County Courthouse from 4 to 4:30 PM. The vigil will be followed by our monthly meeting to plan educational activities and intergenerational events.

Hayward. Iraq Moratorium Vigil for Peace, sponsored by Peace North and Veterans for Peace Chapter 153, from 4 to 6 p.m. in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day #12. We'll be at the corner of Highways 27 and 63 in beautiful downtown Hayward. Please come, bring a friend and a sign as well, and let's continue to show our opposition to this war!

Janesville: 4 p.m. Rock Valley-Fellowship of Reconciliation and friends will gather on the corner of Blackbridge Road and Milton Avenue for an Iraq Moratorium vigil (#8 for us.) This area of town is very busy all the time, but more so on Friday afternoon. Our focus is Stop the War! We have signs but feel free to bring your own, but please join in our focus. Thanks. Sue Nelson snelson [at] habiba [dot] org

LaCrosse. We will be meeting (vigil style) the afternoon/evening of the 15th from 5-6 on the corner of 3rd and Cass. Bring peace signs, wear arm bands against the war in Iraq.

Manitowoc. Peace Vigil. Lakeshore Peacemakers hold a weekly vigil for peace, and on the Third Friday for the Iraq Moratorium. August 15, 4:30 p.m., 8th Stret & Maritime Drive.

 Milwaukee. Peace Action Wisconsin, Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace sponsor a vigil and rally at downtown's busiest corner, with signs, flags and banners. We leaflet pedestrians to tell them about the Iraq Moratorium and invite drivers to honk their horns in support, with a good response. Join us for all or part of the hour. Peace Action 414-964-5158

Rice Lake. The People for Peace in Rice Lake will stand for peace for two hours on Friday, August 15th, from 4-6 pm at the corner of Knapp and Main streets on the north end of town. The stand is in observance of Iraq Moratorium Day # 12

Stevens Point. Weekly Demonstration ,Downtown, by the Shopko parking lot, 3:30 p.m., sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Stevens Point. Waupaca. A first Iraq Moratorium event in Waupaca, on Friday,Aug. 15 from 3 to 3:30 p.m., across the street from Chez Marche at 108 S. Main. People for Peace and Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice board members, who are meeting later in Amherst,will vigil together. Contact: xofferson [at] wi [dot] rr [dot] com

Woodruff. Prayer vigil for peace, Pax Christi Northwoods. This is an hour of silent prayer for peace held weekly in a small chapel at the church. Noon to 1 p.m., August 15, Holy Family Chuch, Highway J.