Last month while protesting the war in Iraq outside Congressman Mike Rogers', R- Brighton, Lansing office, Terry Olson came up with an idea.
"Right in the middle of the week — it was a long, hard, grind of a week — I looked up and saw the flower shop and thought it would be nice to do something positive to deliver our message," said Olson, who is a member of the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice, or GLNAWI.
So Olson walked about a block from Rogers' office to Bancroft Flowers & Gifts, 1417 E. Michigan Ave., and purchased flowers to deliver as a form of protest to the war and Rogers, who has supported it.
Olson said the idea of using flowers as a means of protest has spread.
"It's caught on, we've gotten participation from people in different states and countries. People have been e-mailing or faxing (Rogers) pictures of flowers," Olson said. "It's a cool way to utilize your democratic rights."
Olson said about 14 dozen flowers have been delivered to Rogers' office since the movement began.
The flowers delivered to Rogers are being delivered to hospitals or given to area families whose family members are serving in the military overseas, said Sylvia Warner, Rogers' spokesperson.
"The congressman appreciates the flowers, welcomes the group's comments and is deeply grateful for a free nation and the men and women who defend our right to have an opinion and express it openly," Warner said in an e-mail.
However, the group of about 10 who gathered at Rogers' Lansing office Thursday said they were not particularly well received when they delivered their flowers, which Rogers' staff asked them to place in an empty wastebasket.
"I get a semi-cold response," said Spike Tyson, of Lansing. "I make sure they know I am a twice-wounded veteran."
Tyson, who has delivered flowers several times, said in addition to being a "really good non-violent protest," the flowers have a symbolic meaning.
The Vietnam War veteran said he purchases the flowers with Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony dollars because both women were advocates for peace.
In addition, he buys red flowers to symbolize the blood of soldiers dying for what he believes are illegitimate reasons.
"The flowers will die just like these soldiers will die," Tyson said.
Olson said GLNAWI has requested to meet with Rogers, but the group hasn't been given the opportunity yet.
"We want to talk to him constructively about how to take steps to do what the people in the country want, and end the war," Olson said. "You don't feel like you're being heard by the person who is representing you, so we have to result to these alternative ways."
