Frozen Tears

East River Flats
Minneapolis
9/11/11
9:11pm

On September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks, we organized a gathering called Frozen Tears. We wanted to remember the tragedies of 9/11 - and the tragedies of our government's response. We reject the violence of terrorism. We reject the violence of war.

Hundreds came to that initial Frozen Tears. We lit small candles representing our passion for peace. Each candle was placed into a frozen tear – a homemade ice boat. We released the ice boats into the current of the Mississippi River, inviting the river to carry our message to the universe. We stood together watching our candles float downstream. Gathering together helped reduce the sense of isolation so many of us felt - and continue to feel - in our resistance to today's militaristic mentality.

Now, on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we will repeat this peaceful expression of resistance to violence. Once again, we join together to dream the world we want into existence.

“War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.”

- John F Kennedy

We will gather this time (downstream, in a new place) on a beach at the River Flats behind Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota. (Approximately 400 East River Parkway, Mpls MN 55455 on google maps). Arrive early, we will begin after dark, at 9:11 pm. We encourage you to bring your own homemade Frozen Tear with you. Recipe below. Limited parking is available on the River Flats in a metered lot, and ample $6 parking is available in the East River Parkway public parking ramp.

We hope you'll join us on 9/11/11.

In peace,

Leslie Ball
Ali Heshmati
BenJamin Johnson
Patrick Scully

How to make a Frozen Tear

  1. Buy some 9 or 10 inch round balloons.
  2. Fill one with water in a medium to large metal or plastic mixing bowl - ideally a bowl that cradles the lower half of the balloon. Fill it to nearly full, creating a pear shape, but not too tight. (You don't want it to burst in your freezer. I have made a dozen, and this has not happened to me.)
  3. Place the balloon (still in the bowl) in the freezer with its pointed end up.
  4. 24 hours later, cut the tip off of the balloon. Look to see how thick the ice is. The balloon will freeze from the outside in. Leave it in the freezer until it is frozen solid.
  5. Remove your Frozen Tear from the freezer, keeping it in the bowl. Remove the balloon skin completely.
  6. Place the Frozen Tear in a sink full of cold water, to see which side wants to be up.
  7. Now melt a hollow to hold your candle in the top of your tear. You can easily do this with the spray nozzle at your kitchen sink. This hollow will also lighten the "top" of your tear, and make your tear more stable in the water.
  8. Take tea light candle, remove the metal parts, and put it in your Frozen Tear. Your Frozen Tear is ready. Put it back in the freezer.

We encourage you to try it out ahead of time, float it briefly in your sink or bathtub so you know it will work on Sept 11th. If it works, put it back in your freezer, and bring it to the park in a cooler. Don't forget your candle, and matches.