With the Capitol as a backdrop, demonstrators listen to the speakers during a protest against the war in Iraq on the National Mall on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Posted on 01/27/2007 1:27:10 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Edited on 01/27/2007 2:17:21 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across the country converged on the Mall in Washington today to urge the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq as President Bush is proposing to send more troops in an effort to stabilize the country.
The enthusiastic crowd was generally good natured and orderly, waving hundreds of colorful placards and chanting slogans such as "Not another day, not another dollar" and "This is what democracy looks like."
~~snip~~
Across the street, however, was a counter-protest, staged by the Washington chapter of the conservative organization FreeRepublic.com. Those protesters, who organizers said feared that the antiwar march would hurt the U.S. anti-terror efforts, yelled and sported signs, such as one that read, "Go to hell traitors. You dishonor our dead on hallowed ground."
At least one veteran from the Iraq war tried to bridge the divide between the groups. Cpl. Joshua Sparling, 25, from Port Huron, Mich., who lost his right leg below the knee in an 2005 explosion in Ramadi, spoke to both groups.
Near the end of the CodePink rally, Sparling, a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital who used crutches to walk, went to the microphone and told the protesters that they are entitled to the right to demonstrate and must fight for what they believe in. But he reminded them that the situation is dire for many Iraqis and U.S. troops there believe that they are fighting to help provide a better option for the people of Iraq. He was rewarded with general applause, although a few feint boos could be heard.
When he finished, he walked across the street and spoke with the FreeRepublic group also.
With the Capitol as a backdrop, demonstrators listen to the speakers during a protest against the war in Iraq on the National Mall on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Sounds like a classic parade of brownshirts...
An earlier post from FR people there said the draw was on the order of a couple thousand, tops.
Tens of thousands?...................Nope, "Tenths of Thousand".
Actress and anti-war advocate Jane Fonda, right, listens as Eve Ensler addresses a crowd of protesters at the U.S. Navy Memorial as they participate in a women's peace rally to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq, Saturday Jan. 27, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg)
Actress Jane Fonda speaks at an anti-Iraq war protest on the National Mall Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
TENS of thousands.
BBWWAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Good PR placement for Free Republic. I'm proud to be a member.(I would be proud anyway w or w/o pr.)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, kisses an unidentified girl after speaking at a protest against the war in Iraq on the National Mall Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Washington. Kucinich is running for the Democratic presidential nomination a second time. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
looks like "tens of hundreds" to me
"Not another day, not another dollar" and "This is what democracy looks like."
These fortunate citizens are lucky that people who care about this democracy place their lives on the line and voted for peace through strength.
"How about a one way ticket to France, traitor?"
thought they were expecting at least 100,000???
Didn't the British guy say that they were protesting in the millions?
snicker...
LLPOF
Liar Liar Pants On Fire
"I don't think anyone intended the war to have this large of a consequence."
Keep them away from power please.
That picture shows child abuse on so many levels.
maybe he told her he was one of Santas elves?
Good for you, DC Freepers!!
I salute all of you from here in Texas!!
And good to hear something about Josh Sparling--we sent him Christmas cards after that horrible incident with the "child"
sending him a 'hope you DIE!!!' card at Walter Reed. >:-(
Glad to hear he's out and about now!
We will keep all of you in our prayers!
ONCE AGAIN...hanoijane asks the American Heroes who fought in Vietnam for their FORGIVENESS.
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