Posted on 09/23/2001 11:51:52 PM PDT by ppaul
Crowded into Westlake Plaza yesterday afternoon were hundreds of people: professional protesters, anti-military activists and plenty of regular folks with kids, jobs and mortgages, who wanted to let the world, the city, anyone who would listen, know that they don't want war. They carried placards and signs that said, "One people, one planet" and "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."
And they cheered for speakers who called for reason, patience, compassion and forgiveness in the midst of a military buildup sparked by the terrorist attacks.
"Tuesday (Sept. 11) gave us a pile of rubble that was not only of bricks but also of bodies and hopes and dreams," said Gina Aaf, an Afghanistan native and University of Washington student. "There have been many piles just like that throughout history and one more pile isn't going to solve anything."
Ed Mast, a spokesman for the 911 Peace Coalition that helped organize the Alternatives to Violence rally, urged the crowd to be strong of heart.
"We are grieving. We are mourning," he said. "But let's not betray our grieving with more violence. Let's not betray our mourning with more deaths."
Many in the crowd acknowledged that there was an element of futility to their message: Their voices couldn't stop the buildup of arms and forces already under way in the United States and abroad.
But they said it was important for people to know that the war movement, while supported by many, is by no means supported by all.
"It's a very important thing to show that there are people who are opposed," said Ernest Mailhot, a member of the Socialist Workers Party.
"There's been this idea that if you are not backing the war drive, you're not mourning the dead, and that's wrong."
Cori Adler, a professor, writer and mother who brought her 2-year-old daughter, said she hoped the tragedy would inspire the United States to re-examine its role in the world.
"We can't put all our energy into being a superpower and then be surprised when we're viewed as bullies," she said.
Whenever one group attacks another, it's often described as a strategic move.
"Well, now that's happened to us and we know that all that symbolic posturing is really about real bodies, real blood and real lives."
The demonstration, which may have drawn as many as 800 participants, was overwhelmingly peaceful despite a small group of counterprotesters who gathered across the street with signs and flags.
"We're out here to support the U.S. and George Bush," said Crosby Olsen, a student at O'Dea High School. "All these people, if they got what they wanted, this country would no longer be free and they wouldn't be able to stand over there and protest."
Lee Tuimanu'a, a former Marine who served two tours in Vietnam, was driving through town on his Harley when he saw the demonstration and the small group of counterprotesters. He pulled over and took a stand with the smaller group.
An anti-war demonstrator, who didn't want to give his name, approached Tuimanu'a, wanting to know why the ex-Marine picked that side.
"I've earned my citizenship. I have a right to be here. You haven't earned anything," said Tuimanu'a, who was wearing a "Remember New York" T-shirt and a red, white and blue bandana.
After a few more exchanges, he lost patience: "Kid, you're a leech. You have the luxury of being here for free because guys like me made the sacrifice."
(emphasis added)
Like you, I also am a baby-boomer. But I was 'spoon-fed' patriotism and American ideals and history... via my family members, and during school years. I heard many war stories and the spirit of the 'whys', at the knees of my grandparents and uncles. I heard the stories about my father's service and the various medals and books he had stashed away. We had teachers who knew no shame in teaching us America, the home of the brave and the land of the free, and the cost of such things, or the HONOR in preserving that.
There was a major call and response for blood donations after the WTC attack. There should be the SAME call NOW...the blood of patriots is in a shortage crisis.
http://dc.indymedia.org/
Here is what they say: "All contributions are tax-deductable and processed through our fiscal sponsor, Essential Information, a 501 (c)(3) organization." About Essential Information. Description: A non-profit organization founded in 1982 by Ralph Nader which encourages citizens to become active." What a disgusting bunch!
Get ready...We May Need You Again.
They do not seem to understand that Peace and Justice were never free. They have always been paid for with the blood of patriots!
The media have a self-selected sample of America that they talk to and then makes us believe that sample represents something bigger than the media's biases.
After a few more exchanges, he lost patience: "Kid, you're a leech. You have the luxury of being here for free because guys like me made the sacrifice."
Not my words, but from another Freeper - another way to tell these idiots off - You have the luxury of being here and acting stupid because veterans made the sacrifice....."
But I'll bet he didn't.
of course john 'lenin' wants to 'negotiate'!
To simply state that these protestors are idiots and leeches who don't deserve the freedom that they enjoy is a FAR FAR cry from trying to take away their freedom of speech. You really need to lighten up in your criticism of the patriotism of people who are very angry and offended at the stupidity of some of our least desirable citizens.
Well, they made the main pages of the papers, didn't they? Like an infectious contagion, they weaken the body politic. Their actions are magnified many times over by media exposure and demoralize many in the U.S., while aiding and abetting the enemy's propaganda and recruiting efforts. Whenever there were protests during the Viet Nam war, the enemy's resolve was greatly strengthened, which coincidentally, led to the enemy stepping up their torture of American POWs and bolder, more daring acts of aggression.
(Notice the play on words.)
Well isn't that special? Too bad for them that MILLIONS are calling for action!!
Equal Time: Women Leaders Critical of U.S. Response to Terror Attack
News Advisory:
WHAT:
Women legislators, candidates and activists caucus in Washington Sept. 22-25, at the 2001 WiLL/WAND (Women's Legislative Lobby/Women's Actions for New Directions) national conference, "Children Ask the World of Us: Women Building a Secure Future," to demand effective defense policies in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
WHO:
Major women political candidates, members of Congress, state and local officials, defense experts and constituents from across the U.S., including family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks TBA. Conferees will be variously available on-site, in-studio or via telephone or in-person side interviews Sept. 22-25. Use contact numbers above to request interviews or RSVP for conference events. Highlights include:
-- JANET RENO, former US attorney general (making statement 9/22 at 6:30 p.m.)
-- CONGRESSWOMAN LYNN RIVERS (D-MI) (speaks on panel, 9/24 at 2:15 p.m.)
-- CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL) (keynote address, 9/24 at noon)
-- CONGRESSWOMAN JULIA CARSON (D-IN) (statement, 9/24 at 6 p.m.)
-- CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS (D-GA) (statement, 9/24 at 6 p.m.)
-- PHYLLIS RODRIGUEZ, whose son died in the WTC attack. She urges restraint in U.S. response and says "not in my son's name" to a war of retaliation (select interviews from NY)
-- JACKIE CABASSO, director, Western States Legal Foundation, expert on U.S. weapons labs, US treaty obligations and nuclear weapons programs (speaks on panel, 9/24 at 2:15 p.m.)
-- LISBETH GRONLUND, Union of Concerend Scientists, MIT professor and expert on the failings and frauds of the missile defense program (speaks on panel, 9/24 at 2:15 p.m.)
-- SUSAN SHAER, executive director Women's Actions for New Directions
WHEN / WHERE:
The "Children Demand the World of Us: Women Building a Secure Future" conference is held at the Capitol Hill Holiday Inn, 415 New Jersey Avenue, in Washington D.C., Sept. 22-25. Janet Reno will speak Saturday evening, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. at a separate location near American University (call for details).
Congresswoman Schakowsky gives a keynote address Sept. 24, 12 p.m. at the Capitol Holiday Inn's Federal North room.
Jackie Cabasso, Lisbeth Gronlund, and Congresswoman Rivers speak on a panel entitled "Armed and Dangerous and Still Not Safe," Sept. 24, 2:15 p.m. at the Capitol Holiday Inn's Federal south room.
Representatives Julia Carson and John Lewis will be honored at a 6 p.m. dinner, Sept. 24, along with members of the Service Employee International Union (SEIU -- firefighters, EMT workers, custodial workers, etc.) caught in the WTC attack. The dinner is held at the National Museum of Women and the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue, NW.
To request interviews, RSVP for any of these specific events, or for a full schedule of conference events call the contact numbers above.
WHY:
Conferees urge against waging indiscriminate wars of revenge in Afghanistan and challenge the Congress and President to use the full forces of the federal government to meet today's true security needs. Priority number one for the nation, according to the women, is effective security measures such as terrorist detection and fully funding programs such as the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs, designed to keep nuclear weapons and materials from falling into terrorist hands. Activists and legislators are alarmed that total funding for every facet of the nation's anti-terrorist efforts from law enforcement to stockpiles of vaccinations received only $8.4 billion in 2000, while Congress is poised to spend $8.3 billion this year on a narrow, unproven missile defense program. WiLL/WAND is the only national peace organization linking women legislators, local activists and women in Congress in order to address issues of militarism, violence and human needs.
For more information, log onto: www.wand.org
oh, and in case you forgot....
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