Posted on 02/15/2003 5:53:43 PM PST by oceanperch
Oregon State Newspapers - SHG Resources Address:http://www.statehousegirls.net/or/newspapers/
Demonstrators stage lively exchange
By Jennifer Moody
Albany Democrat-Herald
Demonstrators at a downtown Albany rally Friday afternoon disagreed on whether to go to war with Iraq but found common ground on one issue: each other's right to be heard.
One of the groups, sponsored by Albany Peace Seekers, marched around the block from First Avenue south on Ellsworth and back around on Lyon. About 100 people participated, carrying signs that read "All Children Are Precious," "Negotiate Peace" and "Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism."
As they rounded the corner from Lyon back to First, the walkers passed a group of six counter-demonstrators who stationed themselves on the corner with signs that read, "We Support Our President," and, "Our Son is Defending Their Freedom."
"I wish they'd realize that the people of Iraq can't do this," said one of the corner occupants, Kevin Roberts of Tangent, waving a small American flag as the walkers passed.
"Everyone has a voice. I'm so proud to be an American, living in a country where we can exercise our voice. I don't know how much longer that's going to be possible," said Mary Steinbacher of Albany, who walked with sign that read, "Who Would Jesus Bomb?"
The two groups talked together a few times, but exchanged few barbs.
"Jesus believes in self-defense!" Jo Langley of Newport shouted to Steinbacher.
"You'll be singing a different tune when they come and gas your house!" yelled a passerby, who declined to give his name.
Talking among themselves about a war with Iraq, the two groups repeated the stances taken by their counterparts in protests and counter-protests all over the world.
"These peace guys, they forget the other side of it," said Robert Herndon, a retired Marine sergeant major from Dallas who stopped briefly to join the counter-protesters on his way to dinner. "Peace is empty without liberty. You gotta fight to have liberty."
"Same left-wing socialists running around, same ones as the '50s and '60s," growled Gary White of Albany. On the other side, Steinbacher stressed her support for people in the military, particularly her brother, who is serving in Kuwait.
"All of my energy and prayers go toward him. But I want him brought back full and complete," she said. "This is just an unnecessary war. Iraq is posing no threat. Nothing's been proven."
"We've ignored a lot of dictators," Peace Seekers organizer Don Rea said. "If we can find away to contain them, that's a lot better than killing a lot of our own people and a lot of Iraqi children, that's what I think. All diplomatic solutions haven't been exhausted."
Albany Peace Seekers plan to hold walks at the same location at 4:15 p.m. every Friday. So far, that's all right with art gallery director Ron Peters, who watched the group make its circuit from the window of the Thomas Kinkade shop on Ellsworth Street.
"It's a bit of an inconvenience," he said, adding, "But they're more than welcome to express their opinion. I don't have a problem as long as they're not rowdy or get out of hand.
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