Posted on 09/15/2007 7:26:43 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Several thousand anti-war demonstrators marched through downtown Washington on Saturday, clashing with police at the foot of the Capitol steps where at least 160 protesters were arrested.
The group marched from the White House to the Capitol to demand an end to the Iraq war. Their numbers stretched for blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue, and they held banners and signs and chanted, "What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now."
Army veteran Justin Cliburn, 25, of Lawton, Okla., was among a contingent of Iraq veterans in attendance.
"We're occupying a people who do not want us there," Cliburn said of Iraq. "We're here to show that it isn't just a bunch of old hippies from the 60s who are against this war."
Counterprotesters lined the sidewalks behind metal barricades. There were some heated shouting matches between the two sides.
The arrests came after protesters lay down on the Capitol lawn in what they called a "die in" — with signs on top of their bodies to represent soldiers killed in Iraq. When police took no action, some of the protesters started climbing over a barricade at the foot of the Capitol steps.
Many were arrested without a struggle after they jumped over the waist-high barrier. But some grew angry as police with shields and riot gear attempted to push them back. At least two people were showered with chemical spray. Protesters responded by throwing signs and chanting: "Shame on you."
The number of arrests by Capitol Police on Saturday was much higher than previous anti-war rallies in Washington this year. Five people were arrested at a protest outside the Pentagon in March when they walked onto a bridge that had been closed off to accommodate the demonstration, then refused to leave. And at a rally in January, about 50 demonstrators blocked a street near the Capitol, but they were dispersed without arrests.
The protesters gathered earlier Saturday near the White House in Lafayette Park with signs saying "End the war now" and calling for President Bush's impeachment. The rally was organized by the ANSWER Coalition and other groups.
Organizers estimated that more than 100,000 people attended the rally and march. That number could not be confirmed; police did not give their own estimate. But there appeared to be tens of thousands of people in attendance.
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan told the crowd is was time to be assertive.
"It's time to lay our bodies on the line and say we've had enough," she said. "It's time to shut this city down."
About 13 blocks away, nearly 1,000 counterprotesters gathered near the Washington Monument, frequently erupting in chants of "U-S-A" and waving American flags.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, speaking from a stage to crowds clad in camouflage, American flag bandanas and Harley Davidson jackets, said he wanted to send three messages.
"Congress, quit playing games with our troops. Terrorists, we will find you and kill you," he said. "And to our troops, we're here for you, and we support you."
___
Associated Press writer Christine Simmons contributed to this report.
Good News!
and
Great Job today!
Thanks to all those GOEing for it. ;-)
Great job bump!
An unidentified member of a counter protest, center, yells at anti-war demonstrators as they march down Pennsylvania Ave., towards the U.S. Capitol grounds, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, in Washington. At least 150 protesters were arrested Saturday as thousands of demonstrators marched to the Capitol demanding an end to the Iraq war. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
I just found out from someone at the CPD that there were about 200 arrests, he had the not such a nice job of searching and transporting some of them. Good thing they give the officers rubber gloves.
Sure, there are also a cabal of 20 somethings who only enlisted for college money and then got bent because they actually got deployed to a combat zone.
.
Iraq war protestor and Vietnam War veteran John Anderson of Lebanon, Ore., seated on wheelchair, joins a 'die in' protest on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Saturday, Sep. 15, 2007, in Washington. At least 150 protesters were arrested Saturday as thousands of demonstrators marched to the Capitol demanding an end to the Iraq war. (AP Photos/Left:Manuel Balce Ceneta / Right:Pablo Martinez Monsivais) )
Talk about a pile of humanity in those pics.. (I’m being nice, I know.)
Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark takes part in antiwar demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Iraq in Washington September 15, 2007. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES)
Justin Cliburn
College Republicans from George Washington University show their support for the war in Iraq, as protesters march calling for an end to the war, in Washington, September 15, 2007. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES)
I was stationed in Quantico, VA at the time of the May Day riots. I happened to be on the rifle range for requalification. We had to wait a long time for a cattle car to take us back at the end of the day because all the available transportation was up at DC.
This little skirmish doesn’t hold a candle to that one.
I’m with Buzz!
Great pics. We had fun today.
wheres the out of control dump truck when you need it? Ramsey is the definition of “traitor”
Demonstrators supporting troops in Iraq confront protesters opposing the war in Iraq Saturday Sept. 15, 2007, in Washington. Thousands of demonstrators marched to Capital Hill chanting against the war. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Meant to post that that was in 1971.
Just watched the tail end of Soylent Green this afternoon. Need one of those garbage scoops to come pick up the human garbage, just like in the movie.
Punk.
very funny!
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