Antiwar activists try to protest, not offend

Miami Herald ^ | March 19, 2003 | Frank Davies

[Nick Danger]

Antiwar activists try to protest, not offend

BY FRANK DAVIES

WASHINGTON - Faced with the reality of a U.S. invasion of Iraq, activists who tried to prevent combat are scrambling to oppose the war without alienating many Americans who back U.S. troops going into action.

A coalition of groups plans nonviolent civil disobedience at noon today as close to the White House as they can get. Under the Code Orange alert status, that means the north side of Lafayette Park.

Another group, Iraq Pledge of Resistance, expects acts of civil disobedience -- blocking federal buildings and bases, for example -- in 54 cities once war begins.

''We don't want to anger the average person, and we're trying to carefully target what we're doing,'' said Gordon Clark, national director of the campaign. ``But there is great anger over this war, and I expect civil disobedience on the scale of the Vietnam War.''

Many antiwar organizations used Tuesday to regroup after President Bush announced his 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein on Monday night. Some activists admitted they are frustrated at the inability to affect U.S. policy.

''I'm feeling very helpless,'' said Mary Fox of West Chester, Pa. ``We do everything we can and it doesn't seem to make a difference.''

But some organizers say the reality of combat will only spur them on as they look for new ways to channel their efforts.

Several antiwar groups are considering a humanitarian fund drive to help refugees who are already fleeing their homes in Iraq.

Another priority will be veterans' benefits, which face cuts in a budget proposed by House GOP leaders.

And President Bush's doctrine of preemptive war will continue to be a target, organizers say.

''Maybe we can't stop this war, but we can help shorten it and prevent a long occupation of Iraq,'' Clark said. ``We have a tremendous network of people and they're not going away.''

United for Peace, a broad coalition, is calling for work stoppages starting today, and demonstrations at federal buildings as soon as the invasion begins.

Some organizers plan to disrupt traffic in New York's Times Square at 5 p.m., three hours before Bush's ultimatum runs out.

The reality of having troops in combat within days or hours has also fueled a surge of support for the military -- some of it nonpartisan, some of it sharply critical of antiwar activists.

Conservative groups such as Free Republic Network and College Republicans are planning ''Rallies for America'' this weekend in several dozen cities.

''Most Americans support our troops and support the president's plan to end Saddam Hussein's terrorist regime,'' said Bob Johnson, director of Free Republic Network.

Another conservative activist, George Primbs, said many backers of Bush's policy have been slow to mobilize. He just started a website ( war.us) as a clearinghouse for war supporters.

''The antiwar crowd should calm down,'' said Primbs, who called protests during wartime ``anti-American.''

The tendency to mute debate during combat was reflected in a call by HispanicVista.com, a California-based website of diverse opinions on many issues -- until now.

''For those who feel the war is wrong, put your feelings on hold -- until after the war. Hold your tongue -- until after the war,'' the editors of the website said.

[Hodar]

My sentiments exactly!! Nice post.

[EdReform]

Bump!

[kristinn]

You know, Eric Alterman says there is no liberal media bias. I believe him, yep, right-o, sure thing.

[MadIvan]

I passed by a girl handing out antiwar protests at Highbury and Islington station. I didn't argue with her, I merely laughed in her face.

These people are pathetic.

Regards, Ivan

[Warrior Nurse]

When I was at CPAC I asked Sam Donaldson about these peaceniks protesting those of us that have to prosecute the war. He said they were protesting the policy not the warriors. I have problems separating the two because I have to go out and enforce the policy. Plus all I see is Anti-Bush and Hate America on their posters.

Not to mention that the orgainzers are Marxist-Leninist and Pro Commie groups. They also don't like it when their backwards points of view are wrong. They get pissed and resort to name calling. Where is the freedom of speech. Like one of the posts eloquently stated there is no freedom of speech without the solider there to grant it.

God Bless the President and all of our troops!

I wish I could be back out there. I love America and treasure the freedoms that I have and I am willing to put my life on the line in order to preserve them.

What are the peaceniks prepared to die for?

[DoughtyOne]

This article is rather amusing. For the last year the peace activist have been putting anyone with an ax to grind against the U.S., on stage to condemn it. Everyone from Phillipean insurgents to the Marxist fringe to PLO spokespersons have appeared on C-Spans video feeds. Now these groups supposedly don't want to offend. LOL, someone needs a public relations manager post haste. It's too late folks. The party's over. You've already offended most every citizen in the nation.

[mollynme]

Yes, I noticed that the pro-US rallies are sponsored by CONSERVATIVE groups, yet these anti-war rallies never seem to be described as "liberal" or "leftist."

That's because they are all spontaneous don't you know!

[AFPhys]

This can't work with me.

They offend me by their very existence.

[The PeteMan]

Protestors should be tried for TREASON, I am so tired of them on TV all the time and then dASSHOLE and company saying that the press isn't giving equal time to the war protestors!

Every time I turn the TV on I see Hippie tree hugging Billie Jean King looking idiots protesting our Government!@

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

''The antiwar crowd should calm down,''

We need a pithy but more descriptive name for this bunch. I suggestantiwar pro-Democrat protesters.

Or, perhaps, pro-Chirac protestors . . .

[sakic]

The other she needs to realize that these protests put our military men and women at risk, just like those of Vietnam did.

How so?

[sakic]

Any protest against America is offensive.

All of those protests against Clinton were offensive to you?

[sakic]

Protestors should be tried for TREASON

The difference between what you said and what an Iraqi official might say is zero. Try and remember which country it is that you live in.

[Auntie Mame]

Some organizers plan to disrupt traffic in New York's Times Square at 5 p.m., three hours before Bush's ultimatum runs out.

And they don't want to anger the average American? Smooth move, genius, make their commute home hours longer, that'll work.

[FITZ]

They have a right to protest for peace but too many of these groups appear to be supporting the other side ---saying it's okay to send terrorists here and okay for Iraq to build chemical weapons to destroy anyone, the protestors don't seem to mind what Iraq does --not even to the people of Iraq. To them Saddam is the hero.

[sakic]

They have a right to protest for peace but too many of these groups appear to be supporting the other side ---saying it's okay to send terrorists here and okay for Iraq to build chemical weapons to destroy anyone, the protestors don't seem to mind what Iraq does --not even to the people of Iraq. To them Saddam is the hero.

Can you cite examples of this because I haven't seen any examples of people showing any support for Saddam. I also haven't seen a single sign that says that it's okay to send terrorists here.

[Black Agnes]

Did you completely miss the Hizbollah flags in the DC protests? I was there, there were *many* Hamas and Hizbollah flags.

[Cassanova Frankenstein]

"Some activists admitted they are frustrated at the inability to affect U.S. policy.

''I'm feeling very helpless,'' said Mary Fox of West Chester, Pa. ``We do everything we can and it doesn't seem to make a difference.''"

I am stunned by the naivete of some of these people.

[Coop]

What are the peaceniks prepared to die for?

Judging by the past few days - bulldozers and large bridges.

[anymouse]

No one was protesting against the US when we FReeped x42. If you noticed we made that very clear with our signs, words and deeds. Contrast that with the signs, words and deeds of the left - they are clearly anti-American.