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.

[ProudEagle]

''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.''

Let her tell these people that. Too bad her Pravda buddies in the TV media won't cover this. I'm sick and tired of these clueless twits.

"http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=30916

[stands2reason]

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

...from a "cross-section" of America...

[stands2reason]

Did anyone burn flags to protest Clinton? Somehow, I think not...

[bvw]

The bigger brother billy goat has arrived! LOL!

[bmwcyle]

As sakic puts himself in his proclaimed position in the middle of the road or as we like to say, “No Where”. He will be in the book of great moderates if it ever gets written but who will care?

[Tall_Texan]

''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.''

Did anyone elect you President, Ms. Fox? I swear, the IQ of these protestors is alarmingly low.

The adults are in charge, Ms. Fox. You can go back to baking cookies for Saddam now.

[MortMan]

Perhaps call them "Chirac troops"?

[MadIvan]

The presence of the war protestors is in extremely bad taste. Both the United States and Britain have made their minds up about what to do with Saddam Hussein. Under those conditions, it is good taste on the part of the anti-war people to shut up, and show a little respect for those going into battle.

If Labour and Liberal MPs can do it, I don't see why the fools in Berkeley can't.

Regards, Ivan

[sakic]

I don't know of a single incident of someone burning a flag to protest Clinton. People protest in different ways.

[sakic]

Hitler and Stalin weren't middle of the roaders either.

It's odd to find some here who personally insult when confronted with an opinion they disagree with. I always thought that the right to a differing opinion or the right to protest were very American. To have this sort of behavior from people who consider themselves fiercely American is bizarre.

[Let's Roll]

One more time - I believe that if we don't stop terrorists and their sponsors everytime we can, they will eventually kill us - that would be me, my children and grandchildren etc. I am way passed being "offended" by the protesters and am just old fashioned p!ssed!

If they could see the outrage I and those who think as I do feel they would have long ago run for cover.

[zygoat]

I'm not suggesting that the anti-war protesters be denied any rights, I am saying that some of their methods may cause public safety concerns. Consider the following scenario-Bill is standing on a guardrail of a bridge trying to tie his "Bush is a killer/Free Mumia" sign to a girder, when a gust of wind caused by a passing peace bus causes him to lose his footing,his berkenstocks slip on the rail and he falls 45 feet.He lands directly on Moonbeam, who was innocently forming the letter "I"in "No Blood For Oil" with her nude body in the grass with her friends.Both are seriously injured, so Hillary runs to the highway for help.She finally flags down Janet in her pickup truck who uses her cellphone to summon help while consoling the nude,shaken Hillary. The help arrives too late to save Bill and Moonbeam, they were stuck in an hour long traffic jam caused by Al, Tom, Robert,Jessie and Natalie, who were lying across the two lane highway into town.

[sakic]

If there is a threat to public safety it should be taken care of. I agree with you.

[SpinyNorman]

You're killing me!! LOL!!

[bmwcyle]

All I hear is more Libertarian Bull with no measure of right and wrong other then the rules of men. It is the empty cry of freedom with no base in morality. It is backed up with the Hitler reference over and over, again and again. You little boys will never change or grow up. You live are your Libertarian utopia of the mind thinking we are on the road to National Socialism because we don’t live in your idealism. We do more then just think. We get out and stand for Justice. You don’t get out because you are just a j45 connected keyboard commando. You display bravery of the mind with no action to your life. Ho Hum : O zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[3Lean]

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

Too bad these protestors/fund raisers don't realize that the refugees aren't fleeing because of the US attacks but because this is the first opportunity these people have had to escape from the control of a madman (Sadaam). Any disruption of the government of Iraq greatly increases their chances of actually escaping instead of just being shot by Sadaam's police.

[sauropod]

Saw Bob last night on NBC Nighly News. His spot was about 10 seconds in a 2 minute anti-war story. That's typical "balance" from the ol' Nothing but Clinton network...

[The PeteMan]

sakic, go crawl back into your tree house, democrat that you are.

[sakic]

I'll look for the brave you on the front lines tonight on television.

Questioning my toughness via keyboard while trying to impress me with your toughness via keyboard is amusing and makes you look like an imbecile.

[jiggyboy]

It's the commie influence. They just don't understand or admit the existence of the concept of democracy or republicanism.