Peace in action
2,500 combat war with peace
Tara Young
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
|
About 2,500 protesters armed with signs, flags and drums convened to let out their disapproval of President George Bush, his governmental policies, his political inaction and the controversial Iraq War.
"The United States was not justified in going into Iraq in the first place," said John Barry, member of Movement for a Democratic Society. "The U.S. had ulterior motives in going into Iraq for protecting its geopolitical interest in the region; it is not, therefore, democracy, because a majority of Americans oppose the war and want the troops to come home, and a majority of Iraqis want the U.S. to leave, so it can't be about democracy."
The activists' voices rang out loud and clear during the rally before the three-mile march around the city streets, which was planned to begin on Robinson Street, circle around to Church Street and make its way back to Robinson.
"What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!" the crowd, led by the Rev. Bruce Wright, chanted during his speech.
Wright spoke in representation of the organization St. Pete for Peace.
"The only way this is going to change is if the people rise up," Wright said. "The system is bankrupt and controlled by robbers and thieves. It's controlled by the king of thieves himself, King Bush, a king that needs to be kicked out with all his cronies and not replaced by more cronies."
Under the umbrella group United for Peace and Justice, 11 demonstrations were held around the nation on Oct. 27, including Boston, Chicago, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
Orlando's event united a diverse group of activists and organizations against the war. Groups such as Veterans for Peace, Green Party of Florida, Farmworker Association and Grandparents for Peace were among them. Campus groups included Students for a Democratic Society, Campus Peace Action, Project Darfur and CodePink, as well as supporters from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and Eco-Advocates.
"We've organized a very broad constituency; we've organized outside the box so-to-speak," Barry said. "We've brought in labor groups, veterans groups, church groups, immigrants' rights groups, community groups and activist groups."
Although many of the organizations had differing rationale behind why they thought the Iraq War was a bad thing, all of them agreed that it was an unjust war.