Spring Break
S.F. anti-war protest draws thousands
Analysis
Kemberly Gong, Daily Senior Staff Writer
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Similar demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, Berlin, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Stockholm and Rome.
The march and rally, organized by International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism), began in Justin Herman Plaza in the financial district and proceeded to the Civic Center, where politicians, activists and musicians took the stage to drum up support for anti-war policies.
"You are the true American patriots who are preserving democracy; you are the true American patriots who are preserving civil liberties," thundered U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland.
Lee voted against the resolution to use military force in Iraq and was the only member of Congress to vote against war in Afghanistan a year ago. Lee has been praised by her constituents for maintaining a solid anti-war platform despite wide support for policies to invade Iraq.
"Let this be the first step to taking back the White House in 2004," she said. "That's what we've got to do."
Her sentiments were echoed throughout the day, as people of all races, genders and ages diligently marched, and sometimes danced down the street to the hollow thud of buckets turned into makeshift drums.
Many held signs attacking President Bush, corporate greed, oil policies throughout the world, and the resolution of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Signs that read, "No War for Oil," or "Drop Bush Not Bombs," were common among protesters.
Many at the event voiced their interest in peace throughout the world.
"We don't want war and we don't want people to die," said six-year-old Adrian Arnold.
She was at the demonstration with her mother and two older sisters, Izebel and Eliza. Their mother, Leslie Arnold, said she became more politically inclined when she had children because it gave her a higher value of life and for peace. She and her eldest daughter, Eliza, attended the Million Mom March, a group dedicated to stricter gun control laws, three years ago in Oakland when Eliza was in the third grade.
Ralph Turner, a seasoned protester, said he hadn't been involved in many protests since 1964, when he took action against the Vietnam War. Though he said the effort was still a bit confused because of the number of different issues represented at the demonstration, he said it was a good beginning.
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"There doesn't seem to be much opposition to war," he said, but added that the cause may pick up steam as more people learn about the issues.
Shortly after, Turner and nearly 100 people lay down in the streets, as part of a symbolic gesture to show people dying in Iraq because of potential war. All foot traffic halted to account for hundreds of bodies strew in the streets.
Eve River, a Radical Cheerleader who said she's been cheering for two years, said anyone can be a part of the movement.
"All you need is the desire to bring your voice to the street," she said. "It's easy and everybody can do it. You can also make up fun movements to go along with the cheers."
Another protester, Patrick McGuire, donned a large raincoat, gas mask and rubber boots while holding up garbage bags on a pole to symbolize body bags of civilian casualties of war. He said it was his statement against America's "criminal acts of inciting war with Iraq."
"What the hell good can it do?" he demanded, before marching on.
The street merchants that lined Market Street were protesting as well.
"No war in Iraq," shouted one man, as he held a box of watches in front of passing protesters.
The hesitancy of the United Nations to act against Iraq for violations of numerous Security Council resolutions was the cause of increased pressure by the Bush administration for military action against Iraq - the main reason people were at the protest in the first place, as evidenced by the strong anti-war tone of posters, cheers and interviews.
Upon reaching the Civic Center, protesters were met by long rows of tables set up by different organizations and interest groups. One man dressed as "Diane Frankenstein" in a purple suit, bolts in his head and a "vote war" pin, greeted his so-called constituents as they filtered past.
Though the drum beats and bells clanging gave the protest the mood of a festival or parade, a solemn tone was set on the main platform, directly in front of the gilded dome of San Francisco's City Hall.
Ted Lewis, a representative of Global Exchange, a San Francisco-based human rights and anti-war organization, spoke fiercely to the crowd opposing war.
"Lying to start a war is criminal; an invasion of Iraq is a war crime; regime change starts at home," he shouted.
Lewis called for more emphasis on peace and banding together to "fight this war machine."
Dolores Huerta, the co-founder for the United Farm Workers of America, had similar comments to make, and urged people to become more active in their community efforts to oppose war.
"We cannot stop this war with this demonstration - we must take further steps," she said. "Each one of us has got to be an organizer for peace."
One speaker launched into a song opposing military action and violence in the Middle East.
The chorus: "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it to peace."
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anonymous852
anonymous852
posted 10/29/02 @ 2:29 PM PST
I enjoyed this article very much! Pictures were done very well...reminding me of the protests against the Vietnam war....potent and moving (esp. the Fuck War pic). (Continued…)
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