DC Anit-War Protests, Local Mass Participation

Transfered from old site <!--break--> Washington DC, Oct 26, 2002: There were hundreds of thousands of people protesting Bush's impending war on Iraq yesterday. A couple feeder marches merged with the larger body of demonstrators representing a diverse cross section of the nation and the world. A stage full of passionate anti-war speakers presided over the crowds who were gathered adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. The A.N.S.W.E.R sponsored rally was held near the Vietnam Memorial, symbolically reminding all of a previous unpopular war. Many people present recognized and voiced the significance of the date as the 1st year anniversary of the signing of the Patriot Act. Over 140 Labor organizations accross the country endorsed the anti-war march this past weekend. &nbsp;<BR> Before the conclusion of the 40 plus speakers, which included (but hardly limited to), Ramsey Clark, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, Daniel Berrigan, Mumia Abu-Jamal (taped message) and various others, the peaceful crowd began moving down Constitution Ave. The rhythmic and colorful marchers surrounded the entire perimeter of the White House. The vibrant, festive energy of the crowd did not detract from the seriousness of the message. One particularly powerful group of street theater actors, representing the grieving Iraqi mothers clutching their bloody and lifeless children, brought an eerie silence to large numbers. All agreed that the suffering inflicted on the Iraqi people must end and bringing more war into the region was certainly not the answer. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR> A DC Community Feeder march had a fun time stopping to protest at the Washington Post building with a very loud chant of "Stop Printing Lies!" and baring of breasts, and then moved on to gather more forces at Cardozo High School. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>Cities around the World held demonstrations to coincide with the event. San Francisco IMC reported that a large contingent of over 500 demonstrators broke off from the A.N.S.W.E.R protest to participate in direct action at a military recruiting building; <A HREF="http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/10/1539363.php.">http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/10/1539363.php.</A> Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, and many other cities held large demonstrations. Check the following link to receive updated reports from around the world; <A HREF="http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=212853&amp;group=webcast.">http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=212853&amp;group=webcast.</A> &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>In Washington, DC entire families and nearly entire church's, as well as several mosques, came out from as far away as Alaska, Oakland California, Nebraska, Florida, Maine and many points in between. The organizers of the rally said they stopped counting the busses after 500. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>People from many cities spoke of unprecedented numbers from their areas participating in the events. People sacrificed sleep and comfort to ride all night on buses to unite with others in one voice that refused to be silenced. From Rochester NY, between 300-400 people journeyed down in buses, vans and numerous cars, with a high turnout rate credited to the organization of Metro Justice. Rochester Indy media reported on the event throughout the day, witnessing and filming two of the only arrests that occurred near the noticeably small pro-war demonstrators. Two anti-war demonstrators stood in silence with a flag held up-side down near the stage of the pro-war speaker. Counter demonstrators rushed up to grab the flag from them. The scuffle brought in the police who tackled the anti-war demonstrator who was holding the flag. Five police dove on him and immediately handcuffed and escorted him off. The woman he was with was also arrested for holding the flag. If someone needs footage or more information contact Rochester Indy media. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR> The corporate press left early; NBC national ignored the whole thing, others reprinted an AP story stating that mere "hundreds" were present. Later the Washington Post changed their figures. The New York Times article downplayed the numbers and mischaracterized the event as a disappointment to organizers. The tone of the day was a strong and powerful resistance to the Bush Administration's drive to war and this sentiment was clear to all who attended the event. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>

<p>Transfered from old site</p> <!--break--><p>Washington DC, Oct 26, 2002: There were hundreds of thousands of people protesting Bush's impending war on Iraq yesterday. A couple feeder marches merged with the larger body of demonstrators representing a diverse cross section of the nation and the world. A stage full of passionate anti-war speakers presided over the crowds who were gathered adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. The A.N.S.W.E.R sponsored rally was held near the Vietnam Memorial, symbolically reminding all of a previous unpopular war. Many people present recognized and voiced the significance of the date as the 1st year anniversary of the signing of the Patriot Act. Over 140 Labor organizations accross the country endorsed the anti-war march this past weekend.<br />  <br /> Before the conclusion of the 40 plus speakers, which included (but hardly limited to), Ramsey Clark, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, Daniel Berrigan, Mumia Abu-Jamal (taped message) and various others, the peaceful crowd began moving down Constitution Ave. The rhythmic and colorful marchers surrounded the entire perimeter of the White House. The vibrant, festive energy of the crowd did not detract from the seriousness of the message. One particularly powerful group of street theater actors, representing the grieving Iraqi mothers clutching their bloody and lifeless children, brought an eerie silence to large numbers. All agreed that the suffering inflicted on the Iraqi people must end and bringing more war into the region was certainly not the answer.<br />  <br /><br />  <br /> A DC Community Feeder march had a fun time stopping to protest at the Washington Post building with a very loud chant of "Stop Printing Lies!" and baring of breasts, and then moved on to gather more forces at Cardozo High School.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />Cities around the World held demonstrations to coincide with the event. San Francisco IMC reported that a large contingent of over 500 demonstrators broke off from the A.N.S.W.E.R protest to participate in direct action at a military recruiting building; <a href="http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/10/1539363.php.">http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/10/1539363.php.</a> Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, and many other cities held large demonstrations. Check the following link to receive updated reports from around the world; <a href="http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=212853&amp;group=webcast.">http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=212853&amp;group=webcast.</a><br />  <br /><br />  <br />In Washington, DC entire families and nearly entire church's, as well as several mosques, came out from as far away as Alaska, Oakland California, Nebraska, Florida, Maine and many points in between. The organizers of the rally said they stopped counting the busses after 500.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />People from many cities spoke of unprecedented numbers from their areas participating in the events. People sacrificed sleep and comfort to ride all night on buses to unite with others in one voice that refused to be silenced. From Rochester NY, between 300-400 people journeyed down in buses, vans and numerous cars, with a high turnout rate credited to the organization of Metro Justice. Rochester Indy media reported on the event throughout the day, witnessing and filming two of the only arrests that occurred near the noticeably small pro-war demonstrators. Two anti-war demonstrators stood in silence with a flag held up-side down near the stage of the pro-war speaker. Counter demonstrators rushed up to grab the flag from them. The scuffle brought in the police who tackled the anti-war demonstrator who was holding the flag. Five police dove on him and immediately handcuffed and escorted him off. The woman he was with was also arrested for holding the flag. If someone needs footage or more information contact Rochester Indy media.<br />  <br /><br />  <br /> The corporate press left early; NBC national ignored the whole thing, others reprinted an AP story stating that mere "hundreds" were present. Later the Washington Post changed their figures. The New York Times article downplayed the numbers and mischaracterized the event as a disappointment to organizers. The tone of the day was a strong and powerful resistance to the Bush Administration's drive to war and this sentiment was clear to all who attended the event.<br />  <br /><br />  <br /></p>