  |
|
| 3 local women join St. Paul march on Monday |
|
|
| Wednesday, 03 September 2008 | |
|
Howard Lestrud ECM Online Editor With national attention focusing on Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast, protesters against the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq on Mondaytried to steal some thunder at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. An estimated 5000 protesters left the State Capitol Mall at 1:30 p.m. and marched Cedar St. to the Xcel Energy Center and returned to the Capitol. A number of local and area residents took part. The mass protest was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. Organizers had hoped that the turnout would be in the tens of thousands and possibly 50,000. Protesters came from Minnesota and other locales in the Upper Midwest and from across the U.S. The protest was organized under the calls of: •U.S. Out of Iraq Now! •Money for human needs, not for war •Say no to the Republican agenda •Demand peace, justice and equality Locals there Most everyone on the mall was carrying some type of protest sign. Many were carefully and creatively crafted and others were done crudely but with sharp messages. Three Forest Lake women, Gena Doyscher, Lillie Olson and Connie Hendrickson carried a homemade sign stating “Peace on Earth, Not Bombs on Iraq.” Doyscher said she felt very strongly about what the Iraq War is doing to the economy and to people’s lives. “We need change,” Doyscher said. Olson, a former school board member in Forest Lake, said she was especially concerned about the suffering occurring in Iraq and concerned about what kind of world will be left for her grandchildren. Tom Emmott of Minneapolis carried a two-sided sign that talked about “Lies, Deceit, Torture, Coverups, Scandal, False Fear, Katrina.” The sign further proclaimed: “He’s not my president.” Marty Lemke of Elk River had a two-sided sign and said he was rallying and marching to flex his First Amendment rights and peaceably express his viewpoints on the current administration;s policy in Iraq. Lemke said he disagreed with everything that George W. Bush has done in the last eight years. Sisters Kara Maki, 17, and Tennae Maki, 20, both of St. Paul both appreciated the opportunity to peacefully protest. Both said they were greeted by smiling police who said “Hi” to them. “There’s no hostility,” Tennae said. Colleen Donley and her eight-year-old son Adam from Perham were attired in colorful patriotic outfits. One of their fellow marchers, Robert Lohman, wore a George W. Bush mask. Donley said this was the first protest experience for her and her son together. “This is a good way of teaching youth about peace,” she said. “We so much in our material world around camouflage, no war is a good war,” Donley added. Seated under the March on the RNC media tent were three Iraq War veterans who were telling their story to any member of the media who would listen. The Iraq War veterans group reportedly has 1300 members, with a chapter in every state except Alaska. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the inadequate benefits available to veterans. Veteran Gabriel Payan of Boston, MA said the veterans group asked to deliver to the McCain campaign a letter requesting benefits. Payan said McCain’s camp declined. He said such a letter was welcomed by the Obama campaign last week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. Some of the protesters wore orange prisoner suits and had their heads covered. Their statement was protesting torture of political prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. Located next to one another, parents carried signs and exhibits telling of the loss of life in Iraq. Juan M. Torres Sr. carried a photo of his son who was killed in Iraq in July 12, 2004. Just down the way on a section of grass, Melida Arredondo and husband Carlos sat in front of a casket listing the death of their son Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo on Aug. 25, 2004. The rally A loud but peaceful rally started just before 11 a.m. and continued with speakers, singers and rappers. Choosing war and occupation in Iraq over human needs “is wrong,” said Steff Yorek, spokesperson for the Coalition. She said that it was ironic that Hurricane Gustav was gaining major news attention over the RNC because it really pointed to the reasons protesters were marching, deprioritizing the infrastructure and delaying the fixing the city of New Orleans. George Martin, a national co-chair of United for Peace & Justice, was one of the first speakers at the rally. He said United for Peace & Justice represents 1400 organizations. “This is a peace movement for people of America and it has implications on social aspects of life including labor, immigration, welfare rights and human rights throughtout the United States,” Martin said. Asked if Democratic-endorsed Barack Obama was the solution to America’s ills, Martin said Obama is a better candidate than McCain and pushes for stronger solutions. Martin said marchers will carry the theme of bringing troops home and moving away from militarism. Martin said Obama “was not off the hook” because protesters want the process to start toward ending the war. Martin led protesters in loud chants where he would yell “Bush” and his cantors would respond with “Liar.” Social Bookmarking ...       |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|