Sunday, March 18, 2007
SWOP homepage03/18/07 ABQ Journal - Anti-War Protesters Demand Action From Congress
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karlos says:
(Sleepy dreamy music)
Dream headline: Anti War groups call for slow down, strike to coincide with May Day activities as part of a new strategy to disrupt industrial (anti) war complex
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Let me know if I'm out of line, folks :)
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karlos says:
(Sleepy dreamy music)
Dream headline: Anti War groups call for slow down, strike to coincide with May Day activities as part of a new strategy to disrupt industrial (anti) war complex
(End sound)
Let me know if I'm out of line, folks :)
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ABQ Journal - Sunday, March 18, 2007
Journal Staff Writer
They carried signs that read, "Honk for peace," "Let Iraq live," "Impeach Bush" and "Wake up America."
More than 1,200 area residents and anti-war activists demanded the attention of New Mexico's congressional delegation Saturday during a peace march and rally in Downtown Albuquerque.
A similar rally attracting about 250 protesters also took place in Santa Fe.
"We're challenging our congressional delegation to take a stand against the war in Iraq and stand up for what is right— for what New Mexico needs," said Stop The War Machine co-founder Jeanne Pahls.
The grass-roots anti-war organization and several other area groups, including the University of New Mexico's Humanist Society and the Southwest Organizing Project, organized the event.
"Our government has given us four or five reasons for the Iraq war since it began," Pahls said. "Today, we're still over there, and we still don't know what this war's about. Our Congress needs to impeach Bush."
The peace march began at Albuquerque's Civic Plaza and concluded at Robinson Park with a peace rally called "Peace-a-Palooza" that offered band performances and anti-war speeches.
UNM Humanist Society president Aaron Cowan said his group wants Congress to enact legislation to bring U.S. troops home now; to stop recruiting soldiers from impoverished, highly minority populated schools; to free Palestine from Israeli occupation; and to halt military plans to bomb Iran.
Jess Unrein, a 58-year-old Albuquerque resident and disabled veteran, said he participated so he could speak out about the war.
"We need permanent peace— an anti-war movement," Unrein said. "Instead, it seems we have permanent war going on in Iraq."
Event organizers said the local event went smoothly and that the demonstration was part of a global protest on the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
In Santa Fe, protesters— including Santa Fe Mayor David Coss— rallied outside the Roundhouse on Saturday afternoon as the legislative session wrapped up before marching to the Plaza.
"I call on the Democrats that we elected to Congress. ... Bring our men and women home," Coss said.
Journal North staff writer Raam Wong contributed to this report.
