March 17, War Protest in Washington - an On-Site Report

The wind blew at 20-25 miles an hour and the temperature hovered in the low 40's making it brutal for all attendees at the Iraq War protest march on Saturday. The anti-war protest had been on the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) agenda for months and to this attendee their numbers seemed to be about 7-10,000. They carried a multitiude of signs and placards that declared the President a terrorist and demanded that the United States leave Iraq immediately. Numerous signs carried the image of Che Guevera and scattered throughout the ANSWER protest were signs such as "No War But Class War" and "Radical Queers Against the War" as well as some signs that appeared to support various socialistic worker causes. It was a curious mix and hodgepodge of messages. As I was in a position to watch all of them march by, I studied the demonstrators carefully in an attempt to determine who these people might represent. The majority appeared to be decidedly young, late teens and early 20's, or in their late 50's or early 60's with a minority of others represented to include a few children. About a half dozen in the front of the demonstration carried shields, had bandannas that covered their faces and looked like they were going to engage in combat with the police that were present in large numbers. Also in the march were a few American flags that had been defaced with messages supporting their cause.

While Cindy Sheehan, the purported leader of this protest awaited their arrival at the Pentagon, I could not help but wonder if she really would want to embrace much of what the group represented. I guess in her turmoil and grief over the loss of her son, she will accept anything. I grieve for her loss as well as the loss of every American soldier, the victims of the 9/11 attack and many others that have been the victims of the terror war.

Cast against this ant-war protest were 15-20,000 counter protesters that carried as many American flags as their number and expressed their support for the mission of the United States in the War Against Terror. Many in the group were veterans and the group seemed to represent more of middle America than those they had come to counter. I talked to a number of them and was surprised to hear that they had come from as far away as Florida, Colorado and Illinois. Most had only found out about the counter demonstration a few days prior to the event. It seemed like a grass-roots effort to insure that their voices would heard.

Apparently they had been called to respond when informed of the fact that the Washington monuments to fallen soldiers in past wars had been painted on and defaced in a previous anti-war demonstration.

It was interesting to note that the police, who were there in abundance to insure separation of the two groups, faced the anti-war group with their backs to the flag waving supporters of the United States and our soldiers.

I've read several newspaper reports about the demonstration and the spin that has been put on the reports depends on the political affiliations of the reporter or the newspaper they are representing. I watched the reports on FOX, CNN, ABC and NBC to note how it was covered. They all seemed to dedicate the major portion of their stories to the anti-war demonstrators with minimal or little coverage to the number of counter demonstrators that outnumbered the anti-war group by at least 2 to 1.

The real clash between the two groups is for the minds and support of the American public. I, as well as the rest of America is tired of the war and want our soldiers to return to the loving arms of their families and the bosom of America where they will be safe. Unfortunately, it would seem that the terror might follow them home and we would be faced with an emboldened enemy that might strike us again. For whatever reason, our homeland has been safe since 9/11 and no one wants that horror to be repeated.

America is divided on the issue of Iraq, largely because we value the sanctity of life and want those that have volunteered to protect us to return home safely. The current surge to provide stability in Baghdad will no doubt settle the issue. The initial reports are encouraging, although the ravages of combat against a determined enemy are still taking a toll on our soldiers. Pray for them and the future of America.