| Report on the DC Protests |
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| Written by Melanie Knight | |
| Friday, 21 March 2008 | |
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Wade Fulmer (MFSO) has sent us this fascinating first-hand account of the recent protests in Washington. ACTIONS IN DC ON THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR By Wade Fulmer Yesterday, 5th anniversary protest actions were overlapping, multiple protests, blocking of streets intersections, stops in front of multiple agencies near the mall i.e., again the National Archives, then IRS, Justice Dept. Started the anniversary protest Wednesday at 8am at an intersection at McPherson Sq. with mainly SDS but also other groups. They had taken over the intersection and had Many people there stopping traffic and still were when I left to meet IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War) and Vets for Peace to rally and march at 10 AM. We stopped in front and shortly after four Iraq Vets Against the War ran quickly to the top of the steps to the landing, scaled the iron fence on the left, and stood on the wide ledge which was a great stage! The vets spoke on the war and the Constitution to a large crowd, part of which was a captive audience who were in the long and very slow moving line into the Archives. This included many high school students groups with their teachers who had to listen to the message. The students listened. Some of the teachers seemed uncomfortable by the demonstration in front of their students, but could do nothing, and their students wanted to hear. One teacher was arguing with a Vet for Peace that our military is in Iraq protecting our children and families. The vet argued the points of the invasion by the Administration and the need to bring the troops home now. The teacher then said, well she has family in the military and we should support them. I was wearing my MFSO (Military Families Speak Out) tee shirt and entered the conversation to tell her, "if you believe they should be there, you should be there. You are a healthy young person and should join our soldiers and serve in the war if you support the war. You need to be there." Her conversation with the other vet soon ended, she quietly turned away as the line moved slowly forward. There was no blocking of the entrance. It was just a long, slow moving line which required the visitors to easily walk by veterans on the ground, and gave them the no child left behind, no option opportunity to listen to IVAW. The kids were Listening!!! The Constitution was draped on the wall by other vets below the four IVAW who were speaking. We were there perhaps an hour with such a stage. Many police came, stayed on the street and soon responded to no doubt another action downtown. Police leaders talked with the Archives security but never interfered. Archives security tried to negotiate the vets back over the fence...and eventually after all was said by the vets, allowed them to leave without any consequence/arrest. Those vets were Great! From there the vets march went on to Depts. of Justice and then Veterans Affairs. During the action we moved half a block up the street to block the intersection at 17th and PA, where the VP's office bldg is. Police moved in, not to arrest, but to remove protesters from the intersection. The person in the bed was removed. Two more got in. The "Wake Up America" bed was removed. Some people were shoved from the street, several people were dragged off the street. Yet, some turned back into the street and were removed again. In the end, the remaining courageous Code Pink activists were pushed off the street by a line of police. There were no arrests. From there we went back to McPherson Sq. and joined the various groups and many young people who were blocking an intersection there. This action was still continuing at about 4pm when we left for the reflection pool at the west side of the capitol. Here at 5pm several hundred protesters assembled. The final action of the day was the single file silent "Silence of the Dead" procession. Those dressed in black and with white face masks led the procession and were followed by others up the sidewalk beside the south side of the Capitol. Supposedly we were on our way to the DNC to voice disapproval of the less than nominal efforts to end the war. However, at the top of Capitol Hill, at PA Ave and Capitol St., SW, the action became the blocking of that intersection. It was about 5:30pm. Many protesters, in black with masks, entered the intersection, either assumed various standing frozen positions, some with signs, or lied down motionless in the intersection. On the four surrounding sidewalks, all other protesters loudly voiced end the war, bring them home now, and "Arrest Bush First" chants. Police reinforcements soon arrived, at first to contain the situation by placing officers in and along the street. They did not immediately remove protesters from the street. Meanwhile, all other protesters became louder with their voices, were allowed their freedom of speech and to remain on the sidewalks. Several police vans arrived. Police began removing and arresting each of the still, frozen, "silence of the dead" activists. Some walked, some were dragged to arrest for their brave actions to end the war and to bring troops home. After about an hour, the vans left. Voices for peace and for no more victims continued from the sidewalks, from the four corners of the intersection as if as of the earth. We had rallied, walked, marched, and spoken out loudly another day for an end to the fatal war of occupation, for the end of congressionally funded dehumanization, for the end of the violent harms to Iraqis and to our troops and families. There must be an end to the endless tours of death inflicted by arrogant and immoral administration, by congressional war pundits who taunt and profit by the killing of our own, who plot yet another war to kill the children who stand at the Archives and wonder if the Constitution of the peoples' America still exists. We then walked home. We walked to rest for tomorrow, knowing that tomorrow is every day, that we must and will always be there. Thanks to all on every corner, in every state, in every nation who speak out and act for their sovereign peace and justice. |
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