Pro-peace
About 600 rally in Indy on 3rd anniversary of Iraq war
By Tammy Webber
Jamie Gonzalez supported her son's decision to join the Army 2 1/2 years ago to defend his nation, get an education and "have an adventure."
On Saturday, holding his photo at a peace rally in Downtown Indianapolis, Gonzalez said she now just wants her son, Jamiell, 21, to come home.
"I am so afraid he will be sent to Iraq," said the Indianapolis woman, whose son is now stationed in Kuwait, on the Iraq border. "He is serving his country, doing something he loves, but they need to bring the troops home."
Gonzalez was among about 600 people who gathered on Monument Circle to rally for peace on the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Some carried hand-lettered signs with anti-war slogans such as, "War is not the answer," and "Choose peace." Others carried flags with peace signs.
At one point, the crowd broke into a chant, "One, two, three, four, bring our troops back to our shore." Others stood quietly, clutching flowers. At another point, they released red balloons carrying the names of Indiana soldiers who had died in Iraq.
One after another, speakers criticized the war's casualties and costs. Some said the war was a crime and called for the impeachment of President Bush.
"We should not be squandering hundreds of millions of dollars on a bloody boondoggle," said longtime U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, a Democrat who retired in 1997. He excoriated the president and his decision to go to war.
"The war hawk who has never been to war by definition doesn't know what he is talking about," said Jacobs, a Korean War veteran, prompting cheers from the crowd. "The only Americans in any danger from Iraq are the ones who were sent there to be slaughtered."
Saturday's gathering was more than triple the size of last year's rally, a sign that more Americans are growing tired of the war, said Heather Allen-Garde, a member of Progressive Indiana, one of several groups that organized the event.
"I think people realized this is costing us incredible amounts of money we don't have, and we are losing a lot of soldiers," Allen-Garde said.
At least 2,311 U.S. military members, including 59 people with Indiana ties, have died and more than 17,000 have been wounded since the Iraq war began. According to a recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll, only 39 percent of Americans support the way the president has handled the war. The poll also found almost four of five Americans, including 70 percent of Republicans, think Iraq is headed for civil war.
Marvin Wagner, 78, Indianapolis, a Korean War veteran, said the war is senseless.
"There are a few of us vets against the war," said Wagner. "I was in Korea. I was drafted. I know what the horror of war is. I never did get over it, and they're creating more like me."
The rally included a telephone call from peace activist Cindy Sheehan, whose anti-war vigils outside Bush's Texas ranch last year drew worldwide attention.
"We want this nightmare over," Sheehan said.
Sheehan, who was in New Orleans for another peace rally, encouraged the crowd to continue protesting and to "work for peace."
Across the street, a small group of counterprotesters held signs in support of Bush and the war, including one that said, "Honor the dead by rooting for victory."
Even some at the rally weren't sure the troops should come home.
Bridie Trozelli, 18, who moved to Indianapolis three years ago from Sweden, said she disagreed with war, "but from what I heard, if America pulls out now, it could leave (Iraq) in worse shape."
Gonzalez, however, said continuing to fight in Iraq wouldn't bring anything but more casualties on both sides.
"I think . . . the thing they could do now to make it better is to bring the troops home and peace will come sooner."
Photo by: Andrew Garde
Julia Carson stopped by to talk about peace and the importance of ending war
Isabel Rivera LeDoux, one of the event's organizers, said she hopes these rallies help show many people's disapproval of the war. The latest AP-Ipsos poll found 39 percent of Americans support the way the president has handled the war.
"By banning our voices together, we're hoping to be heard so this administration knows the American people do not agree with the approach their taking in Iraq," said LeDoux, president of Progressive Indiana, one of 13 sponsors involved in two months of preparations for the rally.
Above: Excerpt from AP article
Photo by: Marti Abernathy
Timothy Baer (above), president of Bloomington Peace Action Coalition (BPAC.info) led a protest and march down Kirkwood Ave on March 15, 2006 to mark the third year our nation has been at war. Former educator Deb Mayer, Monroe County teacher who was terminated for speaking about peace in the classroom spoke. Nearly 100 people attended.
Photo by: Andrew Garde
Bloomington Activists Take to the Streets to Promote Peace
State-Wide Rally
Brings hundreds
together for peace
Wow! What a day! More than 600 Hoosiers came together to honor the dead, heal the wounded and call for an end to the war in Iraq. The speakers and entertainers inspired the crowd. Andy Jacobs, Jr., Julia Carson, and numerous state organizers spoke. Cindy Sheehan telephoned the rally and was heard over a cell phone which was held up to a microphone. She encouraged the crowd to continue to call for peace -- Isabel Rivera Le Doux
Photo by: Andrew Garde
Looking back over the events of 2005 I have been inspired to compile the writings and photography of my husband Andrew and in order to let Hoosiers know about the peace movement and its strengths. Each event below was an important effort on the part of hundreds of Hoosiers to show the community and the media that peace, freedom, and democracy are attained when citizens participate in rallies to promote them.
National Day of Action SlideShow
March for Peace & Justice
Close to 20,000 people marched from St. Mary’s Catholic Church to the City County Building April 10 as part of a grassroots National Day of Action. Demonstrators wore white shirts to symbolize peace in efforts to call for immigration reform that provides a clear path to citizenship, unites families, and ensures workplace and civil rights.
