Groups march on D.C.

WASHINGTON - Anti-war protesters from Orange County, N.C., Orange County, Calif. and everywhere in between gathered Saturday to show their disapproval of the occupation of Iraq in a rally and march on the White House.

Estimated to be at least 100,000 strong, protesters filled one section of the lawn between the Washington Monument and the White House with crosses, the Star of David and crescent moons to honor the more than 1,900 soldiers who have died since the beginning of the war.

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, ended her Bring Them Home Now Bus Tour in

the capital and spoke to the crowds of people flooding the White House lawns.

She was joined on stage by Rev. Jesse Jackson.

"We need a people's movement to end this war," she said. "We have to do our jobs as Americans."

"We'll be the checks and balances on this out-of-control American government."

Sheehan, who made headlines camping outside of President Bush's Texas ranch, thanked everyone for supporting her and joining together to demand change.

Protesters marched down Constitution Avenue and up 15th Street in the hopes that their message would be heard within the White House walls. Bush was not in town for the protest as he was monitoring the development of Hurricane Rita.

Among the protesters were veterans of U.S. wars, soldiers' families and friends, concerned citizens and some soldiers who still are active in the military.

Protesters carried several items designed to evoke feelings regarding the brutality of the war, such as a rope accompanied by pictures of each soldier who had died hanging from it.

Several groups from North Carolina also came to show their support.

Mike Tuggle, a self-proclaimed conservative, came to the rally with about 60 people from Charlotte.

He said that being a conservative does not mean he supports everything the president does.

"We're against the war and the detriment of common liberties," he said. "War is supposed to be a last resort - this is a war of choice."

Tom VanDerBeck came to the rally with a group of about 200 people from the Chapel Hill area.

"I feel very strongly about this," he said of the war protest.

There were only a few counter demonstrations, but all conflicts ended quickly and peacefully. Police, armed with riot gear, lined the path of the march to maintain safety and control.

A few people from the White House came outside as the protesters chanted, increasing the excitement of the crowd.

Tom Palumbo, a veteran of the Gulf War from Norfolk, Va., arrived with two buses full of people - a significant number from a military town, he said.

He said he was impressed with the turnout, and is confident the message to bring the troops home made it to the White House.

He also said the fight wouldn't end with efforts scheduled to continue until the troops come home.

"It's like a meeting of the tribes," he said. "We're not going away."

 

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.